THE FINALS present another opportunity for NAB AFL Draft hopefuls to press their cases in front of recruiters.
A big couple of weeks could see prospects shoot up draft boards, while a quiet finish to the season could leave scouts with more questions to work through.
It is also a good time for us to take stock and release the third update of this year's Phantom Form Guide.
Remember, this is our ranking of the best 25 players in the draft pool and is not a mock draft. It does not take into account what selections clubs hold and where the players may get picked.
The next update of the form guide will be released in October after the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 185cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 3/3/1998
From North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
McCluggage just keeps powering on. The goalkicking midfielder continues to show he is a level above most in the TAC Cup, dominating as a classy, composed player with plenty of time. He was rewarded for his season by being named the Morrish medallist for 2016. As one recruiter said, a player can't buy, develop or manufacture the touch that McCluggage has in his hands with the ball and how he sets up others. You either have it or you don't, and McCluggage has it more than most. His ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard gives him an advantage over others around him, and he's booted 25 goals in 11 games for the Rebels this year. Someone recently asked why he isn't the the clear No.1 pick. It's a good question.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 189cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 23/8/98
From Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Anybody watching Brodie play for the Murray Bushrangers last month against the Dandenong Stingrays would have been left with no doubt he can step straight into the AFL next year. Brodie willed himself into every contest, gathering 26 disposals (17 contested) and 10 clearances. It was a powerful display. But it was everything Brodie has shown across a couple of years now: he's a competitive, hard, tough midfielder who just loves to crash in and get the ball going his team's way. His height and size gives him a presence too, and he is a good grab above his head. He already has his sights set on an AFL career.
POS: Small forward, Ht 179cm, Wt 74kg, DOB 10/2/98
From Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Ainsworth proved his star quality at the back end of the TAC Cup season. The Gippsland Power captain moved more into the midfield, and in the last four weeks of the season averaged 29 disposals and kicked 12 goals. It was the type of form he had been hoping to display all year, but injury problems and a four-week suspension interrupted his season and continuity. Everyone knows Ainsworth can mark well above his head as a small forward and has terrific goal sense, but the last period of the season saw him use his power, foot skills and pace up the ground. He'll be able to do that at the next level as well.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 187cm, Wt 78kg, DOB 26/1/98
From Gold Coast Academy/Queensland
After some quieter performances of late, Bowes finished his season on a high note two weeks ago with 31 disposals in Gold Coast's reserves' elimination final. It was an excellent effort for the 18-year-old, who displayed his poise, skills by foot and clear thinking against senior opposition. Bowes is a mobile midfielder who marks well, moves in an uncomplicated way and just looks smooth with the ball. He can set up the play well by foot and his height offers him the chance (once he adds some weight to his frame) to be able to push off opponents. He'll be in Suns colours next year as an academy pick-up.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 179cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 2/6/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
There are recruiters who would pick McGrath at No.1 in this year's draft, and the quick, tough and powerful half-back might still end up being taken there. McGrath couldn't have done much more this year, but after co-captaining Vic Metro to the under-18 title he has returned to the Sandringham Dragons and played more through the midfield. Last weekend he was terrific for the Dragons, showing he can do whatever his team needs: he played through the midfield (and gathered 29 disposals) and also shut down the opposition's most damaging forward. Compact, quick, hard and competitive, McGrath is the type you can slot into a round one team next year.
POS: Midfield/half-forward, Ht 181cm, Wt 76kg, DOB 19/2/98
From Claremont/Western Australia
After playing strong senior football last year for Claremont in the WAFL, Petrevski-Seton hasn't been promoted to that level this year. His season has had its frustrations with injury, but he gathered 25 disposals and eight inside-50s on the weekend in a final win for his colts side. Petrevski-Seton will probably start his AFL career as a half-forward, but he has played most recently as a midfielder, where his crafty ball use on both feet, his fondness of a shimmy and baulk, and his unselfishness helps brings teammates into the game. He has some special traits.
POS: Ruckman/tall forward, Ht 204cm, Wt 86kg, DOB 10/8/97
From South Fremantle/Western Australia
The 204cm ruckman made his senior debut in the WAFL two weeks ago and performed solidly. English has had an excellent season, which is almost his introduction to elite underage football after not being drafted last year when he was old enough to be eligible. For a player his size, English has great athleticism, his foot skills are more than trusty, and he fights for the ball at ground level like an extra midfielder. Some scouts think he could be the most exciting player in the pool, but he does have some way to go with his physical development.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 190cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 5/2/98
From Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy/NSW-ACT
Setterfield is a very good player, the problem has just been that injuries over the past two years have limited his appearances. But he's recently returned to the field after a foot problem post-championships and has hit some form for the Sandringham Dragons. Setterfield can make things look relatively easy – he's a nice player to watch. The midfielder glides across the field, is neat and precise by foot, but has the size and strength to go inside the contest and win his own ball. He picked up 19 disposals, 16 tackles and 10 clearances last week in the Dragons' elimination final win. Expect him to be a Giant on draft night as a member of the Greater Western Sydney academy.
