Billings might end up the best player of the draft. He's this high because of his match-winning streak, evident in all the big games he's played in over the past two seasons. Billings senses the moment and rises with it: he kicks goals, takes marks, and can play all over the ground. In time he will bring all those smart traits to the midfield on a more permanent basis.  

Where does he go? St Kilda (pick three) and the Western Bulldogs (four) are keen. Gold Coast likes him too, and he deserves to be a top-five pick.  

Over the past two seasons Kelly has proved himself to be a professional, damaging, classy midfielder right at the top end of this draft. A brilliant left-foot kick and an extraordinary runner – he won the 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine the past two years – Kelly also worked hard to build his game this year. He learned about playing more of inside role, and made himself a more complete player.

Where does he go? Greater Western Sydney. Seems all but locked in as the No.2 pick unless they spring a late surprise. St Kilda would be pleased if he got through to pick three. 

The classy and composed midfielder played in Norwood's back-to-back senior SANFL premierships over the last two years, streaming up and down the wing. He's a player who makes it easy for forwards: he weights the ball perfectly by foot and thinks quickly through tight situations. Overcame his shoulder reconstruction to be named an under-18 All Australian for the second straight year.

Where does he go? In calculations for the Saints, Bulldogs and Suns. In the chance he gets through all of those clubs, expect the Magpies at pick six to strongly consider.

McDonald is a high energy, vibrant personality who brings that attitude to the field, where he is competitive, hard and skilful. The son of former North Melbourne player Donald McDonald, the half-back flanker played his draft year with Werribee in the VFL and prospered, particularly in the finals series. Makes his kicks hurt, loves to set up the play as well as shift through the midfield.

Where does he go? North Melbourne. Locked in at the Roos after they bid their first pick (No.8) on the father-son prospect. A fair price.

Lennon does things which others in the draft can't: he sticks marks, lands on his feet and then gets going. If not the best kick in the draft then he is close, able to hit passes over any distance and convert shots at goal. A half-forward mainly, Lennon moved into the midfield in the second half of the year with the Northern Knights and showed he can play there, and do well.

Where does he go? Collingwood and Richmond (pick 12) are right in the hunt, and West Coast will look hard at him if he gets through to 11. 

It has been a swift rise for the Tasmanian this year, and there's not a lot Kolodjashnij isn't able to do. Stationed himself mainly across half-back through the under-18 championships, where he organised the play and used his sharp left-foot to get things happening. Tall and athletic, he tested well at the combine and has the endurance and tricks to go through the midfield. 

Where does he go? Gold Coast has liked him all year and if he's there at pick five the Suns will find him tough to pass. Is in contention for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, too. Hard to see him getting past the Lions at seven.

Another player with excellent foot skills, Salem loves to get onto his left side and deliver the ball precisely. He can kick it long, short, around corners and through traffic, and can be relied upon to hit a target. The Sandringham Dragons midfielder is also strong overhead, is versatile, and effective. He would fit any club looking for a nicely-sized midfielder who wins the ball and then uses it with purpose.

Where does he go? Collingwood or Melbourne (pick nine). The latest he seems set to go is 12, with the Tigers interested as well.

Freeman brings some buzz to the top group of players. He loves to run with the ball tucked under his arm, bounce a couple of times, and then keep going. He bursts from packs, likes kicking goals, and tested as the second quickest player at the combine over 20-metres (he also won the repeat sprints test and was one of the top performers in the beep test).

Where does he go? Freeman is in the mix for one of Collingwood's picks, Melbourne's pick nine and West Coast's pick 11. The Eagles like his pace.

Taylor is as good as any midfielders around him. He's a powerful, pacy accumulator, who is always busy at the stoppages, digging in or getting on the outside and bolting off. Taylor is a leader, he was captain of Vic Country this year and has captained most teams through his youth, and people warm to him. His height (174cm) will put some off but Taylor is a strong kick, adds dash and plays with enthusiasm.

Where does he go? Greater Western Sydney is interested at pick 14, while Sydney, Geelong and Fremantle would consider him with picks in the teens. If he got through to the Suns at 20 they would look closely.

