AFL Draft 2024: Profiles for 29 of the top prospects to watch

Harley Reid was earmarked as this year’s No. 1 AFL Draft pick a long way out. But, in 2024, the race is a little more open. Get to know the early contenders, plus all the top prospects.

Carlton father-son prospects Ben and Lucas Camporeale are two AFL Draft prospects to watch in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon.

But when it comes to the AFL draft, next year shapes as the year of the midfielder.

While there were a range of different types of players selected in the top-30 in this year’s draft, clubs searching for gun midfielders look set to be spoiled for choice in 2024.

“There appears to be an incredible amount of depth through the midfield group next year, which is exciting,” AFL Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer said.

“But the other part is that we’re 12 months away from next year’s draft. There’s always a few that come on that you don’t really expect, so that’s great for those kids as well.”

Harley Reid was earmarked as the No. 1 pick for 2023 more than 12 months out and was subsequently snapped up by West Coast with that selection last month.

However, the race for the No. 1 pick in 2024 is a little less clear at this early stage.

Josh Smillie is one of the early pick 1 contenders in 2024. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

“I think the thing about next year’s group is at the moment there’s no real clear standout prospect for who potentially could be No. 1,” Lockyer said.

Finn O’Sullivan, Jagga Smith, Levi Ashcroft, Sid Draper and Josh Smillie are among the top group of contenders vying for the coveted pick.

Next year’s draft class is also stacked with father-son prospects, including Ashcroft (Brisbane), twins Ben and Lucas Camporeale (Carlton) and Tyler Welsh (Adelaide).

Some gun Academy prospects also feature among the top group of prospects, headlined by Leonardo Lombard (Gold Coast Suns Academy), Joel Cochran (Sydney Swans Academy) and Sam Marshall (Brisbane Lions Academy).

AFL Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer on five names to watch in 2024 …

Finn O’Sullivan: “Finn’s had a fantastic couple of years. He’s just a natural ball winner, a natural football player who just knows where to go to get the ball. He’s played inside, outside, back and forward. He’s got a little bit of height where he can mark the ball really well as well. So he’s going to have a lot of attention coming his way.”

Jagga Smith: “Jagga’s a ripping kid. He’s got so much energy and such a thirst for knowledge. He’s got really good agility and fast feet and really good speed as well. He wins his own ball, but he’s got that speed to get out and find time and space.”

Levi Ashcroft: “As a bottom-ager this year in the champs and through his under-16s as well, he’s played some amazing footy. Even with the Sandringham Dragons, he’s done some great stuff as well. He’s got great game awareness, really good hands, and he’s a really good decision-maker.”

Ben Camporeale: “No doubt the Blues fans will be watching him pretty closely over the next 12 months, both he and his brother Lucas. He does play a little bit like his dad (Scott), where he wins his own ball and he uses it really well. He’s a great decision-maker and he’s got that little bit of height as well. He’s got a light body at the moment, so no doubt he’ll get in the gym and put a couple of kilos on his frame.”

Tyler Welsh: “He’s a key position player who marks the ball really well on the lead and overhead. He’s a very dangerous player. He’s got the ability to hit the scoreboard and he’s incredibly raw as well. He’s got a fantastic opportunity to link in with the Adelaide Crows as well as the father-son.”

Tyler Welsh is a promising father-son prospect for Adelaide next year. Picture: Getty Images

29 TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS IN 2024

Bo Allan

Peel Thunder/WA
Defender, 189cm
DOB: 16/2/06

While he looks best playing as a third-tall defender, Allan also displayed his ability to feature forward and through the midfield in the WAFL Colts this year. He is a great athlete and is described as a “very smart footballer” who reads the play exceptionally well. Allan played all four games for Western Australia as a bottom-age player in the under-18 national championships, spending time lining up against the likes of top-10 picks Harley Reid and Zane Duursma.

Levi Ashcroft

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 179cm
DOB: 18/12/06

One of the youngest players in next year’s draft pool has also been one of the most impressive to date. The younger brother of Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft and son of Lions great Marcus Ashcroft, Levi is eligible to join Brisbane as a father-son next year. He had an ultra-consistent bottom-age year at all levels and was named as an All-Australian in the under-18 team after three impressive games for Vic Metro. While primarily a ball-winning midfielder, Levi has shown an ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard. He is creative, hard-at-it and brings teammates into the game. Levi was the leading disposal winner for Team Selwood in the under-17 Futures game, gathering 26 disposals.

