The first day of the month means Craft of the Draft's latest power rankings have dropped.
The list is headlined by a big riser in the top 10 and five changes to May's 30. Club-tied duo Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane still occupy the top two spots, while there are a further three club-tied prospects in the top 30.
With many players currently taking part in schoolboy footy, the quality of talent pathways footy around the country has been diluted, but the cream of the crop has still risen to the top.
Trial matches in South Australia and Western Australia in May have lifted the stocks of several players, which is reflected by greater representation of those states in this ranking.
The top half of the rankings have remained largely unchanged, save for some minor shuffling, while several new names have been included in the later sections of the top 30.
Albert MacGowan was the most difficult name to leave out, but has been usurped by players who have performed at a higher level than the APS competition he is currently playing in. His Vic Metro teammates Sam Gayfer and Seb Marsic were also around the mark - the latter currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
Sam Tassone looks set for a big Under-18s National Championships and was unlucky to just drop out, while Croweaters teammate Harry Franz is also right there.
5. 25-21
25) Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
Has built an irrefutable case to be included in the top 30 and arguably could be even higher on the list. A late addition to the AFL Academy, Matthews-Hampton's intercepting is his standout trait, but his ability to halve one-on-one aerial contests has also grown this year. Midfield minutes for Sturt have provided a snapshot into his capability around the footy and his kicking has lifted this year, and has an elite level basketball background.
24) Lachie Hicks (Western Jets)
An athletic midfielder-forward who works hard both ways, his overhead marking has come to the fore across the last month. Plays well above his listed 183cm height which makes him a nightmare match-up inside 50 given his ability to win the footy at ground level. He also links up well in possession chains and is able to find space and distribute effectively around stoppages.
23) Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
A bullocking inside midfielder with clean hands and the ability to win clearances, Robinson has established himself as a senior footy force for South Fremantle. There are comparisons to be drawn between Robinson and Ollie Greeves and Dyson Sharp last year, who both polarised opinion. Sharp went on to win the Larke Medal at the Under-18s National Championships, and his running power has enabled him to impact early in his AFL career prior to injury. Meanwhile, Greeves still has areas of his game to improve but has upside with his size, which contributed to his fall on AFL Draft day. The success of any player's Under-18s National Championships performance are always weighty when considering where they sit on draft boards, but the statement seems particularly pertinent for a star ball-winning midfielder, but one who lacks blistering speed.
22 - Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
There is not much to add about Pickett from what was said last month. Clubs will have a decision to make about how highly they valued what the Geelong Falcons forward did as a bottom-ager and in the very early throngs of 2026 when making a decision about bringing him in. Should be selected given his significant runs on the board as a mobile marking forward, but exactly how high remains a question.
21) Koby Lecras (West Perth)
As revealed by this masthead last month, Lecras suffered an ACL sprain which will rule him out for the remainder of the season, but he is hoping to be back in time for the AFL National Combine. Did enough prior to his setback to remain in top 30 calculations, with his mobility, running power and skill as a 192cm phenom engendering belief that he projects as a prototype modern winger. He can also push forward hard and kick goals at ground level and marking option.
