A total of 64 players were drafted in 2023, and while AFL scouts can soon kick up their feet, their attention will eventually turn to next year's crop of impressive teenagers.
26 players eligible for next year's draft have been named in the 2024 AFL Academy squad, many of whom featured in the annual Future Stars game at the MCG in December.
2023's draft was heavily impacted by father-son and Academy prospects, and 2024 looks to be no different as a number of top-rated players already have ties to AFL clubs.
The top-end of next year's draft is also skewed in favour of midfielders, with seven of the top eight names to consider likely to spend a majority of their draft campaigns in the middle of the field next year.
Here are the names to watch in 2024...
2. Sid Draper
The leading prospect out of South Australia, Draper is the younger brother of recently departed Collingwood youngster Arlo.
The young South Adelaide star capped off a brilliant bottom-age season in the Future Stars game, leading Team Naitanui to a win with 25 disposals.
Draper was selected in the U18 All-Australian team and would be recognised as South Australia's MVP despite being a bottom-ager, averaging 24.8 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 3.8 tackles across his four matches.
The 17-year-old would get an early look at senior experience in the SANFL as well, playing a trio of games for the Panthers this year and he wouldn't look out of place, averaging 14 disposals 3.0 marks, 3.0 inside 50s and 2.3 clearances per game.
