The implementation of the Next Generation Academy (NGA) and club Academy rulings have shaken things up once again, with the clubs who nurtured top talents potentially forced to wave goodbye as they stroll off to new pastures at rival sides.
Add in some father-son prospects who are tipped to go in the top 10 picks, and the 2021 AFL Draft order is sure to look completely different come the end of the count compared to how it currently stands.
With prospects ranging from the top echelon to late sliders, we review the who's who in this year's draft when it comes to those placed as priority acquisitions for certain clubs.
EXPLAINER: How does the NGA/Father-Son points system work?
2021 Next Generation Academy (NGA) prospects
Mac Andrew (Melbourne - NGA)
Height:ย 200cm
Weight:ย 70kg
Mac Andrew has had a rapid rise to prominence over the course of this year after his stint with the Dandenong Stingrays proved his status as a nailed-on top 10 pick.
The 18-year-old has proved himself in many positions around the ground with his height and leap being a massive asset for whichever club he ends up at.
With the new NGA rules, it's almost certain that the Demons won't be able to bid for him and lure him to Gosch's Paddock, meaning Andrew will be waving goodbye to the idea of playing with the reigning premiers in 2022.
Mitchito Owens (St Kilda NGA)
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
The Saints' Academy player had a great year playing with the Sandringham Dragons and is set to go inside the top 30 in this year's proceedings.
A winger who has an eye for goal, Owens ramped up his performances in the final few games for Sandringham before COVID put a stop to the NAB Boys League for 2021.
With Owens likely to fall outside the top 20, St Kilda should be able to match a bid for the exciting AFL hopeful and bring him to Moorabbin should they desire.
Marcus Windhager (St Kilda NGA)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 82kg
Another Saints NGA prospect is Marcus Windhager who, like Owens, enjoyed a good season with the Dragons and is tipped to be selected around the fringes of the top 20.
Devastatingly, the explosive midfielder has suffered a back injury, which is set to mar his initial season at AFL level as the injury requires surgery.
The Saints will only be able to make a bid for him if he falls outside the top 20, however Windhager's injury history may have an influence on where he lands with an early-year knee reconstruction also having an effect on his 2021 campaign.
Josh Fahey (Giants Academy)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 76kg
One of the only Academy prospects on this list from outside Victoria, GWS Academy player Josh Fahey looks like one of the most solid defensive prospects in this year's draft.
A speedy defender, Fahey's rugby background means he is able to effortlessly boot the footy long distances, with his performances with the NAB AFL Academy side earning him an MCC President's Medal.
Although there is conjecture surrounding where he will place in the draft order, it is almost a certainty that he will join his academy club in GWS come November.
Leek Alleer (Adelaide NGA)
Height: 196cm
Weight: 84kg
The 20-year-old made headlines last week at the draft combine, breaking the running vertical jump record by four centimetres to put himself into the top-40 conversation.
Alleer played for Central District in the SANFL during 2021, impressing with his intercepting and distribution throughout the year.
Leek Alleer can really leap and has lovely kicking skills for a key defender โ
Keep an eye out for him in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/iTt2qyG710
— AFL (@AFL) October 21, 2021
The over-ager is able to be matched by the Crows and would be a great pickup for Adelaide as they continue their quest in rebuilding a youthful list.
Other NGA prospects
Blayne O'Loughlin (Adelaide NGA)
Jack Peris (St Kilda NGA)
Angus McLennan (St Kilda NGA)
2021 Father-Son prospects
Sam Darcy (Oakleigh Chargers - Western Bulldogs)
Height:ย 197cm
Weight:ย 73kg
The Oakleigh Chargers tall is certain for a top-three pick in this year's draft with the Dogs all set to match any bid that comes in for the son of club great Luke Darcy.
Sam Darcy can play all over the ground with his ability to go forward and kick majors, meaning the Doggies will be spoilt for choice in terms of key forward options come 2022.
There is a huge amount of hype around this kid and, with the set of skills that he has, could go on to surpass his father's legacy.
Nick Daicos (Oakleigh Chargers - Collingwood)ย
Height:ย 183cm
Weight:ย 72kg
Another Daicos that will land at the Pies, Nick has generated a huge amount of excitement for what he could mean for Collingwood going forward.
An explosive midfielder, Daicos will link up with his older brother Josh at the Holden Centre come 2022, with the Pies on a mission to rebuild after a torrid year.
With the dominant showings he has put on with the Oakleigh Chargers, don't be surprised if in a few years time he is doing it at AFL level against the very best.
Taj Woewodin (East Fremantle - Melbourne)ย
Height:ย 183cm
Weight:ย 78kg
The son of 2000 Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin, Taj has been plying his trade in the WAFL Colts with East Fremantle over the course of 2021.
Playing as a midfielder, Woewodin averaged 22.7 disposals and 4.5 tackles across his 15 matches and topped out the 20m sprint times at the draft combine to top off a big year for the 18-year-old.
The exciting prospect is able to go to the Demons under the father-son rule and could do so if he wishes to follow in his Dad's footsteps.
Jase Burgoyne (Woodville West-Torrens - Port Adelaide)ย
Height:ย 185cm
Weight: 65kg
Son of Peter and nephew of Shaun, Jase Burgoyne is an exciting half-back/midfielder that could be an excellent asset to wherever he lands.
The 18-year-old has been playing in the SANFL for Woodville West-Torrens as well as a stint with Port Adelaide's SANFL side for a month, showing his excellent ability to run and distribute the footy.
Burgoyne can nominate the Power as his club of choice but there are no guarantees he will choose to, with the young gun predicted to go in the 20s or 30s within the draft order.
Other father-son prospects
Ewan MacPherson (Northern Knights)
Charlie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
Nyawi Moore (Bendigo Pioneers)
Jackson Archer (Northern Knights)
