Dandenong Stingrays captain Gus Kennedy has built up a shining season to now sit within the top 40 of Craft of the Draft's 2026 AFL Draft Power Rankings.
Making his first appearance in the rankings for the year, Kennedy comes in at 36th overall, and could rise further as the Stingrays eye a deep finish in the Talent League finals.
On this week's episode of Craft of the Draft, which revealed the top 45 AFL Draft prospects, analyst Jonty Ralphsmith lauded Kennedy's campaign to date, with the midfielder-defender hybrid showing traits as a player capable of having an impact at the next level.
"I've enjoyed watching him all year. I've been very cautious of not putting him in the rankings too early, funnily enough," Ralphsmith said.
"He's the sort of player who gets the ball and goes, backs himself to break a tackle, and I think his distribution by foot has gotten a lot better as the year has gone on. He's got the ability to intercept aerially and really impact there.
"There's a couple of really nice attributes to his game as that 185-186cm defender. He's dynamic enough at ground level as well, he's quite clean. He's noted for his leadership, so he's got the ticks from a character point of view.
"He's someone who put his name forward during the National Championships, and his second half of the year has been really, really strong. His compliance with role at both Dandenong and Vic Country has been really good.
"He's got the attributes that give you a lot of confidence that he's going to become a player with a fair bit of venom at the next level."
Speaking on Kennedy's mix of attributes, Craft of the Draft host Mitch Keating raised Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson as a comparable player, given the pair's ability to impact in the air, behind the ball, through midfield, and lead their respective sides.
A 'slimmer' version of the three-time All-Australian, Kennedy could follow Dawson's trajectory as a rebounding backman who eventually moves into a more central role at the highest level.
"He reminds me of a real slim Jordan Dawson," Keating said.
"That hybrid between midfield and defence, the leadership, the ability overhead in particular, and that attacking nature he's got.
"Great to see him in the top 40, and potentially further as we get closer to the National Draft."
