AS THE AFLW finished up and the AFL season kicked off, the country’s premier Under 18 competition — the TAC Cup — also began.

And with that, hundreds of teenagers commenced their final year of underage footy with the hope of enhancing their draft chances.

This year’s crop is headlined by a couple of Academy guns — but due to recent rule changes, some players are now available to all AFL clubs.

Many of the top prospects come from Victoria, highlighted by a star ruck-forward, a contested ball beast and an elusive forward with the same name as a legendary West Indian pace bowler.

Round 18

And there’s a few promising father-son prospects as well, headlined by the son of an Adelaide Crows legend.

In our first edition of Draft Watch for 2017, foxfooty.com.au highlights the top 25 prospects of this year’s draft class.

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Connor Ballenden

Club: Brisbane Lions Academy/Uni of QLD/Queensland

Position: Tall Forward

Size: 198cm, 95kg

DOB: 29/03/1999

Plays like: Jesse Hogan

Champion Data says: We have covered 12 matches of Ballenden and he has booted 19 goals from these matches. His contested marking stands out, with 17 from these matches.

foxfooty.com.au says: At an imposing 198cm, Ballenden looms as one of the most exciting prospects of the draft. Due to that, the Lions won’t even hesitate matching a bid on their academy gun come draft time. Ballenden is a true power forward with excellent one-on-one skills and the ability to hit the scoreboard. However the highly-rated Lions key forward had a frustrating start to his 2017 draft year, appearing to injure a calf against the Suns Academy on the weekend.

Jarrod Brander

Club: GWS Academy/Wentworth/Bendigo Pioneers/NSW-ACT

Position: Utility

Size: 195cm, 90kg

DOB: 11/02/1999

Plays like: Tim Membrey

Champion Data says: Brander spent most of last year playing school football. In the APS v AGS showcase match, he was the highest-ranked player, amassing 26 disposals at 96 per cent disposal efficiency

foxfooty.com.au says: The AFL’s big call to strip the Giants of access to the Albury/Murray region means Brander is now available to all 18 clubs for this year’s draft — and there will be many rushing to pick up his services. While still raw, Brander is supremely talented, very athletic and versatile for his 193cm frame. A player who can play wherever his coach needs him, it’s no surprise to see that he’s being touted as a potential No. 1 pick.

Hunter Clark

Club: Mt Martha/Padua College/Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Position: General Defender/Midfielder

Size: 186cm, 79kg

DOB: 26/03/1999

Plays like: Brodie Smith

Champion Data says: Clark played 13 matches last year for the Dandenong Stingrays. He only averaged 15 disposals and 0.4 goals per game, but his strength was evident.

foxfooty.com.au says: In the words of Fox Footy commentator Danny Frawley, Clark is “as hard as a cat’s head”, but also has ample class on the outside. His composure was on display across half-back during last year’s Under 18 champs where he played as an bottom-ager. Expect him to be thrown into the guts a little more this year. With a fearless mindset and one of the best names in footy, Clark could quickly become a fan favourite.

Dandenong's Oscar Clavarino is one of the best key defensive prospects for the season. Picture: Josie Hayden Source: News Corp Australia

Oscar Clavarino

Club: Berwick/Haileybury/Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Position: Tall Defender

Size: 195cm, 86kg

DOB: 22/05/1999

Plays like: Tom McDonald

Champion Data says: Clavarino is a defensive key defender. At the 2016 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, he averaged just 7.5 disposals and rated poor for metres gained with just 63 per match.

foxfooty.com.au says: Mightn’t get a lot of the ball, but opposition forwards have found it very difficult to score goals on Clavarino, especially during last year’s Under 18 champs. A great size at 194cm, Clavarino will take the opposition’s best forward in most games he plays in 2017. He’ll have to learn how to be more aggressive on counter-attack to take his game to the next level, but at least he’s got the most important part of being a defender down pat: Defending.

