The NAB AFL Draft continues to edge closer, which makes it a good time to update our Phantom Form Guide.
The AFL.com.au ranking of the best players in this year's pool does not take into account where the prospects may get selected or where bids may come on father-son or Academy players. It is purely our view on who
This is the second Phantom Form Guide of the year, and we will update it monthly in the lead-up to November's national draft.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 183cm, Wt 74kg, DOB 2/7/00
From Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Walsh just continues to motor on, piecing together one of the most complete and consistent seasons seen in recent years for an under-18 prospect. Since the national
POS: Tall forward
Ht 194cm, Wt 85kg, DOB 9/8/00
From Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia
Many recruiters will have Lukosius at No.1 on their board and with good reason. The key forward is one of the best of his type to have come through the draft in the past few years. He leads smartly and continues to present all game, working up the ground to get the ball and then back closer to goal to be a threat. Lukosius has played in the SANFL senior side all season and kicked two goals from 14 touches and eight marks (plus he had five tackles) for Woodville-West Torrens in its important win over North Adelaide in July.
POS: Half-forward/midfielder
Ht 180cm, Wt 76kg, DOB 23/4/00
From West Adelaide/South Australia
Rankine hasn't blown anyone away with his form since the under-18 championships, but he has done more than enough over the past two years to highlight his talents. The brilliant half-forward/midfielder lit up the final game of the national carnival with a devastating five-goal display and it encompassed all of his best traits: sharp skills, uncanny goalkicking ability, a sense of the occasion and genuine pace. It's going to be fun watching him next year, and beyond.
Izak Rankine might be the most exciting player in the draft.
POS: Tall forward
Ht 202cm, Wt 86kg, DOB 7/7/00
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
King is more than three months on from his knee reconstruction after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear while playing school football. The next step in his rehabilitation is to get back running. King, a high-marking key forward who kicked eight goals earlier this season in a commanding game for the Sandringham Dragons, would have vied for the No.1 pick if not for the season-ending injury. He is using St Kilda's facilities two days a week as part of his fitness program.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 186cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 7/12/00
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
An Achilles injury has kept Smith out of action the past two weeks, but he'll be keen to get back out there soon to finish off what has been an excellent season. Some recruiters have Smith in the No.1 pick conversation, such has been his capacity to impact games this season. He has a lot going for him as a modern midfielder given his size, endurance, speed and power. As hard-working and relentless as any player in the pool.
POS: Tall forward/defender
Ht 202cm, Wt 85kg, DOB 7/7/00
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
King has spent the majority of this season forward since his brother Max's knee reconstruction, and Ben now favours it as his preferred position. He kicked seven goals two weeks ago for school side Haileybury matched up against Will Kelly, who shapes as a possible top-30 pick and was in good form. King is a deadeye in front of goal, almost unbeatable on the lead and with some extra size on him once at an AFL club he will be difficult to stop in the air. Given his ability to play at both ends of the ground he's a very appealing choice.
POS: Tall forward/midfielder
Ht 195cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 27/2/00
From Sydney Swans Academy/Allies
Nick Blakey is bound for the Swans at the 2018 draft.
POS: Half-forward/midfielder
Ht 185cm, Wt 71kg, DOB 22/1/00
From North Adelaide/South Australia
After
POS: Midfielder
Ht 184cm, Wt 78kg, DOB 28/9/00
From Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Caldwell's championships
POS: Midfielder
Ht 189cm, Wt 73kg, DOB 25/3/00
From North Launceston/Tasmania/Allies
It emerged after the division one championships that Thomas had been carrying a thumb strain and some bone bruising throughout the carnival. He took a couple of weeks off but returned recently for North Launceston. Thomas' championships for the Allies was a little underwhelming after he had starred for Tasmania earlier in the year at the under-18 Academy series. Thomas is a tough midfielder with good skills who can also play as a half-back or half-forward.
POS: Half-back
Ht 182cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 15/1/00
From Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Quaynor is a dependable type of defender who can match up on most types of forwards. He's quick and agile enough to play on the smaller options, and he can also shut down players who have height and size on him. He was named an All Australian after a solid under-18 carnival and has been consistent for the Oakleigh Chargers across the season.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 190cm, Wt 81kg, DOB 21/10/00
From Central District/South Australia
The midfielder has performed well at senior level for Central District across the season. Hately's appeal will come in his body size: at 190cm he is a big midfielder who uses the ball well, collects plenty of it and can also push forward. Hately seems to fit into the second bracket of midfielders in this year's pool and clubs will look at him as a player who could make an impact next year.
