THE AFL isn’t the only footy code in the country commencing its 2016 home and away season on Thursday night.

The premier under 18s competition in Australia — the TAC Cup — kicks off tonight, with the Calder Cannons hosting last year’s runner-up the Eastern Ranges in Craigieburn.

Under-age players with AFL ambitions across the country will be hoping to produce the best individual seasons they can in 2016, with club recruiters and analysts set to keep a close eye on competitions throughout the season.

But already, a group of players have emerged as potential first-round picks come the national draft in November, led by Gippsland Power forward Ben Ainsworth and WA’s Sam Petrevski-Seton.

Round 18

With the help of Champion Data, foxfooty.com.au profiles the top 25 draft prospects for 2016.

Ben Ainsworth

Club: Gippsland Power/Vic Country

Position: Small forward

Size: 178cm, 73kg

DOB: 10/02/1998

Plays like: Jamie Elliott

A little star. One of this year’s leading prospects, Ainsworth is expected to be snapped up early in the draft — potentially with the first pick. He is a quality small forward that can also push into the midfield — something he’ll want to do more of this year if he is to impress AFL recruiters. Even though he wasn’t eligible for last year’s draft, Ainsworth was one of the best small forwards in the championships, booting 15 goals (second to now-Lion Josh Schache) and averaging more SuperCoach points than any other mid-forward rated by Champion Data. The 2016 AFL Prospectus describes Ainsworth as a “one-touch player who attacks the ball with aggression”, while he is also a strong overhead mark and accurate kick for goal.

Vic Country’s Ben Ainsworth could be among the top picks in 2016. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: News Corp Australia

Jacob Allison

Club: Aspley /Queensland

Position: Midfielder

Size: 193cm, 73kg

DOB: 16/04/1998

Plays like: Elliot Yeo

The fact Allison won All-Australian selection in last year’s Under 18 national carnival proved he’s already among the top group of draftees. In fact, Allison averaged more SuperCoach points than any other underage player in the 2015 champs, according to Champion Data, while also averaging 18 disposals — most of them won via contested possessions. A member of the Brisbane Lions’ academy, Allison’s strong overhead marking and ability to play almost anywhere on the ground has seen him draw comparisons to Elliot Yeo. But ultimately it was his performances in the midfield during last year’s carnival that won him All-Australian selection. He has the best long kick of the draft class.

Jarrod Berry

Club: North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country

Position: General defender

Size: 191cm, 80kg

DOB: 05/02/1998

Plays like: Corey Enright

The boy from Horsham excelled during last year’s carnival, winning All-Australian honours on a half-back flank after impressing as an intercept defender. According to Champion Data, Berry gained 314 metres per game and finished with an above average kick rating of +9.9%. Not only is he a brilliant intercept player, he can also provide hard run and drive off half-back, while his unique size and toughness means he can play on a variety of opposition forwards. A shoulder injury meant he missed out on the 2015 TAC Cup finals series, so he’ll want to hit the ground running in 2016.

Vic Country’s Jarrod Berry is one of the best rebounding defenders of the class. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: News Corp Australia

Braidon Blake

Club: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

Position: Tall forward

Size: 194cm, 83kg

DOB: 01/02/1998

Plays like: Jordan Roughead

A unique key-position player who has the ability to play almost anywhere on the field, hence the Roughead comparison. Blake played predominantly as a defender in his 11 TAC Cup games for the Pioneers last year, but he also impressed during his stints in the ruck — he averaged five hit-outs per game — and up forward — he booted four goals. A finger injury and illness restricted Blake’s output in 2015, so he will be hopeful of making a big impact when the 2016 TAC Cup season kicks off.

Jack Bowes

Club: Surfers Paradise/Queensland

Position: Midfielder

Size: 187cm, 76kg

DOB: 26/01/1998

Plays like: Harley Bennell

A star member of Gold Coast’s academy — and the Suns will have no hesitation matching a bid for him, should a club signal their intentions before a Gold Coast draft pick. Bowes is a smooth-moving midfielder who can play both outside and inside roles. His height (187cm) and excellent overhead marking ability also allows to play as a high half-forward if need be. Bowes played one NEAFL game last season for Gold Coast, producing 22 disposals and one goal.

