The 2024 AFL Draft is just days away, with all 18 clubs getting their affairs in order as they prepare to attain talent from this year's stacked class of prospects.
More than half of the competition have priority access to draft prospects they will look to add to their list via the Academy and father-son mechanisms, but further planning is in place to pry talent from the open pool.
The first round of the draft currently consists of 23 selections owned by just 12 clubs, with the six other sides hoping a particular teenager or two slides out of their projected draft range and into their lap.
Whether your team holds an early selection or doesn't start their count until night two of the draft, we've matched up an ideal prospect to all 18 clubs for their first selection of this year's AFL Draft.
For this exercise we have avoided double-ups, keeping all 18 selections to 18 different draft prospects.Â
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Position:Â Midfielder
Height:Â 182cm
State:Â South Australia
Club:Â Willunga
The South Australian captain isn't just the best prospect from his state, he's also the perfect puzzle piece for the Crows to add to their midfield mix.
X-Factor, speed, ball-winning nous and leadership qualities headline the package that comes with Draper's services, with the pacey South Adelaide product the chance to be the best onballer from a midfield-led draft class.
The Crows open their intake with Pick 4 and will hope the damaging centrepiece is available to them when they're first on the clock. If not, Adelaide still won't be short on promising midfield options that early into the count.
Others to consider:Â Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan
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Position: Midfielder
Height:Â 179cm
State: Victoria
Club:Â Old Brighton Grammarians
There's not much that needs to be said of Ashcroft that hasn't already been spoken.
The son of triple premiership player Marcus and the younger brother to 2024 Norm Smith Medal winner Will, Levi is a tantalising prospect for the Lions given he'll bring different strengths to what his older brother has so far in his short career.
Perhaps a long-term replacement for dual Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale, Ashcroft is viewed by many as the top prospect in this year's draft class after leading the Sandringham Dragons to a third successive flag - a run he was a part of entirely - as well holding an integral role in Vic Metro's undefeated carnival.
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Position:Â Midfielder
Height:Â 182cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Richmond
Carlton traded their way up the draft board to snare the Eagles' opening selection of Pick 3, placing the Victorian powerhouse in a primed position to swoop on one of several top-rated midfield options when they're first on the clock.
Smith - who looms as one of the safest selections in this year's haul - is sure to be in the Blues' sights following his consistently strong 2024 campaign that saw him named captain of the U18 All-Australian team.
The Oakleigh Chargers ace might have the best stoppage game we've seen come through the draft for some time, with Smith having no issue racking up possessions at any level he featured at this year.
Others to consider:Â Sid Draper, Finn O'Sullivan
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Position:Â Utility
Height:Â 198cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Shepparton
Collingwood hold the latest first-round selection of any side for this year's draft, with the Magpies set to wait until Pick 52 to make their first pick. That selection will advance its place in the queue following first-round Academy and father-son bids, likely falling in the mid-40s come night two.
Once on the clock, the Magpies will be hoping a player of Whitlock's stature is still available, with the Murray Bushrangers swingman a perfect key position talent who can find a role at either end of the field.
Despite booting 27 goals in the Talent League this year, Whitlock was still named at centre-half back in the Team of the Year - easy evidence of his ability as a formidable tall forward or key defensive option.
Others to consider:Â James Barrat, Charlie Nicholls
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Position:Â Small Forward
Height:Â 176cm
State:Â Victoria
Club: Northern Saints
Another club-tied prospect who will also fit a list need, Kako will remain in the Bombers' program in what looks to be a major win for Essendon after the AFL's NGA alterations this year.
The expected first-round selection is perhaps the best small forward on offer from this year's draft class, with more ground-level threats in the attacking 50 certainly an area the Bombers want to bolster.
Kako was a headache for opposition defenders in the Talent League and at the U18s National Championships for Vic Metro, kicking eight goals from an average of 14.5 disposals per game in his four matches for the latter.
