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...
3. South Australia
Following a one-win campaign in 2023, the Croweaters will have a strong chance at the title this year given their range of top-age ball winners and attacking threats.
A winner of the state's MVP title in his bottom-age carnival, South Adelaide's Sid Draper recently returned from injury and will suit up for South Australia this weekend when they open the National Championships against reigning champions the Allies at Therbarton Oval.
Draper looms as a potential Pick 1 selection and is among the top crop of midfielders in the country with his ability to run at games at a high standard, offering an edge at the coalface with his ability to weave out of the contest with his pace and agility.
Draper added to his strong 2023 campaign with a number of appearances at the SANFL level with the Panthers' senior while also leading the club's U18s side to the title.
Fellow South Adelaide talent Phoenix Hargrave is another midfield prospect who looms as a key piece for SA this year, able to play across the middle and forward lines as a smaller-framed onballer who still packs a punch.
Carlton-tied father-son twins Ben and Lucas Camporeale will also be critical through midfield, with Ben seen as the leading option given his inside and outside ability.
The Glenelg pair complement each other nicely, with Lucas an outside wing option who can also slot onto the half-backline to offer some run and movement from defence.
Woodville-West Torrens talent Kade Herbert is another outside midfield option and has experience at senior SANFL level with the Eagles, already making three appearances this year after five in 2023.
Central District's Dyson Sharp, a bottom-age prospect, could follow in the steps of Draper and take out South Australia's MVP title as a 17-year-old.
The strong ball-winner claimed a Kevin Sheehan Medal last year in the U16s and looks likely to bring a good level of prowess to SA's engine room for his first stint in the U18s.
Forward of the ball, Adelaide father-son gun Tyler Welsh will spearhead SA's attack, with the big-bodied key forward potentially finding this year's carnival opposition easier than most given his role in the Crows' SANFL side to start the year.
Welsh is among a big crop of father-son prospects in South Australia's squad, with defensive pair Rome Burgoyneย (son of Peter) and Louie Montgomery (son of Brett) both eligible to join Port Adelaide,ย while the Camporeale twins are sure to land at Princes Park this November.
