Jack Crisp (Collingwood)

The former Lion was a key contributor as the Magpies whittled down Carlton's early 33-point lead on Sunday. Crisp and fellow recruit Levi Greenwood went some way to limiting the Carlton midfielders' spread from the contest. Renowned for his discipline at the Brisbane Lions, Crisp still managed to win his fair share of the ball as he ended up with 15 disposals and three inside 50s. – Ben Guthrie

Kristian Jaksch (Carlton)

The Blues recruited Jaksch from Greater Western Sydney in the off-season to add to their key defensive depth. Michael Jamison and Sam Rowe are adept at holding down the fort, but Jaksch is a valuable third tall who can also push forward if necessary. He displayed his sturdiness across half-back against Collingwood on Sunday, collecting 17 disposals and taking six marks in an impressive performance. – Ben Guthrie

Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)

There's been plenty already said about the platinum-haired product of the Swans' academy and he backed up an encouraging start in Coffs Harbour last weekend with another strong showing against Fremantle on Sunday. The conditions weren't great but Heeney competed strongly, racked up 13 touches and kicked one goal. He showed he can find the ball even when the conditions are against him and looked much more advanced than an 18-year-old should.

Connor Blakely (Fremantle)

It was a good day for inside midfielders to show their wares and 19-year-old Blakely was one who caught coach Ross Lyon's eye. The former Swan Districts midfielder had 11 disposals, five of which were contested, at an efficiency rate of nearly 91 per cent. Looks to have the smarts and courage to play at the highest level, and with a bit more conditioning could prove to be a player for the Dockers in years to come.

Richmond's Sam Lloyd keeps a very close eye on the ball against Port. Picture: AFL Media



Sam Lloyd (Richmond)

Dustin Martin may have made headlines with his impressive form through the middle but Lloyd was the main attraction in the forward line. With a host of players competing for a spot across half forward, the former VFL forward marked strongly and booted four goals, increasing his chances of holding down that position come round one. His performance, albeit against a weakened Port Adelaide backline, gives the Tigers more food for thought when it comes to assembling their best forward structure. – Jennifer Phelan

Lloyd gets the spoils after Vickery spills the mark #NABChallenge http://t.co/JEcmoKOdsK — AFL (@AFL) March 14, 2015

Nathan Krakouer (Port Adelaide)

It was a tough afternoon for the young Power side up against the Tigers' best but Krakouer – on return to the Power after a year in the SANFL – looked good off half back. It wasn't a starring performance and he racked up 10 possessions but he gave the Power run out of defence where they were often under siege. Will need to be elevated to play this season but caught the eye of the coaches with his solid form and cool head under pressure. – Jennifer Phelan

Jack Steele (Greater Western Sydney)

Some clubs rated Jack Steele as one of the best dozen or so players in last year's draft pool, and it's taken the youngster little time to show why. The tall and strong wingman has the knack of floating forward to kick goals, and he booted two for the Giants in their win over Essendon on Friday night. He can mark well above his head, is tough and hard, and has fitted into the club's program seamlessly over his first pre-season. Being a bit older than most draftees will help him (he turned 19 last December) and you can expect Steele to play plenty of games in 2015.

Kyle Langford (Essendon)

There's been a bit of buzz about Kyle Langford over summer at Essendon, and he did enough on Friday night to suggest he's going to be an exciting player. Playing as a lead-up forward, Langford kicked two goals from 12 disposals and always looked in control when he had the ball. There's a spot for the first-year player in the Bombers' forward set-up, because he offers a leading, marking medium-sized target they otherwise don't really have. The Bombers were rapt when Langford was still on the board when their pick No. 17 came around, and have been equally excited by his development so far. – Callum Twomey

Mitch Honeychurch (Western Bulldogs)

Honeychurch broke through for his debut in round 15 last year and played three straight games, but 2015 should be a year of far bigger returns for the emerging on-baller. With little senior support around him, the 20-year-old helped keep the Bulldogs from being completely blown away against Melbourne and was one of his side's few four-quarter performers. With Tom Liberatore out for the year, Honeychurch should help fill the breach in the engine room and his 17 touches – eight contested – plus four tackles on Saturday was a good starting point. – Travis King

Jay Kennedy-Harris (Melbourne)

The electric small forward showed plenty of promise last year, booting nine goals in 14 games, and the signs were encouraging against the Western Bulldogs that he could take another step next season. The 173cm dynamo danced around opponents and gave the Dogs' defence all sorts of headaches in the first half and was a chief instigator in Melbourne's 45-point lead. One piece of play where he evaded would-be tacklers near the boundary and, instead of blazing at goal, looked inside to spot up Daniel Cross showed great maturity from the 19-year-old. – Travis King



Nakia Cockatoo provided several exciting moments during the game against Adelaide. Picture: AFL Media



Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)

If talent was measured by the excitement a player generates when he nears the football, then Cockatoo is already among the most talented players in the AFL. He's nowhere near that of course, yet, but on Thursday night Cockatoo caused both the crowd and the less easily pleased individuals in the Geelong coaches' box to sit up and take notice. In the first half he tried to do the implausible at times and fell just short of making it happen. In the second half he concentrated merely on doing the difficult but possible and made it look easy. He kicked two outstanding goals (one after sharking a tap out from a centre bounce), broke tackles and celebrated enthusiastically. It was not only entertaining but suggested the Cats might have unearthed another rare talent through the draft. - Peter Ryan

Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Adelaide)

Having played just one game since being the No. 64 selection in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, Ellis-Yolmen has signalled his intent with two excellent NAB Challenge games. The 22-year-old had 23 disposals and stood alongside Patrick Dangerfield as the Crows' best two performers against Geelong. His efforts drew praise from senior coach Phil Walsh post-game and showed that Adelaide may be able to spread its midfield load during 2015. Ellis-Yolmen has shown he is an excellent stoppage player in the SANFL who wins the ball often and uses it well. He looks set to translate that form into the AFL in 2015. - Peter Ryan