A host of AFL hopefuls are emerging as the leading names in the mix for this year's Mid-Season Draft, with the early rounds of the VFL, SANFL, WAFL and Talent League seasons giving club recruiters much to consider.
Eight spots across six clubs could be open already ahead of the May 28 intake, with West Coast, the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon (three) and Gold Coast currently able to add to their list via the Mid-Season Draft.
The Eagles and Dogs both had list spots left over from the pre-season signing window, while the Blues (Brodie Kemp), Magpies (Reef McInnes), Bombers (Sam Draper, Nick Bryan and Tom Edwards) and Suns (Charlie Ballard) can open spots by moving players with long-term injuries to the inactive list.
Port Adelaide (Todd Marshall), Carlton (Nic Newman) and Brisbane (Lincoln McCarthy) could consider similar moves while holding out hope their injured stars could still return late into the year.
Essendon are a strong chance to look toward the ruck talent on offer, with Coburg ruckman Cooper Keogh headlining the potential names on offer.
North Adelaide's Alex Van Wyk, Southport's Brayden Crossley, GWV Rebels ruck-forward Floyd Burmeister and Williamstown's Lucas Impey are others who could be in the mix.
Keogh's strong start to the season with the Lions has flagged him as a leading name, with Craft of the Draft analyst Jonty Ralphsmith lauding the 26-year-old's aerobic capacity and work rate.
"It's been widely reported that Cooper Keogh is one they're quite keen on. His name is one that actually got a bit of attention from them last year as well before they ultimately decided to overlook him," Ralphsmith said on this week's episode.
"He's played some really strong footy across the last 18 months in the VFL since crossing from North Melbourne at the end of 2023. He's that player who covers the ground so well, he hardly comes onto the bench, his tank is magnificent for a ruck and he's really physical as well.
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"It does seem like if he is going to get picked up in the Mid-Season Draft it would be by Essendon, they're the main suitor for him at the moment."
Other VFL prospects include Geelong pair Charlie McCartin and Nathan Kreuger, Cat-turned-Borough big man Ajang Kuol Mun, and Richmond duo Massimo Raso and Tom McCarthy.
The Talent League has offered a platform for the past four No.1 picks in the Mid-Season Draft, with a host of over-age names in the running this year.
The aforementioned Burmeister, alongside defensive pair Gippsland's Zac Walker and Eastern Ranges' Rod Ali and Calder Cannons midfield-froward Cooper Herbert, are others who have put their case forward.
"Some other names of interest, Charlie McCartin is just about a lock to get taken at the Mid-Season Draft. The brother of Tom and Paddy McCartin," Ralphsmith said.
"His marking has been magnificent to start the season for Geelong VFL. He's taken real steps forward with his footy.
"Ajang Kuol Mun is one who was on the radar in the pre-season quite early. He hasn't been spoken about as much in recent weeks, but he's certainly right there or thereabouts in terms of being at the pointy end of Mid-Season Draft reckoning as a developing project type of player from Port Melbourne.
"From a Talent League perspective, the main names are Zac Walker, Floyd Burmeister and Rod Ali. Walker and Ali as those interceptors, and Burmeister as a developing tall. He played another really strong game on the weekend for Vic Country.
"Massimo Raso and Tom McCarthy out of the Richmond VFL are also in that top echelon, and then you could add Nathan Kreuger and Cooper Herbert to that as well.
"They're the names at the moment that are at the front of the queue as the players are starting to make their cases."
For the full video of this week's Craft of the Draft episode, head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel or watch below.
