It's moving month, and there are many big changes to the top 100 AFL Draft rankings.
The biggest risers over the past month have been Northern Knights trio Harvie Cooke, Toby Krasna and Sam Gayfer, as well as Sandringham duo George Dimer and Lochie Burrows, who have all had amazing months for Vic. Metro at the national championships.
The biggest fallers from last month's rankings were Dandenong's Ben Carroll, Calder's Sam Harris, and South Australian defenders Harry Franz and Kale Matthews Hampton.
The national championships have concluded for 3 out of the 5 teams. It's time to attempt another top 100 prospect ranking. This is always a pretty mentally challenging and stressful endeavour, but it's also pretty fun, and this year's draft crop is growing increasingly deep and interesting to follow.
Whilst the 21-50 bracket has some notable risers and fallers, the top 20 has remained largely the same this month. Almost all the players in this bracket have solidified their standings at the pointy end of the draft. I have the top 10 sitting a level above the next 10 as it stands, but the upper echelon of this year's draft is growing by the week and the number of players outside the top 20 pressing their case to join that group is super impressive considering the amount of football still to play this year.
The depth of this year's draft is evident in the quality of names currently sitting outside the top 50. The 51-100 bracket was extremely hard to rank which is great for the strength of talent this year and means that there will be something for everyone all the way to the latter stages of this year's draft. There are still plenty of high-quality players sitting outside the top 100 who are very stiff to miss out on this list.
50-49
50. Tyson Bradley – KEY DEF – Sandringham Dragons (-11)
Solidified his stocks as a capable key defender with potential to improve even further. Hard to beat one-on-one with the nous to peel off an intercept. Not afraid to take on a difficult kick. A high-level player who plies his trade in a more traditional key defender role. Bradley has a great frame and uses it well to make himself hard to beat. He can also peel off his opponent to intercept and has solid foot skills.
49. Sam Gayfer – KEY FWD – Northern Knights (+24)
Gayfer's best position remains a question, whether he is a primary target, roaming key forward or potentially even a wingman. His speed is certainly eye-catching, and he used it to apply strong pressure on defenders, which is so valuable from a modern big man. Strong hands and a reliable kick. Gets separation easily using surprising speed.
48. Kai Parker – GEN. DEF/HALF BACK – Northern Knights (+17)
Parker has played multiple defensive roles over the past few weeks and looked good in all of them. Running half back, intercepting third tall and lockdown defender. Excellent versatility in a great frame is always valued highly. Can play tall or small in defence. Breaks lines with leg speed and foot skills.
47. Billy Wigmore – TALL UTILITY – Western Jets (+17)
Been super impressive playing in a Tom Stewart-type role, intercepting almost everything that has come his way for Vic Metro. It will be interesting to see where he plays the remainder of the season for the Jets, as he has also been a goal-kicking forward this year. Natural marking force who always backs himself whether intercepting or playing as a forward.
46. Kale Matthews-Hampton – GEN. DEF/HALF BACK – Sturt Double Blues (-20)
A relatively quiet champs for Matthews-Hampton has seen him drop in the rankings this month. There are no questions on his quality and the value of someone with his size and skillset at the next level, he'll be looking to get back to his best for Sturt to finish the year. Matthews-Hampton has a great combination of size and skills that allow him an element of positional versatility that is highly sought-after in the modern game. He can play as either a third tall defender or as a running half-back, and he has shown all the traits to make a move into the midfield or up to a wing.
45. Harper Banfield – MID/FWD – Claremont Tigers *West Coast F/S (+15)
Banfield was really impressive for WA and played progressively better games across the championships. His speed and ball use were given the chance to shine when he moved primarily on ball. Versatile inside/outside game with solid skills and goal kicking ability. Hard worker who can play forward, midfield and on a wing.
44. Jake Eime – HALF BACK – Central District (+1)
Eime is always good for a handful of eye-catching moments in every game he plays, his speed is awesome and his kicking is solid. Adding another level of damage to his possessions will see him rise higher up this list. A weapon off half-back who looks to use his elite speed to break lines, Eime has a good frame and also has sound foot skills. Looking to put them both together more often.
43. Tanner Armstrong – MID – Murray Bushrangers *Richmond NGA (-7)
Armstrong has been solid without setting the world on fire with his performances for Vic Country, where he has played mostly at half-back with some time spent forward. He certainly has enough traits that can transfer to the next level. With an intense play style that belies his stature, Armstrong brings an intensity when playing on ball to win first possession or tackle hard. Armstrong also has good speed, solid enough foot skills and shows a level of composure when playing off half-back to complement his toughness.
42. Will Antrobus – HALF BACK – Dandenong Stingrays (+2)
Antrobus hasn't quite shown just how damaging his foot skills can be for Vic Country, but he has shown an impressive level of defensive application; putting these together to finish the year will likely see him rise up the rankings. One of the best kicks in this year's draft crop. Plays his role as chief distributor really well, tries to take the game on with his kicking and is starting to have more of an influence further up the ground, too.
41. Keenan Boi – FWD/MID – Gippsland Power *Hawthorn NGA (+2)
Plays his role as a high half-forward to such a high standard. Could spend more time on ball or closer to goal depending on team need and likes to take on the “money kick” inside 50 with impressive effect. Prototypical high half forward for the modern game with good skills, plenty of tricks and the versatility to play as a genuine small forward or as an extra midfielder.