Will Brodie

Club: Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

Position: Midfielder

Size: 187cm, 80kg

DOB: 23/08/1998

Plays like: David Armitage

A hard-working, strong-bodied, tough and reliable on-baller, Brodie is already a premier player in the TAC Cup. He proved he could win his own ball while playing for the Bushrangers in 2015, averaging 20 disposals and five clearances across his six matches. He also competed strongly at the championships for Vic Country and showed off his defensive capabilities, rating above average as a midfielder for pressure points and tackles. Will be a hard man to stop around stoppages at Under 18 level this season.

Will Brodie impressed for Vic Country in 2015. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: News Corp Australia

Dylan Clarke

Club: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 185cm, 85kg

DOB: 06/09/1998

Plays like: David Swallow

The brother of recently drafted Kangaroo Ryan, Clarke showed off his potential during the TAC Cup finals series last season. He racked up 26 disposals and four tackles in a scintillating preliminary final performance that helped the Ranges win through to the grand final. The beauty of Clarke is that he has a big enough body to win inside ball — he won 10 or more contested possessions in six of his 13 TAC Cup games last year — but also elite running capacity to win the ball on the outside.

Jordan Gallucci

Club: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Position: Forward

Size: 182cm, 73kg

DOB: 04/05/1998

Plays like: Devon Smith

Gallucci is a super athlete but also one of those players that always tends to create something positive whenever he has the footy. Like Smith at the Giants, Gallucci is a dangerous playmaker who impressed for Vic Metro during last year’s championships, averaging 14 disposals and one goal per game playing across half forward. He also possesses a penetrating right-foot kick, gaining 390 metres per game — the second most for Metro last year. Gallucci’s leadership qualities stood out during the AFL Academy’s recent tour of the US, motivating teammates when the atmosphere was quiet.

Peter Ladhams

Club: Norwood/South Australia

Position: Ruck

Size: 202cm, 90kg

DOB: 14/01/1998

Plays like: Robbie Warnock

A developing ruckman standing 202cm with a unique running style, Ladhams impressed footy fans with his tap work during the 2015 championships. The South Australian recorded a hit-out win rate of 54 per cent — the second-best at the carnival. The challenge for Ladhams in 2016 is to become a more mobile ruckman and win more of the footy, as he only averaged four disposals per game during the carnival.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST FOX FOOTY PODCAST FEATURING JAKE NIALL, JULIAN DE STOOP AND BEN WATERWORTH BELOW, OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

Harrison Macreadie

Club: Henty/NSW-ACT

Position: Tall defender

Size: 195cm, 82kg

DOB: 11/04/1998

Plays like: Harry Taylor

A member of the GWS Academy — and the Giants would love to snap him up come November. Macreadie is the premier tall defender of this year’s draft class, as he is just as comfortable holding down opponents one-on-one at centre half-back as he is intercepting the footy and running off his opponents. Not only can he win the ball, Macreadie also uses it beautifully, recording the highest kicking efficiency of anyone to average more than 15 disposals per game in the TAC Cup last season. Add to that a brilliant overhead mark and you’ve got a complete key backman in Macreadie.

Andrew McGrath

Club: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Position: Midfielder

Size: 178cm, 75kg

DOB: 02/06/1998

Plays like: Jack Macrae

AFL clubs will have no questions when it comes to McGrath’s fitness, as he is already an elite athlete thanks to an outstanding junior athletics career. His biggest achievement was winning the Victorian state 400m hurdle title at the state junior athletic championships in 2014. McGrath then focused his attention on footy in 2015 and showed tremendous temperament playing in the midfield, averaging 23 disposals and five tackles from his final four games for the Dragons. His high disposals efficacy was also a highlight. Subsequently, McGrath was named the club’s best first year player at season’s end.

Harry Morrison

Club: Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

Position: Defender

Size: 183cm, 73kg

DOB: 12/10/1998

Plays like: Michael Hibberd

After suffering an unfortunate ACL injury, Morrison successfully returned to the field late last year to play the final seven matches of the Bushrangers’ TAC Cup season. In that time, he averaged nine disposals and six marks per game. An elite and hard runner, he reads the play well averaging five intercept possessions and one intercept mark, according to Champion Data.