POS: Half-forward/midfielder
Ht 186cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 6/4/00
From Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
A knee injury that Taylor played through during the national carnival for Vic Metro meant he took a bit longer to get back to playing for the Cannons. Taylor is a classy user of the ball, smart overhead and clever around
POS: Midfielder/half-forward
Ht 175cm, Wt 76kg, DOB 9/2/00
From Perth/Western Australia
It hasn't been a dominant season for Hill, who missed the final game of the under-18 championships through suspension. However, the exciting West Australian has shown flashes of his talent throughout the year and remains one of the most eye-catching players in the pool when he's up and going. The second cousin of Freo pair Stephen and Bradley, Hill is small and plays across half-forward but eventually thinks he can bring his run and carry
There are some fine genes in Ian Hill's footballing DNA.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 180cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 12/7/00
From Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
The Western Bulldogs father-son prospect is one of the most regular ball-winners in the draft, particularly in the games that matter. His performances for Vic Metro at the under-18 carnival saw him named an All Australian, and he is good at digging in and getting his hands on the ball. He also likes to get forward and fly for a mark when he can. West can float in and out of games, but when he puts his mind to it he's hard to stop in the middle.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 181cm, Wt 70kg, DOB 8/9/00
From Western Jets/Vic Metro
Butters underwent shoulder surgery in July after carrying the injury as long as he could through the under-18 championships. It wouldn't surprise if he dropped a little down the draft order because of the injury layoff, but he is a smart, savvy player who runs with the ball and uses it well by foot. He defies his size by having a big impact on
POS: Midfielder
Ht 193cm, Wt 88kg, DOB 3/2/00
From Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
For an inside
POS: Midfielder
Ht 180cm, Wt 74kg, DOB 14/1/00
From Launceston/Tasmania/Allies
Jones is a dependable player who can be used in a myriad of roles.
Chayce Jones is one of the draft's most versatile prospects.
POS: Key defender
Ht 193cm, Wt 83kg, DOB 16/8/00
From Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Kelly has improved from the start of the season to be in the mix as a top-30 pick on draft night. He played a terrific game for the Oakleigh Chargers several weeks ago in which he gathered 21 touches, eight marks and four rebound-50s in their win over Calder. Two weeks ago he was beaten by Ben King, who kicked seven goals, but Kelly still won some good
POS: Midfielder
Ht 190cm, Wt 88kg, DOB 4/12/00
From Brisbane Lions Academy/Queensland/Allies
McFadyen has proven himself to be Brisbane's leading Academy prospect this year after a consistent season. He took his game to another level in the Allies' division one carnival and was named an All Australian for his efforts after averaging 17 disposals (nine contested) during the carnival. He is a big and strong midfielder who excels at the stoppages and has also shown good form in the Lions' NEAFL side. Comes from an elite junior cricket background.
POS: Half-back
Ht 183cm, Wt 81kg, DOB 7/9/00
From Central District/South Australia
McLennan's trick is his intercept marking. Despite not being of key position size, McLennan is very good at reading the play in the back half and cutting off forward forays. It's what he does better than anyone else in the pool. He averaged five marks and 13 disposals a game for SA during the
POS: Half-back
Ht 182cm, Wt 78kg, DOB 16/10/00
From Claremont/Western Australia
Clark was Western Australia's best-performed player at the under-18
Jordan Clark was WA's best player at the national carnival. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfielder
Ht 185cm, Wt 71kg, DOB 7/7/00
From Gippsland Power/Vic Country
An attacking half-back and midfielder who has performed consistently for the Power across the season and also put in some strong games for Vic Country at the under-18 championships. Can stride down the ground and take the ball with him. Xavier's uncle Jamie Duursma played 59 games for Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in the 1980s, including the Demons' 1988 Grand Final defeat.
POS: Midfielder
Ht 186cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 8/5/00
From Norwood/South Australia
Valente doesn't do a lot wrong. His highlight reel may not be quite as thrilling as others', but he has been a consistent and prolific player across the season. The midfielder captained South Australia's triumph at the under-18 carnival, was named its most valuable player and also claimed All Australian honours after averaging 23 disposals at 84 per cent during the carnival.
POS: Ruckman/tall forward
Ht 198cm, Wt 95kg, DOB 17/4/00
From Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Clubs are still divided as to whether they see Williams as a key forward who goes into the ruck, a ruckman who can float forward or a good mix of both. Any which way, Williams hasn't dominated this season like he might have hoped to. He is a nice kick for goal and can take a good overhead grab when he goes forward.
2018 Indicative Draft Order
AFL Media has put together the draft order based on the ladder positions following Round 20.
Based on the Lions' current ladder position it is predicted the Club will hold picks 3, 21, 39, 57 and 75.
