Mature-aged draft selections have proven to be fruitful finds throughout the course of recruiting in the AFL, and 2024 could have more diamonds picked from the rough.
Last year alone saw Geelong pluck Werribee star Shaun Mannagh and Western Australian flanker Lawson Humphries at the National Draft, with both players going on to have key roles in the Cats' finals run to end their maiden season at AFL level.
This year's draft pool could offer further mature-aged options, whether that be state league stars, over-age prospects or former AFL-listed names.
Here we list nine of the best mature-aged draft prospects for the 2024 AFL Draft...
Position: Forward
Height: 190cm
State: Victoria
Club: Richmond VFL
Davidson took home the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal this year after a stellar first season at Punt Road where he was able to show off his forward craft as a medium-sized forward.
The 22-year-old is a creative front-half player who is a solid aerial presence for his size and has the potential to hold down a role further up the field if required.
Davidson kicked 26 goals in his 17 games at VFL level this year in what was his first campaign in the competition, with the young attacker sharing best and fairest honours at Richmond.
Footscray youngster Cooper Craig-Peters is another VFL forward-midfield hybrid who could fetch interest at the draft.
Position: Defender
Height: 186cm
State: Victoria
Club: Werribee
Bice had no issue taking the leap to VFL action in 2024 after featuring at the local level last year, with the intelligent half-back ending his maiden year at Werribee with a premiership medallion.
A good user of the ball who boasts an attack-minded game out of defence, Bice averaged 21.8 disposals, 6.9 marks, 4.8 rebound 50s and 4.6 intercepts per game for the 'Bees last season.
The 24-year-old is among the players on this list who could have an immediate impact at AFL level as early as 2025.
Fellow Werribee stars Dom Brew and Jack Henderson would also be worth a look this the draft window.
Position: Key Forward
Height: 197cm
State: Victoria
Club: Carlton VFL
McMahon enjoyed a career-best season with the Blues' VFL team this year, kicking multiple goals in all 16 of his appearances in 2024.
The former Collingwood listed tall ended his season with 45 goals, finishing second for majors in the competition behind Port Melbourne's Billy Gowers despite the limited season.
A second chance for McMahon could be found via the draft, with a rookie list spot more likely, while Carlton could be prepared to promote the 22-year-old to their AFL list and keep him in the navy blue.
Other clubs keen on a key forward who could have a quick impact are sure to have some attention placed on McMahon.
Position: Ruck
Height: 198cm
State: Victoria
Club: Western Jets
Impey is an over-age draft prospect who was named in Vic Metro's squad for 2024, playing three games in the side's undefeated U18s National Championships run.
The emerging ruckman was a consideration for this year's Mid-Season Draft and only bettered his case across the course of the season, representing Williamstown in the VFL as well as the Western Jets and local club Darley.
Impey could be a solid addition for a club needing ruck depth, with the teenager looking to be a physical key position talent with room to grow.
Fellow over-age ruckmen in WA duo Aiden Riddle and Max Rohr are also among the 2005-born talls that could fetch attention.
Position: Defender
Height: 197cm
State: Victoria
Club: Essendon VFL
Hoare had his first full season with Essendon's reserves this year and quickly honed a role in Blake Caracella's side.
The tall intercepting defender had a positive start to his 2024 season in the red and black but saw his impact grow throughout the year to put forward strong performances on a regular basis.
Featuring alongside AFL-listed duo Lewis Hayes and Sam Weideman, the 24-year-old was able to flex his ability as an aerial threat behind the ball.
Position: Forward
Height: 184cm
State: Victoria
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
The 2005-born medium-sized forward has rapidly emerged on the radar of AFL clubs off the back of a dominant spell at the local level this year, which has combined nicely with good form for Dandenong's Talent League side as an over-age prospect.
Toner kicked 50 goals from 13 games for Narre Warren's seniors this year, going goalless on just one occasion to impress with his forward craft and goal sense.
The 19-year-old kicked another nine goals from his four games for the Stingrays - highlighted by a five-goal game against the Eastern Ranges - to prove his value as a young forward option for this year's draft.
Position: Forward-Midfielder
Height: 180cm
State: Western Australia
Club: South Fremantle
The former West Coast-listed forward is back in the mix for a list spot this draft period, having earned an invite to WA State Draft Combine.
Winder was cut from the Eagles at the end of 2023 after seven games in three season, landing at South Fremantle for the past season.
The 22-year-old averaged 25.4 disposals, 4.0 tackles and 4.8 marks for the Bulldogs as a high-impact ball winner, with clubs now rekindling their interest in Winder's traits.
Peel Thunder defender Michael Sellwood is another WAFL gun reportedly fetching interest from AFL clubs this off-season.
Position: Ruck
Height: 202cm
State: Victoria
Club: Port Melbourne
Kuol mun was joined by the likes of the aforementioned Davidson and Bice in earning an invite to the AFL State Combine in Melbourne last month, pricing there is strong interest in the athletic ruck-forward utility.
The 22-year-old has an impressive start to his season with Geelong's VFL side to earn attention ahead of the Mid-Season Draft.
He wouldn't feature too heavily at the state league level this year - playing just the five matches for the Cats - but Kuol mun offered enough to show great upside in his game.
Kuol mun has since made the move to Port Melbourne for the 2025 season, ready to grow his game at North Port Oval if an AFL opportunity doesn't come his way.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 179cm
State: Victoria
Club: Coburg
Gentile, 21, has been one of the VFL's best young midfielders for the past couple of seasons, often leading the engine room in a struggling Coburg outfit.
This year, Gentile - averaging 26.6 disposals, 6.3 inside 50s, 5.9 clearances and 3.9 tackles per game for the Lions - finished among the finalists for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal and was named in the VFL Team of the Year.
The young midfielder looms as an astute train-on prospect for an AFL club this coming summer, with Gentile looking ready to prove his worth at the next level.