THE END of the season is fast approaching, which means time is running out for NAB AFL Draft prospects to show their wares.
But there's still a handful of home and away games in under-18 competitions around the country before the finals kick off, and strong late performances could shape the draft board.
Here's AFL.com.au's second Phantom Form Guide of 2016, where we have ranked the best 20 players in the draft pool.
It doesn't take into account where clubs are placed or where bids may be made on academy players – it is simply a rating of the leading players in our eyes.
The Phantom Form Guide will be updated monthly in the lead-up to the draft in Sydney on November 25.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 185cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 3/3/1998
From North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
McCluggage has had an irrepressible season and continues to star in almost every game he plays. The classy and neat midfielder didn't have one of his most dominant games last weekend but still finished with 37 disposals and two goals for the North Ballarat Rebels, and his ability to shift forward and hit the scoreboard is a really attractive trait. McCluggage always seems a step ahead: he hasn't got huge breakaway speed but thinks quicker than most, draws players to him and makes space for teammates, and always delivers the ball nicely. He couldn't have done any more this year.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 189cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 23/8/98
From Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
You can count on Brodie to throw himself at a pack, dive into a stoppage and rip the ball out of there. The midfielder is a dependable player because he gives the same effort and brings the same intensity every game he plays. At his size, Brodie can outmuscle and outbody other midfielders, and then use his hands to get the ball free. He missed a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury but has returned to the field, and will play out the year with the Murray Bushrangers, despite Essendon's interest in having the No.1 contender play in its VFL team.
POS: Small forward, Ht 179cm, Wt 74kg, DOB 10/2/98
From Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Ainsworth has enjoyed probably the best patch of form of his season in recent weeks, spending more time in the midfield and leading Gippsland Power to back-to-back wins. He followed his 20-disposal and nine-clearance game against the Geelong Falcons with 23 disposals and two goals last week against the Calder Cannons, and showed his power, speed and smarts around the ground. Ainsworth sets himself apart with his ability to impact a game. As a small forward he can grab a high mark, kick a goal from nothing and is damaging by foot.
From Claremont/Western Australia
A persistent hamstring/back injury restricted Petrevski-Seton from hitting top gear throughout the under-18 championships, but since then he has been back at under-18 colts level in Western Australia he has performed well. That would be expected of him, given he is a class (or two) above that. The polished half-forward/midfielder is right up there as the best kick in this year's draft pool, and can turn onto either foot. He loves to tackle and bring others into a game, and is a real shot for the No.1 pick.
From Gold Coast Academy/Queensland
Bowes was named Queensland's best player of the division two national carnival, but had a quieter championships for the Allies. He's a mobile, clean midfielder who is a good size to progress to the next level and excel. He has been playing for the Gold Coast reserves side in the NEAFL, and has impressed there with his game sense, ball use and poise. Nothing seems to faze or worry Bowes, his ball-handling is clean and he can take a grab over his head. He's not especially quick but it doesn't hurt him.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 179cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 2/6/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
It's been a big year for McGrath, who continues to shoot up the draft board. Some recruiters have him ranked in their top-three players in the country. He co-captained Vic Metro to the under-18 championships and followed that by skippering his school team Brighton Grammar to its APS premiership in Victoria. McGrath has versatility. He's shown his ability as a quick, rebounding half-back but he can also just as comfortably play as a tough, committed midfielder who takes the game forward. Will be playing senior AFL footy early next year.
From South Fremantle/Western Australia
English has jumped up the Phantom Form Guide ratings in the past month due to his growing consistency. With every game English shows a little bit more of his untapped ability, and last weekend he gathered 24 disposals, 11 marks, 15 hit-outs and kicked a goal at colts level. The 204cm ruckman is one of the most exciting prospects in the draft – not necessarily for what he's doing now, but what he may be able to do in the future. At times he moves like a midfielder and with some more body size he could be an imposing type.
Tim English is a ruckman that moves like a midfielder. Picture: AFL Photos
From Deniliquin/NSW-ACT
'Check the vision' was the message from several recruiters early this week when talking about Marshall's game for the Murray Bushrangers last week. The 198cm key forward kicked three goals but also laid seven tackles, including a chase-down up the ground. Marshall's body of work probably does look better as chopped up clips and edits than the full package right now, but recruiters are only looking for those snippets. He is excellent at ground level for his size, a generally good shot for goal, and continues to take some strong marks. Another bag or two of goals could see him rise further.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 190cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 5/2/98
From Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy/NSW-ACT
Unfortunately Setterfield has been sidelined with a foot injury that surfaced late in the Allies' under-18 campaign. It follows some other fitness concerns over the past couple of years that have troubled the tall midfielder, but some recruiters rate him as the best player in the draft when up and going. His size, composure, foot skills and ability to glide from end to end make him an appealing prospect. Setterfield is tied to Greater Western Sydney through its academy zone and it's hard to see him not ending up there.
