Geelong VFL duo Marcus Herbert and Kye Annand appear to be two of Victoria's leading contenders for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
Herbert has courted strong interest from Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and West Coast, and could be the Tigers' first selection if they win Friday's Dreamtime at the G clash against Essendon, and therefore don't have Pick 1.
There is a view that the Dreamtime fixture on Friday night between the Bombers and Richmond is the Jaxon Artemis Cup, with both clubs likely to select the Tasmanian VFL player if they have the first selection.
The result of Friday night's game is expected to have a domino effect on how the rest of the Mid-Season Draft unfolds, as there is an industry belief Richmond and Essendon have different players on their board if they have Pick 2, causing uncertainty beyond.
Herbert's positional flexibility is valued by clubs, having put a consistent body of work together for Geelong VFL.
"Probably ball use and IQ within the team and the game, usually off a half back or as a mid trying to play the inside and outside role well," Herbert told Zero Hanger earlier this month.
"Trying to hunt if I am on the inside, especially if I am in the midfield and if I'm not there, then trying to break lines and penetrate going forward by foot or by taking the ball under the wing and running and carrying a little bit.
Richmond is still doing work on a host of other hopefuls, prompting expectation the Tigers could open up a second list spot, with Josh Smillie and Campbell Gray among the options to add to the long-term injury list.
Meanwhile, Herbert's teammate Kye Annand has had significant late interest and is sitting out of the Cats' VFL game this weekend, indicating a confidence from his camp that a club will call his name out.
The tall utility has been linked to Brisbane, which could open up a list spot with Dan Annable out for the season.
Rucks are back in vogue at this year's Mid-Season Draft, with Melbourne, Collingwood, West Coast and potentially Port Adelaide in the mix for a big man.
Whether West Coast select a ruck with its first or second selection is another which could have a domino effect on where all the rucks end up landing and which players are selected.
Tom Scully, Alex Van Wyk, Caleb May, Flynn Riley and Harrison Coe are among the leading ruck prospects, while talls James Tarrant and Max Mapley are pinch-hitters who can fill key-position posts that are in clubs' calculations.
The Eagles are expected to prioritise experience and have been linked to a host of names: Mutaz El Nour, Kane Bevan, Zac Mainwaring, Scully, May and Jackson Voss.
Voss is close mates with last year's Mid-Season Draft top pick Tom McCarthy and has also received interest from Melbourne, which looks set to take two selections.
Former Sydney Swan Hugo Hall-Kahan is another to have courted interest from two clubs, with a positional switch to half-back at Williamstown allowing him to flourish.
Western Jets teenager Noah McMenamin is set to play his second game for Collingwood's VFL side this weekend, while Calder Cannons' Nick Staropoli will do likewise for Essendon VFL.
Both have received interest as athletic defenders and are viewed as the most likely Mid-Season Draft candidates from the Talent League behind Griffin.
