Darcy Fogarty

Many thought the Crows got a steal when they picked up the solidly built 18-year-old with the 12th overall pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft. Three first-half goals against Port Adelaide on Saturday emphasised that point. Fogarty has the natural instincts of a forward. He knows when to lead, has strong hands and can finish from set shots outside 50m. He's a strong chance to debut in round one, but it might not be the case if skipper Taylor Walker recovers from a foot injury in time. Nevertheless, Fogarty's an extremely exciting prospect and someone the Crows can build their forward line around for the next decade. - Lee Gaskin

WATCH: Fogarty shows potential against the Power

Cam Rayner

The No.1 draft pick took a huge step forward in his second outing. After having just six touches against Sydney last week, Rayner looked right at home against the Suns. His numbers were excellent – 13 disposals and nine tackles – but his impact was greater. He flew for marks, creating contests, hit hard with his tackles and got more involved with the ball. "I thought he was a real threat," stand-in coach Dale Tapping said. "He seemed to relish the combative nature of the game. He's a physical beast and really drives at the contest." - Michael Whiting

Charlie Curnow

Entering his third year at AFL level, Charlie Curnow may be just as exciting a prospect as any on Carlton's talent-stacked young list. The 21-year-old didn't put together a complete game against the Hawks, but showed glimpses of his huge potential as an athletic tall forward and invaluable link player for the Blues. Curnow provided a handy target on the rebound during the early stages and given his size, speed and leap is sure to become an increasingly difficult proposition for any opposition defender. - Stu Warren

Sam Murray

The former Swan makes sense in this side. Murray hasn't played an AFL game yet but his precise left boot should see him become a regular in Collingwood's team, considering the Magpies can be wayward by foot. One example was in the second quarter against the Western Bulldogs last Saturday, when he took a dash through the middle of the ground and delivered it perfectly to Mason Cox. His efforts later in the contest to smother and also win a free kick for a great tackle would have pleased the Pies coaches. - Dinny Navaratnam

David Myers

Myers has had an injury-interrupted career but there were positive signs against the Cats on Sunday. The midfielder missed the JLT game against Richmond with gastro, but made up for it against Geelong with a fine performance. Spending more time on ball than is customary, Myers racked up 20 disposals, six clearances and six tackles. His ability to carry the lines and pump the ball inside 50 is an important element for the Bombers, who are hoping he can have a big 2018. - Ben Guthrie

Matt Taberner

Fremantle's patience with Taberner looks like it could really pay off in 2018. With 53 games under his belt and a strong finish to last year at both WAFL and AFL level behind him, the 199cm former rookie appears set to become the consistent marking target Freo has been seeking since Matthew Pavlich retired. Taberner was outstanding early on Sunday, taking two pack marks inside 50 in the opening term and he should have slotted a third goal when he was found in space but missed the lot from 25m. The 24-year-old also pushed hard up the ground to be an outlet from defence. It was another encouraging effort after a three-goal haul in the opening JLT clash with Adelaide, and if Taberner can stand up as a forward/ruck the Dockers' attack can unleash Cam McCarthy to his preferred role further up the ground this year. - Travis King

Charlie Constable

The young midfielder made the most of his midfield opportunities with star onballer Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) out of the game. Constable looked composed and used the footy with precision as he gathered 18 disposals and took eight marks. He has given himself a chance to be picked for round one, although the depth of Geelong's midfield may squeeze him out. Even so, it's a fine effort after 'Chook', as he is known to his teammates, spent three weeks in hospital prior to Christmas after he ran into a few complications after getting his tonsils out. Look for the onballer to feature at senior level at some stage this season. - Ben Guthrie

Brayden Fiorini

Now entering his third season, Fiorini is staking a serious claim for a spot in the Suns' round one team. He's always been able to find the ball, but now he's doing it both inside the contest and outside it. Against the Lions he finished with 17 disposals – nine contested – and went at 58 per cent efficiency in the wet conditions. Throw in a match-high 11 tackles and Fiorini is starting to look comfortable at the top level. - Michael Whiting

Zac Langdon

The small forward plucked from the WAFL in last year's NAB AFL draft could have just about locked himself in for a round one debut after a solid showing against the Swans. Langdon's numbers weren't prolific, and he missed two gettable chances to nail his first goal in Giants colours, but his pressure at ground level was fantastic and his touch on a couple of occasions was all class. The 22-year-old deserves a chance against the Bulldogs in a fortnight. - Adam Curley

