The business end of footy season has arrived, and the AFL Draft Power Rankings are starting to stabilise.
With school footy wrapping up after the Under-18s Championships in recent weeks and players slowly filtering back to talent pathway programs, only a handful of new players have emerged on the scene and commanded attention, but there has been plenty of shuffling as clubs gain an increasing understanding of the sorts of selections they are likely to have access to.
25-21
| 25 RANK |  | Khaled El Souki Western Jets Forward HEIGHT: 175cm |
The Western Bulldogs-tied small forward has put up video game numbers at Talent League level this season and led the league's goal-kicking. His forward craft and ability to make something out of nothing is majestic to watch and, as is a nice pattern among small forwards in this year's class, he is willing to lower his eyes inside 50 and set up teammates. The question does not surround his output, but rather where a club places a bid given he is viewed as having athletic flaws which perhaps limit his upside. Regardless, his burst and magic touch are dangerous at any level he plays, including for Footscray where he showed promise last month.
WHAT WESTERN BULLDOGS FANS CAN EXPECT FROM CLUB-TIED PROSPECT
| 24 RANK |  | Jack Pickett Geelong Falcons Forward HEIGHT: 194cm |
His size and contested marking are the key strengths that Pickett's clubs will look at. Kicked bags for fun at school and Talent League level last year and even got championships exposure as a bottom-ager. An ACL rupture has sidelined him this year, but he remains viewed as one of the best key forwards in the draft.
| 23 RANK |  | Noah Williams Geelong Falcons Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 177cm |
An interesting one to profile. After being best afield in last year's Under-17s Futures game and a starring contributor in the AFL Academy series early in the year, there was optimism he could be selected inside the top 10, but a quiet championships has resulted in him sliding somewhat. Still has credits in the bank as a big-game performer and is a tenacious and physical ball-hunter who can play off half-back and attack on the back of his defending and in the midfield, where he has dealt with a tag at school level and proven his hardness in the contest.
| 22 RANK |  | Marlon Neocleous Gippsland Power Forward HEIGHT: 168cm |
Neocleous' National Championships were probably unfairly critiqued given he played just two games, one of which was a heavy defeat. A small forward who works hard and packs a punch, Neocleous has had a very good year without consistently reaching his very best, but has shown he has the tools to make him a dangerous and entertaining small forward at the next level. A hard worker with a nose for goals, he polarises but has star factor and would be a bargain if he slips into the 20s.
| 21 RANK |  | Toby Krasna Northern Knights Midfielder HEIGHT: 181cm |
The athletic and sharp-stepping winger was sidelined for several weeks for a hamstring injury last month, but after strong form throughout the season, put himself in a position where he was able to wait until he was 100 per cent before returning. He does not gather as much of the footy as some of his counterparts, but he hurts opponents with his ability to turn his disposals into scores and put speed on the ball in transition with his run and carry and vision going forward.
