Ben Davis

The athletic third tall forward looks like a nice complement for Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty. Davis has finished his opportunities with class, kicking three goals across his two Marsh Community Series games. The most impressive aspect is how composed Davis has looked when at top speed. Most young players would blaze away, but Davis' decision-making when he's running at full tilt has been great so far. Crows fans would have loved the below passage where Davis shook off Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell with a brilliant move. - Jourdan Canil

PRE-SEASON LADDER Who's on top, who's got work to do

Deven Robertson

The midfield prospect from Western Australia has given Lions coach Chris Fagan plenty to think about at the selection table following his unflinching performance against Carlton on Sunday in his first game at AFL level. The hard-at-it teenager, who was pick No.22 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, won 11 possessions (six contested) and a clearance in 63 per cent game time, and found his groove in the third quarter when he had five touches. He's in the mix to make his AFL debut against Hawthorn at the MCG in round one and, from what he showed against the Blues, the big occasion probably wouldn't daunt him. - Ben Collins  

Tom De Koning

With Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay sidelined, two-game forward/ruckman Tom De Koning played against Brisbane on Sunday like a young man who recognised the potential opportunity before him. Against the flow of play, the 201cm ruckman/forward produced a handy little cameo late in the Blues' big loss to Brisbane at Ikon Park on Sunday night. In just 35 per cent game time De Koning had six possessions (four contested) at 100 per cent efficiency, kicked a goal, had two score involvements and a hitout. Given the one-way traffic to the other end, the 20-year-old did just about all he could have been expected to in his limited on-field minutes. - Ben Collins

Josh Daicos

The son of a gun faces a difficult task to force his way into round one calculations but certainly didn't hurt his chances in the Pies' Marsh Community Series finale. He mixed his time between a wing and up forward and slotted a set-shot goal right before quarter-time, to go with his 22 disposals. Daicos might be on the outside looking in for the season opener on Friday week but he'll be thereabouts this season. - Marc McGowan

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

The developing key defender looked set for a long afternoon on Sunday as direct opponent Tom Hawkins threatened to dominate early. After conceding one goal in the opening term and 14kg to Hawkins, Zerk-Thatcher then kept the Cats spearhead goalless for the next two quarters before switching to Esava Ratugolea. The 21-year-old got involved with his intercept marking and finished with 18 disposals. With one career match to his name, the South Australian is a round one lock with Cale Hooker (hip) set to miss the opening month. – Mitch Cleary

Tobe Watson

It might not be enough for the 22-year-old to break into Fremantle's round one team, but Watson's performance in an undermanned backline on Saturday showed he could be a player of the future. Composed with the ball and desperate when the opposition has it, Watson was part of a back six that carried the Dockers through the first three quarters. The mature-age rookie's ball-use and intercepting improved at Peel Thunder in his first season on the Dockers' list and opportunities could present early in the season if his growth continues. - Nathan Schmook

Darcy Fort

The fringe ruckman enjoyed a brilliant opening half against Essendon that will keep Cats No.1 Rhys Stanley nervous ahead of their season opener. After just three games in his debut 2019 season, mostly as a forward-ruck, Fort had the better of Bombers big man Andrew Phillips with 12 disposals and four clearances. Fort impressed with his follow-up work and was instrumental in the Cats winning the first-half clearances 17-11. The 26-year-old was then replaced by Stanley after the main break. Cue another season of Cats ruck headaches. - Mitch Cleary

Jeremy Sharp

The Suns were determined to grab Sharp in last year's NAB AFL Draft and moved up to take the West Australian midfielder. The smooth mover only featured in the second half, but racked up 329m gained in just 46 per cent game time against the Crows. With 14 disposals and seven marks in his second Marsh Community Series game, it wouldn't be a surprise if he becomes a lock on the wing or off a flank with his great workrate. - Jourdan Canil

Tom Green

The Academy draftee put himself in the frame for a round one debut with another impressive performance against the Tigers. Surrounded by star midfielders on both sides, Green wasn't overawed, showed plenty of class under pressure and his usual clean hands in the contest, and finished with 16 touches, three clearances and a goal. Tim Taranto's shoulder surgery has opened up a spot in the Giants' onball division and Green's Marsh Community Series showed he's ready to take it. – Adam Curley