Will Setterfield looks set to head to GWS next year. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfielder/half-forward, Ht 184cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 19/12/98
From Collingullie-GP/GWS Academy/NSW-ACT
If there were a test for footy smarts at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, you'd back Perryman to win it. As it is, there isn't a test for that, and in the athletic screenings Perryman is unlikely to finish overly high. But that just highlights how much of a natural footballer he is: he thinks through situations quickly and has the versatility to play anywhere from half-back to the midfield and even across half-forward. Wherever his coach needs him, Perryman can move to plug a hole. The GWS academy prospect has recently been playing for Collingullie in the Riverina region, a club that looks set to produce back-to-back first-round picks (after Matthew Kennedy in 2015).
POS: Midfielder, Ht 186cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 28/1/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Taranto has played with great confidence since mid-season, when he was named an All Australian half-forward. Three weeks ago he put in a brilliant performance against the Bendigo Pioneers, gathering 33 disposals and kicking 1.3. But Taranto's trick is his overhead marking. For a player his size he has great awareness in the air, spring in his legs and presence above his head. He took nine grabs against the Pioneers that afternoon and a couple were rippers – marks that took confidence and skill and aren't usually taken by players his size. Taranto has a basketball background but is very well suited to a few positions on the football field in his chosen code.
Patrick Kerr (left) and Tim Taranto (right) catch up with Chris Judd earlier this year. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Defender/midfielder, Ht 194cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 4/9/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
The most appealing thing about Scrimshaw will be his ability to move into a number of different spots. He can be trusted off half-back to set up the play with his left-foot kicking, but he has also got the sidestep and awareness to shift into the midfield. He's still wiry but if he can add some muscle to his frame then he will be a difficult match-up around the stoppages. He shifted forward against the Eastern Ranges in the elimination final last weekend and was very good with 25 disposals and a goal. Scrimshaw is another player who has had his injury problems, but he generally looks a class above when he has the ball in hand.
POS: Tall forward, Ht 198cm, Wt 87kg, DOB 8/10/98
From Murray Bushrangers/Deniliquin/NSW-ACT
Marshall is still probably the best pure key forward in the draft. He's agile, a very good shot for goal and snaps cleverly when in the pockets, and occasionally picks the ball off the ground like a crumbing forward. But he still hasn't really torn apart a game and kicked a big bag of goals, which makes it difficult to choose him with a top-five or so pick. He is raw, and was bowling off-spin on a cricket tour of the UK only a little bit over a year ago so hasn't always been purely focused on an AFL career.
POS: Midfielder/half-forward, Ht 186cm, Wt 81kg, DOB 19/11/98
From Western Jets/Vic Metro
Venables is a talented player who has a combination of traits that few in this draft possess. He's strong, physical, powerful and has a real burst of speed. He has been used all over the ground at stages this season, but had different injuries and missed the last three weeks of the year with a foot problem. His best form probably came at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, when he helped set up Vic Metro's last-gasp win over Vic Country at Simonds Stadium.
Talented midfielder Daniel Venables missed parts of this year with a series of injuries. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfield/half-back, Ht 191cm, Wt 80kg, DOB 5/2/98
From North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
Some knocks and niggles have thrown around Berry's season but his best form of the year has come recently after returning from a knee injury. The Rebels captain has been playing in the midfield and up forward, and has shown his power, athleticism and overhead marking. He's also reminded clubs of his toughness and attack on the ball. Berry was an All Australian half-back last year as a bottom ager, but clubs are mixed on where he plays at the next level – some seeing him as a midfield option, others as a third tall defender who can rebound. His rough run with injuries continued on the weekend after going to hospital with a badly bruised kidney.
POS: Half-forward/midfielder, Ht 181cm, Wt 71kg, DOB 5/3/98
From Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
It's one of the shames of this year's draft that Simpkin was cut down by a broken leg, as he would have been a top-10 contender if not for the severe injury in April. He has had some complications in his recovery as well, which has set back his return, but Simpkin is gradually progressing and remains one of the most talented players in the draft. He was slated to play more midfield time this year before the injury, but at the moment is best seen as a small forward with spark, speed and great goal-sense. He brings some energy to a forward line.
POS: Half-back, Ht 189cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 10/9/98
From Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Similarly to Simpkin, Witherden was going to spend more time as a midfielder this season before his broken leg ended his year in May. Witherden, however, has so far made his name as an attacking half-back with nice foot skills and composure. He can set up the play from the backline and offers direction and poise from the defensive 50. He's also a nice size to match up on a range of forwards. Witherden's recovery from leg surgery has gone well and he has resumed running recently.
