Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy products Ben Keays and Eric Hipwood have been named in the top 10 in Champion Data’s annual draft power rankings from the 2016 AFL Prospectus.
The official AFL statisticians placed midfielder Keays at Pick No. 7 touting the 18-year-old as a future captain, while the athletic 202cm Hipwood was ranked at Pick No. 10.
Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants academy prospect) was named Pick No. 1 ahead of Swans academy star Callum Mills (2), Murray Bushrangers forward Josh Schache (3) and widely touted favourite Jacob Weitering (4) in Champion Data’s 30-man list, which was based on players’ statistical performances in recent years.
Ahead of the National Draft next Tuesday, Champion Data's full 30-man power rankings, as well as Fox Footy's analysis of where each prospect will likely land, can be viewed below.
1. Jacob Hopper (NSW-ACT, North Ballarat Rebels, GWS academy)
A tough, classy midfielder with a ready-made AFL frame, a big presence around stoppages and the ability to hit scoreboard. As NSW-ACT Rams skipper, Hopper starred during this year’s Under 18 national championships, averaging 27 disposals, 16 contested possessions, six inside 50s, nine clearances, one goal and 157 SuperCoach points over three games.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Arguably the most complete player of the draft. Melbourne or Essendon are likely to bid on Hopper between the third and fifth picks. But the Giants will have no hesitations matching the bid by using the array of mid-draft selections they accumulated during October’s exchange period.
2. Callum Mills (NSW-ACT, Sydney academy)
Still very highly rated despite missing most of the 2015 season due to shin and foot injuries, the in-and-under midfielder can extract the ball cleanly by either hand or foot. He was crowned an under 18s All-Australian in 2014 after averaging 21 disposals in the championships.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Twelve months earlier, he was the like No. 1 pick. Like Hopper, should cop a bid from the Dees or Dons within the first five picks, probably as early as pick No. 3. The Swans have ample picks up their sleeve and will match the bid.
3. Josh Schache (Vic Country, Murray Bushrangers)
A star forward who has excellent size, power and marking ability. He won the Larke Medal this year as the best player in Division 1, booting a record 24 goals from six games for Vic Country.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Think Travis Cloke — but a much better and more accurate kick for goal. Brisbane, which is desperately in need of a tall forward, will snap him up with pick No. 2.
4. Jacob Weitering (Vic Country, Dandenong Stingrays)
An excellent intercept defender who can play both loose or one-on-one. Had a brilliant year for the Stingrays in the TAC Cup, averaging 19 disposals, eight marks (four intercept), five rebound 50s and 118 SuperCoach points.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Don’t let these rankings turn you off. Blues are certainties to select him with pick No. 1.
5. Darcy Parish (Vic Country, Geelong Falcons)
Has electric pace, great strength for his size and a real knack for accumulating the footy. He averaged 22 disposals in the national championships and 28 in the TAC Cup this season.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: The most in-demand midfielder of this year’s draft class outside of the academy prospects. When Melbourne — a team desperate for outside run — traded with Gold Coast to acquire pick No. 3, our ears pricked up. Dees the favourite, but if they look elsewhere, Dons will snap him up.
6. Aaron Francis (South Australia, West Adelaide)
A genuine utility at 191cm and 92kg who’s just as comfortable playing at either end of the ground. In defence he’s an excellent intercept player with great game sense, highlighted by his 11 intercept marks for SA in this year’s national championships. Up forward, he just knows where the goals are.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Could slip down the order a little, despite his talent, making him a potential bargain pick. Don’t be surprised to see the Gold Coast Suns pounce on him with pick No. 6 after early academy bidding.
7. Ben Keays (Queensland, Redlands, Brisbane Lions Academy)
A strong, inside midfielder who starred for his state and averaged 29 disposals and 162 SuperCoach points in this year’s under 18 national carnival. Could be a future captain, too.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Likely to be Brisbane’s second academy selection and third overall pick in the draft, after taking Josh Schache with pick No. 2 and Eric Hipwood with its first academy selection.
8. Ryan Burton (South Australia, North Adelaide)
An athletic key forward at 191cm who leads well and has an accurate set-shot for goal.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Would’ve been a top-five prospect if he hadn’t have broken his leg. With pick No. 13, the Crows would love to keep him in South Australia. But will he last that long? Carlton (pick No. 8) might pounce.
9. Matthew Kennedy (NSW-ACT, Collingullie-GP, GWS academy)
One of the best and toughest midfielders of this year’s draft class. A bull at stoppages, yet uses his 187cm frame to take contested marks around the ground. Can also push forward and impact the scoreboard.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Hopper will be the Giants’ first academy pick, but they won’t hesitate matching a rival club’s bid — likely within the first 10 picks — on Kennedy.
