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.

1. Noah Anderson

Best position: : Inside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 190cm, 87kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: 1-3

Plays like: Jordan De Goey

April Rankings: 2

Rationale: A match-winner who breaks games open in the matter of minutes. The most influential in the pool whether he's used as a midfielder or forward. Anderson's influence as a forward in addition to what he does through the midfield moves him narrowly ahead of Green.

Strengths: Impact per possession, has moments where he individually takes over games, versatility to impact games midfield, forward or back, ground level threat inside 50m, overhead marking threat inside 50m, finds space inside 50m, first possession winner at stoppages, contested ball-winning, distribution by hand, scoreboard impact, spread from the contest, explosive line breaker, hurt factor by foot, vision, moves the ball on quickly, endurance, work rate

Weaknesses: Inconsistency across four quarters

Noah Anderson of Vic Metro in action during the 2018 Under-18 Championships. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

2. Thomas Green (GWS Academy)

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 188cm, 88kg

Recruited from: GWS

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Patrick Cripps

April Rankings: 1

Rationale: The most prolific stoppage player and contested ball winner I've seen at this age and stage, with his 2018 Under-18 Championships and NEAFL form his most impressive. Drops one spot due to Anderson's rising stocks.

Strengths: Stoppage work, winning clearances, contested ball winning, distribution by hand, capabilities forward of centre, marking inside 50m, scoreboard impact, production on the board in the NEAFL, evasion, composure, vision, reliable skills.

Weaknesses: Athleticism

3. Matthew Rowell

Best position: Inside/outside midfield

Height, weight: 178cm, 75kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: 1-3

Plays like: Joel Selwood

Rationale: Continues to build his reputation as a big-game player. Added best on ground honours in the Under-18 vs. Casey match to best on ground medals in a losing TAC Cup Grand Final and during the Under-17 All-Stars Grand Final curtain raiser. That effort solidifies his position as a pick No. 1 contender.

Strengths: Performances on big stages, attack on the ball, contested ball-winning, distribution by hand, explosive acceleration, run and carry, endurance, works hard both ways, versatility to play inside or outside midfield, leadership and voice on the field

Weaknesses: Unclear capacity to play forward or back, often slow to move the ball on after marks and free kicks, hurt factor by foot

Matthew Rowell is likely to be crowned the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft. Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

4. Brodie Kemp

Best position: Inside midfield/utility

Height, weight: 192cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli

April Rankings: 6

Rationale: Among the midfielders with the greatest upside in the pool. Clean ball winner with unbelievable acceleration with ball in hand. Impact through the midfield means his stocks rise.

Strengths: Versatility to impact games in any position other than ruck, acceleration, line breaker, movement and evasion through traffic, ground ball winner, intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, aerial marking, one-on-one marking, leadup marking, contested marking, hurt factor by foot, vision

Weaknesses: Needs to find more of the ball to become a top tier midfielder, consistency over four quarters

5. Will Gould

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 190cm, 93kg

Recruited from: Glenelg

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Steven May

April Rankings: 12

Rationale: An Under-18 All-Australian, Gould is the most physically advanced and dominant prospect in the pool. A season one ready key defender. Quality of SANFL League performances lead to rise.

Strengths: One-on-one strength, reading of the ball in flight, intercept marking, penetrating kick with 60m range, performances on the board against SANFL League competition

Weaknesses: Endurance ,athleticism

6. Lachlan Ash

Best position: General defence

Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg

Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Kade Simpson

April Rankings: 13

Rationale: A well rounded defender who intercepts at a high level, provides run and uses the ball reliably from defence. The quality and consistency of his performances see his stocks rise.

Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, ground ball winning, tackling, forward pressure, reliable kick, line breaking run and carry, agility, evasion, versatility to push up through the midfield

Weaknesses: Can try to do too much with ball in hand

Lachlan Ash's versatility and speed makes him an appealing draft prospect. Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

7. Ryan Byrnes

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 181cm, 80kg

Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons

Projected draft range: 5-25

Plays like: Jack Steven

April Rankings: 14

Rationale: On performance is making the case that he is one of this draft's most damaging. Winning the ball and hurting the opposition with his acceleration and hurt-factor by foot. Rising rapidly on the back of a fast start to 2019.

Strengths: Wins first possession at stoppages, use of speed with ball in hand around stoppages, line breaking pace, agility, evasion in traffic, hurt factor by foot, high impact per possession, vision to find targets inside 50m, production

Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact, unclear versatility

8. Dylan Williams

Best position: General forward/inside midfield

Height, weight: 185cm, 81kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Steve Johnson

April Rankings: 5

Rationale: Has the performances on the board for Oakleigh in 2018 and is appealing with the quality of his play forward of centre and through the midfield. Drops with impact to start the season lower than expected.

Strengths: One touch at ground level, strong one-on-one mark, overhead marking, clever finisher around goal, skills, contested ball-winning, midfield capabilities

Weaknesses: Forward pressure, tackling, endurance, consistency

9. Sam Flanders

Best position: General forward/inside midfield

Height, weight: 182cm, 81kg

Recruited from: Gippsland Power

Projected draft range: 3-25

Plays like: Cameron Rayner

April Rankings: 4

Rationale: One of the draft's most damaging forward of centre. Underwhelming start through the midfield relative to what he showed last year as a forward, results in Flanders dropping.

Strengths: Scoreboard impact, one-on-one marking, overhead marking, explosive acceleration, hurt-factor by foot, leadership and voice out on the field, contested ball-winning, first possession winner at stoppages

Weaknesses: Consistency, endurance , impact when used through the midfield

10. Hayden Young

Best position: General defence/midfield

Height, weight: 188cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays

Projected draft range: 3-20

Plays like: Zak Jones

April Rankings: 16

Rationale: Young's drive from defence demonstrated for the Under-18s against Casey see his stocks rise.

