2024 mid prospects

[B.M]

2024 Draft
1. Josh Smillie


Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 194cm
Talent League: 3 games, 24.7 disposals, 37 marks, 1 goal

Smillie is the prototype midfielder at 194cm with long arms and strong hips. Add to that his elite athletic background and rapid rise through the junior ranks in the past 18 months, and he appears the prospect with the highest upside at the next level. Smillie isn't just an athlete, though. He's a penetrating kick and possesses the poise and strength to pinpoint teammates under duress. He collected 20 disposals through the midfield against Coburg with his ball use a highlight. Smillie has shone as an interceptor off halfback and bulldozed defenders in the forward 50, but a big season as an inside midfielder could see his name called out with the number one selection.

2. Finn O'Sullivan

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
MID, 182cm
Talent League: 1 game, 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles

Heralding from Koroit, O'Sullivan hasn't featured since Round 1 due to a fractured thumb, but he has years of dominant footy to hold him in good stead. The tough midfielder is brilliant in the air and can create mismatches pushing forward with his aerial dominance. He's a booming kick, runs out games strongly and blends his inside and outside craft superbly.

5. Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
Talent League: 3 games, 29 disposals, 4.7 marks, 3 tackles

Ever-elusive and a maestro with ball in hand, Jagga Smith will be a favourite wherever he ends up. The livewire midfielder currently has a light frame and plays an outside game, but his ability to accumulate and create chances forward of centre is best in class. Smith was clean and classy with his 22 disposals on the weekend.

6. Sid Draper


South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 182cm
2023 SANFL U18s: 14 games, 21.6 disposals, 4.2 clearances, 0.6 goals

An all-round dynamic on-baller with an edge to the way he plays, Draper has had a delayed start to his top-age campaign with a stress fracture discovered in his shin. SA's MVP at the state championships could do no wrong last year and will be aiming to solidify his draft credentials when he returns to action in a month's time.

7. Christian Moraes


Eastern Ranges
MID/FWD, 183cm
Talent League: 3 games, 23.7 disposals, 6.7 marks, 3 goals

Moraes is a wonderfully balanced on-baller with elite skills off both sides of his body and the ability to hit the scoreboard. He's also tougher than his light frame suggests and does the gritty stuff inside to force the ball forward. Boasting an elite basketball background and producing eye-catching highlights with ball in hand, the Ranges star has solidified his top-10 credentials to start the year.

9. Sam Lalor


GWV Rebels/Vic Country
MID, 180cm
2023 Talent League: 8 games, 20.3 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 0.8 goals

The inside beast of the top of this draft is Lalor, a hard-nosed force that rips the ball out of stoppage. He's also the best defensive midfielder in the draft, tackling hard and mirroring Josh Dunkley's style of play. Also an elite cricketer, Lalor has been held out of action so far this season with a groin complaint.

11. Taj Hotton


Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
FWD/MID, 182cm
Talent League: 3 games, 28.7 disposals, 7.3 marks, 1.7 goals

The biggest early-season bolter has been Hotton, an athletic forward that has pushed up on-ball for the Dragons and reaped the rewards of his improved endurance. His ability to find pockets of space and move the ball into the corridor has been invaluable for his sides, and he ended the day with 2.2 from his shots against Coburg after a late AFL Academy call-up. Hotton plays a difficult half-forward role with ease.

13. Tom Gross


Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 181cm
Talent League: 2 games, 25.5 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Gross has explosive traits and throws himself recklessly into the contest without fear of physical contact. He can also leap above packs and hit the ground running, which lends himself to a half forward role despite his midfield exploits to start the season at the Chargers.

18. Cody Anderson


Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
Talent League: 3 games, 21 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles

Anderson is a maniacal inside midfield presence, hunting the ball and opposition players alike. His physicality is second to none and it's that intense on-ball pressure that makes him a brilliant teammate to play alongside. He needs to become a better ball user and reduce his free kicks against, but there's scope for him to become an ideal defensive midfielder for clubs to target.

[avid]

Looks like we might be able to get one of them.
Or two?

[B.M]

Hopefully 2

[CURLY]

Cody Anderson please the kid is an absolute bull. Hunts the ball and man never leaves anything behind.