Bontempelli has come up the ranks and will very likely be drafted earlier than 12. Clubs will take a more long-term view with him, as he is still a bit raw, and although he's a big and tall midfielder, he's still coming to grips with his size. Can play as a key forward, too, where his marking and slick kicking is handy. Has built his tank and offers a point of difference, being able to potentially hold down a number of roles in the future.

Where does he go? The big bolter. GWS likes him but pick two is too early. Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions have him in the frame but that's only if he gets past the Bulldogs at pick four, which is becoming more and more likely.

The marking and jumping West Australian has become the clear second best tall forward available after a brilliant championships. At 194cm, McCarthy loves leaping at everything that comes his way, plus when he gets the ball he is reliable with it, kicking goals under pressure and converting shots. He broke his leg in the final game of the under-18 carnival, but will be ready for his first AFL pre-season.

Where does he go? He's in strong consideration for the Lions at seven. If not, Carlton will take a look at 13, as will Freo at 17.

A tall midfielder who is great above his head, a long kick, and likes winning his own disposals. Acres had an excellent start to the season with West Perth before a shoulder injury interrupted his progress. He came into his state's under-18 program underdone but played the final two games of the championships and did well, despite his shoulder again being sore. Acres can also play off half-back and half-forward.

Where does he go? Linked as a possibility to the Eagles' pick 11, but may be too high. Richmond will take a look too, but he could fall to the later teens.

Sheed's season ended in agony – a broken collarbone – but it came after perhaps the most complete game of his life, a 29-disposal, four-goal effort against Vic Country. Sheed is a strong-bodied, hard-working midfielder who kicks long and hunts the ball.

Where does he go? West Coast, it would seem. Sheed has been linked with the Eagles for a long, long time. And when they traded back down the draft order, he was always likely to be there at 11. Carlton is another possibility. 

Hartung offers some flash to this group. In tight spaces he has the burst speed to accelerate and then get through the gap, and he can do it over and over. He beat the all-time record at last month's combine in the beep test, running an all-time high of 16.6. But he's just as much footballer, an outside runner who carries the ball, links things up and kicks it well.

Where does he go? Geelong (pick 16), Fremantle (pick 17) and St Kilda (18 and 19) will think about him. If he gets a bit further, the Hawks are looking for a midfielder who can run.

Jones' ascent happened fast, having not played with Dandenong until this season. He starred for Vic Country during the championships, was named its most valuable player, and also won All Australian honours. Jones, the brother of Melbourne's Nathan, is a tough, strong half-back who moved more into the midfield in the latter stages of the season.

Where does he go? He's an option for Richmond at 12, the same for the Cats at 16 and Fremantle at 17. Has a lot of clubs who like him.

You don't need to look much further than the numbers to see how Crouch plays. He's the best ball-getter in the draft, a player who takes only a second to dive into a pack and come out of it with the ball in hand, ready to shoot off a handball. He's strong and physically ready-made, although his endurance levels are a concern to recruiters. If he picks that up, he could have an impact sooner rather than later because he has the things you can't teach, like aggression, nous and a smart footy brain. 

Where does he go? Tough question. In Richmond's group at 12, but if not there he could go a bit later on. A chance to get to Adelaide's pick 23 if the Saints pass on him.

Where does he go? The Swans, with pick 15, have been linked to him, while the Saints could also be in the mix at 18 or 19. Essendon and the Gold Coast have some interest in the 20s.

Dumont had an ankle injury that bugged him at times this year but showed what he can provide in his SANFL performances, where he starred for Norwood in its premiership season. He was close to best afield in the Grand Final. Dumont is a hard and strong midfielder best suited to winning the ball, but he is also growing his running game to become more offensive as his team spreads. 

Where does he go? Tougher one to place. A chance at St Kilda's late first-round picks but most likely in the second round, with Port Adelaide, Adelaide and Essendon in the mix. 

The competitive tall defender finds a way to spoil when he looks out of position, pushing, shoving and fighting in contests. Gardiner probably plays as a second or third tall at the next level as he isn't enormous, but has shown he can compete with players bigger and stronger than him. He has improved his kicking, and can hold his ground in aerial contests.