Jack Clayton

Club: Brisbane Lions Academy/Uni of QLD/Queensland

Position: General Defender

Size: 184cm, 74kg

DOB: 25/02/1999

Plays like: Bachar Houli

Champion Data says: Clayton played nine matches for the Brisbane Lions NEAFL side last year, averaging 14 disposals off half-back. Our similar players metric suggests the AFL player he plays most like is Bachar Houli.

foxfooty.com.au says: A class act both on and off the field, the Lions will be looking forward to, hopefully, welcoming Clayton to the club as an academy selection. He’s a damaging rebounding half-back that uses his excellent kicking skills to his advantage.

Callum Coleman-Jones

Club: Sturt/South Australia

Position: Ruck/Forward

Size: 199cm, 98kg

DOB: 13/06/1999

Plays like: Jordan Roughead

Champion Data says: Coleman-Jones averaged 122 ranking points from his eight matches for Sturt in the SANFL Under 18s in 2016. He also played at the Under 18 Championships, but his impact was limited.

foxfooty.com.au says: A member of the Level 2 AFL Academy, Coleman-Jones is a rare young ruckman in that he seems to have a ready-made frame. Not only does he win most hit-out battles, he’s also prepared to use his aerobic capacity and footy smarts to win his own ball, hence his high Champion Data ranking points in the SANFL Under 18s last year. To improve his game, Coleman-Jones will be hoping to better his kicking efficiency.

Paddy Dow

Club: Midfielder

Position: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

Size: 184cm, 78kg

DOB: 16/10/1999

Plays like: Patrick Dangerfield

Champion Data says: Dow collected an impressive 22 disposals per match for the Falcons last year. His contested work stood out, rating above average for clearances and contested possessions for a midfielder in the TAC Cup.

foxfooty.com.au says: A Swan Hill boy who now boards at Geelong Grammar, Dow was a late inclusion into the Level 2 AFL Academy and has shot up into draft calculations. Pioneers coach Rick Coburn described Dow as a “hard-working inside midfielder”.

Jackson Edwards

Club: Glenelg/South Australia

Position: Midfielder

Size: 184cm, 72kg

DOB: 11/10/1999

Plays like: Jordan De Goey

Champion Data says: Edwards split his playing time in 2016 between the SANFL Under 18s and SANFL Reserves. He had a greater impact in the SANFL Under 18s, averaging 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances, four tackles and more than one goal per game.

foxfooty.com.au says: After having no father-son picks in 14 years, the Crows could have two in two years, with Edwards — the son of Adelaide great Tyson Edwards — arguably the most promising father-son prospect of the 2017 class. While he already has ample lower-level SANFL experience under his belt, Edwards enhanced his draft chances during last year’s Under 17 All-Stars game, booting one goal from 19 touches. While he doesn’t win the same amount of ridiculous ball that his old man used to, he certainly has his dad’s composure and decision-making skills.

Glenelg duo Darcy Fogarty and Jackson Edwards — the son of former Crows star Tyson Edwards. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

Darcy Fogarty

Club: Glenelg/South Australia

Position: Midfielder/General Forward

Size: 190cm, 86kg

DOB: 25/09/1999

Plays like: Jake Stringer

Champion Data says: Impressed at the Under 18 Championships with seven goals from three matches then in the Under 17 young guns match he was voted best afield for his 20 disposals, six marks and four tackles.

foxfooty.com.au says: South Australia’s No. 1 prospect could be the No. 1 prospect in the entire country by year’s end. A smart yet tough and powerful player who has a serious presence on the field, Fogarty has soared into top-10 calculations over recent months. Not only can Fogarty hit the scoreboard, he also can roam up the ground and win his own ball. A definite top-five contender at this stage.