Brisbane Lions father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft had a huge bottom-age year. Picture: Getty Images

Ben Camporeale

Glenelg/SA
Midfielder/Defender, 184cm
DOB: 21/07/06

A right-footed midfielder or halfback, Camporeale had a big year in the SANFL under-18s and backed it up in the under-17 Futures game on AFL Grand Final Day. He was named best-on-ground in that key match after finishing as the top-ranked player on the ground with 30 disposals, eight marks and eight rebound-50s. Camporeale breaks the lines and is all class with ball in hand. He is the son of former Carlton star Scott and is eligible to join the Blues as a father-son in 2024.

Lucas Camporeale

Glenelg/SA
Midfielder/Defender, 182cm
DOB: 21/07/06

A left-footed outside midfielder or halfback, Camporeale is a smooth-mover who uses the ball well by hand and foot and provides great drive for his team. He has nice composure and played some big games in the SANFL under-18s this year. Camporeale also impressed in the under-17 Futures match for Team Selwood with 19 disposals and nine marks playing a range of roles. He is eligible to join Carlton as a father-son, with his dad Scott having played 233 games for the club including a premiership in 1995.

Malakai Champion

Subiaco/WA
Forward, 176cm
DOB: 17/05/06

A livewire small forward, Champion is an X-Factor player who brings great class, electric speed and pressure. He can get the job done both offensively and defensively and has an outstanding goal sense. Champion kicked 22 goals from 14 WAFL Colts games as a bottom-age player this year and racked up 16 disposals in the under-17 Futures game for Team Selwood. Hailing from Kalgoorlie in regional WA, he is a member of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy.

Joel Cochran

Sydney Swans Academy/NSW-ACT
Defender/Ruck, 195cm
DOB: 28/03/06

An athletically gifted tall, Cochran dominated in defence at the under-16 national championships this year as an approved over-age player. He averaged 25.3 disposals, 8 marks and 162 ranking points across the three games. Cochran can play as a lockdown defender on opposition talls, but also reads the play well and brings great intercepting ability in the air. He has a good mix of speed and endurance and has shown that he can also assist as a back-up ruckman.

Archer Day-Wicks

Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Midfielder/Forward, 185cm
DOB: 13/05/06

Some injury and illness restricted Day-Wicks’ bottom-age season, but he showed plenty when he was on the park. The left-footer can find the footy when he’s up the ground, while he also has great goal sense when he’s featuring closer to the big sticks and loves getting on the end of a major. Day-Wicks possesses super athleticism, including good power and speed, while he is also strong above head and at ground level. He featured in one match for Vic Country at the under-18 national championships this year, collecting 13 disposals.

Oliver Dean

Tasmania Devils/TAS
Ruck, 199cm
DOB: 16/10/06

A promising young ruckman, Dean featured in 13 games for the Tasmanian Devils in the Coates Talent League as a bottom-age player. His tap work is a strength, but he also showed that he push forward and kick goals this year. Dean booted two majors in each of his two Tasmanian State League appearances for North Launceston this season.

South Australian Sid Draper starred for his state as a bottom-age player at the under-18 national championships this year. Picture: Getty Images

Sid Draper

South Adelaide/SA
Midfielder, 180cm
DOB: 05/07/06

The tough onballer featured in all four games of the under-18 national championships for South Australia, won the side’s MVP award and was named an All-Australian despite being a bottom-age player. He has burst speed from stoppages, clean hands, good footy smarts and a nice balance between his inside and outside game. A consistent high performer, Draper averaged 116 ranking points across 14 SANFL under-18 games this year. He is the younger brother of Arlo Draper, a 2021 draftee who was delisted by Collingwood in October.

Jonty Faull

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Forward, 194cm
DOB: 01/02/06

A key forward who showed plenty of promise this year, Faull finished his bottom-age season in style. He averaged 125 ranking points, 15 disposals, 6.3 marks and kicked 16 goals across his final six matches of the year in the Coates Talent League. Faull also kicked two goals from limited opportunities in the under-17 Futures game in September. He has a good set of hands in the air, presents well and can assist with ruck duties when required.

Tom Gross

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Midfielder/Forward, 180cm
DOB: 15/09/06

A classy midfielder who has breakaway pace and thrives around the contest, Gross can also have an impact on the scoreboard in the forward half. He kicked two goals playing forward during the first half of the under-17 Futures match in September, before being pushed into the midfield and finishing with 18 disposals for Team Selwood. Gross was a consistently strong performer as a bottom-age player in the Coates Talent League, averaging 23 disposals and 7.2 score involvements across 10 games. He also featured in one match for Vic Metro at the national championships, racking up 17 touches.

