Jude Bolton recalls the time he thought he was 'in the gun' as the Swans looked to rejuvenate their list. (1:10)

Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.

As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.

Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.

Player Focus

Improving his draft stocks over the past month, Hawthorn father-son prospect Finn Maginness (son of Scott) has been in scintillating form and is likely to attract a bid inside the first round in this year's AFL Draft.

A talented ball winner, Maginness gave Sandringham an early ascendency against Calder in what would prove a convincing win. In one play, Maginness stopped on a dime, raised his arms with ball in hand to avoid a tackle, ran 10m then composed himself and finished from 40m on the move to give Sandringham a three-goal lead midway through the first quarter, a lead Calder were unable to cut into.

Similar to Jack Ziebell, Maginness is a hard-at-it midfielder who is similarly effective forward of centre. Maginness amassed 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, nine clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal and three score assists in the win.

Maginness won first possession at stoppages, distributed effectively by hand, lowered his eyes, hit inside 50m targets by foot, stood up through tackles and had no trouble disposing of ball reliably with a body hanging off of him.

During the second half of the season, Maginness has become a more damaging ball user and has developed his forward craft. As a forward -- while he received little opportunity against Calder -- he has developed into a marking threat out of the goal square and one-on-one. Maginness has kicked an impressive six goals in his past five matches including three against flag favourite Oakleigh.

Finn Maginness of the Dragons asses the ball during the NAB League Semi Final against the Calder Cannons. Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos via Getty Images

NAB League

Continuing his strong vein of form, Ryan Byrnes was valuable through Sandringham's midfield with 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances and 10 inside 50s. Attacking the ball with endeavour, he won first possession at stoppages, won the ball at speed on the move, accelerated with ball in hand, found targets inside 50m and moved the ball aggressively and with speed by hand and foot.

Reading the ball effectively in flight, marking strongly one-on-one and proving dangerous around goal, Hugo Ralphsmith was Sandringham's best avenue to goal. Earning best-on-ground honours, Ralphsmith collected 19 disposals, eight marks (three contested) while kicking three of his side's eight goals.

Winning the ball off the bounce, demonstrating endeavour at ground level and winning first possession at stoppages, Caleb Serong was prolific for Gippsland through the midfield in their win against Western. His work forward of centre was similarly impressive, reading the drop of the ball best among crowds for marks forward of centre and crumbing off hands. A likely top-10 draft choice, Serong posted 27 disposals, 18 contested possessions, seven clearances and one goal.

Caleb Serong of Victoria country runs the ball against Victoria Metro. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Putting on a kicking clinic, the foot skills of Ryan Sparkes was a highlight. He lowered his eyes, demonstrated composure with ball in hand and hit targets inside 50m. Sparkes managed 19 disposals, 11 kicks (at 100 percent efficiency) and two goals for Gippsland.

Showing football smarts, instructing teammates, winning first possession at stoppages, timing his runs at the ball and taking ground balls at speed, Sam Flanders did his top-10 chances no harm. His best moment for Gippsland in the win resulted from an impeccably timed run where Flanders crumbed the ball off hands, arriving at speed at the perfect moment without breaking stride and ran into goal for an easy finish. The explosive ball-winner posted 18 disposals, seven tackles, five inside 50s and one goal.

Carlton father-son prospect Archi Manton (son of Glenn) had several positive moments up forward that will keep him in the minds of recruiters. His sheer strength over the ground balls, strength body-on-body when isolated one-on-one close to goal and contested marking provided a focal point for Western. While the strong-bodied forward missed some opportunities in front of goal he would be expected to convert, he did enough to further his case for draft consideration. Manton managed eight disposals, seven contested possessions, two contested marks and two goals.

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Stream the latest @ESPNAusNZ#AFL podcast here.https://t.co/jErj20I4QX — footytips (@footytips) September 22, 2020

SANFL

League

Continuing his consistent play, Dylan Stephens maintained his top-10 draft prospects with 23 disposals for Norwood in their loss to Adelaide.

Contributing strongly for Glenelg in their loss to Port Adelaide, Will Gould generated considerable drive from defence. A first-round chance, Gould secured 16 disposals and six rebound 50s.

Jackson Mead of South Australia celebrates a goal with teammate Dylan Stephens. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Reserves

Through the midfield for Woodville-West Torrens in their win against Central Districts, South Australian Under-18 MVP Harry Schoenberg led the way. The talented ball-winner gathered 24 disposals, six tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s.

Port Adelaide father-son prospect Jackson Mead (son of Darren) was valuable through the midfield for Woodville-West Torrens. Seen as rating on the periphery of the first round, the promising ball-winner posted 21 disposals and five tackles.

Proving lively up forward for Woodville-West Torrens, Kysaiah Pickett provided heavy forward pressure. The small forward produced 16 disposals and five tackles.

Providing class through the midfield, Joshua Shute performed strongly for Sturt in their one-point loss against Norwood. The smooth moving midfielder collected 25 disposals and five clearances.

Under-18s

Light-bodied utility Will Day showed considerable class and drive from defence for West Adelaide in their loss to South Adelaide. A potential second-round chance, Day managed 23 disposals and nine rebound 50s.

VFL

Jake Riccardi -- winner of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL's Rising Star -- was one of Werribee's best in his side's three-point loss to Essendon. Riccardi, this year's most promising mature age key forward managed 13 disposals, five tackles and kicked three of his side's seven goals.

WAFL

League

Ex-Collingwood rookie and mature age draft hopeful Jye Bolton put on a dominant display for Claremont in their six-point win against West Coast with 40 disposals and six inside 50s.

Colts

Earning best-on-ground honours, small forward Tyrone Thorne was prolific for Peel in win against Claremont. The talented prospect managed 25 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and three goals.