Hawthorn and Essendon are keeping a close eye on potential draft bolter Archie Perkins, who is a strong chance to be the first Victorian selected in next month's draft, per Fox Footy's Matt Balmer.

The Sandringham Dragons product is now tipped to slide into the top-10 as the Hawks (pick 4) and Bombers (6,7, & 8) both consider selecting the midfielder.

Hawthorn is likely to add to their engine room with their first-round selection, with Victorian trio Will Phillips, Elijah Hollands and Perkins all strong prospects for Alastair Clarkson.

Victorian draft hopefuls were unable to compete in the NAB league and national U18 carnival due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Perkins has been tipped to have plenty of upside regardless.

As a junior, Perkins played a majority of his football as a medium forward, with the occasional run through the middle.

The teenager is known to have great speed and is a formidable asset in the air, despite standing at just 186 centremetres.

With Logan McDonald, Denver Grainger-Barrass and Riley Thilthorpe likely off the table come the fourth overall selection, Perkins remains a great choice for the Hawks.

The Bombers will hope Thilthorpe remains on the board come the time of their first selection, with Adelaide tossing up whether to select the two-metre South Australian with the No.1 pick.

Nik Cox, Heath Chapman and Zach Reid also remain in Essendon's sights as they look to add to their key position stocks.