Headlined by likely No.1 Pick Jason Horne-Francis, the 2021 pool of prospects from South Australia is an enticing field for recruiters and scouts to set to their focus on in the early rounds of the National Draft.
The SANFL has managed to amass an extensive class of high-end AFL talent, with the last several seasons magnifying the state's ability to produce future stars in the top tier.
With the likes of Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine, Connor Rozee, Dylan Stephens and Riley Thilthorpe all being taken within the top five selections of their respective drafts, South Australia has put themselves on the map as top quality creators in recent years.
With 2021's crop of young stars from shaping as one of their best, we analyse the top names from South Australia ahead of the 2021 AFL Draft.
Jason Horne-Francis (South Adelaide)
Height: 184cm
Weight: 77kg
There's not much that hasn't been said about Jason Horne-Francis, with the Panthers jet set to walk to Arden Street as the No.1 Pick in the 2021 Draft.
Having already attracted comparisons to numerous Brownlow Medal winners both past and present, the ready-made midfielder is on track for stardom in the AFL and will headline the Kangaroos list rebuild as the 'Shinboners' look to return to the September action in the coming years.
While Horne-Francis will rival Collingwood father-son selection Nick Daicos for the honours of the best midfielder in his class, the South Australian also boasts the ability to move forward and have a substantial impact on the scoreboard.
His stunning and widened range of attributes has been as evident as ever in 2021, with the 18-year-old impressing onlookers with his ability to explode out of the middle, offer as a key link in the attack and also being able to get back into defence to flex his strength in tackling.
Having played a significant role in South Adelaide's finals push this year, Horne-Francis has gotten a taste for working with and against ready-made players at the elite level, which is sure to transition into the AFL next year.
Arlo Draper (South Adelaide)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 75kg
A more forward-focused selection from South Adelaide, Draper is an electrifying prospect that is sure to warrant a selection come the opening night of the National Draft on November 24.
While still being capable of moving into the midfield, it's likely you'll see Draper utilised as a nifty option in attack for the early years of his career before an eventual experimentation of sharing his workload in the engine room.
ARLO DRAPER | DRAFT PROSPECT@Adelaide_FC fan linked to the Crows by some. Twomey Rank #12. Slightly unfashionable but a good decision-maker, hits chests, kicks goals. Versatile. Contested grabs. Not worth pick 4, so may get snapped up between Crows picks. #weflyasone
🇷🇴🧐🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/l9wL2rPcci— Vardy Magic (@VardyMagic) October 6, 2021
Has been likened to fellow South Australian Connor Rozee by AFL list guru and Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan in the past, with whoever lands the speedster sure to hope for a similar return should they select Draper.
Injuries limited his exposure at the senior level of the SANFL, however Draper's sample in the Under 18s competition was more than enough for recruiters to gauge.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 71kg
One of the more athletically gifted prospects in the draft, the Tigers' midfield/forward is seen as having a lethal combination of footy smarts and the ability to deliver on the big stage.
Arguably the best mover of the ball by foot according to AFL Draft guru Callum Twomey, Wanganeen-Milera's stocks have shot up the board following a string of impressive performances with Glenelg and South Australia at the representative level.
Just catching up on the U19 game over the weekend and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is the truth 🤯 pic.twitter.com/i9SMnG0rin
— Jourdan Canil (@JourdanCanil) September 1, 2021
A lock for a first-round selection, clubs with a top 10 pick are sure to weigh up the pacey onballer should a keen suitor be looking for an outside option to their midfield ensemble.
The nephew of Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen, Nasiah is sure to offer some mirrored traits when compared to the former Port Adelaide and Essendon champion.
Matthew Roberts (South Adelaide)
Height: 184cm
Weight: 80
Shared stints between the Panthers' senior side and their junior ranks, Roberts was a prolific member at both levels in being a formidable midfield option.
Strong on the inside and at the coal-face, the 18-year-old is likely to fall in the latter half of the opening round for this year's draft, with Port Adelaide's opening Pick at No.12 perhaps a perfect match for both parties.
A reliable architect from the middle of the field, Roberts is seen as an intelligent prospect that is sure to transition into a leadership role at AFL level in due time.
Jase Burgoyne (Woodville-West Torrens)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 65kg
An exciting talent that will join Port Adelaide as a father-son selection, following in the footsteps of his dad, Peter, and brother, Trent, in venturing to Alberton Oval.
Showing a similar mould to the aforementioned Wanganeen-Milera, Burgoyne is sure to add pace and pose out wide for the Power across the coming years, with plenty of upside and potential looming.
Shared his 2021 campaign between a stint with Port Adelaide's reserves while also being a prominent figure in the Eagles' setup in proving his worth as a selection worthy of a second-round call-up.
Leek Alleer (Central District)
Height: 195cm
Weight: 84kg
Put recruiters on notice after breaking the running vertical jump record at the Draft Combine earlier this month, surpassing Kangaroo Kyron Hayden's result of 103cm by a further four rungs.
A stunning athlete that could fall into the second round should clubs in that range look to bolster their tall defensive stocks, with Alleer proving to be one of the best intercept players in his class.
Will fall behind Josh Gibcus, Jacob Van Rooyen and Rhett Bazzo in the key-defender stakes, however the Bulldogs prospect has plenty of upside that could see him slide further up the draft order in November.
