The AFL Mid-Season Draft is just weeks away, with the likely clubs and prospects involved starting to emerge.
Currently, a total of seven clubs would have spots in the draft queue later this month, five of which have the ability to move players to the inactive list due to long-term injuries.
Essendon has suffered four significant setbacks, with the injuries to Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Tom Edwards and Lewis Hayes giving them flexibility for their list at the Mid-Season Draft.
Carlton (Brodie Kemp), Collingwood (Reef McInnes), Gold Coast (Charlie Ballard) and North Melbourne (Miller Bergman) can also open up list spots, while the Western Bulldogs and West Coast have list vacancies after passing on adding to their squads via the Rookie Draft and Supplemental Selection Period.
The current draft order would see the Eagles hold Pick 1, with North Melbourne in second and Carlton in third.
Essendon, who are in line to make multiple selections, would currently hold Picks 4 and 8, however, the first round of the count is likely to extend by the time the draft arrives.
The Bombers look likely to assess the ruck market, which has proven to be a busy avenue for clubs at the Mid-Season Draft over the years. Essendon have been tied to Coburg tall Cooper Keogh, however a foot injury will place him out of action for the next seven weeks.
Other options for the Bombers to consider are Southport's Brayden Crossley and Port Melbourne's Ajang Kuol Mun, with the Dons likely looking for ready-made options rather than developmental prospects given the profile of their current ruck ranks.
Clubs keen on long-term ruck options could look at Young Guns duo Zac Harding and Lucas Impey, as well as South Adelaide's Olivier Northam. Fellow SANFL tall Alex Van Wyk started his maiden campaign with North Adelaide in style, only for an ankle injury to keep him on the sidelines.
GWV Rebels tall Floyd Burmeister is one of the leading prospects and can be used as a ruckman; however may be better placed as a secondary option who can start forward.
The 199cm talent has been a shining light for the Rebels and was among the standouts for the Young Guns in recent weeks to stake his claim as a Pick 1 contender.
Casey-listed forward Caleb Lewis, Subiaco's Archer May, ex-Essendon forward Jaiden Hunter, former Collingwood and Geelong tall Nathan Kreuger, Carlton VFL spearhead Liam McMahon and Magpies VFL forward Riley Mason are other tall forward targets on offer.
May has enjoyed his first year in Western Australia since crossing from Richmond's VFL program, while Hunter has been equally impressive for Claremont since recovering from his ACL injury, booting 13 goals in five games.
The Tigers' VFL program could have several Mid-Season Draft prospects once again, with medium-sized forward Sam Toner an exciting and versatile teenager. Toner's traditional role is in attack, but due to Richmond's crop of key forward draftees, the Narre Warren product has shown signs further up the field.
He returned forward for the Young Guns and booted three goals against Vic Metro late last month to remind scouts of his pedigree in attack.
Small forward Massimo Raso is another Tiger who has attracted interest to start the year at Punt Road, as has rebounding backman Tom McCarthy and youngster Jhett Haeata.
Attacker Seth Macdonald is listed with Richmond's VFL but is yet to feature under Jake Batchelor, instead impressing in the Coates Talent League with Eastern Ranges and with the Young Guns.
Other small forward options for the Mid-Season Draft include SANFL duo Corey Grocock and Ewan Mackinley, as well as Collingwood forward Liam Hude and Werribee's Flynn Young..
Magpies talent Josh Browne could be a midfield prospect for AFL clubs to consider at the draft, having emerged as a young ball winner over the years with West Coast's WAFL side and Williamstown before his breakout campaign with Collingwood in 2025.
The VFL is home to a handful of emerging and ready-made midfielders, with J.J. Liston Trophy winner Dom Brew among those.
His Werribee teammate Jack Riding is another who could garner attention, while Sandringham VFL first-year midfielder Charlie Rozenes has impressed with the Zebras, the Sandringham Dragons and the Young Guns.
Former North Melbourne VFL captain turned Port Adelaide SANFL talent Jack Watkins is another to keep in mind, as is Calder Cannons teenager Cooper Herbert.
The Coates Talent League and VFL look set to offer the leading defensive options for clubs hoping to bolster their backlines.
The aforementioned McCarthy headlines a strong crop of dashing defenders, with Geelong's Falcons talent Kobe George, Bendigo's Tom Evans, Coburg's Donovan Toohey, Williamstown duo Joel Fitzgerald and Luke Parks, and Woodville-West Torrens forward-turned-defender Max Beattie another.
As far as taller defenders, Charlie McCartin - the brother of Paddy and Tom - has found great form in his first year with Geelong's VFL program, while Gippsland's Zac Walker, Calder's Gus Papal, Richmond VFL's Mutaz El Nour, Dandenong and North Melbourne VFL's Adrian Cole and smaller-framed Eastern Ranges prospect Rod Ali are among the top names.
The Mid-Season Draft is scheduled for after Round 11, with the draft order to be decided at the end of the round via the reserve ladder order. This year's order will also factor in points-per-game due to Essendon and Gold Coast having fewer matches played than the rest of the competition.
