JACK Higgins is statistically the best junior Champion Data has ever covered.

In the 33 games the AFL’s official stats gurus have watched Higgins, he has averaged 145 ranking points — breaking Tom Rockliff’s longstanding record off 144.

It’s why Champion Data believes Higgins is the best player available in this year’s draft, rating the Oakleigh Chargers midfielder above his highly rated Vic Metro teammates in its official top 30 mock.

Champion Data rewarded Higgins for his fine form throughout the year, making him its official Pick 1 ahead of the likes of Cam Rayner, Jaidyn Stephenson and Andrew Brayshaw.

Round 18

But Higgins wasn’t the only surprise inclusion in the top 30.

Here is how Champion Data ranks its entire top 30 ahead of next Friday’s national draft.

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PICK 1: JACK HIGGINS

Clubs: Oakleigh/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield/Forward

Size: 178cm, 76kg

Champion Data says: No player has averaged more Champion Data ranking points in their junior career than Higgins. He consistently ranked elite for disposals, contested possessions and score involvements — whatever competition he played. If he wasn’t elite, he would rank above average for all other key statistics for his role.

foxfooty.com.au says: He stacked the stats box all season. Played his best footy through the midfield at the Champs, but proved just as dangerous whenever he moved forward. Great smarts around goal and has excellent touch in tight. Plays above his height at 178cm.

Jack Higgins has enjoyed a stellar year. Source: Getty Images

PICK 2: CAM RAYNER

Clubs: Western/Vic Metro

Position: Forward/Midfield

Size: 187cm, 88kg

Champion Data says: Rayner has more X-factor than any other player from the 2017 draft. He kicked 49 goals from his 27 matches covered by Champion Data, including a competition high 12 at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.

foxfooty.com.au says: It’s clear to see where the comparisons to Dustin Martin have stemmed from. He played his best footy as the deepest forward, where he was incredibly dangerous in any one-on-one contest. He’s just as explosive when he moves into the midfield. He’s a damaging player.

PICK 3: JAIDYN STEPHENSON

Clubs: Eastern/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield/Forward

Size: 189cm, 76kg

Champion Data says: Stephenson exploded in the TAC Cup after the Championships, averaging 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions and kicking over a goal per game for an average of 132 ranking points. He topped off his season with 22 disposals and five goals in the Under 18s showcase game on Grand Final day.

foxfooty.com.au says: He’s got freakish natural ability and is incredibly damaging when he finds space to carry the footy on the outside. He can also go forward and impact on the scoreboard. His confidence grew as the season progressed, as did his ability to win his own footy in the middle.

PICK 4: ANDREW BRAYSHAW

Clubs: Sandringham/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield

Size: 183cm, 80kg

Champion Data says: Brayshaw was one of the most consistent performers in the TAC Cup, winning 20-plus disposals and 100-plus ranking points in all of his 10 matches. He was reliably able to impact the scoreboard, kicking eight goals and ranking No. 1 in the league for assists.

foxfooty.com.au says: Undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the draft. A prolific ball-winner who is reliable with it in possession. His speed and spread from stoppages improved throughout the year, as did his ability to create space for himself in congestion.

Andrew Brayshaw is proving a big draft bolter. Source: Getty Images

PICK 5: LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE

Clubs: Dandenong/Vic Country

Position: Midfield

Size: 187cm, 85kg

Champion Data says: Davies-Uniacke is a big ball-winner who impacts the scoreboard. He was an above average contested possession and clearance player whose kicking and disposal efficiency ranked No. 1 of the players to average 10 or more contested possessions.

foxfooty.com.au says: He looked a class above whenever he won the footy throughout the season. He’s a prototype modern midfielder in the way he uses his physicality, while he’s composed and efficient in possession.

PICK 6: PADDY DOW

Clubs: Bendigo/Vic Country

Position: Midfield

Size: 184cm, 78kg

Champion Data says: Dow stormed into focus with his performance at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, where he averaged 17.5 AFL Player Rating points — the second-most of anyone to play every match. He ranked in the top five players for both contested possessions and clearances and impacted the scoreboard with three goals and five assists.

foxfooty.com.au says: He’s drawn comparisons to Patrick Dangerfield for his ability to win his own footy before exploding away from the pack at stoppages. He also improved his ability to go forward, where he’s got good smarts around goal. He uses his frame effectively.

PICK 7: ADAM CERRA

Clubs: Eastern/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield

Size: 186cm, 85kg

Champion Data says: Injuries over the last two seasons has meant Champion Data hasn’t seen a lot of Cerra and it’s really the only question mark on his name. He is a ball-winner who can go forward, ranking elite in disposals, contested possessions, goals and score involvements in the 2017 TAC Cup.

foxfooty.com.au says: A classy, well-rounded midfielder. He’s composed and reliable with the footy, while he can win it on both the inside and outside. He’s the ultimate professional who has a really strong work ethic. Displayed an ability to go forward throughout the year.