10. Eric Hipwood (Queensland, Aspley, Brisbane Lions Academy)
Incredibly athletic for a man who stands 202cm, the academy prospect can play either back or forward. Won All-Australian honours for his carnival campaign, kicking four goals and averaging 21 disposals and seven marks from three games.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Will be the first Lions academy player — and probably the fourth overall after Mills, Hopper and Kennedy — to attract a bid from a rival club. Lions will match.
11. Charlie Curnow (Vic Country, Geelong Falcons)
Forward or back, midfield or ruck, the brother of Carlton’s Ed Curnow is one of the most versatile players in the draft, but probably plays his best footy forward. Possesses excellent overhead marking ability and is an accurate kick for goal.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Won’t last long, with Essendon eyeing him off with either pick No. 4 or No. 5.
12. Rhys Mathieson (Vic Country, Geelong Falcons)
Of all the midfielders of this year’s draft class, the tough, inside on-baller with clean hands could be the most ready-made for the AFL environment. A footy nut who’s always watching games, the contested ball animal averaged 20 disposals and five clearances per game in the this year’s carnival.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Could be a bargain as a late first-round selection. Before academy selections, could land somewhere between pick No. 11 (Carlton) and 14 (St Kilda) — the Saints could do with him the most.
13. Jade Gresham (Vic Metro, Northern Knights)
An explosive, inside midfielder and prolific ball magnet who couldn’t have done much more in 2015 to enhance his prospects. He starred in the TAC Cup (averaged 29 disposals and kicked 15 goals), national championships (23 disposals and five clearances) and draft combine (top-10 finishes in the clean hands and kicking tests).
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Recruiters won’t be put off by his height (178cm), but hard to put a finger on exactly where he’ll selected.
Could go as early as pick No. 10 (Carlton) or as late as pick No. 25 (Essendon)
14. Sam Weideman (Vic Metro, Eastern Ranges)
His 2015 campaign was hampered by an ankle stress fracture, but that hasn’t stopped the tall forward from slipping out of top-10 contention. The grandson of Collingwood legend Murray Weideman is a good contested mark and has an accurate set-shot kick for goal.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Won’t be available after Melbourne’s second pick (selection No. 7). Bombers considering him, but will they choose fellow tall forward Curnow too?
15. Kieran Lovell (Tasmania, Kingston Tigers)
Height is no barrier for the 174cm midfielder, who has racked up incredible numbers at both TAC Cup (averaged 34 disposals) and national carnival (35 disposals) levels this season. He’s a tough tackler, natural ball magnet and clearance machine.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Not a first-round pick, according to AFL clubs, but should find a home at sometime during the second round (between picks 25-40).
16. Mitch Hibberd (Tasmania, Clarence)
A versatile 19-year-old half-back that looms as Tasmania’s best draft prospect, despite Lovell’s incredible numbers this year. With great athleticism and footy smarts, he averaged 24 disposals in both the TAC Cup and national championships this year.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Could sneak into the first round, but more likely to land at the Western Bulldogs with one of the club’s first two selections (No. 20 and 21) in the second round.
17. Ryan Clarke (Vic Metro, Eastern Ranges)
The fit, hard-working on-baller had an impressive back-end to the TAC Cup season, which included hauls of 45, 42 and 30 disposals — as well as three goals — in the space of three games.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: One of the bolters of this year’s draft bolters that could be picked up late in the first round, or early second round. The Blues may look at him with their end of round one compensation pick, as would the Bulldogs in the second round.
18. Clayton Oliver (Vic Country, Murray Bushrangers)
A gun midfielder who won the Morrish medal as the best TAC Cup player for the season. He finished the year with an average of 24 disposals and 135 SuperCoach points, as well as a total of 20 goals, from 16 games.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Bolted into first-round selection thanks to a scintillating finish to his TAC Cup season. The Blues have reportedly flagged interest in the midfielder and could use one of their middle first-round selections (either pick No. 8 or 11) to nab him.
19. Riley Bonner (South Australia, West Adelaide)
Your quintessential rebounding defender who possesses an accurate left-foot kick but can also play on a small or tall opponent. Won All-Australian honours thanks to his excellent under 18 carnival campaign.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: If fellow South Australians Francis, Burton and Wayne Milera are all gone by pick No. 13, the Crows could land the boy from West Adelaide. If not, the Hawks might like to add another classy left-footer to their list with either pick No. 15 or 18.
20. Harley Balic (Vic Metro, Sandringham Dragons)
A talented junior basketballer who ultimately chose football, the half-forward/midfielder averaged 23 disposals per game in the TAC Cup and 22 touches in the national championships. However a question mark over his kicking efficiency still lingers.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Solid overhead mark for a midfielder who knows where the goals are. Should land at an AFL club before the end of the first round, with Richmond (pick No. 12) and St Kilda (pick No. 14) in the box seat.