Kade Herbert

Woodville-West Torrens/SA
Midfielder, 183cm
DOB: 3/04/06

After being so impressive as a bottom-age player in the SANFL under-18s in the first half of this year, Herbert was called up to the seniors for five games in the back end of the season and did not look out of place. He spent time playing on a wing and across half-forward for the Eagles and racked up 20 disposals, nine marks, four score assists and one goal in the final match of the season. Herbert’s versatility to play a range of roles is a clear strength, while he also has clean hands, great agility and good footy IQ.

Isaac Kako

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
Forward, 175cm
DOB: 7/03/2006

A dynamic forward who finds plenty of the footy, Kako is a member of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy. He featured in 11 games in the Coates Talent League this year, averaging 15.7 disposals and kicking 24 goals. The campaign was highlighted by a 22-disposal and 7-goal game against Northern Territory in round 4. Kako has great speed, is tough and works hard up the ground to provide an option for teammates. He was his usual lively self in the under-17 Futures game in September, gathering 14 disposals and kicking two goals to be one of the better players for Team Selwood.

Calder Cannons forward Isaac Kako is part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Lalor

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Midfielder, 187cm
DOB: 30/08/06

A strong-bodied onballer who is a contest and clearance beast, Lalor is calm and clean in the thick of the action. He had been a promising junior cricket player, who was part of Cricket Victoria’s elite junior programs. However, he has sharpened his focus on making a career out of footy. Lalor has quick hands, makes good decisions and loves to lay a tackle. He averaged 7.5 tackles along with 20.3 disposals across eight games in the Coates Talent League this year. Lalor also impressed in the under-17 Futures game, amassing 19 disposals and three clearances.

Harvey Langford

Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Midfielder, 188cm
DOB: 15/03/06

A powerful and hardworking left-foot midfielder, Langford won as much contested ball as he did uncontested ball for the Stingrays this year. He had an incredibly consistent bottom-age season, averaging 121 ranking points across 14 games to finish runner-up in the Singrays’ best and fairest count. Langford is also a strong overhead mark and can hit the scoreboard when he pushes forward.

Xavier Lindsay

Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Midfielder/Defender, 182cm
DOB: 03/08/06

The talented Lindsay started his bottom-age season with the Power as an outside midfielder or running halfback but finished the campaign having locked down a spot as an inside midfielder. Lindsay is excellent below his knees, is clean with his disposal by hand and foot, is a smooth mover when out in space and has great composure in traffic. He was the top-ranked player for Team Selwood in the under-17 Futures match this year, racking up 20 disposals and five rebound-50s off halfback.

Leonardo Lombard

Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD
Midfielder, 178cm
DOB: 15/10/06

Lombard finished his bottom-age year with a bang. He was still 16 years old when he featured for Gold Coast in the VFL Grand Final in September, but did not look out of place as he collected 10 disposals and a goal. Lombard has a nice mix between his inside and outside game, loves the contest, works hard, brings pressure and has good speed. He also starred in the under-17 Futures match for Team Naitanui, gathering 24 disposals and three clearances.

Leonardo Lombard looks a good prospect for the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Marshall

Brisbane Lions Academy/Sandringham Dragons/QLD
Midfielder, 185cm
DOB: 19/01/06

Originally from Queensland, Marshall moved south to attend his final years of school at Melbourne Grammar and has therefore linked up with the Dragons in the Coates Talent League. The midfielder featured in two games for the Allies at the under-18 national championships this year as a bottom-age player, while he also had a taste of VFL football late in the year with the Lions. Marshall is an elite runner who works hard and regularly finds plenty of the footy both in the contest and on the outside.

Ricky Mentha

Northern Territory Academy/Gippsland Power/NT
Forward, 179cm
DOB: 04/09/06

Originally from Alice Springs, Mentha moved to Morwell this year and quickly linked up with the Power. He started the Coates Talent League season as a deep forward playing closer to goal, before working his way up the ground in the second half of the year. Mentha’s speed and pressure are his strengths, while he is a beautiful kick of the footy and has great goal sense. A versatile prospect, Mentha also impressed in three games for Northern Territory at the under-16 national championships this year as a rebounding defender.