Harry Morrison

Harry Morrison is about to enter the fourth year of his career at Hawthorn, and he has so far notched 31 senior games. Last season he managed nine senior appearances, so he already has something of an apprenticeship to his name. Against the Demons the young midfielder caught the eye with 23 disposals, and he offers some extra speed and outside run to the Hawks' midfield unit. After 21 games in 2018, Morrison lost his consistent place in the team last year, but on Friday's showing will be keen to wrangle it back early in 2020. - Cal Twomey

Adam Tomlinson

There is barely a role on the field that Adam Tomlinson hasn't filled during his career. But maybe the former Giant is about to become a master of one spot rather than a jack of all of them. Tomlinson was superb against Hawthorn on Friday night, gathering 32 disposals and 10 marks in a dominant performance on the wing. He has never found more than 27 disposals in any of his 140 AFL games to date, so the move – both to the Demons and to a full-time spot on the wing – is paying early dividends. He will be a consistent, reliable pick-up for the Demons and, at 26, is just about to enter his prime. - Cal Twomey

Curtis Taylor

The 19-year-old showed promise at VFL level last year but struggled in his only two senior appearances – winning a combined 12 touches without a goal. His progress this pre-season is startling and he looks a round one lock on the form of Monday's performance against Sydney. The numbers were impressive – 21 disposals and two goals – but probably still don't do Taylor justice. He uses the ball creatively, is spring-heeled and can be an impact player beyond the forward 50. – Marc McGowan

Todd Marshall

The talent has always been pretty obvious, and there were more signs that the young tall forward is starting to put it all together in the Power's 10-point victory over the Western Bulldogs. Perhaps his most exciting moment was the one-handed collect, fooling Alex Keath before going the other way and sending the ball long into the forward line to Charlie Dixon. He's a different type of player to the crash-and-bash Dixon, and if Marshall can elevate his game, the Power will have an more dangerous and varied forward line. - Dinny Navaratnam

Callum Coleman-Jones

The athletic ruckman showed some good signs up against the more experienced Sam Jacobs, collecting 10 possessions, 14 hitouts and four inside 50s, and worked well with Ivan Soldo. Coleman-Jones kicked a skillful goal in the opening term to show off his mobility and had no issue getting his hands on the footy at centre bounces. He might give the coach something to think about with Toby Nankervis an emergency for the clash and playing VFL this weekend. – Adam Curley

Ben Long

The non-selection of Shane Savage was a strong hint of how highly the Saints rate Ben Long and he repaid the faith in spades. Long is playing across half-back and has always been an excellent reader of the play – with skills to match – since his days playing in the Northern Territory. He won 24 disposals in what was arguably his best performance in red, white and black against Collingwood on Sunday. - Marc McGowan

James Rowbottom

The Swans are in rebuilding mode and are looking for their next wave of talent. There's no doubt the second-year midfielder will be part of the present and the future. Rowbottom capitalised on the club's youth push to appear 12 times at AFL level last year and he's improved again across the pre-season. The No.25 pick from the 2018 NAB AFL Draft is tough – you'll often spot him at the bottom of packs – can hurt opposition teams with his speed and knows where the goals are. – Marc McGowan

Jarrod Brander

The young key forward's move to the wing has been significant for the Eagles, who have handed him responsibility for a role critical to their structure. After a quiet opening to the Marsh Community Series, Brander lifted against Fremantle and had 17 possessions, generating confidence he can play the position. As well as playing his primary role protecting the corridor, the 21-year-old crashed inside a number of times to win a hard ball and handball to a teammate. It's been a good move that should see Brander play at AFL level much sooner than if the Eagles were to wait for a key post to open. - Nathan Schmook

Josh Bruce

Slotting into a forward line alongside Aaron Naughton should suit Bruce perfectly. He knows how to take a grab, having finished No.6 in the competition last season for total contested marks, and he will have plenty of opportunities considering how talent-laden the Bulldogs midfield is. The former Saint showed his strong hands and aerial presence in his first outing in Dogs colours, in a 10-point loss to Port Adelaide, and promises to be a hard-working option Luke Beveridge can rely upon. - Dinny Navaratnam