Lachlan Fogarty

Club: Western Jets/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 179cm, 75kg

DOB: 01/04/1999

Plays like: Kieren Jack

Champion Data says: Averaged 25 disposals in the TAC Cup last year for the Western Jets. He rated elite for contested possessions and his 7.8 tackles per match ranked No. 1 in the league.

foxfooty.com.au says: There’s not much of Fogarty, but he shouldn’t be underestimated as he not only wins his own footy but disposes opponents of the ball with his excellent tackling skills. With the ball, Fogarty is an excellent decision-maker and an even better executor. If he can improve his aerobic capacity this year, he has the potential to be a first-round pick.

Joel Garner

Club: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 183cm, 81kg

DOB: 21/05/1999

Plays like: Callum Ah Chee

Champion Data says: It’s been more about quality than quantity for Garner. He averaged just 15 disposals for the Eastern Ranges, but he operated with a contested possession rate above 50 per cent and was able to impact the scoreboard.

foxfooty.com.au says: Has the same name as the great West Indian paceman — and is at the opposite end of the size spectrum. But what he might lack in size he makes up for in poise, footy smarts and clean ball use, while he’s also blessed with versatility. Garner is your classic natural footballer who’s just as good on the inside as he is on the outside. More midfield time this year will help him improve his consistency.

Joel Garner looms as one of the hottest AFL draft prospects this year and he has also been named as the first indigenous Prefect at Scotch College. Picture: Lawrence Pinder Source: News Corp Australia

Dominic Grant

Club: NT Thunder/Northern Territory

Position: Midfielder/General Forward

Size: 189cm, 77kg

DOB: 29/01/1999

Plays like: Robbie Gray

Champion Data says: Grant’s most impressive performance came in 2015 at the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships. For Northern Territory he averaged 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 11 tackles per match.

foxfooty.com.au says: Clearly the NT’s top prospect for 2017, Grant wins a lot of his ball in contested situations. He’s a little taller than your average midfielder, but that allows him to win hard ball and clearances. Grant will be hoping for a more consistent output in 2017 to ensure his draft chances remain strong.

Sam Hayes

Club: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Position: Ruck/Tall Forward

Size: 203cm, 93kg

DOB: 09/06/1999

Plays like: Max Gawn

Champion Data says: Hayes was arguably the most impressive ruckman at the 2016 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging the most AFL player ratings points of any ruckman. He impacted the scoreboard with five goals and three assists from his three matches.

foxfooty.com.au says: Get excited. The best ruck-forward prospect of this year’s draft class, as he’s not only an excellent tap ruckman, but also a capable forward. Hayes was the only bottom-ager selected in last year’s Under 18 champs All-Australian side, impressing in a ruck-forward role. An athletic big man, Hayes has a high ceiling and could improve rapidly throughout the year. And, remarkably, he’s still growing, as he’s just hit 204cm, according to the Ranges.

Jack Higgins

Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 178cm, 76kg

DOB: 19/03/1999

Plays like: Liam Picken

Champion Data says: Averaged an astonishing 145 ranking points from his 10 TAC Cup matches in 2016 for the Oakleigh Chargers. He averaged 27 disposals and two goals and led the entire competition for score involvements with 8.9 per match.

foxfooty.com.au says: This guy will be a fantasy footy favourite next year, as his ability to find the ball is outstanding. Higgins, who won the time trial at the AFL Academy’s Florida camp in January, is a footy fanatic who’s totally committed and determined to win a spot on an AFL club list. While he does win a lot of disposals, his kicking may need some work, while the Chargers have put it on Higgins to also step up from a leadership perspective.

Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Jack Higgins is a ball magnet. Source: Getty Images

Hayden McLean

Club: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Position: Tall Forward

Size: 197cm, 93kg

DOB: 20/01/1999

Plays like: Josh Jenkins

Champion Data says: McLean played almost every match for the premiership-winning Sandringham Dragons last year. His imposing size allowed him to clunk 33 contested marks for the season — ranked second in the competition.

foxfooty.com.au says: McLean, a crash-and-bash ruck-forward, is already a good size at the start of his 2017 campaign, which means he’ll be hard to stop inside forward 50 this year. Not only did he clunk plenty of marks last year, he also hit the scoreboard consistently, booting 27 goals from 19 games. A TAC Cup premiership player with the Dragons, McLean was a late inclusion into the Level 2 AFL academy.