Where does he go? Geelong will look for a key back at some stage and may do so at 16. St Kilda and Brisbane are also around the mark.

Apeness showed great improvement from the start of the season to its end, becoming one of the most sought-after talls in the draft. Though he started predominantly as a ruckman, when his Eastern Ranges teammate Tom Boyd went down with injury, Apeness shifted forward. He kicked 23 goals in 14 games for the Ranges, and showed himself to be strong in marking contests and a good kick at goal.

Where does he go? Port Adelaide will take a big look if he's there at 21, but the Sydney Swans, Fremantle and St Kilda are also in contention.

 

Impey is a unique mix of pace, hardness and class, and seems best suited to using all of that off half-back. He was moved to that role at the end of the under-18 championships and performed the role well for Vic Country, taking up the position more consistently for the Murray Bushrangers. He's a quality kick, and cuts through traffic easily with a quick step or two.

Where does he go? Port Adelaide has some interest, but might have others ahead of him. North Melbourne may consider, as will Brisbane with its second-round picks.

A leg complaint ruled him out of action towards the end of the season, but Dunstan remains one of the group of strong, inside midfielders who thrive on the contest. The left-footer had a taste of senior SANFL footy for Woodville-West Torrens and also impressed through the national carnival, when he averaged 22 disposals and was a joint winner of his side's most valuable player award (with Scharenberg). 

Where does he go? Maybe a bit higher than this. Carlton is considering him at pick 13. If not, he's also in the sights of St Kilda, the Brisbane Lions and the Bombers.

Kennedy-Harris had a solid year for Vic Metro and the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup, who he captained. The small midfielder/forward pushed up the ground this season to play more games as a midfielder, where his tackling and ball getting shone. Kennedy-Harris takes the game on, dodges around opponents and through little gaps, and is always active.

Where does he go? The Lions, Adelaide and the Swans are a chance with their second and third picks, as are the Kangaroos.  

The midfielder's season ended in agony, when he broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle in the final game of Vic Country's under-18 championships. To then he had shown what he has got as a running, versatile onballer with a bit of zip. Lang has some dash and likes to run and carry the ball up the ground.

Where does he go? He's an option for Essendon with its first pick. If not, the Bulldogs a bit later back will take a look.

Cripps is a big-bodied midfielder who excels at the clearances and at winning his own disposals. After growing 20cm in two years, Cripps has become a big, tall and durable midfielder who gets touches at will. After a stellar under-18 campaign for Western Australia, Cripps was named in the All Australian side. He isn't athletically super but should improve in that area.

Where does he go? A lot of clubs like Cripps, and he interviews very well. A possibility he sneaks into the top 20 with Geelong or St Kilda, but if not the Crows (23) and North Melbourne (30) will have a think about it.

A skilful, smart midfielder who pushes through the forward line and can kick goals on both feet. Karpany ended his season in terrific touch, winning the best-on-ground medal for the SANFL under-18 Grand Final. The 18-year-old is a good finisher with ball in hand and you trust that when he has it, it's going to be used effectively.

Where does he go? Port Adelaide and Adelaide have been linked to the South Australian, and a number of clubs would take a look if he got past them.

A versatile defender who has excellent foot skills and can set up the play from the back half. McStay had an elbow injury at the start of the year and was thrown around a bit from the back line for the occasional stint in attack. He's best when he's holding down an opponent while creating some counterattack.

Where does he go? St Kilda is a chance at 19 if it wants a key defender. The Lions, too, may snap him up with one of their five second-round selections.

This one is a bit more speculative. Marsh is an unpredictable prospect who does things others could only dream of: running 2.78 seconds over 20 metres, having blistering speed, an ability to clunk marks and boot the ball a mile. But as a slightly undersized key forward the West Australian also has some flaws, with his footy nous lacking and his kicking sometimes wayward.

Where does he go? Who knows? A number of clubs have ruled themselves out of taking him, but one should take a chance. If he's there at pick 55 Essendon might consider.