PICK 8: LACHLAN FOGARTY

Clubs: Western/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield

Size: 179cm, 75kg

Champion Data says: Fogarty’s fantastic pressure numbers and ability to impact the scoreboard suggest he would be the ideal modern small forward. He was the highest ranked player in the TAC Cup, averaging 145 ranking points per match. A ferocious tackler, he averaged 9.7 tackles per match — 1.8 more than any other player.

foxfooty.com.au says: A diminutive midfielder at 179cm, Fogarty impressed throughout the year with his ability to win his own footy and apply heaps of pressure on the inside. He’s a good decision maker with ball in hand and can go forward to impact on the scoreboard.

PICK 9: DYLAN MOORE

Clubs: Eastern/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield/Forward

Size: 175cm, 66kg

Champion Data says: Moore could not have done any more in his draft year. His 130 Champion Data ranking points ranked seventh in the competition, ranking elite in contested possessions, ground ball-gets and goals. He then took that form to the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships where he averaged 114 ranking points.

foxfooty.com.au says: He was able to win a heap of the footy when he pushed into the midfield, but also impressed as a small option at 175cm when he went forward. He’s prolific and generally pretty clean when he has the ball in his hands.

Dylan Moore celebrates a goal for Vic Metro. Source: Getty Images

PICK 10: OSCAR ALLEN

Clubs: West Perth/Western Australia

Position: Forward

Size: 191cm, 83kg

Champion Data says: Allen was one of the top two key forwards at the Championships for disposals, marks, contested marks and score involvements. The only player to kick more than his 11 goals was Cam Rayner.

foxfooty.com.au says: Winner of the Larke Medal for the best player at the Championships, Allen continued to enhance his draft stocks in the WAFL. He presents high up the field and works hard back to goal as a forward, while at 191cm he has also demonstrated his ability to go through the midfield this year.

PICK 11: AARON NAUGHTON

Clubs: Peel/Western Australia

Position: Key Defender

Size: 194cm, 84kg

Champion Data says: Naughton epitomises a modern key defender, as a ball winner and fantastic interceptor. At the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships he won the most disposals and ranking points among key defenders and ranked second for intercept possessions and intercept marks.

foxfooty.com.au says: Arguably the best key defender in this year’s draft crop. At 194cm, he can play as a solid lockdown defender, but he’s just as able to roam and intercept. He’s provided glimpses of his ability to rebound throughout the year.

PICK 12: HUNTER CLARK

Clubs: Dandenong/Vic Country

Position: Midfield/Half Back

Size: 186cm, 79kg

Champion Data says: When Clark played in the midfield he averaged 129 ranking points, ranked elite in disposals, contested possessions and clearances, while ranking above average in uncontested possessions, goals, assists, score involvements and tackles.

foxfooty.com.au says: It’s as an inside midfielder where Clark really flourished this year. He’s a courageous player who will put his head over the footy, while he’s got an innate ability to extract it from stoppages. He’s clean and classy when in possession.

PICK 13: CHARLIE CONSTABLE

Clubs: Sandringham/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield

Size: 190cm, 83kg

Champion Data says: The higher the stakes, the better Constable performed in 2017. In the home and away season for Sandringham Dragons, he averaged 109 Champion Data ranking points, but increased this to 120 in the two finals where he played full games. At the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships, he averaged 121 ranking points, averaging the second most disposals (26) and the second most assists (2.3).

foxfooty.com.au says: At 190cm, he’s got a ready-made AFL body. He’s strong, clean at stoppages and wins plenty of clearances. He might lack a hint of pace, but he makes up for it with his size and physicality at the contest.

PICK 14: NICK COFFIELD

Clubs: Northern/Vic Metro

Position: Midfield/Half Back

Size: 190cm, 83kg

Champion Data says: Coffield is a genuine utility, playing as a half-back, half-forward and midfielder through his junior career. The Northern Knights captain ranked in the top 100 players in the TAC Cup for clearances, uncontested possessions, intercept marks and goals.

foxfooty.com.au says: He was able to intercept, direct and spark forays forward from half-back throughout the season. He’s incredibly versatile, while he’s got strong leadership traits. He wants to be able to push into the midfield more often as his career progresses.

Nick Coffield in action for Northern Knights. Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 15: BRENT DANIELS

Clubs: Bendigo/Vic Country

Position: Forward

Size: 172cm, 70kg

Champion Data says: Considering Daniels shared his time evenly between forward and midfield, his TAC Cup average of 112 Champion Data ranking points was impressive. He wins his own footy, highlighted by a contested possession rate of 49 per cent across the 14 matches Champion Data covered of him in 2017.

foxfooty.com.au says: One of the smallest players in this year’s draft crop at just 172cm. He’s a really smart forward who excels when the ball hits the deck, while he’s also been able to go into the midfield this year. He’s prolific playing as an on-baller.