Patrick Naish

Club: Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Position: General Defender

Size: 180cm, 69kg

DOB: 15/01/1999

Plays like: Shane Biggs

Champion Data says: An outside player, Naish averaged three contested possessions and 14 uncontested possessions for the Northern Knights. His kicking efficiency of 58 per cent needs to improve for such an outside player.

foxfooty.com.au says: Eligible to join Richmond under the father-son rule — as his dad Chris played 143 games for the Tigers — Naish looms as an exciting prospect for 2017. And the Tigers have already been working closely with Naish, who should feature in the club’s VFL team at some stage this season. With good pace and a penetrating kick, the Tigers will certainly watch him closely.

Aaron Naughton

Club: Peel Thunder/Western Australia

Position: Tall Defender

Size: 194cm, 84kg

DOB: 30/11/1999

Plays like: Jeremy McGovern

Champion Data says: Naughton’s contested marking stood out for Peel Thunder last year. His 20 contested marks from just 13 matches ranked second in the Colts competition.

foxfooty.com.au says: Like Eagle McGovern, Naughton is a sensational pack and intercept mark — qualities he prides his game on. But also like McGovern, Naughton is trying to work on his flexibility so he can play in multiple positions. That was on display recently when he played forward and kicked two goals from nine touches and seven marks for Peel’s Colts side. Naughton is excellent at winning the footy, but will be hoping to improve his efficiency by foot in 2017 to enhance his draft prospects.

Lochie O’Brien

Club: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 184cm, 75kg

DOB: 18/09/1999

Plays like: Pearce Hanley

Champion Data says: We only saw five matches of O’Brien in the TAC Cup last year, but he averaged a whopping 111 ranking points per match. He averaged 24 disposals and did most of his work on the outside, with a contested possession rate of 31 per cent.

foxfooty.com.au says: A classy on-baller with a lovely left-foot kick that looked at home during last year’s Under 18 champs, O’Brien looms as a big game-breaker for any AFL club. While he could easily play in the guts, O’Brien does his best work on a wing, where he shows off his speed and acceleration. If he improves his inside game this year, don’t be surprised to see him among the top 10 or five picks this year.

Jake Patmore is WA’s top draft prospect for 2017. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: News Corp Australia

Jake Patmore

Club: Claremont/Western Australia

Position: Small Defender

Size: 180cm, 72kg

DOB: 29/01/1999

Plays like: Jared Polec

Champion Data says: Patmore has never been a massive ball-winner, but he uses the ball effectively. In seven matches in the WAFL Colts he averaged 19 disposals, three inside 50s and more than one assist per match.

foxfooty.com.au says: It’s not a great year for WA draft prospects, but Patmore is undoubtedly a shining light. For a player of his height, Patmore is predominantly defensively-minded, but will be looking to improve his rebounding ability throughout the year. But what Patmore has going for him is that he’s a classy ball-user that makes most of his possessions count.

Jack Petruccelle

Club: Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Position: Small Forward

Size: 184cm, 73kg

DOB: 12/04/1999

Plays like: Nakia Cockatoo

Champion Data says: We have only covered three matches of Petruccelle. In his first ever TAC Cup match for the Northern Knights, he had 10 disposals and snagged three goals.

foxfooty.com.au says: The footy world hasn’t seen much of Petruccelle yet as he has been in the AIS Academy for basketball over recent years. But the small forward has his sights firmly set on footy in 2017, with the Knights likely to play him across half-forward where he can utilise both his pace and ability to find the goals. Could be a bolter if he works hard and he receives reward for effort.