POS: Key defender, Ht 194cm, WT 92kg, DOB 13/4/98
From Swan Districts/Western Australia
Logue has come into the top-20 because of his unique range of skills. The 194cm prospect has played senior football for Swan Districts this season and was used as a key defender for Western Australia at the under-18 championships. But two weeks ago he played an outstanding game for his club's colts side as a tall midfielder, gathering 33 disposals and using his bigger frame to bust through stoppages. He also had five hit-outs across the day, pinch-hitting as a ruckman when required. He has his fans as a first-round pick.
Griffin Logue has delivered plenty of thrills for Swan Districts this year. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfielder/Half-forward, Ht 183cm, WT 74kg, DOB 22/7/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A really smooth, quick prospect who uses his running to propel himself through the midfield and across half-forward. Florent isn't the type of player to get huge numbers of disposals or dominate a game that way, but his sharp kicking and speed gives him a point of difference. His ability to run and baulk through traffic is good to watch and opens up space. He is still lightly framed so has some way to go physically, but he has a crack with defensive pressure and laid nine tackles in a game not long ago for the Dragons.
POS: Half-forward, Ht 178cm, Wt 68kg, DOB 8/12/98
From South Fremantle/Western Australia
Few in the draft can do the type of things that Bolton can. He's got a full bag of party tricks: he can stand on the shoulders of an opponent and take a big mark, or bolt down the wing with the ball tucked under his arm dodging past players. A couple of weeks ago Bolton put it all together to kick a bag of seven goals at colts level, which highlighted the half-forward's exciting ability. He was quiet the next week, showing he needs to improve his consistency, but in terms of talent he is right up there. Bolton booted four goals last week at colts level.
Shai Bolton (left) and Oliver Florent (right) do battle in the under-18 championships. Picture: AFL Photos
POS: Midfielder, Ht 183cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 3/5/98
From Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Gallucci wins plenty of contested ball and hunts it at the stoppages. He offers more than just an in-and-under type, however, with his breakaway speed and run often getting him into open space. He has shown an ability to kick goals – he booted five one week for the Eastern Ranges at TAC Cup level – and is a professional, steady character determined to do well. He was a co-captain of Vic Metro's division one winning team at the carnival.
POS: Midfielder, Ht 187cm, WT 85kg, DOB 6/9/98
From Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Clarke led the under-18 carnival for disposals (averaging 25 in four games), clearances (22 in total), hard ball gets and contested disposals. That sums him up as a player in a nutshell. The younger brother of Kangaroos midfielder Ryan Clarke is a ball-winning machine. He's consistent in his attitude and application, and can be relied upon to dig into a pack and come out with the ball in his hands. He doesn't have the most fashionable kick, but his running power – both offensively and defensively – highlights his top-end workrate.
POS: Defender, Ht 192cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 25/2/98
From West Perth/Western Australia
The West Australian hasspent more time in the midfield of late, and gathered 31 disposals two weeks ago for West Perth's colts side. Even though he has played most of the past couple of years as a third tall defender, Rotham might end up more of a wingman/midfield option given his extreme pace and line-breaking ability. After a really promising season last year as a bottom-ager, this season has had its ups and downs for Rotham. With his athletic attributes he has a point of difference to others.
POS: Key forward, Ht 194cm, WT 93kg, DOB 31/7/98
From Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
After missing selection in the first Vic Metro game of the under-18 carnival, Kerr hit back with an impressive final three games to win All Australian honours. He took the most marks on the lead of any player in the carnival, and booted nine goals. He is a good grab above his head and when his kicking is on and confidence is up, he is a nice shot for goal. Kerr impressed during last year's TAC Cup finals series for the Oakleigh Chargers and once he found his form this season showed why he is in the top bracket for tall forwards available this year.
POS: Key forward, Ht 192cm, WT 90kg, DOB 1/9/98
From Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Battle was superb in Dandenong's loss to the Murray Bushrangers on Sunday, kicking six of 12 goals for the Stingrays in a brilliant display. His goals came in a range of different ways, too, with some great set shots interspersed with snaps and ground level goals. Battle had been relatively quiet leading up to the finals but is a prospect who converts his chances when he gets them. He has a great endurance base which should help him be a running tall option.
POS: Half-back, Ht 184cm, WT 70kg, DOB 19/8/97
From North Ballarat Rebels
A draft bolter this year who hails from Halls Creek, the same remote Kimberley community in Western Australia as Sam Petrevski-Seton. Cox moved to Camperdown in Victoria last year and has only come on the scene this season for the North Ballarat Rebels. He has great pace and skill, and moves well through traffic, loving little more than baulking an opponent and dodging past. The indigenous prospect has also stepped up to play in the VFL for the North Ballarat Roosters and has plenty of breakaway pace.
Want more draft news?
• Listen to this week's Road to the Draft podcast
• The draft pool: Cal Twomey analyses this year's best prospects
• NAB AFL Under-18s: 2016 fixture, news and video