Forward Zac Langdon was a late pick in last year's draft. Picture: AFL Photos



Jaeger O'Meara

While his first season at Hawthorn didn't go the way he had hoped, former Gold Coast on-baller Jaeger O'Meara appears set to have the kind of impact the Hawks looked for when they first lured him south. The 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star has put together a far more complete pre-season and looked fit and sharp as he collected 23 possessions including four clearances and eight tackles at the heart of Hawthorn's 'next generation' midfield against Carlton. - Stu Warren

Christian Petracca

It's almost an obvious choice but watching the 22-year-old against the Saints made it seem like the second selection from the 2014 NAB AFL Draft is ready to take his game to another level. A powerhouse who can do it up forward or in the midfield, he picked up only four disposals in the first quarter as the Demons shot out to a 27-point lead, but the importance of his touches meant it felt like he was involved more than that number would indicate. He finished with 23 disposals and an impressive 15 contested possessions, a sign of how hard he was to stop when the ball was in dispute. - Dinny Navaratnam

Ben Jacobs

One of the game's most effective taggers in 2015 and early 2016, it has been 666 days since Jacobs last played at AFL level because of ongoing problems with his right foot and multiple surgeries. Now fit and back in his defensive midfield role, he shapes as a key ingredient in the Kangaroos' round one line-up. Against Richmond, Jacobs spent time on both Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, making sure every possession was hard earned. He added toughness to the midfield and won 16 possessions, finding a good balance between defence and offence. - Nathan Schmook

Riley Bonner

It's going to be difficult to leave the dashing defender out of the Power's round one side after an impressive performance against Adelaide on Saturday. Bonner finished with 21 possessions at 85 per cent efficiency, but it was his run and carry and willingness to take on the opposition that caught the eye. The 21-year-old made his debut in round 23, 2016, but had to wait until round 22 last year to play his next. A hamstring injury to Jasper Pittard surely locks in Bonner for a spot in the Power's backline to start the season. He's got the talent to make it his own for the remainder of the year. - Lee Gaskin

Riley Bonner tries to break a tackle during an strong performance for Port. Picture: AFL Photos



Callum Moore

When the Tigers decided they didn't have the manpower to play a second tall forward last year, Moore was one of the youngsters that was deemed not to be ready. After another pre-season, however, Damien Hardwick might be tempted to return to a tradition structure at times this season using Moore. The 21-year-old booted 2.1 from seven possessions in a second-half cameo that will be valuable in his preparation for the season. His first goal came from a 60m bomb that showed off his long kicking, while his second, a classy snap on the run, highlighted his ability to cover the ground and get free on the fast break. - Nathan Schmook

WATCH: Tigers notch an impressive team goal

Blake Acres

One of the criticisms of the Saints is their lack of stars. They're adamant those players will emerge, and one of those is Acres. He's a big body who has spent a lot of time on a wing or at half-forward, but he showed against the Demons he doesn't have a problem winning his own football, collecting 28 disposals and 11 contested possessions. Crucially, he stood up in the third term as St Kilda booted six goals to Melbourne's one, notching up eight disposals. The Saints need support for their gun midfielders Jack Steven and Seb Ross and with Acres entering his fifth season, it's time for him to consistently deliver. - Dinny Navaratnam

Ryley Stoddart

He's got everything the Swans want and need in a draftee – pace and quality foot skills - and one particular piece of play in the first term against GWS was enough to make people take notice. Stoddart tucked the footy under his arm on the defensive side of the centre square and took off at speed, before ducking out of traffic to deliver a brilliant pass onto the chest of the leading Kieren Jack. It's the sort of run and carry the Swans are hoping to see from the Victorian for years to come. - Adam Curley

Jake Waterman

The Eagles had a number of youngsters auditioning for round one spots but, apart from Waterman and Liam Ryan, the next generation struggled to have much influence on Sunday. Ryan booted the game's opening goal and was lively early with seven touches in the opening quarter to all but guarantee he will be part of the season opener at Optus Stadium. Waterman, who was quiet in the first JLT contest, impressed in last week's scratch match and carried his form into Sunday with a hard-working effort – which included a goal – in a dysfunctional forward line that lacked supply. With spearhead Josh Kennedy ruled out until perhaps round three, expect Waterman to be right in the mix to debut. - Travis King

Tom Liberatore

After an indifferent 2017, many questioned Liberatore's hunger after the Dogs' magnificent premiership the previous year. Well, it seems that hunger is back. He was constantly at the bottom of the packs and feeding the ball out to his teammates. Liberatore finished with 28 disposals, seven clearances and a goal on the run from 50m in an impressive display against Collingwood, and he's one the Bulldogs will need to fire if they are to climb back up the ladder. - Dinny Navaratnam