The 2024 National Championships get underway this Sunday, with AFL scouts and recruiters set to get an indication of this year's top bracket of talent.
The carnival sees the best draft stars from across the country looking to flex their value at the highest level in their draft campaign, with the National Championships a stage where the cream rises to the top.
The Allies enter the carnival as the reigning champions after a maiden title win in 2023, with the 'best of the rest' set to be a top contender again this year given their strong list of talent and emerging bottom-age prospects.
Each side has key players in all areas of the field, so we've looked to highlight the players to keep an eye on across this year's carnival, both eligible and bottom-age players.
Here are 56 prospects to watch from each side ahead of the 2024 National Championships...
2. Vic Country
Headlining this year's Vic Country crop is Oakleigh Chargers and Koroit midfielder Finn O'Sullivan, who was among the side's best performers last year in a bottom-age campaign.
The silky inside-outside threat will be accompanied by attacking midfield assets Sam Lalor and Harvey Langford, who have both been prolific this year and shape as key components for Vic Coutntry given O'Sullivan's ongoing injury concerns.
The pair will likely be joined by fellow AFL Academy ace and Gippsland Power midfield-defender Xavier Lindsay, who is a known ball winner through the middle of the field or across half-back when required.
Like Lindsay, Bendigo's Tobie Travaglia - who took out the Pioneers' best and fairest last year ahead of No.1 pick Harley Reid - will float between the defensive and middle lines of the field.
The elite service provided by the engine room will fall in the lap of a likely dominant attacking third for Country, who have an exciting balance of tall and small forward options.
Shepparton native Jack Whitlock is emerging as one of the premier key forwards of 2024 and will look to partner GWV Rebels spearhead Jonty Faull in attack, while Archer Day-Wicks looms as a lethal medium-sized option.
Wangaratta's Joe Berry has been in scintillating form to start this year, booting four goals in five of his appearances for the Murray Bushrangers in 2024 to emerge as a promising pure small forward.
Matt Whitlock, Jack's twin, is also doing his prospects no harm at the other end of the field for the Bushrangers and the AFL Academy. Whitlock earned a call-up to the representative side in place of Dandenong Stingrays tall Noah Mraz, who is another leading key defensive option for Vic Country this year.
An ankle injury for Mraz has him placed on the sidelines for the time being, with his absence set to place more of a reliance on bottom-ager Willem Duursma, the younger brother of AFL/W-listed trio Xavier, Yasmin and Zane.
Duursma looms as one of the top 2025 draft prospects and could be among this year's top carnival performers.
Vic Country's opening game at the National Championships will be held at IKON Park against South Australia on Sunday, June 9.
