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1. JACK LUKOSIUS
Position: Key forward
Height: 195cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Others have had better draft-year performances, but on potential Jack Lukosius is as good as any player available in this year’s pool. He’s unlikely to be the first pick given Carlton’s need for midfielders over key position players, but the South Australian’s ability to get up the ground, his skills by foot and his finishing in front of goal make him one out of the box. Given his athletic profile and football IQ, Lukosius could develop into a forward, back or a tall, running wingman, making him easily the most versatile prospect of his draft class. Sam Walsh may be the safest choice as a No.1 pick but Lukosius could be anything, and if the Blues overlook him they will be hoping and praying they don’t live to regret it.
2. SAM WALSH
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Mr Reliable, Mr Professional - Sam Walsh looks for all money like a 200-game AFL player and eventual club captain. It’s a cliche to say he didn’t put a foot wrong this season... but he didn’t put a foot wrong this season. Walsh captained almost every side he played in, was named best player at the under-18 championships, was nominated by his peers as the AFL Academy’s standout player and individual and is the short-priced favourite to have his name read out by Carlton at pick No.1. Walsh wins a heap of the ball, can run all day, delivers the ball well and has a cool head in congestion. He’ll take time to bulk up but expect him to contribute for the Blues early if that’s where he lands.
3. IZAK RANKINE
Position: Forward
Height: 179cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: West Adelaide
Hands-down the most exciting prospect in this year’s draft. Izak Rankine was a gun last year and he was even more of a gun this season. The South Australian teenager creates goals out of nothing, is as quick as they come, and is ready to step straight in and contribute at AFL level. He’s not the biggest player available but he makes up for it with his goal sense and athleticism, as seen at SANFL league level where the bigger bodies around him prove no issue. If you want a glimpse of what he can do, check out his highlights from the first quarter of SA’s under-18 game against Vic Metro - it’s some of the best football seen at any level this year:
WATCH. SA's Izak Rankine looks like an AFL superstar in waiting after a remarkable first quarter against Vic Metro
4. MAX KING
Position: Key forward
Height: 204cm
Weight: 90cm
Club: Sandringham Dragons
When a draft prospect is the size of Max King it can be difficult to tell if he’s dominant because he’s an elite talent or if it’s just because he’s bigger than everyone else. In King’s case, it’s a bit of both. The tall forward is an elite mark in both one-on-one and pack situations, but clubs are equally as excited about what he does once the ball hits the deck. His agility and explosiveness for a young man of his size can’t be undersold. The only question mark on him at this point is how he recovers from injury. King tore his ACL not long after kicking 8.6 in a dominant TAC Cup performance. All reports are he’s progressing well but if he slides, that will be why.
5. NICK BLAKEY
Position: Key forward
Height: 195cm
Weight: 82kg
Club: Sydney Swans Academy
The Swans have had access to some great young talent in recent years and the trend is set to continue with Nick Blakey. Like Lukosius, he’s a key forward who could be anything. He’s crazy athletic for his size, he has a deadly left boot, he’s a great mark and he’s good below his knees as well. Blakey wants to be a midfielder eventually and when he moved there in the under-18 championships he showed that wasn’t just a pipe dream, winning clearances, spreading well and showing real class with his hands in tight. A bid might not come in the top five, but give it time and Blakey could be one of the best in his class.
OTHERS AROUND THE MARK
Connor Rozee, Ben King, Bailey Smith.
Position: Key forward
Height: 195cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Others have had better draft-year performances, but on potential Jack Lukosius is as good as any player available in this year’s pool. He’s unlikely to be the first pick given Carlton’s need for midfielders over key position players, but the South Australian’s ability to get up the ground, his skills by foot and his finishing in front of goal make him one out of the box. Given his athletic profile and football IQ, Lukosius could develop into a forward, back or a tall, running wingman, making him easily the most versatile prospect of his draft class. Sam Walsh may be the safest choice as a No.1 pick but Lukosius could be anything, and if the Blues overlook him they will be hoping and praying they don’t live to regret it.
2. SAM WALSH
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Mr Reliable, Mr Professional - Sam Walsh looks for all money like a 200-game AFL player and eventual club captain. It’s a cliche to say he didn’t put a foot wrong this season... but he didn’t put a foot wrong this season. Walsh captained almost every side he played in, was named best player at the under-18 championships, was nominated by his peers as the AFL Academy’s standout player and individual and is the short-priced favourite to have his name read out by Carlton at pick No.1. Walsh wins a heap of the ball, can run all day, delivers the ball well and has a cool head in congestion. He’ll take time to bulk up but expect him to contribute for the Blues early if that’s where he lands.
3. IZAK RANKINE
Position: Forward
Height: 179cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: West Adelaide
Hands-down the most exciting prospect in this year’s draft. Izak Rankine was a gun last year and he was even more of a gun this season. The South Australian teenager creates goals out of nothing, is as quick as they come, and is ready to step straight in and contribute at AFL level. He’s not the biggest player available but he makes up for it with his goal sense and athleticism, as seen at SANFL league level where the bigger bodies around him prove no issue. If you want a glimpse of what he can do, check out his highlights from the first quarter of SA’s under-18 game against Vic Metro - it’s some of the best football seen at any level this year:
WATCH. SA's Izak Rankine looks like an AFL superstar in waiting after a remarkable first quarter against Vic Metro
4. MAX KING
Position: Key forward
Height: 204cm
Weight: 90cm
Club: Sandringham Dragons
When a draft prospect is the size of Max King it can be difficult to tell if he’s dominant because he’s an elite talent or if it’s just because he’s bigger than everyone else. In King’s case, it’s a bit of both. The tall forward is an elite mark in both one-on-one and pack situations, but clubs are equally as excited about what he does once the ball hits the deck. His agility and explosiveness for a young man of his size can’t be undersold. The only question mark on him at this point is how he recovers from injury. King tore his ACL not long after kicking 8.6 in a dominant TAC Cup performance. All reports are he’s progressing well but if he slides, that will be why.
5. NICK BLAKEY
Position: Key forward
Height: 195cm
Weight: 82kg
Club: Sydney Swans Academy
The Swans have had access to some great young talent in recent years and the trend is set to continue with Nick Blakey. Like Lukosius, he’s a key forward who could be anything. He’s crazy athletic for his size, he has a deadly left boot, he’s a great mark and he’s good below his knees as well. Blakey wants to be a midfielder eventually and when he moved there in the under-18 championships he showed that wasn’t just a pipe dream, winning clearances, spreading well and showing real class with his hands in tight. A bid might not come in the top five, but give it time and Blakey could be one of the best in his class.
OTHERS AROUND THE MARK
Connor Rozee, Ben King, Bailey Smith.