AFL Draft Power Rankings September 2023 Jasper Chellappah – Harley Reid, Jed Walter, Riley Sanders, Tew Jiath first round bolters emerging

The 2023 AFL Draft rankings have been expanded to 30 prospects, with a consolidated high group of 13 prospects breaking away from an excellent group that’s splitting recruiter opinions.

The Coates Expertise League (CTL), WAFL and SANFL are all gearing up for big finals campaigns and prospects together with Zane Duursma, Tew Jiath and Arie Schoenmaker are hitting their straps on the pointy finish of the season.

These are ESPN’s high 30 energy rankings for September.

1. Harley Reid (beforehand 1)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Nation
MID, 185cm, 82kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 18.5 disposals, 2.0 objectives

Reid has been the nominal choose one for 18 months now. It is a credit score that his performances have saved tempo with the gaudy expectation following him to all of six of the groups he is run out with in 2023. Reid is supremely assured with ball in hand, loves competing within the contest and is the one midfielder within the high 15 for contested marks within the CTL (at 1.7 per outing). As he was anointed final 12 months, Harley will enter the draft as the highest prospect within the nation.

2. Jed Walter (2)
SUNS Academy/Allies
FWD, 197cm, 91kg
Expertise League: 4 video games, 18.2 disposals, 4.5 objectives

Walter has sat out publish-champs with a knee harm he performed by, however he is completed sufficient to command a high-three bid on draft evening. The hulking key ahead kicked objectives for enjoyable at each degree and confirmed off spectacular defensive tenacity to go along with a ahead 50 package deal together with straight-line pace, sturdy palms, and a fluid purpose-kicking motion. The Suns will match a bid wherever it comes for Walter.

3. Colby McKercher (5)
Tasmania Devils/Allies
MID, 181cm, 73kg
Expertise League: 8 video games, 30.6 disposals, 1.4 objectives

McKercher is a maestro on-baller, capable of choose aside defences with a laser left boot and a depraved flip of tempo. He has a pleasant inside-exterior mix, averaging probably the most uncontested possessions within the CTL but in addition rating high 10 for clearances and high 15 for contested possessions. McKercher makes his disposals rely and hits the scoreboard with regularity. It is a compelling package deal that has him rated as the perfect pure midfielder within the pool.

4. Dan Curtin (4)
Claremont/Western Australia
DEF, 195cm, 93kg
WAFL: 5 video games, 17.2 disposals, 4.0 marks

Curtin has now performed 5 video games at League degree for Claremont and has fitted in seamlessly down again. His composure and ability execution with ball in hand is a spotlight, including to his elite intercepting capacity by the air. Curtin has performed — and dominated — as a defender, midfielder, and ahead this 12 months; he is a pure footballer with the right modern-day defensive sport.

5. Zane Duursma (7)
Gippsland Power/Vic Nation
FWD/MID, 189cm, 79kg
Expertise League: 11 video games, 19.5 disposals, 2.9 objectives

Duursma has been the perfect performing prospect within the second half of the 12 months. After trying to play heavy midfield minutes early within the season, he is discovered consistency at half ahead the place his pace, stability and composure come to the fore for Gippsland and in VFL video games with Casey. Whereas he might by no means turn into a pure midfielder, Duursma’s capacity to hit the scoreboard and influence video games persistently within the ahead half has been extremely-spectacular.

6. Nate Caddy (5)
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
FWD/MID, 192cm, 91kg
Expertise League: 8 video games, 17.0 disposals, 2.9 objectives

Caddy has superior upside as a key ahead, splitting packs and buttering up at floor degree all season for the Knights. He averages 2.4 contested marks per sport, but in addition 8.4 contested possessions in stints on-ball. Caddy can be an undersized key place participant at 192 centimetres, however he is additionally a centimetre taller than Charlie Curnow was in his draft 12 months and possesses a equally high-heavy body to develop into.

7. Ryley Sanders (8)
Sandringham Dragons/Allies
MID, 186cm, 85kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 32.3 disposals, 7.0 clearances

Sanders joins a listing of Larke Medallists — because the Nationwide Championships MVP — that features Sam Walsh, Christian Petracca and Stephen Coniglio. He is the perfect contested midfielder within the draft, regularly producing eye-watering numbers along with his work fee to contest a spotlight. Sanders would not boast nice penetration in his kick and would not exhibit the identical degree of ability as McKercher, however his proficiency within the clinches is undisputed.

8. Ethan Learn (9)
SUNS Academy/Allies
RUC, 202cm, 87kg
Expertise League: 4 video games, 20.0 disposals, 6.0 marks

Learn is about to be the AFL’s subsequent ‘unicorn’ – supremely skilful 202 centimetre tall that may play in all three areas of the bottom. His work fee is large and he has clear palms within the contest as properly. Learn is extraordinarily lean and can take years to construct the scale to turn into a first-selection ruckman, however an intercepting again could also be the place he performs his finest soccer regardless. A bid might come sooner than this inserting for Learn, however the Suns might be fast to match.

