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.
30-21
30. George Dimer – SMALL FWD/MID – Sandringham Dragons (+33)
A massive climber in the rankings, Dimer has been so impressive for Vic Metro. He provides everything clubs are looking for in a player of his size and has plenty of extra elements to his game to make him an even more enticing prospect. Speedy ball winner who can accumulate as well as play as a goal sneak.
29. Caylen Murray – HALF BACK/MID – Brisbane Academy (+8)
Murray showed that he deserves to be talked about with the top prospects of this draft with his professional-level performances for the Allies. No doubt he'll look to make an impact for Brisbane's VFL side later in the year to further improve his draft stock. Great combination of leg speed and foot skills to break lines off half back, Murray can also play as an outside midfielder and uses his running power to get himself involved multiple times in transition and also hit the scoreboard.
28. Albert Macgowan – MID/WING – Sandringham Dragons (+6)
Might not have set the world on fire with his performances, Macgowan deserves a bump in ranking due to his consistency and versatility, easily transferring his skills onto a wing for Vic Metro. Classy mover and user who has the ability to find space in congestion and the skills and smarts to do something impressive with the ball once he's in the open. Can kick on both feet and has an impressive ability to play both on-ball and out on a wing to a high level.
27. Khaled El Souki – FWD/MID – Western Jets *Western Bulldogs NGA (-5)
Returning from injury and growing by the week. El Souki has still maintained his high-impact game style and will look to build back to his best for talent league finals. Elite left footer who is a natural offensive threat either delivering inside 50 or finishing himself. One of the most impressive things about El Souki is that he has had high possession games, high goal games and he's been able to put them both together on occasions for some monster performances.
26. Jacob McNicol – MID/FWD – Glenelg Tigers (-3)
Able to accumulate without spending too much time on-ball. McNicol is a really damaging forward half player with a great left-foot kick and serious goal-scoring ability. The most impactful and consistent performer at SANFL colts level this year so far, averaging 28 disposals and kicking at least 2 goals in every game he's played at that level. McNicol is a clearance-winning midfielder with a great left boot, and he's also a dangerous match-up when playing deep forward.
25. Memphis Webb – MID – North Adelaide Roosters (-1)
Looked very impressive as one of SA's primary on-ballers. Webb is a smooth mover who can also turn up the toughness when he needs to. Another player who has had a steep rise this year, having missed almost all of last year and the early stages of this year recovering from an ACL rupture. Webb has shown an impressive goal kicking ability at SANFL colts level while playing both forward and on the ball. At state level, Webb has also shown that he can stand up when his team needs him.
24. Toby Krasna – WING/MID – Northern Knights (+24)
Krasna has only gone from strength to strength over the past few weeks. He's made the move from wing to full-time mid with aplomb and he's quickly coming for the next rung of talent after an extremely impressive champs campaign. Natural winger who can impact at stoppage and work hard on the spread. Nice size, eye-catching breakaway speed with great skills and an impressive goal kicking ability.
23. Harvie Cooke – FWD/MID – Northern Knights (+24)
A massive riser and still has a way to climb, yet. Cooke has shown that he can play not only as a pressure forward, he can also take a strong mark, hit a target inside 50 and impact around stoppage. Certainly one to watch. Cooke has shown that he is more than capable of playing as a tough inside midfielder for the Knights, and he has taken that intensity to a forward role with Vic Metro with great success. Bull-in-a-China-shop type of player.
22. Jackson Phillips – MID – Dandenong Stingrays (+9)
A decent riser after showing that his skills are a class above at state level, not just talent league level. Phillips plays at a consistently high level. He's quick, highly skilled and dangerous with the ball in the forward half. A professional-level midfield prospect who can either get first hands on the ball or use it to a high level with his foot skills. Works hard to make himself dangerous in transition and get himself on the scoreboard.
21. Jordan Knapp – MID – Eastern Ranges (-)
Impressed on the wing for Vic Metro before returning to his preferred position on-ball and showcasing his excellent stoppage craft and work-rate on the spread. Should have added a few more goals to his tally, too. Clean and classy inside midfielder who can get first hands on the ball in tight as well as use his agility to find room and use the ball well by foot. Knapp also works hard to make himself an option on the spread which has translated well to his performances on the wings for Vic Metro.