Take a look at the indicative draft order below:
ROUND ONE | |
---|---|
CARL | 1. Carlton |
GCFC | 2. Gold Coast |
BL | 3. Brisbane |
STK | 4. St Kilda |
WB | 5. Western Bulldogs |
FRE | 6. Fremantle |
ADEL | 7. Adelaide |
ESS | 8. Essendon |
NMFC | 9. North Melbourne |
GEEL | 10. Geelong |
SYD | 11. Sydney |
PORT | 12. Port Adelaide |
COLL | 13. Collingwood |
HAW | 14. Hawthorn |
ADEL | 15. Adelaide (received from Melbourne) |
GWS | 16. Greater Western Sydney |
GCFC | 17. Gold Coast (received from West Coast) |
RICH | 18. Richmond |
ROUND TWO | |
---|---|
ADEL | 19. Adelaide (received from Carlton) |
WCE | 20. West Coast (received from Gold Coast) |
BL | 21. Brisbane |
PORT | 22. Port Adelaide (received from St Kilda) |
CARL | 23. Carlton (received from Western Bulldogs) |
GWS | 24. Greater Western Sydney (received from Fremantle) |
CARL | 25. Carlton (received from Adelaide) |
GCFC | 26. Gold Coast (received from Essendon) |
NMFC | 27. North Melbourne |
GCFC | 28. Gold Coast (received from Geelong) |
SYD | 29. Sydney |
PORT | 30. Port Adelaide |
SYD | 31. Sydney (received from Collingwood) |
HAW | 32. Hawthorn |
MELB | 33. Melbourne |
ESS | 34. Essendon (received from Greater Western Sydney) |
WCE | 35. West Coast |
RICH | 36. Richmond |
ROUND THREE | |
---|---|
ADEL | 37. Adelaide (received from Carlton) |
GCFC | 38. Gold Coast |
BL | 39. Brisbane |
NMFC | 40. North Melbourne (received from St Kilda via on-trades) |
WB | 41. Western Bulldogs |
GCFC | 42. Gold Coast (received from Fremantle) |
MELB | 43. Melbourne (received from Adelaide) |
GWS | 44. Greater Western Sydney (received from Essendon) |
PORT | 45. Port Adelaide (received from North Melbourne) |
GEEL | 46. Geelong |
COLL | 47. Collingwood (received from Sydney) |
PORT | 48. Port Adelaide |
COLL | 49. Collingwood |
HAW | 50. Hawthorn |
MELB | 51. Melbourne |
GWS | 52. Greater Western Sydney |
NMFC | 53. North Melbourne (received from West Coast via on-trades) |
GEEL | 54. Geelong (received from Richmond) |
ROUND FOUR | |
---|---|
GEEL | 55. Geelong (received from Carlton) |
GEEL | 56. Geelong (received from Gold Coast) |
BL | 57. Brisbane |
STK | 58. St Kilda |
WB | 59. Western Bulldogs |
WB | 60. Western Bulldogs (received from Fremantle) |
STK | 61. St Kilda (received from Adelaide via on-trades) |
ESS | 62. Essendon |
NMFC | 63. North Melbourne |
CARL | 64. Carlton (received from Geelong) |
SYD | 65. Sydney |
STK | 66. St Kilda (received from Port Adelaide) |
COLL | 67. Collingwood |
WCE | 68. West Coast (received from Hawthorn via on-trades) |
ADEL | 69. Adelaide (received from Melbourne) |
GWS | 70. Greater Western Sydney |
WCE | 71. West Coast |
RICH | 72. Richmond |
ROUND FIVE | |
---|---|
CARL | 73. Carlton |
GCFC | 74. Gold Coast |
BL | 75. Brisbane |
STK | 76. St Kilda |
WB | 77. Western Bulldogs |
FRE | 78. Fremantle |
ADEL | 79. Adelaide |
ESS | 80. Essendon |
NMFC | 81. North Melbourne |
GEEL | 82. Geelong |
SYD | 83. Sydney |
PORT | 84. Port Adelaide |
COLL | 85. Collingwood |
HAW | 86. Hawthorn |
MELB | 87. Melbourne |
GWS | 88. Greater Western Sydney |
WCE | 89. West Coast |
RICH | 90. Richmond |
AFL Draft Value Index
ROUND ONE | ROUND TWO | ROUND THREE | ROUND FOUR | ROUND FIVE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pick/Pts | Pick/Pts | Pick/Pts | Pick/Pts | Pick/Pts |
1. 3000 | 19. 948 | 37. 483 | 55. 207 | 73. 9 |
2. 2517 | 20. 912 | 38. 465 | 56. 194 | 74. - |
3. 2234 | 21. 878 | 39. 446 | 57. 182 | |
4. 2034 | 22. 845 | 40. 429 | 58. 170 | |
5. 1878 | 23. 815 | 41. 412 | 59. 158 | |
6. 1751 | 24. 785 | 42. 395 | 60. 146 | |
7. 1644 | 25. 756 | 43. 378 | 61. 135 | |
8. 1551 | 26. 729 | 44. 362 | 62. 123 | |
9. 1469 | 27. 703 | 45. 347 | 63. 112 | |
10. 1395 | 28. 677 | 46. 331 | 64. 101 | |
11. 1329 | 29. 653 | 47. 316 | 65. 90 | |
12. 1268 | 30. 629 | 48. 302 | 66. 80 | |
13. 1212 | 31. 606 | 49. 287 | 67. 69 | |
14. 1161 | 32. 584 | 50. 273 | 68. 59 | |
15. 1112 | 33. 563 | 51. 259 | 69. 49 | |
16. 1067 | 34. 542 | 52. 246 | 70. 39 | |
17. 1025 | 35. 522 | 53. 233 | 71. 29 | |
18. 985 | 36. 502 | 54. 220 | 72. 19 |