POS: Defender/midfielder, Ht 194cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 4/9/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Scrimshaw will be one of the most watched players when he returns to the Sandringham Dragons for the end of their season and finals series later this month. There's an element of mystery about him given his injury battles over the past two years, but he has had a good run of late and regularly shows his poise and decision-making off half-back. His left-foot passing is elite, and he has great awareness. At his size he can play as a tall defender but with his traits he sees himself long-term holding down a midfield role – which makes for a unique combo.
From Collingullie-GP/GWS Academy/NSW-ACT
The versatile Perryman is the footballer's footballer of this year's crop. He's not the most athletic player, nor the most fashionable (he dons the black boots often), but is an all-round star. His reading of the play is better than most, and Perryman can be used in all areas of the ground: as an attacking half-back, a creative midfielder and a plucky half-forward. His kicking on both feet is better than average, and he was named an All Australian after the championships.
Harry Perryman has been described as the 'footballer's footballer'. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfielder/half-forward, Ht 186cm, Wt 81kg, DOB 19/11/98
From Western Jets/Vic Metro
Venables has explosive speed and power, and he likes to step up when games hang in the balance. He was quiet for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in its school level Grand Final last week but lifted in the second half and almost helped his team across the line. His best position at this stage seems as a medium forward type, as he's not yet shown he's going to be a regular 25-disposal a game midfielder. When it all comes together he has plenty of tricks.
POS: Midfield/half-back, Ht 191cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 5/2/98
From North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
Berry returned from a month on the sidelines with a knee injury to kick 3.4 from 17 disposals last week for the North Ballarat Rebels. He's been pushing to spend a bit more time forward this year if the chance presented and he took his opportunity, showing his flexibility, marking strength and physicality. Berry has had a tough year with some injury troubles, but the Rebels and Vic Country captain will be able to fit into a number of different roles at the next level.
POS: Half-forward/midfielder, Ht 181cm, Wt 71kg, DOB 5/3/98
From Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
If Simpkin hadn't have broken his leg in a school game at the start of the season he would likely be talked about among the top handful of prospects available. Simpkin brings spark to a game. He has some leg speed, he tries things with the ball, and he's got a great goal sense inside the forward 50. The injury he suffered at school level robbed him of the chance of moving further up the ground after impressing as a small forward last year.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 186cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 28/1/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Taranto was among the best ball-winners in the national carnival, averaging nearly 20 disposals a game. That was despite not playing as a permanent midfielder for Vic Metro, with Taranto spending sizeable chunks of games across half-forward. He showed his class there, and he has a good mix of inside and outside work as top-end prospect. He is able to provide strong run and can keep going, with a strong endurance base.
Tim Taranto is a ball magnet that can also play forward. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Half-back, Ht 189cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 10/9/98
From Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Witherden is recovering well from the broken leg he suffered earlier this year. He's out of his moon boot and is aiming for a return late in the season. If that's not in reach, he should be able to test at October's national draft combine. Witherden is a rebounding half-back who can set up the game with his sure kicking and vision. He has also shot up to around 189cm, so will be able to match up on a range of opponents in the future.
POS: Defender, Ht 192cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 25/2/98
From West Perth/Western Australia
The rebounding defender is athletic, quick and can take on the game. Eventually he could settle as a wingman, such is his speed off the mark and willingness to give drive out of the back half. Rotham got a taste of Western Australia's under-18 system last year and although he has not had the breakout top-age year that might have looked possible, he remains a talented option.
From Palm Beach Currumbin/Queensland
The Gold Coast academy product gets to this point through a weight of numbers. He averaged 16 disposals a game for the Allies at the under-18 championships, but was also second across the carnival for hard ball gets, second in contested disposals and third in clearances. Scheer has some 'rat cunning', too – he was second at the carnival for winning free kicks and knows how to manoeuver his way through a tackle. The Suns get first access to Scheer under the academy system.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 183cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 3/5/98
From Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Gallucci returned to the TAC Cup after the national carnival with a bang, gathering 21 disposals and kicking five goals in a terrific display against the Western Jets. The speedy midfielder can bust out of traffic and into space in just a couple of quick steps, and has the acceleration to keep zipping through and past players. Gallucci had some close attention last weekend against the Geelong Falcons but still managed seven clearances.
From South Fremantle/Western Australia
Bolton does things that few in this draft can. He has spring in his legs, clean and quick hands, he loves to tuck the ball under his arm and bolt down the wing, and he produces regular eye-catching moments. The consistency is slowly building, and on the weekend he kicked three goals from 17 disposals and nine inside-50s for South Fremantle's under-18 team. Bolton will produce some high-flying moments in his time.
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