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.
40-31
40. Lachlan Hicks – MID/FWD – Western Jets (+1)
Hasn't been able to play his preferred position for Vic Metro but has still shown all the traits that make him a bit unique and can translate to a higher level of competition. Huge numbers at talent league level in both disposals and goals playing primarily as a midfielder. Works hard on the spread and makes himself a marking option up forward with surprisingly strong hands.
39. Archie Spencer – MID – Eastern Ranges (-6)
Continued his form as a hard-nosed half back who can play a lockdown small role as well as rack up intercept possessions with a natural footy IQ and pace that has made him a reliable midfielder for Eastern.
Unheralded as a midfield prospect this year who plays with great intensity and brings high-quality skills in addition to his tackling pressure. Played off half back for Vic Metro where his playstyle translated nicely.
38. Archie Van Dyk – MID – South Adelaide Panthers (-6)
Despite not seeing too much of Van Dyk this year, he still needs to be high in the draft rankings based on the runs he has on the board from last year. Great size and skills, overhead ability and leadership potential. Someone who hasn't been able to get himself on the park yet in 2026. His performances last year were extremely impressive. A well-rounded midfielder who wins clearances, works hard both ways and can take a strong mark overhead.
37. Gabriel Patterson – FWD/MID – Glenelg Tigers (-12)
A decent drop in rankings says nothing about Patterson playing poorly and says everything about others improving their draft standings. Patterson naturally catches the eye with his explosive athleticism but just hasn't been able to consistently impact games and grasp his opportunities. A slider at this point in the season, having started the year closer to the top-10. Patterson has all the attributes to be a high-level performer at the next level. Great speed, agility, size and goal sense. He still has plenty of time to work his way higher up the rankings.
36. Blake Justice – FWD/MID – Calder Cannons *Essendon NGA (+13)
Has certainly shown all the traits this month that have him so highly fancied. Justice will just be looking to increase his output and consistency across four quarters as he is highly damaging with ball in hand. Only just made his return from injury recently. Justice showed last year that he is a smooth mover with high-level skills, great size and positional versatility to play on-ball, on a wing or as a high half forward.
35. Xavier Ladbrook – KEY UTILITY – Gippsland Power (-5)
Has continued to be thrown around at both Talent League and state level. The question remains where Ladbrook fits best at the next level. A strong run of form at either end of the ground will likely see him climb the ranks, as his frame and athleticism is growing increasingly valuable at AFL level. A somewhat tricky prospect to rank, Ladbrook has played great games at both ends of the ground this year and didn't look out of place on a wing last year. Despite not yet putting together a consistent run of high-level performances so far this year, Ladbrook has shown enough to suggest that he is extremely talented and worthy of a high draft selection.
34. Mitchell Harris – KEY DEF – Woodville-West Torrens Eagles (-7)
Harris catches the eye just about every time the ball is in his area, he loves to fly for impressive spoils and strong marks and has stepped up in big moments. An imposing presence behind the ball, Harris sets himself up as a one-man wall that is tough to penetrate. Not only does he have extremely strong hands, he also has the speed to stay with his opponent and the leap to either spoil strongly or take the mark over everyone's head.
33. Jack Slattery – GEN. FWD – Woodville-Torrens Eagles (NEW)
New to the rankings purely because I don't usually add over-age players until later in the year. Slattery has made me break this rule with his outstanding performances for SA. Beats opponents one-on-one using his strength, intelligence and positioning and has enough athleticism to impact at ground level and provide strong forward pressure. While his performances at SANFL reserves level haven't had the same impact, performing against bigger bodies will hold Slattery in good stead and he is growing his game at a rate of knots. It won't be a surprise to see him step up to SANFL league level later this year, too.
32. Jack Pickett – KEY FWD – Geelong Falcons (-4)
A shame that we won't see Pickett ply his trade again this year. Despite this, he is unlikely to fall too far in the rankings as he showed too much promise last year. Still sits as the #1 key forward in this draft class despite not playing since mid-March. Could be the forgotten man in this year's draft. An ACL injury has cruelled any chances of Pickett showcasing his wares this season. However, what he showed last year was more than enough to put him in the conversation with the best key forwards in this crop. Strong hands one-on-one or on the lead.
31. Darcy Szerszyn – GEN. DEF – Dandenong Stingrays (-2)
Szerszyn has played very solid games as a defender for Vic Country and shown glimpses of his line-breaking ability. It will be interesting to see where he is deployed for the Stringrays to finish the year, as Szerszyn is one that could climb steeply if given a more high-volume role to get the most out of his impressive skillset. Despite only playing in one talent league game upon returning from injury, Szerszyn made his way straight into the Vic Country line-up for their first champs game, such is the level of his talent and his regard within that team. Szerszyn is capable of both locking down an opponent and playing as an interceptor, and he loves to get the ball and use his elite speed and great kicking to break lines.