Strengths: Versatility to play defence or midfield, aggressive attack on the ball, damaging skills, run and carry, one-on-one defence

Weaknesses: Production, intercept marking

11. Connor Budarick (Gold Coast Academy)

Best position: Inside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 176cm, 76kg

Recruited from: Gold Coast

Projected draft range: 10-30

Plays like: Devon Smith

April rankings: not ranked

Rationale: Not only finds the ball but his pressure and football smarts earn him this position.

Strengths: Tackling, forward pressure, production, makes winning plays that don't show up on stat sheet, evasion, agility, clean skills

Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact, hurt factor by foot

Connor Budarick of the Allies in action against WA in the 2018 U18 championships. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

12. Dylan Stephens

Best position: General forward/midfield

Height, weight: 181cm, 69kg

Recruited from: Norwood

Projected draft range: 5-30

Plays like: Hugh McCluggage

April rankings: 7

Rationale: Solid start to the season showing he belongs at SANFL League level. Drops as others rise.

Strengths: Scoreboard impact, endurance to run all day, Reliable ball user, production, versatility to play forward or midfield in an inside or outside role

Weaknesses: Size, forward pressure

13. Cameron Taheny

Best position: General forward/midfield

Height, weight: 183cm, 76kg

Recruited from: Norwood

Projected draft range: 10-40

Plays like: Shane Edwards

April Rankings: 8

Rationale: Solid start to the season including three goals on SANFL League debut. Drops as others rise.

Strengths: Scoreboard impact, classy and damaging left foot kick, kicking penetration, moves the ball on quickly, smarts around goal, overhead marking threat inside 50m, knack for finding the ball forward of centre

Weaknesses: Unclear midfield capabilities, contested ball-winning

14. Caleb Serong

Best position: Inside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 178cm, 83kg

Recruited from: Gippsland Power

Projected draft range: 5-25

Plays like: Jamie Elliott

April rankings: 9

Rationale: Strong start to the season through Gippsland's midfield but drops as others rise.

Strengths: One-on-one capabilities, powerful overhead mark, aerial marking threat, high leaper, explosive first step, agility, damaging skills, impact per possession, scoreboard impact, contested ball-winning capabilities

Weaknesses: Numbers lower than many of the other top tier midfielders, consistency

Caleb Serong of Gippsland celebrates a goal during the TAC Cup Elimination Final between Gippsland and Geelong. Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

15. Mitch O'Neill

Best position: Outside midfield

Height, weight: 178cm, 69kg

Recruited from: North Hobart

Projected draft range: 5-20

Plays like: Zach Merrett

April ranking: 10

Rationale: An Under-18 All-Australian and the son of a state 400m champion and state netballer. The quality of his ball use, movement and capacity to impact games at ground level or overhead places him among the most promising midfielders in the pool. Drops as others rise.

Strengths: Precision kicking, decision making, vision, evasion and slipperiness in traffic, agility, leap, aerial marking threat, one touch at ground level, able to play outside or inside midfield

Weaknesses: Size, contested ball-winning, stoppage work.

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16. Jeremy Sharp

Best position: General defence

Height, weight: 187cm, 73kg

Recruited from: East Fremantle

Projected draft range: 5-25

Plays like: Jack Crisp

April ranking: 11

Rationale: One of the premier rebounding defenders and outside runners in the draft. His speed, endurance and ball use are his greatest assets. Drops as others rise.

Strengths: Speed, endurance, line breaking capabilities, composure with ball in hand, evasion, long, reliable kick, versatility to play in defence or on a wing

Weaknesses: Contested ball-winning, unclear midfield capabilities

17. Brodie Newman

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 193cm, 90kg

Recruited from: Calder Cannons

Projected draft range: 20-60

Plays like: Jeremy McGovern

April Rankings: not ranked

Rationale: Has started the season strongly and earns his way into the top-20 with a 36 disposal, 17 mark performance against Geelong putting him on the map.

Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the drop of the ball, contested marking, penetrating and reliable kick, strength one-on-one

Weaknesses: Athleticism, unclear versatility

18. Trent Bianco

Best position: General defence/outside midfield

Height, weight: 176cm, 70kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: 10-40

Plays like: Caleb Daniel

April Rankings: not ranked

Rationale: Earns top-20 position off the back of his performance in defence taking the kickouts for the Under-18s against Casey.

Strengths: Precise and consistent skill execution by hand and foot on both sides over a range of distances, vision, decision making, composure with ball in hand, evasion, speed, run and carry, moves the ball on quickly, versatility to play outside midfield or in defence

Weaknesses: Contested ball winning, size and strength

19. Jay Rantall

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 184cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Greater Western Victoria Rebels

Projected draft range: 10-40

Plays like: Jack Macrae

April Rankings: not ranked

Rationale: A basketball convert who has performed consistently, demonstrating AFL traits.

Strengths: Evasion in traffic, linkup by hand, clean hands, run and carry, endurance, clean ground ball winner, finishing around goal, scoreboard impact, untapped potential having shifting focus from basketball to football

Weaknesses: Kicking, consistency

20. Deven Robertson

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 182cm, 75kg

Recruited from: Perth

Projected draft range: 10-50

Plays like: Nathan Jones

Rationale: Nephew of Darren Glass, Robertson is one of the most productive ball-winning midfielders in the pool.

Strengths: Production, attack on the ball, contested ball winning, stoppage work, work rate, endurance, speed, agility, tackling, pressure around the ground

Weaknesses: X-factor, scoreboard impact