9. Nick Watson (6)
Japanese Ranges/Vic Metro
FWD, 170cm, 66kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 22.3 disposals, 1.3 objectives

It is unlikely Watson will slide additional than this level on draft evening, however there are sufficient issues for golf equipment to bypass him on the very high proper now. At his finest, he is a masterful small ahead with a bag of methods, electrifying tempo and aerial capacity. However he hasn’t flourished in his stints on-ball or at halfback. Watson appears to be a small ahead within the mould of Cody Weightman on the subsequent degree.

10. Connor O’Sullivan (10)
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Nation
DEF/FWD, 198cm, 92kg
Expertise League: 9 video games, 20.4 disposals, 7.0 marks

O’Sullivan is an assured key defender that mixes stout defensive work with intercepting capacity and a need for the soccer in his palms. He is a mature physique and performs with a rustic physicality, setting the tone and successful carnival MVP for the Allies. O’Sullivan has frolicked up ahead and even on-ball in brief bursts, however might be drafted as a dependable backman.

11. Jake Rogers (11)
SUNS Academy/Allies
MID, 171cm, 68kg
Expertise League: 4 video games, 25.5 disposals, 7.0 clearances

Rogers is one other diminutive determine within the draft, however he brings stress and depth in abundance by the engine room. He provides a defensive presence to the midfield but in addition has the burst to exit the entrance of the competition and ship inside 50. He is an excellent ball-person at pace and makes the precise choices. The Suns will match a bid to make Rogers their third first-rounder of the 2023 draft.

12. Ollie Murphy (13)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
DEF, 200cm, 85kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 9.7 disposals, 4.2 marks

Murphy’s competitiveness and studying of the ball has been a revelation after spending time ahead and on a wing in earlier seasons. He spoils greater than intercepts and would not become involved in transition out of defence, however his positioning, studying of the play and shutting pace on the lead make for a very stable basis as a key defender.

13. Darcy Wilson (12)
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Nation
MID, 185cm, 73kg
Expertise League: 11 video games, 25.4 disposals, 1.5 objectives

Wilson is an outdoor accumulator properly suited to a wing along with his pace-endurance mix. He performed as a 3rd tall in a Vic Nation ahead line that lacked top, and continues to show capacity to outwork his man and hit the scoreboard. It is an important fashionable sport package deal for golf equipment looking for two-approach operating.

14. Arie Schoenmaker (15)
Tasmania Devils/Allies
DEF/MID, 194cm, 89kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 26.5 disposals, 5.7 marks

Schoenmaker is without doubt one of the finest kicks within the draft, effortlessly launching it 60 metres when he wheels onto his left foot out of defence. He has third tall dimension at both finish of the bottom, however his capacity to seek out the ball in house and kickstart transition is invaluable for the Devils. Schoenmaker is aware of how good his ball use is – he averages six extra kicks than another participant within the CTL.

15. Jordan Croft (17)
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
FWD, 200cm, 80kg
Expertise League: 11 video games, 10.2 disposals, 2.1 objectives

Croft is an excellent athlete, flying excessive and boasting excellent acceleration on the lead. He is a nightmare match-up due to these traits as a 200-centimetre key ahead. He lacks consistency as a result of he struggled to become involved up the bottom, however is an thrilling participant set to affix the Canines as a father-son choice.

16. George Stevens (14)
GWV Rebels/Vic Nation
MID/DEF, 189cm, 84kg
Expertise League: 12 video games, 29.6 disposals, 7.0 clearances

Stevens is a polarising participant on this draft – he lacks pace and would not have the methods of different midfielders. However he is an elite ball-winner, makes good choices and executes properly by hand and foot. His athleticism is peripheral to those traits as an inside midfielder, and golf equipment know his management and professionalism are high notch after rehabbing a torn ACL final season and returning to captain the AFL Academy.

17. Will McCabe (19)
Central District/South Australia
DEF/FWD, 197cm, 81kg
SANFL U18s: 9 video games, 21.8 disposals, 5.9 marks

McCabe’s unimaginable athleticism at both finish of the bottom is a sight, and has the propensity to kickstart transition with a bounding gait. McCabe loves getting concerned in assault, and comes at an excellent time for Hawthorn as a father-son given their lack of key place depth.

18. Riley Hardeman (20)
Swan Districts/Western Australia
DEF, 188cm, 80kg
Expertise League: WAFL Colts: 7 video games, 22.1 disposals, 4.9 tackles

One other chief within the draft pool is Hardeman, who options because the first of a proficient group of half backs. Hardeman is a tricky defender with good intercepting instincts. He is an excellent dimension, impacts aerially and makes the precise determination popping out of the backline.

19. Mitchell Edwards (18)
Peel Thunder/Western Australia
RUCK, 207cm, 90kg
WAFL Reserves: 5 video games, 8.8 disposals, 20 hitouts

It is a good ruck crop in 2023 and Edwards has the perfect ruck craft of the group. He mauled ruckmen at Colts degree, averaging over 40 hitouts per sport. Within the Reserves he is carried out properly in opposition to the larger our bodies, however must round out his endurance and abilities across the floor.

