The past three AFL Mid-Season Drafts have seen an average of six VFL players earn list spots at the higher level after putting forward promising first halves to their respective campaigns to earn a selection.
The likes of Jai Newcombe, Sam Durham, Massimo D'Ambrosio and Jordan Boyd are among the crop of VFL talent to earn mid-year promotions, with potentially half a dozen more to be recruited at the 2024 intake on May 29.
Whether they're mature-aged prospects, straight out of the Talent League or recently plucked from the local level, the VFL has continued to develop talent worthy of the top level.
Here we've listed five of the form players in VFL this year who could earn some interest from AFL clubs for the Mid-Season Draft.
3. Oskar Smartt (Essendon)
Smartt, 18, has been able to share his time between the VFL with Essendon and with the Young Guns squad so far this year, adding to a promising draft campaign in 2023 that includes roles in the Vic Country system, with the Bendigo Pioneers and at the senior level in the Heathcote District competition.
Smartt went at almost a goal and an average of 4.5 tackles per game in the Talent League last year, developing into a promising pressure forward for Bendigo.
Having joined the Bombers's reserves for this season, Smartt has looked comfortable at the high level, with the teenager enjoying a four-goal performance against a contending Footscray side in April.
The Leitchville Gubower product played in both games for the Young Guns ahead of the Mid-Season Draft and would tally five goals across his pair of appearances.
Any side keen to add to his crop of small forwards may not need to look too far beyond Smartt, who might even earn the interest of Essendon and secure an internal promotion at Tullamarine.
