Bendigo Pioneers talent Harley Reid will headline the class of 2023, firming as the standout teenager among a pack of exciting young names coming through the system.
Rookie Me Central draft analyst Michael Alvaro spoke to Zero Hanger on this year's top National Draft talent outside of the likely No.1 selection, with most of this year's top performers coming from differing states.
Here are six of the best leading 2023 AFL Draft prospects outside of Harley Reid...
Position: Forward
Height: 191cm
State: Victoria (Metro)
Community Club: Yarrambat
An exciting tall forward target that thrives when the ball is there to be won, whether that be in the air or at ground level.
Missed the opening of the Coates Talent League due to a knee injury but had an instant impact in his return, booting five goals across his two appearances and averaging 12.5 disposals so far.
Caddy, the nephew of premiership Tiger Josh, kicked goals against Port Adelaide's SANFL side and Carlton's VFL outfit in his two appearances for the AFL Academy.
Alvaro says: "Can be a Charlie Curnow type of forward where he's got that really good leaping ability but covers the ground pretty well. Might be a bit undersized if he comes up against a Harris Andrews where it's going to test him aerially. Caddy is just a super leaper at the ball, his marking ability is incredible.
"A bit taller than his uncle Josh, plays naturally as a forward and played a little bit as a midfielder last year because he's so athletic and can cover the ground really well. He's quick and has that size on the inside, but a natural forward and coming off an injury in the pre-season where you had a chip in his fibula, essentially a fractured leg.
"He recovered from that pretty quickly and managed to build into some form. I think we're going to see the best of him towards the end of the year. He's building nicely and will probably be around that top 15 range."
Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
State: Victoria (Metro)
Community Club: East Ringwood
An electrifying small forward that packs a punch despite his small frame. Watson continued his meteoric rise form his under-age campaign with the Eastern Ranges into 2023 to average 26 possessions, 3.7 tackles, 4.7 inside 50s and over a goal per game.
He booted 12 goals from his opening two matches with Caulfield Grammar and has featured through midfield and down back on top of his presence in attack with the AFL Academy side.
Alvaro says: "Everyone knows about 'The Wizard', Nick Watson. He'll be right up there as a top-five talent.
"A pint-sized prospect at 169cm. He's obviously a gun."
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 189cm
State: Victoria (Country)
Community Club: Foster
Trained with the Melbourne Demons in the pre-season and even represented Casey for a one-off VFL clash against Box Hill last month.
Is a taller midfielder that can also move forward as an aerial target, developing into a well-rounded prospect this year with the Power, averaging 21.7 disposals, 5.7 marks and 1.7 goals from his trio of performances this year in the Coates Talent League.
Like Caddy, kicked a goal against both the Blues and the Power for the AFL Academy side in recent weeks, forming as a top 10 talent.
Alvaro says: "Zane Duursma, was a little bit quieter in that game (against Carlton), but you look at his moments, his ability to win the ball off the tap in the centre, stream away, can hit the scoreboard, great size and athleticism.
"He's the brother of Xavier and Yasi at Port Adelaide in the AFL system. Zane is going to be right up there."
Position: Forward
Height: 188cm
State: South Australia
Community Club: Plympton
An exciting South Australian product that built a strong case last year as a top prospect to watch in 2023.
Yet to play at senior level for Glenelg this season but booted five goals from his pair of appearances for the Tigers' reserves, adding to his three-goals-per-game average at the Under-18 level.
A livewire forward with a keen eye for goals that is sure to excite in the coming months as the National Championships commence.
Alvaro says: "He's been probably a touch disappointing. We know he's got a range of traits, he can kick off both feet, some freakish ability in the air as well. His athleticism is great. He's a pretty driven kid. It's just about his consistency of performance. We see him one week kicking four goals in the reserves, but he's had a couple of knocks here and there and was pretty quiet for the Academy.
"If he can build his consistency, probably top five on talent, but he'd be hanging around my top 10."
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Position: Midfielder
Height: 181cm
State: Tasmania
Community Club: Launceston
One of the three standout Tasmanians across the opening months of this year, with McKercher ranked second in the Coates Talent League for disposals per game with 31.4 to his name from his five matches.
He comes second only to Sandringham's Ryley Sanders - a product out of North Launceston that has made the move to Melbourne.
McKercher is an inside ball winner with pace to burn and has steadily seen his stock rise throughout 2023.
Alvaro says: "He's built himself into top five contention, just super consistent. He's got that burst of speed away from the stoppage, wins so much of the ball.
"I think in our Rookie Me Central Medal, which is essentially the best and fairest, he's got five votes in every game that he's played. It goes to show his consistency and level of performance."
Position: Key Forward
Height: 194cm
State: Queensland
Community Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
A behemoth when compared to his opposition most weeks, with Walter's frame giving him a great advantage in one-on-one contests.
While having a sharp eye for goal, Walter also adds plenty of pressure to opposing defences with his tacking ability.
Has wrapped up his campaign with the Suns in the Coates Talent League, averaging 18.6 disposals, 5.5 marks and 3.0 tackles per game, and will now turn his attention to the National Championships with the Allies.
Alvaro says: "A big bustling key forward, super physical, aggressive and physically ready. He had no trouble adjusting to the senior opposition.
"He attacks the ball so well in the air and really hustles with his tackling pressure at ground level, which not many tall forwards do. That's a good point of difference. I'd probably have him in that top-five range, to be honest."
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Position: Key Defender
Height: 195cm
State: Western Australia
Community Club: West Coast
Western Australia's leading prospect, with Curtin seen as one of the more versatile names in this year's class. Naturally a key defender, however, Curtin has shown the ability to play as a forward target or get thrown into midfield.
Is averaging 16 disposals, 4.3 tackles, 3.0 marks and 1.0 goals from his trio of performances for Claremont's Colts side in 2023.
Alvaro says: "Can play at either end of the ground as a swingman position player. Also played in midfield for Claremont recently. Has that big body in there, super versatile and really composed with ball in hand."