20. Archie Roberts
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
DEF, 184cm, 77kg
Expertise League: 6 video games, 21.3 disposals, 3.2 marks

Roberts was a part of Haileybury’s APS triumph and has been one in every of Sandy’s finest performers all 12 months off half again. He tucks the ball underneath his arm and takes metres along with his legs earlier than choosing out teammates with fastidiously crafted kicks off his proper foot. He has a flip of tempo, dependable ball use and has been a pacesetter all year long.

21. Caiden Cleary (16)
Swans Academy/Allies
MID, 180cm, 78kg
Expertise League: 4 video games, 27.0 disposals, 6.5 clearances

Cleary is an in-and-underneath midfielder with an urge for food to get to as many contests as doable. He pressures on the coalface and it is mirrored in his finest-in-class tackling numbers, and persistently will get the ball to exterior runners. Cleary is a part of the Swans Academy who’ve first dibs on him.

22. Koltyn Tholstrup
Subiaco/Western Australia
FWD/MID, 188cm, 80kg
WAFL: 8 video games, 10.4 disposals, 0.8 objectives

Tholstrup has cult determine written throughout him. He loves the bodily features of video games and is massively aggressive, given tagging duties all year long within the WAFL. He is held his personal and hit the scoreboard once in a while – at his finest he is a strong ahead-half midfielder that may kick objectives and play a excessive influence sport.

23. Will Inexperienced
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
RUC, 204cm, 89kg
Expertise League: 12 video games, 11.0 disposals, 23.5 hitouts

Inexperienced rounds out the three ruckmen within the high 30, impressing along with his fee of enchancment along with his ruck craft however extra importantly a wholesome urge for food for the competition. He will get to work within the second section of the competition which is a good signal for his capacity to assist his midfielders on the subsequent degree.

24. Koen Sanchez
East Fremantle/Western Australia
FWD/MID, 178cm, 71kg
WAFL Colts: 6 video games, 25.3 disposals, 4.2 marks

Sanchez is a speedy midfielder that was capable of make an influence as a ahead with WA within the champs, being one in every of their finest performers on the carnival. He has clear palms in congestion and might combine it with greater our bodies in there, however it was necessary that he confirmed off a capability to hit the scoreboard with WA as he hasn’t been ready to take action with the Sharks.

25. Caleb Windsor
Japanese Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 185cm, 74kg
Expertise League: 13 video games, 20.5 disposals, 4.5 marks

Windsor has suitors within the first round along with his pace on the surface of contests a function of his sport. He is grown into his position for the Ranges this 12 months, now taking the sport on greater than ever and turning into some of the thrilling gamers to observe within the league. Few opponents can go along with him when he is in full flight, however he is but to indicate a contested aspect to his sport.

26. James Leake
Tasmanian Devils/Allies
DEF/FWD, 188cm, 75kg
Expertise League: 9 video games, 15.7 disposals, 1.6 objectives

Leake is a riser after a transfer ahead produced baggage of objectives for the Devils. He had a improbable marketing campaign for the Allies in defence the place his intercepting got here to the fore, and his capacity to supply at each ends will enchantment to golf equipment. Leake would not have the scale to play key place however he has innate footballing contact.

27. Joel Freijah
GWV Rebels/Vic Nation
MID, 191cm, 86kg
Expertise League: 13 video games, 20.5 disposals, 1.0 objectives

Freijah is a clean-transferring exterior midfielder with some methods round objectives. He generally tries a bit an excessive amount of with the ball, however he additionally possesses ability and pace to make the troublesome look very straightforward. If he can construct a constant finals marketing campaign with the Rebels, Freijah might shoot into the first round.

28. Tew Jiath
Gippsland Power
DEF, 187cm, 71kg
Expertise League: 9 video games, 18 disposals, 3.8 marks

Coming with a bullet is the youthful brother of Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath, with Tew producing a particular month of soccer. He ranks second within the CTL for kicking effectivity at 80% throughout the 12 months (minimal of six video games performed) and his willingness to tackle the sport is a giant function of Gippsland’s play within the again half of the 12 months. The Hawks are capable of match a bid on their NGA prospect exterior the highest 40, however that’s turning into much less doubtless because the weeks go on.

29. Harry DeMattia
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Nation
MID, 184cm, 77kg
Expertise League: 11 video games, 19.0 disposals, 4.8 tackles

A proficient cricketer and footballer, DeMattia has turned his focus to soccer full time this 12 months and is reaping the rewards. He is quick and difficult within the midfield, prepared the ball ahead in any respect prices. His work at half again in stints is the place his sport might actually flourish – he has good abilities in house and works laborious defensively as properly.

30. Luamon Lual
GWV Rebels/Vic Nation
DEF, 181cm, 71kg
Expertise League: 13 video games, 17.6 disposals, 3.0 marks

An ever-dependable half again, Lual has been a beacon of consistency for a proficient Rebels aspect. He would not attempt to do an excessive amount of and would not typically enterprise ahead, however his defensive instincts and sound ball use make for an thrilling package deal when coupled along with his closing pace and a leap that permits him to play above his dimension.