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Position:Â Small Forward
Height:Â 181cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Wangaratta
A zippy small forward, the potential selection of Berry would see Fremantle's front-half quickly become one of the more potent in the AFL given the recent arrival of Richmond livewire Shai Bolton.
The Murray Bushrangers attacker had a great year with his commitments in the Talent League and with Vic Country, quickly emerging as one of the more damaging small forwards on offer for this year's draft.
There's a good chance Berry is up for grabs at Pick 14 when the Dockers will have a handful of suitable prospects to pick from.
Others to consider:Â Taj Hotton, Cooper Hynes
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Position:Â Key Forward
Height: 195cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Redan
Similar to Collingwood, the Cats don't start their draft until night two, more specifically, early into the third round at 45th overall. They'll hope one key forward from the top pack is a slider, or at least available early into the second round as they could trade their way up the order.
Faull looms as a potential first-round draft chance who could still be available come the second night of the draft - an outcome that would give a club like Geelong ample time to package a deal together and move up the board.
The GWV Rebels forward trained with Geelong last pre-season before enjoying a strong second half to his year - having overcome a back injury that sidelined him for the early stages of 2024.
Others to consider:Â Tom Sims, Kayle Gerreyn
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Position:Â Midfielder
Height:Â 179cm
State:Â Queensland
Club:Â Broadbeach
After landing four first-round Academy selections 12 months ago, the Suns have been able to narrow their focus on another club-tied teenager in Leonardo Lombard.
The Broadbeach native could have his name called in the top 10 selections, having backed up a solid bottom-age year with the Larke Medal and further promising performances for the Suns' Academy and VFL side.
The speedy midfielder might be the best player to come through the club's Academy yet, and is already a VFL premiership player after his stint at the state league level for Gold Coast late last year.
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Position:Â Forward
Height:Â 195cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Moama
The Giants will have three bites of the apple on night one, holding Picks 15, 16 and 21 after acquiring the two later selections as free agency compensation.
Their pair of successive picks will give them the ability to address multiple areas of their list, with further forward depth or midfielders sure to be areas of interest.
A move for Shanahan could be a safer selection for GWS should he be available given his New South Wales ties - a rare chance for the AFL's youngest club. The mobile forward is ready to go but could benefit from a year in the VFL and the mentorship of Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan.
Others to consider:Â Xavier Lindsay, Taj Hotton
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Position:Â Key Forward
Height:Â 200cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Shepparton
The Hawks are another club that moved out of the first round, having landed West Coast defender Tom Barrass in the trade period as the club takes another step toward premiership contention.
There are still areas in their squad Hawthorn can address via the draft, and another project key forward might be the avenue to pursue.
Jack Gunston is likely to call time on his career next year, while fans can only hope the worst of Mitch Lewis's injury battles are over. A move for Whitlock would give the Hawks some insurance among their key forward stocks at a time when they can afford to have the teenager on a patient development program.
Others to consider:Â Kayle Gerreyn, Charlie West
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Position:Â Midfielder-Forward
Height:Â 188cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Bacchus Marsh
This may be wishful thinking given Lalor's strong ties to Richmond as a Pick 1 chance, but the Demons would love to have the midfield bull available to them at Pick 5.
Lalor might have the best upside of any onballer in this year's draft class, with his powerful presence at the coalface and goal-kicking knack proving to be a difference-maker throughout the season.
The unfortunate uncertainty that surrounded Christian Petracca this year will hopefully cease come the new year, but there'd be no harm in looking to find a near-replica of the Norm Smith medallist in the form of Lalor come draft night.
Others to consider:Â Harvey Langford, Jagga Smith
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Position:Â Defender-Forward
Height:Â 193cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Warragul Industrials
The Kangaroos have used their earliest selections on midfielders for the past several drafts to piece together a promising engine room ensemble for the years to come. 2024 could be the year they look elsewhere, despite the midfield-skewing top end of this year's class.
North Melbourne have been strongly linked to Gippsland swingman Alix Tauru, who could fill a role as an interceptor or forward target in the blue and white stripes.