Christian Moraes

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 182cm
DOB: 8/11/06

An attacking midfielder who moves well, Moraes had a huge second half of the season in the Coates Talent League to stamp himself as a top prospect for 2024. He averaged 29.4 disposals and 143 ranking points from his last 10 games for the Ranges, including racking up 24 touches and a goal in the Grand Final. Moraes is a strong clearance player, while his groundball work is also exceptional and he sets up goals when he’s not kicking them himself.

Noah Mraz

Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Ruck/Defender, 197cm
DOB: 20/02/06

A developing tall, Mraz predominantly played as a key defender for the Stingrays this year, where his one-on-one work, skills and intercept marking caught the eye. However, he also spent some time in the ruck in a number of games and performed well. Mraz was one of only four bottom-age players to be picked in the Vic Country squad this year and had a taste of the under-18 national championships when he played one game against Vic Metro.

Harry O’Farrell

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
Defender, 196cm
DOB: 03/05/06

A versatile tall, O’Farrell impressed with his intercept marking down back for the Cannons in the Coates Talent League this year. However, he also had an impact playing forward at times in his school football at St Kevin’s College. An athletic and mobile player, O’Farrell reads the play well and took seven intercept marks in one game against Northern Territory Thunder this year – four of which were contested. He also featured in one match for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships.

Finn O’Sullivan

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 30/05/06

An early contender for the No. 1 draft pick in 2024, there is little that O’Sullivan cannot do. He’s a natural ball-winner who has a nice mix of inside and outside game, is a good overhead mark, has great vision and can impact in a number of positions. O’Sullivan won the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player of the under-16 national championships last year and backed that up by being named an All-Australian after playing for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships this year. Hailing from Koroit in Western Victoria, O’Sullivan is a cousin of Carlton young gun Sam Walsh.

Finn O'Sullivan won the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player of the under-16 national championships in 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Murphy Reid

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 30/07/2006

A classy midfielder, Reid appears to have time when others don’t given his great composure and agility around the contest. He spent significant time in his bottom-age year playing forward, where he kicked 14 goals from 10 games for the Dragons. However, he was also damaging when playing onball, recording 30 disposals and nine clearances in one game against the Calder Cannons. Reid impressed in one appearance for Vic Metro at the national championships, racking up 18 disposals and five clearances.

Jobe Shanahan

Bendigo Pioneers/NSW-ACT
Forward/Defender, 192cm
DOB: 02/08/06

He spent significant time forward this year, but some would argue that Shanahan looks better as a backman after developing his defensive craft. The versatile tall is extremely athletic and quite quick and mobile for a big man. His marking ability is a clear strength, including contested marks. Shanahan hails from the NSW border town of Moama, putting him in the Allies catchment for the under-18 national championships.

Josh Smillie

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 194cm
DOB: 17/05/06

A tall and big-bodied midfielder, Smillie is a playmaker who is hard to contain. He has clean hands and brings great composure and decision making in the contest, while he can also work into space to find the footy on the outside. A hamstring injury cut short Smillie’s Coates Talent League season with the Ranges this year, but he returned for the under-17 Futures match in September where he was a solid contributor with 21 disposals and five marks. Smillie spent some time in that game playing in defence, but looks best as an onballer.

Jagga Smith

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 28/01/06

A livewire midfielder or forward, Smith brings great energy, class, agility and speed to every game he plays. He consistently finds plenty of the ball, averaging 28.8 disposals in the Coates Talent League this year. His clearance and groundball work is impressive, while he kicks or sets up goals when he’s at the attacking end. Smith starred in two games for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships this year, along with being one of the better players on the ground in the under-17 Futures game. He logged 21 disposals, five marks and one goal in that match at the MCG.

Jagga Smith has no shortage of talent. Picture: Getty Images

Luke Trainor

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Defender, 193cm
DOB: 10/04/06

A versatile tall, Trainor spent time both in defence and attack for the Dragons in the Coates Talent League this year. He also featured in one match for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships. Trainor will train as a back over the off-season, but could develop into a forward or tall midfielder in time. He is a beautiful long kick and is a strong intercept mark when playing down back.

Tyler Welsh

Adelaide/SA
Forward, 191cm
DOB: 15/08/06

A powerful marking forward, Welsh announced himself during the under-18 national championships when he kicked five goals in a game against Vic Country as a bottom-age player. He also kicked 27 goals across 10 games for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL under-18s, before featuring in finals for the club’s reserves side. Welsh’s marking – including contested marking – is a clear strength, while he is generally an accurate shot on goal and works hard. Welsh is eligible to join the Crows as a father-son, with his dad Scott having played 129 AFL games for the club.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Profiles for 29 of the top prospects to watch