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THE AIS-AFL Academy level two squad is generally a fair representation of the wider draft pool.
Last year 11 of the top 12 picks were Academy graduates and the year before Jackson Macrae was the only non-Academy player in the top 10.
So after two weeks in Europe, with this year's 31-player Academy being put through a high-performance camp and two games, some questions about this year's draft can be answered. Others remain up in the air.
Is there a clear No.1 pick yet?
The short answer is no.
Peter Wright might end up being the first player picked at this year's NAB AFL Draft, but he's not a certainty like Tom Boyd last year, or Lachie Whitfield the year before that, or probably most recent seasons with an obvious standout.
Wright is a 203cm forward/ruckman who has outstanding goalkicking skills, can mark well on the lead, and likes to roam up the ground where he has rucked at different stages. He might end up being more of a ruckman than a forward given his size, so the club with the first selection will weigh that up.
He kicked five goals for the Calder Cannons early in the season, but expect him to hit form in the under-18 championships after having a limited pre-season campaign with hamstring tendinitis.
Sam Durdin might also appeal for that No.1 position. At 197cm the South Australian is more mobile, and can play at either end of the ground and make that spot his. He hasn't played much recently as he recovers from thumb surgery but is the best player from his state this season.
Patrick McCartin and Jake Lever could push for early spots along with Tom Lamb and Hugh Goddard, while midfielder Angus Brayshaw looks an early pick at this stage as well.
Whichever club holds the No.1 pick could determine who goes where, such is the evenness of that group at the moment.
Is it a draft of smalls or talls?
There will definitely be more tall players in the top batch this year – Boyd and Cameron McCarthy were the only real key-position players in the top 15 in 2013.
Wright, Durdin, McCartin, Goddard and Lever are all very good but there will be some strong midfield options between them in the first round.
Clem Smith is a competitive, crash-and-bang prospect who has already played at senior WAFL level and loves to throw himself into contests. When there's a footy in his space, he makes it his.
Jarrod Pickett has speed and class, and is composed with the ball. He has some electrifying moments where nobody can catch him - but he will catch recruiters' eyes through the year.
After focusing on his pace and fitness through the pre-season, Brayshaw started the year in terrific form and elevated himself into top-five contention. He is smart around the packs, kicks well and can win his own ball.
Lachie Weller gives the group some class. He's a diligent, disciplined midfielder who makes things easier for teammates with his sure foot skills and decision-making. He's the player you want with the ball in his hands.
He might be somewhere in the middle at 187cm, but Christian Petracca offers something different. The powerful, energetic forward is getting better through the midfield with every game he spends there, and was a standout at TAC Cup level last year.
A couple of big, dominant games and he'll be in top-five consideration, if he isn't already.
How does it compare to last year's draft?
This time last year most could predict the top-10 picks, except for Marcus Bontempelli, who stormed into the Western Bulldogs' thoughts with his finish to the season.
Boyd had already proved himself against senior opposition, Josh Kelly, Jack Billings, James Aish and Matt Scharenberg were all top-10 locks, and Luke McDonald was close enough to already being a North Melbourne player.
While this year the order might be up the air, the first round should still be very strong, and we're early into the season, which will see more names emerge.
Some think this year's pool has more depth than last year's, too, which makes for clubs to be more confident they will find a player with a later pick.
Will bidding day in October be busy?
It was a relatively predictable bidding morning in 2013 when clubs ranked father-sons and zoned Academy players, but expect lots of action in October this year.
Darcy Moore is the most hyped player already aligned to a club - his dad Peter played 172 games for Collingwood - but Sydney Swans Academy player Isaac Heeney is worth keeping an eye on.
A strong, tough, inside midfielder who gets out of trouble and runs with the ball, Heeney has been very impressive while on tour with the AIS-AFL Academy. Having already shifted to Sydney from Newcastle with help from the Swans, expect them to be forced to use their first-round pick on him, and he is worth it.
For the Brisbane Lions, 196cm Academy player Matt Hammelmann is making good progress, and was used in defence and attack through the Europe camp and competed well. He's a steady kick and has sure hands, much like other Lions Academy player Liam Dawson, who plays mainly in defence.
Nick Coughlan also has some versatility and can be nominated as a zone pick for the Giants.
Billy Stretch works hard and will give himself every chance to find a spot on Melbourne's list as the son of former Demon, Steven.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
