Murray Bushrangers small forward Joe Berry might be the best player for his position on offer to all 18 clubs, with his exciting ground level craft and pace proving to be a headache for defenders in 2024.

Berry enjoyed a year of great output with the Bushrangers and Vic Country, with the zippy goalsneak combining nicely with taller teammates Matt and Jack Whitlock and Josh Murphy.

All four players kicked at least 25 goals in the Talent League, with Berry amassing 27 from his 14 games - goalless in just three appearances. The Wangaratta product kicked 19 goals from five of his first six games of the season to put his name up in light early.

Berry spent time further up the field in the second half of the year to show his ability to spread the game and break away on the transition while still offering solid tackle numbers as a pressure player in the front half.

His best traits were again on display for Vic Country at the National Championships, with Berry averaging 13.3 disposals, 3.5 marks, 5.5 score involvements, 2.8 tackles and 2.3 goals from his four games at the carnival.

He would take out a spot in the U18 All-Australian side as the joint top goalkicker and also a role at half-forward in the Talent League Team of the Year, adding to his split best and fairest honour with the Bushrangers.

Berry's cunningness and small forward craft earns him a likeness to St Kilda livewire Jack Higgins, while his ability to mount pressure on defenders and push up the ground also draws comparisons to Adelaide star Izak Rankine.

A likely first-round selection, Berry could fetch interest from Richmond (Picks 10, 11, 18, 20 and 23), Port Adelaide (Pick 13), Fremantle (Pick 14) and Sydney (Pick 19 and 22) at November's AFL Draft.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Joe Berry of Victoria Country kicks during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Allies and Victoria Country at Brighton Homes Arena on July 07, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Position:ย Small Forward
Height:ย 181cm
State:ย Victoria
Club: Wangaratta

Strengths

Goal Sense
Speed
Clean Hands
Pressure

Draft Range

Pick 12-24

Potential Landing Spots

Richmond (Picks 10, 11, 18, 20 and 23)
Port Adelaide (Pick 13)
Fremantle (Pick 14)
Sydney (Pick 19 and 22)

AFL Comparison

Izak Rankine
Jack Higgins

Expert comments

"A crafty left-footed small forward who has proved to be one of the most dangerous players of his type in this year's Draft pool. Presents on the lead with real speed, works hard up the ground to win the ball, has elite one-touch hands at ground level and innate goal sense." - Kevin Sheehan