In the third chapter of Zero Hanger's positional rankings for the final week leading up to the 2023 AFL Draft, we'll be counting down the five best ruckmen on offer.

Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia are all represented in our top five, with each member on this list a live chance of earning a National Draft selection despite the lower reliance on ruckmen at the draft.

Headlined by a Suns Academy graduate, this year's ruck craft boasts a number of tall teenagers who stop the tape close to seven feet and above the 200cm mark.

The new age of ruckman has also led to this year's top prospects baosting elite endurance and/or sprinting skills as well as clean ball use and ground coverage.

SEE ALSO: THE FIVE BEST FORWARDS FOR THE 2023 AFL DRAFT
SEE ALSO: THE FIVE BEST DEFENDERS FOR THE 2023 AFL DRAFT

Accompanied by comments from AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan, here are the FIVE best ruckmen for the 2023 AFL Draft...

3. Mitch Edwards

FULL PROFILE
Position: Ruck
Height: 206cm
Weight: 89kg
State: Western Australia
Club: South Mandurah

A prospect rich in potential, Edwards entered 2023 as a potential top five selection before injury played a role in a campaign the Western Australian might've hoped for a greater return in.

An impressive bottom-age campaign with the black swans has given AFL recruits plenty to consider, while Edwards was again a promising force for WA and Peel Thunder this year despite some setbacks.

The Fremantle NGA talent averaged 23.0 hitouts and 10.0 disposals per game across three National Championships games in 2023 to go with a mean of 35 hitouts at the WAFL Colts level.

Edwards flexed his leaping ability at the AFL Draft Combine in October, recording top five scores in the standing and running vertical leap tests.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Mitchell Edwards (Peel Thunder) in action during the 2023 AFL National Draft Combine at Margaret Court Arena on October 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Kevin Sheehan says: An exciting ruckman still growing into his body. Has the height and natural leap to give his team a distinct advantage at stoppages. Has continued to develop this year and shown glimpses of his aerial ability at state under 18 level and took several exciting marks during the National Championships.