Cameron Rayner

Club: Western Jets/Vic Metro

Position: General Forward/Midfielder

Size: 187cm, 88kg

DOB: 21/10/1999

Plays like: Jake Stringer

Champion Data says: Rayner played eight matches for the Western Jets in 2016, averaging 18 disposals, four clearances and five tackles. He had a massive impact on the scoreboard with 17 goals and 13 behinds as well.

foxfooty.com.au says: A competitive, explosive and strongly-built player who has been able to hit the scoreboard regularly in recent years. Rayner breaks lines with his powerful running and kicking, while his overhead marking shouldn’t be underestimated either. Burst onto the scene late in 2016 with hauls of seven and five goals against the Pioneers and Cannons respectively in two consecutive TAC Cup games. He’ll be hoping to continue that goalkicking form this year while also moving more permanently into the midfield.

Western Jets on-baller Cameron Rayner is an exciting, explosive prospect. Source: Getty Images

Thomas Schmusch

Club: Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia

Position: Tall Defender

Size: 194cm, 81kg

DOB: 05/03/1999

Plays like: Dylan Roberton

Champion Data says: As a key defender at the 2016 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, Schmusch rated above average for kicks and metres gained and also rated elite for rebound 50s.

foxfooty.com.au says: For draft-watchers from last year, think Josh Rotham in terms of size and role. Schmush is another promising key-position player that opposition forwards find hard to score against. While his rebounding could still improve, he showed during last year’s national champs as a bottom-ager that he has lots of attacking potential from half-back.

Charlie Spargo

Club: GWS Academy/Albury/Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT

Position: Midfielder

Size: 175cm, 75kg

DOB: 25/11/1999

Plays like: Toby Greene

Champion Data says: A Champion Data favourite going off his form at the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships in 2015 where he averaged 29 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven tackles and 2.5 goals per match. For the Bushrangers in the TAC Cup last year, he also averaged 19 disposals and one goal.

foxfooty.com.au says: The AFL’s recent decision to cut GWS’ access to the Albury/Murray region was a huge win for the 17 other clubs, as they all now have access to Spargo — the pocket rocket of the 2017 draft class. What makes him even more impressive is that he’s just as smart in the air as he is at ground level. Spargo, the son of former North/Bears player Paul, kicked off his 2017 campaign in fine style last weekend, starring for the GWS Academy (one goal from 24 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) against the Swans Academy. He won’t be hard to miss in Under 18 games he plays in this season.

Murray’s Charlie Spargo is a pocket rocket. Picture: Stuart Milligan Source: News Corp Australia

Jaidyn Stephenson

Club: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Position: Forward

Size: General Forward

DOB: 189cm, 76kg

Plays like: Jack Riewoldt

Champion Data says: Stephenson rose to prominence after his three-goal haul in the 2015 TAC Cup final as a 16-year-old. He backed that up with 15 disposals and 23 goals from 11 matches in 2016.

foxfooty.com.au says: There’s something pretty special about Stephenson, who not only hits the scoreboard but wins his own ball. An exciting, dynamic forward with great hands, explosive pace and excellent footy smarts, Stephenson looms as a top 10 prospect at this stage of the year. He kicked off his 2017 campaign in fine style on the weekend, booting five goals — including four in the first term — in a match-winning effort for the Ranges in the TAC Cup.

James Worpel

Club: Geelong Falcons/Vic Country

Position: Midfielder

Size: 185cm, 84kg

DOB: 24/01/1999

Plays like: Jack Ziebell

Champion Data says: Worpel established himself as a clearance specialist at the 2016 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. He averaged four clearances per game for Vic Country and in the TAC Cup he averaged five for the Geelong Falcons. His ball use leaves room for improvement, with a kicking efficiency of just 50 per cent.

foxfooty.com.au says: A kid who holds no fears on a footy field, Worpel is your quintessential physical inside midfielder. He excels at stoppages, while his defensive pressure is outstanding, highlighted by his high tackle numbers. And what Worpel has over the likes of Ziebell or Ben Cunnington is that he’s a little quicker by foot, which allows him to explode from stoppages to clear the ball. Improve that disposal efficiency this year and he could be going very early in November’s draft.

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