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

Impressively, Corey Watts won Sandringham's best and fairest in 2018 as an underager and in a team featuring four first round picks in last year's draft including twins Max and Ben King, Bailey Smith and Morrish Medallist Liam Stocker.

Watts, who received a state combine invite, was Sandringham's standout this week, with 12 disposals, six marks and seven rebound 50s against Oakleigh. Although the Dragons led by as much as 29 points in the match, Oakleigh -- fuelled by the brilliance of No. 1 pick contenders Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson -- re-gained control and won by seven points.

Corey Watts of Sandringham Dragons attempts to mark the ball. Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Watts, who possesses some similarities to Josh Walker, is a competitive key defender who took four intercept marks at the weekend. He read the ball well early in flight to get to the drop of the ball and repelled Oakleigh's forward 50m entries. A strong bodied key defender, Watts is difficult to beat one-on-one and regularly negates the influence of his direct opponents.

Coming into 2019, and given the quality of his 2018 season, Watts was considered a possible first half of draft prospect. Now, in the leadup to the finals, it remains to be seen whether Watts will get selected at all.

Across the board his numbers have dropped; he's racking up fewer disposals, marks, tackles and rebound 50s than he did in 2018. With rate of development a key indicator in determining the upside of key defenders, recruiters will be looking for Watts to have a strong finals series and add some additional tricks to his arsenal.

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NAB League

Matthew Rowell was Oakleigh's best in their come-from-behind win. With the opportunity to advance straight into the finals as one of the top three sides, Oakleigh will avoid the wildcard games which the teams ranked 4th-13th will need to win in order to make the finals. From the opening bounce, Rowell was the most aggressive on the field with his attack on the ball, winning first possession, burst of acceleration, tackling and his sheer will to win were highlights. The prolific ball winner amassed 34 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven tackles, 10 clearances, six inside 50s and two score assists.

Likely top-two selection Noah Anderson was Oakleigh's most damaging. He took the ball cleanly off the bounce, was damaging by foot, evasive and explosive with ball in hand. Anderson was similarly dangerous one-out in the goal square. He only needed to get front position to take advantage and created separation easily on the lead. The exciting midfielder/forward managed 24 disposals, eight inside 50s and three goals.

Noah Anderson of Vic Metro in action during the AFL 2019 U18 Championships match between Vic Metro and the Allies at GMHBA Stadium. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Oakleigh underager Finlay Macrae looked every bit as good as his older brother Jack. Finlay plays a style of game which is similar to that of his brother, taking the ball cleanly off the bounce and demonstrating composure with ball in hand, while showcasing an explosive sidestep and the dare to take on the man on the mark. He lowered his eyes, placed kicks out in front of targets and hit them cleanly. With a more advanced and polished game than Jack at the same age and stage, the top 2020 prospect secured 22 disposals, nine contested possessions and one goal.

Playing a complete game in defence, Oakleigh's Vincent Zagari generated drive from defence, hit meaningful targets in the corridor and provided valuable dash. His intercept marking was a feature, reading the drop of the ball and demonstrating courage backing back with the flight to take an important mark. The developing defender managed 17 disposals and six marks (one contested).

Sandringham's Finn Maginness performed strongly, winning first possession through the midfield and proving to be a threat forward of centre with the way he crumbed and read the drop of the ball. The Hawthorn father-son prospect (son of Scott) produced 17 disposals and three goals.

Dragons tall forward Kyle Yorke was his side's most promising target forward of centre. His marking on the lead and one-on-one marking stood out. The role he played in the third term was telling in helping Sandringham move ahead of Oakleigh and enter three-quarter time with an 11-point lead. The strong marking forward collected 11 disposals, seven marks (two contested) and two goals.

Sandringham underager Archie Perkins was one of his side's most damaging. The run he provided in combination with his field kicking and set shot goalkicking was significant. Impacting the game with each possession, Perkins tallied 11 disposals, six marks (one contested) and three goals.

SANFL

League

Mature age midfielder Matthew Nunn was unlucky to be overlooked during the mid-season draft, but continues his push to get drafted in 2019. In the mix to be one of the first mature-agers picked in this year's AFL Draft, the explosive ball winner amassed 31 disposals and three goals for Norwood in their loss to Central Districts.

Dylan Stephens was again solid for Norwood. The hard-running midfielder gathered 15 disposals, seven marks and eight tackles.

Underage forward Corey Durdin showed promise for Central Districts with 11 disposals and three goals.

Influential for Glenelg in win against West Adelaide, aggressive defender Will Gould managed 23 disposals and six marks.

Will Gould of South Australia tackles an Allies opponent during the 2018 U18 Championships. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Reserves

South Australian MVP Harry Schoenberg gathered 26 disposals, six marks and 10 clearances for Woodville-West Torrens in their loss to Sturt.

WAFL

League

Furthering his draft stocks with each passing game, damaging midfielder Jeremy Sharp posted 22 disposals, nine marks and six inside 50s for East Fremantle in their loss to Perth.

Colts

Talented forward Elijah Taylor showed glimpses of brilliance for Perth. The instinctive forward managed 16 disposals and two goals in the win against East Fremantle.

Powerful ball winning midfielder Trent Rivers performed strongly through East Fremantle's midfield. The highly-touted Western Australian secured 30 disposals, six marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s and two goals.

Potential first round selection, ruckman Luke Jackson was once again dominant for East Fremantle with 16 disposals, 31 hitouts and two goals.