NT's Brandan Parfitt is his Territory’s best draft prospect. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Brandan Parfitt

Club: North Adelaide (SANFL)/Northern Territory

Position: Midfielder

Size: 177cm, 72kg

DOB: 27/08/1998

Plays like: Jack Steven

Parfitt was one of the most impressive bottom-agers in 2015. In the national championships, he won All-Australian selection and won Northern Territory’s MVP, after averaging 16 disposals per game and rating elite as a midfielder for metres gained and score involvements. Parfitt also impressed in the SANFL, averaging 13 disposals and five tackles from five games at North Adelaide as a senior-listed player. Courageous, highly-skilled and a great tackler, Parfitt was the youngest ever winner of Darwin club Nightcliff’s best and fairest award at just 16 after a brilliant 2014-15 season.

Sam Petrevski-Seton

Club: Claremont/Western Australia

Position: Midfielder

Size: 179cm, 70kg

DOB: 19/02/1998

Plays like: Stephen Hill

Class personified, Petrevski-Seton will be one of the first players to be drafted in November. Highly skilled on both feet and both sets of hands, Petrevski-Seton is a crisp, smooth-moving on-baller who won selection in the All-Australian team after last year’s national carnival. He only averaged 14 disposals, but he made the most of every possession, recording a kick rating of +7.2%. Petrevski-Seton also showed off his elite defensive skills, applying 44 a WA-high pressure points per game.

Sam Powell-Pepper

Club: East Perth/Western Australia

Position: Midfielder

Size: 186cm, 83kg

DOB: 08/01/1998

Plays like: Brad Ebert

If fellow WA hyphen Petrevski-Seton is class, class, class, Powell-Pepper is tough, tough, tough. An outstanding ball winner, Powell-Pepper is a strong-bodied midfielder who impressed in the WAFL colts last year, averaging 18 disposals, three clearances and one goal from seven games. He is very composed and even played off half-back in the 2015 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, rating above average for disposals and metres gained.

Josh Rotham and Sam Petrevski-Seton played on AFL grand final day in 2015. Source: Supplied

Josh Rotham

Club: West Perth/Western Australia

Position: Tall Defender

Size: 192cm, 79kg

DOB: 25/02/1998

Plays like: Cale Hooker

With outstanding competitiveness and leadership, Rotham has the ability to play either as a key forward or a key back — and potentially in the ruck if need be. Rotham played 11 matches for West Perth Colts in 2015 and averaged 16 disposals and one intercept mark per game. He was selected at centre half back in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year at season’s end. Rotham recently toured with AFL Academy Squad to Florida, where his speed and run stood out.

Jonty Scharenberg

Club: Glenelg/South Australia

Position: Midfielder

Size: 185cm, 77kg

DOB: 28/08/1998

Plays like: Dion Prestia

The brother of Collingwood’s Matthew, Scharenberg is one of the best on-ballers available of this year’s draft crop. A stoppage star who feeds the ball out really well with his hands, the South Australian showed off his potential as an inside midfielder in five SANFL reserves games in 2015, mixing endurance and speed to average 27 disposals, 13 contested possession and six clearances per game. Scharenberg also managed to break into Glenelg’s senior team in the process. He also works hard defensively, highlighted by the fact he averaged the second-most tackles and pressure points for South Australia in last year’s carnival.

Brad Scheer

Club: Cairns/Queensland

Position: Midfielder

Size: 184cm, 82kg

DOB: 31/08/1998

Plays like: Dan Hannebery

Scheer won the Alan McLean Medal as the best Division 2 player at the 2014 under 16 carnival, averaging 26 disposals, five clearances and six tackles per game. He also earned high praise from AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan, who compared his performances to Michael Voss’ when he was the same age — a fair comparison to say the least. Another Gold Coast academy member that should be snapped up by the Suns, Scheer is a tough inside midfielder with strong running capabilities. He kicked seven goals from six games playing across half-forward in the NEAFL last season.