21. Wayne Milera (South Australia, Central Districts)
A classy outside player who could play as either a running half-back or elusive crumbing forward. His five-goal, 24-disposal haul against Glenelg in the SANFL, as well as his impressive time in the 30m sprint test at the draft combine, has seen him rocket into early first-round contention.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: The Crows had the second-worst kicking efficiency of any team this year at just 63 per cent, so they’ll have their eyes on the classy ball-user with pick No. 9.
22. Ben Crocker (Vic Metro, Oakleigh Chargers)
A competitive half-forward with great hands that can also play through midfield. He kicked 23 goals and averaged 19 disposals and 113 SuperCoach points from 14 TAC Cup games this year.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Earliest he’ll go is early second round, but don’t be surprised to see him slip to the third round either.
23. Luke Partington (South Australia, Norwood)
South Australia’s top ball magnet for 2015 who can find the footy in both contested and uncontested situations. A quick yet durable on-baller who averaged 24 disposals and 102 SuperCoach points per game during the national championships this season.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Looms as a handy second-round selection. Might suit Port Adelaide at pick No. 32, which would keep him in South Australia.
24. Callum Ah Chee (Western Australia, South Fremantle)
Clearly WA’s best prospect of this season’s draft class who can change games in an instant and often plays above his height of 182cm. A quick and agile small forward, he featured in both the under 18 carnival and WAFL seniors this year, booting five goals from six games in each competition.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Was touted as a possible top-10 pick early, but that talk faded as the season progressed. Still a strong chance to go in the first round, potentially to Gold Coast at pick No. 20.
25. Darcy Tucker (Vic Country, North Ballarat Rebels)
Your quintessential running defender that has pace, elite endurance, composure and a damaging left-foot kick. Showed solid consistency in both the TAC Cup and national carnival this year, averaging 23 and 19 disposals in the two respective competitions.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Probably slid down the order slightly as the season progressed but still expect him to be selected within the first round. Hawthorn (pick No. 15 or 18) or North Melbourne (pick No. 17) could be suitors.
26. Daniel Rioli (Northern Territory, North Ballarat Rebels)
The cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli booted 14 goals from nine games in the TAC Cup this year. But it was at the draft combine where he truly announced himself, winning the repeat 30m sprint test and finishing inside the top five in the 20m sprint, clean hands and vertical jump tests. He also finished with an impressive beep test time of 14.6.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: The Tigers desperately need a small, elusive forward. Could they use their first selection (pick No. 12) on Rioli? If not, should go early in the second round.
27. Bailey Rice (Vic Country, Dandenong Stingrays)
The son of former Carlton and St Kilda player Dean Rice had a consistent season at all levels in 2015. An excellent rebounding defender, he averaged 21 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency and five rebound 50s per game during the TAC Cup season, while he quickly adapted to the physicality of VFL level during his two games with the Northern Blues.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Nominated St Kilda as his first preference under the revised father-son bidding system, meaning the Saints will have first dibs on him when a bid comes. If the Saints, however, don’t match the bid, Carlton is then given the opportunity. But the Saints should nab him in the second round.
28. Brayden Fiorini (Vic Metro, Northern Knights)
A ball magnet and effective ball user that racked up big numbers during 2015. The versatile midfielder, who could also play down back if need be, averaged 32 disposals in the TAC Cup and kicked multiple goals in three of last four games
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Could be a late bolter and sneak into the first round, but could also go as late as pick No. 27 where Collingwood would welcome him in with open arms.
29. Kieran Collins (Vic Country, Dandenong Stingrays)
A lockdown, ready-made full-back at 193cm and 94kg, however he’s worked hard to improve the offensive aspects of his game this season. Averaged four spoils per game for the Stingrays, while he showed off his attacking improvement at the carnival with an average of five rebound 50s.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: The most improved under 18 player in the country, such has been his rapid progress in 2015. Hawthorn (pick No. 15 or 18) could be on the lookout to replace Brian Lake.
30. Josh Dunkley (Vic Country, Gippsland Power)
The son of Sydney champion Andrew Dunkley is an inside midfielder who wins most of his disposals in a contested situation and has good overhead marking ability. Played well for the Power in 2015, averaging 19 disposals, six tackles, four clearances and 101 SuperCoach points.
FOX FOOTY SAYS: Set to shun the Swans and not nominate as a father-son prospect, meaning he could land at any club. Now likely to be picked up during the early stages of the second round, with Essendon looming with picks No. 24 and 25.