The Roos could use Pick 2 on the high-leaping youngster but will be assessing ways to split their early selection and potentially acquire Tauru and another pick instead.
Others to consider:Â Sam Lalor, Harry Armstrong
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Position:Â Key Defender
Height:Â 194cm
State:Â Victoria
Club: Old Brighton Grammarians
The Power, who kickstart their draft haul at Pick 13, are one of the less predictable teams in the opening round given their position in the queue and potential list needs.
An area that could be of focus is their key defensive ranks, with Aliir Aliir passing the 30 age mark and recruit Esava Ratugolea finding himself as a forward to end the recent season.
Trainor will be a ripe target for Port Adelaide should he be available to them, with the Vic Metro title-clincher a formidable interceptor who is a clean user of the ball at 194cm
Others to consider:Â Taj Hotton, Jobe Shanahan
Finn O'Sullivan
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Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
State: Victoria
Club: Koroit
The Tigers have the biggest call to make for this year's draft, opening the count at Pick 1 and having several attractive options to consider.
O'Sullivan - who featured for Richmond's VFL side this year - is among the names linked to the dux selection, and rightfully so. The Oakleigh Chargers ace is a perfect all-round midfielder who might find the ball less than others but has perhaps the most impact with each touch.
With the Tigers entering a new era, there may be no prospect better suited to help with a clean slate than O'Sullivan.
Others to consider:Â Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie
Others to consider:
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Position:Â Midfielder
Height:Â 191cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Mount Martha
St Kilda have been crying out for a match-winning midfielder for some time, a desire that followed rued missed chances at the draft in overlooking the likes of Christian Petracca and Marcus Bontempelli a decade ago.
While Langford might be off the board by the time the Saints are first on the clock, there's certainly no ruling out the chance of the Larke Medal winner sliding to Pick 7.
A big-bodied onballer who is crafty at the coalface and can have a resounding impact in the front half thanks to his aerial prowess, the Dandenong Stingrays star would add to an exciting young crop of Saints at Moorabbin.
Others to consider:Â Josh Smillie, Sam Lalor
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Position:Â Midfielder-Forward
Height:Â 182cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â Hampton Rovers
The Swans have a pair of picks in the opening round of the draft, the first coming at Pick 19 before another chance three spots later.
A key defender or another small/medium-sized front-half threat might be what's considered with those two picks, and Hotton looms as a perfect match for the Swans to fill the latter.
While a chance to be taken before Sydney get a sniff, the Sandringham Dragons ace would benefit from the Swans being in contention - giving him time to recover and develop his craft after an ACL injury this year.
Others to consider:Â Jesse Dattoli, Luke Trainor
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Position:Â Midfielder-Defender
Height:Â 191cm
State:Â Western Australia
Club:Â Halls Head
A dynamic midfielder like Allan is sure to be of interest to the Eagles, who will hope WA's top draft star is available to them at Pick 12.
The Peel Thunder premiership player entered the year as a solid third tall defender and exited his draft campaign as a damaging midfielder, proving to be one of the more versatile assets up for grabs.
Allan is expected to fetch interest close to the top 10, with West Coast hoping he slides to their first selection after they traded back from Pick 3.
Others to consider:Â Xavier Lindsay, Tobie Travaglia
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Position:Â Midfielder
Height:Â 181cm
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â South Melbourne Districts
There have been differing views on Reid's draft range this year, with the Vic Metro MVP seen as a top five draft chance while also being rated as a late first-round selection.
The Dogs will hope the general consensus on draft night is the latter, with the Footscray-based club not entering the count until Pick 17 at the earliest.
Reid is a crafty inside-outside midfielder who can step his way out of trouble and use his front-half poise to leave his mark on the scoreboard. The Sandringham Dragons product would be a fitting addition to the current demographic of the Dogs' midfield mix.
Others to consider:Â Alex Dodson, Jesse Dattoli