PICK 16: JORDAN HOULAHAN

Clubs: Sturt/South Australia

Position: Forward

Size: 185cm, 78kg

Champion Data says: Houlahan has been a reliable source of goals as a junior, kicking 91 goals from his 52 matches covered by Champion Data over the last three years. A marking medium forward, a concern is that he has only ever won more than 18 disposals just once.

foxfooty.com.au says: The high-flying forward enjoyed a really promising year, with his sheer athleticism making it easy for him to catch the eye of recruiters. At 185cm, he’s not the tallest forward, but his incredible ability to run and jump allows him to play above his height.

PICK 17: SAM HAYES

Clubs: Eastern/Vic Metro

Position: Ruck/Key Forward

Size: 203cm, 93kg

Champion Data says: Hayes was the top-ranked ruckman of the TAC Cup, performing in every key area you want from a ruckman. His 16 disposals ranked elite, along with his contested possessions, uncontested possessions, marks, hit-outs-to-advantage, clearances and score involvements.

foxfooty.com.au says: This year’s best ruck prospect, Hayes can also push forward and act as a genuine key-position target inside 50. At 203cm, he’s got a ready-made AFL frame and is an incredibly versatile big man. He can act as another midfielder.

PICK 18: OSCAR CLAVARINO

Clubs: Dandenong/Vic Country

Position: Key Defender

Size: 195cm, 86kg

Champion Data says: The intercept king of the 2017 draft class, Clavarino was the No. 1 player for intercept possessions and intercept marks in both the TAC Cup and at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships. Across his 12 matches for the year he took 40 intercept marks.

foxfooty.com.au says: Vic Country’s co-captain throughout this year’s Championships campaign, Clavarino reads the play about as well as anyone in his draft crop. He’s a great tool to have playing loose in defence, where he’s a good interceptor with a strong overhead ability.

PICK 19: GRYAN MIERS

Clubs: Geelong/Vic Country

Position: Forward

Size: 177cm, 73kg

Champion Data says: A big-game performer, Miers kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance in the TAC Cup Grand Final. He finished the TAC Cup season with 50 goals, six more than any other player in the league.

foxfooty.com.au says: He followed in Steele Sidebottom’s footsteps by making the TAC Cup grand final his own personal playground. It was a reflection of just how dangerous this diminutive forward can be inside 50. His nous around goal is second to none in this year’s draft crop.

Gryan Miers kicked seven goals in the TAC Cup Grand Final. Source: Getty Images

PICK 20: HARRISON PETTY

Clubs: Norwood/South Australia

Position: Key Defender

Size: 194cm, 81kg

Champion Data says: Petty was voted as South Australia’s best player at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships as their rock in defence. He was the competition’s No. 1 rated key defender according to the AFL Player Ratings and he defended more one-on-one contests than any other player, losing 14.2 per cent of the time.

foxfooty.com.au says: He reads the play really well and generally backs himself in to intercept across half-back. At 194cm, he also held some important lockdown roles throughout the year. He earned All-Australian honours for his performances in this year’s Championships.

PICK 21: DARCY FOGARTY

Clubs: Glenelg/South Australia

Position: Utility

Size: 192cm, 92kg

Champion Data says: Fogarty’s reputation has been built on glimpses rather than volume. At times he was touted as the No. 1 pick, however an injury-riddled 2017 saw him slip. He played mainly as a forward in 2016 with his best game in this position being against the Allies in the 2016 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships, booting four goals.

foxfooty.com.au says: It’s been a strange season for Fogarty. He was thrown into a variety of roles, struggling with both form and fitness. But he remains one of the draft crop’s most highly-rated prospects. He’s got a high ceiling, able to win the contested ball and penetrate with his kicking ability. However, we only saw glimpses of that throughout the year. It makes his potential hard to judge for talent scouts.

PICK 22: JOEL GARNER

Clubs: Eastern/Vic Metro

Position: Half Back/Midfield

Size: 183cm, 81kg

Champion Data says: Not a noted ball-winner, it’s more about quality than quantity with Garner. He has won 20-plus disposals in just four of his 38 matches covered by Champion Data, yet he proved that he can be general down back. At the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships, he won 29 intercept possessions — the second-most of any player.

foxfooty.com.au says: Captain of the Vic Metro team that secured its second straight Championships title, Garner is a leader and a general on the field. He has an innate ability to read the play and get to the contest, while he’s also strong overhead with a clean left-foot kick.