Suns academy players Brad Scheer and Jack Bowes. Picture: AFL Media. Source: Supplied

Jack Scrimshaw

Club: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Position: Defender

Size: 193cm, 80kg

DOB: 04/09/1998

Plays like: Grant Birchall

A good decision maker with excellent skills and size, Scrimshaw would be handy inclusion for any AFL club looking for a rebounding defender. Lean but athletic, Scrimshaw is an accurate left-foot kick while he also reads the play extremely well, hence his high intercept mark numbers. At the 2014 under 16 champs, he averaged 20 disposals, six rebound 50s and 119 SuperCoach points per game, highlighting his ability to finds and efficiently distribute the footy.

Will Setterfield

Club: Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup)/NSW-ACT

Position: Midfielder

Size: 189cm, 73kg

DOB: 05/02/1998

Plays like: Ryan Griffen

Coming off a few knee injuries, Setterfield is a natural athlete and a terrific competitor on the field. He has great composure and is a good decision maker when he has the footy. Setterfield attends Caulfield Grammar and will play for the Dragons in the TAC Cup, but is also a member of the GWS Academy will play for NSW/ACT at the Under 18 championships. He ranked second for NSW-ACT for score assists in 2015 and gained 273 metres per game.

Jy Simpkin

Club: Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

Position: Small forward

Size: 181cm, 73kg

DOB: 05/03/1998

Plays like: Shane Edwards

Simpkin announced himself to the footy world last year as an under-ager when he calmly slotted a goal after the final siren to put Vic Country in front and seal a thrilling win over Vic Metro. It was one of seven goals Simpkin kicked from six carnival games. A clever and classy small forward who has good pace, Simpkin also impressed at TAC Cup level for the Murray Bushrangers last year, pushing through the midfield to average 17 disposals, four clearances and almost one-and-a-half goals per game.

Vic Country's Jy Simpkin is a goalsneak. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

Tim Taranto

Club: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Position: Small forward

Size: 187cm, 84kg

DOB: 28/01/1998

Plays like: Alex Fasolo

Taranto excelled as a junior basketballer but has opted to focus his attention on footy. A good shape for a kid of his height, Taranto is a clever forward who missed the first 10 weeks of the 2015 TAC Cup season with a back injury. In his five games last year he averaged just 17 disposals and five tackles per game. But his 23-disposal, four-goal performance in the club’s final game against the Eastern Ranges was outstanding. Taranto can find the ball and the goals.

Daniel Venables

Club: Western Jets/Vic Country

Position: Midfielder

Size: 185cm, 76kg

DOB: 19/11/1998

Plays like: Cameron Guthrie

A gun cricketer who has chosen to focus on footy, Venables is a classy and competitive inside midfielder who is hard at the football. He played four matches in 2015 before suffering a broken leg in the opening match of the under 16 champs, consequently ending his season. However Venables showed ample promise in those four TAC Cup games, named among the Jets’ best players as he racked up the footy, took strong marks and impacted the scoreboard. Venables has been named in the Jets’ leadership group for the 2016 season.

Sam White

Club: North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country

Position: Tall defender

Size: 191cm, 84kg

DOB: 05/03/1998

Plays like: Adam Tomlinson

White is a powerfully built centre half-back who is renowned for his marking, running and left foot. He played the opening four TAC Cup matches for North Ballarat in 2015, but a serious knee injury meant his season was cut short. White impressed for Vic Country during the 2014 Under 16 carnival, averaging 11 disposals at a brilliant 91 per cent efficiency.

Alex Witherden

Club: Geelong Falcons/Vic Country

Position: General defender

Size: 185cm, 77kg

DOB: 10/09/1998

Plays like: Zach Tuohy

A brilliant back-end to the 2015 TAC Cup season helped Witherden announce himself as the Falcons’ top draft prospect for 2016. He made 12 appearances for the Falcons, averaging 18 disposals and seven contested possessions per match. An unruffled yet attacking half-back with an elite, penetrating kick, Witherden also dominated the AFL All-Stars match on grand final day last year, drawing strong praise from coach Brenton Sanderson. Witherden is a good reader of the play and a sound overhead mark, but he can also venture into the midfield if need be.