PICK 23: BRAYDEN CROSSLEY

Clubs: Gold Coast Academy/Allies

Position: Ruck

Size: 198cm, 105kg

Champion Data says: He was the second-highest rated ruckman at the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships according to the AFL Player Ratings, as he led the competition for hit-outs and was the No. 1 ruckman for contested possessions and clearances.

foxfooty.com.au says: Eligible to Gold Coast as part of its academy system, Crossley has drawn comparisons to Shane Mumford. At 198cm and 105kg, he’s got a huge frame and has a really imposing presence on the field. He’s improved his tap work throughout the year.

PICK 24: SAM TAYLOR

Clubs: Swan Districts/Western Australia

Position: Key Defender

Size: 196cm, 85kg

Champion Data says: He played at all three WAFL levels last season, which included eight colts games and seven senior games. In the colts, his intercepting stood out, ranking No. 1 for intercept marks and possession, while racking up 19 disposals on average.

foxfooty.com.au says: He’s a good height for a key defender at 196cm and has demonstrated a promising ability to intercept across half-back all season. He impressed when he made the step up to senior level in the WAFL.

PICK 25: STEFAN GIRO

Clubs: Norwood/South Australia

Position: Midfield

Size: 175cm, 72kg

Champion Data says: Giro averaged 99-plus ranking points in both the SANFL Under 18s and SANFL Reserves in each of the past two seasons and at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships. He played 11 matches in the SANFL Reserves for Norwood, winning the second-most disposals and the third-most ranking points of anyone to play 10 matches.

foxfooty.com.au says: A prolific ball-winner who just racks it up, Giro also improved his ability to hit the scoreboard throughout the year. There are question marks over his defensive running, but he knows how to find the footy.

Stefan Giro could be a draft steal down the order. Picture: Roger Wyman. Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 26: CHARLIE SPARGO

Clubs: Murray/Allies

Position: Midfield

Size: 173cm, 73kg

Champion Data says: Spargo won the Alan McLean Medal as the best Division 2 player at the 2015 NAB AFL Under 16s Championships where he averaged 29 disposals, 2.5 goals and 219 ranking points.

foxfooty.com.au says: A shoulder injury ruled Spargo out for the majority of this year, but the crafty midfielder wins plenty of the footy. He’s only 173cm, but he’ll run and tackle all day and he can also go forward and hit the scoreboard. He’s a creative player inside 50.

PICK 27: NOAH BALTA

Clubs: Calder/Vic Metro

Position: Key Defender/Key Forward

Size: 194cm, 92kg

Champion Data says: Balta played all over the field, appearing as a ruckman and key forward in the TAC Cup and as a key defender at the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships. He was the only player to rank in the top 70 players for intercept marks, hit-outs and goals in the TAC Cup.

foxfooty.com.au says: A reliable key-position player who can occupy roles at either end of the field, Balta is an incredibly versatile 194cm option. He held some important lockdown roles throughout the Championships, where he showcased his speed and demonstrated his ability to intercept and transition across half-back. But he sees his future as a forward and a ruckman.

PICK 28: JAKE PATMORE

Clubs: Claremont/Western Australia

Position: Half-Back

Size: 181cm, 78kg

Champion Data says: Patmore was the best ball-winner in the WAFL colts, winning 29.3 disposals per match and rating elite for both contested possessions and uncontested possessions. He also won the second most disposals of any player for Western Australia at the Championships.

foxfooty.com.au says: Patmore is a prolific accumulator who has worked hard in his final year of junior footy to put himself into contention to be drafted. A livewire across half-back, his biggest asset is his ability to rack up plenty of the footy and then use his speed to run and carry.

PICK 29: BRAYDEN AINSWORTH

Clubs: Subiaco/Western Australia

Position: Midfield

Size: 183cm, 75kg

Champion Data says: As an over-age player, Ainsworth moved from little known town Esperance to Perth to take his football more seriously. At the 2017 NAB AFL Championships, he won more clearances than any other player and ranked second for contested possessions.

foxfooty.com.au says: A year older that most of the draft hopefuls, Ainsworth enjoyed a really strong season. He was prolific at Reserves level in the WAFL, where he was able to demonstrate his class with ball in hand and his ability to stack the stats box.

PICK 30: ANDREW McPHERSON

Clubs: Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia

Position: Half-Back

Size: 186cm, 78kg

Champion Data says: His numbers as an underage player suggest he could be the Alex Witherden-style steal of the draft. In the SANFL Under 18s, as an underage player, he averaged 27 disposals and 132 ranking points as a half-back flanker.

foxfooty.com.au says: Spent a lot of time across half-back this season, where he won plenty of the footy and provided good rebound skills with ball in hand. He dealt with a few injury issues throughout the campaign, but always responded well.