Each month, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - unveils his power rankings to give readers an early insight into the top 20 prospects ahead of the 2017 draft.

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 analysis.

However, these rankings are his personal opinions, and are not reflective of the thoughts of AFL clubs.

Aside from his monthly power rankings Doerre also produces a weekly draft wrap and he will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft in November.

1. Cameron Rayner (VIC)

Best position: General forward/inside midfielder

Height, weight: 187cm, 88kg

Recruited from: Western Jets

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Dustin Martin

September ranking: 1

Rationale: Impactful through the midfield with his contested ball-winning and explosiveness. Just as good if not better up forward with his one-on-one and goal kicking capabilities.

Strengths:

Damaging both as a forward and midfielder

Aggression

Scoreboard impact

Strength

Powerful fend-off

Burst through tackles at speed

Stands up through tackles and delivers handballs to target

Clean at ground level

First possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball winner

Clearances

Draws free kicks

Explosive pace

Evasiveness in traffic

High leap

Tackles with force

Plays with desperation and provides second and third efforts

Powerful and damaging kick over distance often with good kick placement

Vision

Decision making

One-on-one marking

Marking threat on the lead

Aerial marking

Production

Big game and big moment performer

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Set shot goalkicking

Kicking mildly inconsistent

Cameron Rayner Michael Dodge/Getty Images

2. Luke Davies-Uniacke (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg

Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Patrick Dangerfield

September Ranking: 4

Rationale: Match-winning second half performance against Eastern reminded recruiters how game-changing LDU's impact can be on the big stage.

Strengths:

Stoppage work

Contested ball winning

Reading of ruck taps

Smart positioning at stoppages

Clearance winner

Explosive 10m burst of speed to break away from contest

Clean at ground level

Vision

Decision making

Precise short kick to target

Quick hands in close

Scoreboard impact

Overhead marking

Strength in one-on-one contests to gain and hold front position consistently

Strength through core and hips to keep his feet in the contest and stands up through tackles

A matchup nightmare up forward with one-on-one strength and nous at ground level

Has played his best football against more mature bodies

Big game, big moment performer

Weaknesses:

Placement of kicks over medium and long distance inconsistent

Can have quiet games or quiet patches in games

Luke Davies-Uniacke of Vic Country runs with the ball against South Australia in July, 2017. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

3. Adam Cerra (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder

Height, weight: 186cm, 85kg

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges

Projected draft range: Top ten

Similar to: Trent Cotchin

September Ranking: 3

Rationale: Has missed a lot of football in 2017 with a meniscus injury in his knee and shoulder surgery more recently which has ended his season. He's winning clearances, first possession at stoppages and displaying class and clean ball use. One of this year's best midfielders.

Strengths:

Contested ball winning

Wins first possession at stoppages

Stoppage work

Wins clearances

Stands up through tackles

Strong build

Powerful mark overhead

One-on-one marking

Clean at ground level

Clean ball user on both sides of the body

Decision making

Vision

Composure under pressure

Production

Evasiveness

Endurance

Work rate

Best suited through midfield but can also be utilised forward or back

Weaknesses:

Acceleration

Adam Cerra Michael Dodge/Getty Images

4. Paddy Dow (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Dylan Shiel

September Ranking: 2

Rationale: Drops slightly below LDU and Dow on review of season. With his explosive pace and contested ball winning, Dow is in the best midfielder in the draft conversation.

Strengths:

First possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball winner

Wins clearances

Burst out of stoppages at speed

Acceleration

Desperation

Tackling

Clean skills

Lowers eyes

Composure in traffic

Evasiveness

Scoreboard impact

Weaknesses:

At stoppages can be prone to bombing long for territory rather than taking his time to consider his options

5. Noah Balta (VIC)

Best position: Key forward/key defence

Height, weight: 194cm, 92kg

Recruited from: Calder Cannons

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Jarrad Waite

September Ranking: 5

Rationale: Speculative call, but Balta has the attributes and on-field impact to be the best key position player in this draft. Possesses explosive pace, extremely long kick and mix of cleanness at ground level and contested marking could see Balta develop into anything.

Strengths:

Versatility to impact games in any of the 18 field positions

Freakishly clean and one touch at ground level

Wins the ball cleanly at speed

Explosive, breakaway pace from congestion

Breaks the lines

Burst athlete who can get several touches in chains forward

Agility

Vertical leap

Strength

Contested marking

Gets front position in marking contests

Reads the drop of the ball early

Difficult to contain one the lead or leaping up at the football

Takes marks at full stretch

Stands up through tackles

Tackling

Scoreboard impact

Weaknesses:

Unclear best position Inconsistent performances

Noah Balta Michael Dodge/Getty Images

6. Darcy Fogarty (SA)

Best position: Utility

Height, weight: 192cm, 88kg

Recruited from: Glenelg

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Jake Stringer

September Ranking: 6

Rationale: While 2018 was a letdown due to meniscus tear which resulted in below expectation form, Fogarty based on 2016 play and attributes shown deserves benefit of the doubt.

Strengths:

Strength

Contested ball winning

Clearance winner

Contested marking

Body-on-body strength

Fend offs

Stands up through tackles

Courage

Competitiveness

Versatility to play anywhere other than ruck

Scoreboard impact

Clean ball user by hand and foot

Vision

Decision making

High leaper

Evasion

Agility

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Unclear best position

Inconsistent 2017 performances and production

Poor Under-18 Championships

7. Jaidyn Stephenson (VIC)

Best position: Outside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 189cm, 76kg

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges

Projected draft range: Top 10

Similar to: Isaac Smith

September Ranking: 15

Rationale: Has demonstrated the capability to play wing, forward or midfield. Strong finish to the season and big performances in the biggest games, including best on ground honours in Under-18 All Star game sees stocks rise.

Strengths:

High leaper

Aerial marking threat

Clean at ground level

Takes on the game with his run and is a genuine line breaker

Acceleration

Agility

Tackling pressure

Provides second and third efforts

Strong tackler

Reading of ruck taps

Composed with ball in hand

Vision

Improving contested ball winner

Versatility to play wing, forward or on the ball for patches as needed

Big game player

Weaknesses:

Hands overhead inconsistent

Strength

Inconsistent kick to target

Consistency from game to game

8. Jack Higgins (VIC)

Best position: General forward/outside midfield

Height, weight: 178cm, 76kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Toby Greene

September Ranking: 11

Rationale: Looks ultra-impressive as both a forward and midfielder. One of this year's most ready-to-go and complete performers. Rightly awarded the Morrish Medal for TAC Cup's best player of 2017.

Strengths:

One touch at ground level

Natural crumbing forward

Kicking skills on both sides of the body

Goal sense

Lowers his eyes and hits forward 50m targets

Plays taller than his height with his overhead marking

Capable one-on-one mark

Tackling pressure

Plays well as forward or midfielder

Production

Leap

Agility

Endurance

Work rate

Work ethic

Consistent performer

Intangibles

Weaknesses:

Impact per possession low as midfielder

Jack Higgins takes a mark during the U18 AFL Championships. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

9. Hunter Clark (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder/outside midfielder

Height, weight: 186cm, 79kg

Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Steele Sidebottom

September Ranking: 17

Rationale: Consistency in the back end of the season, production and improving impact see Clark's stocks rise. One of the rare few midfielders who can play inside or outside and also possesses clean skills on both sides and football smarts.

Strengths:

First possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball winner

Clean at ground level

Clean hands in close

Tackling

Runs in support

Work rate

Endurance

Outside run and carry

Agility

Evasiveness

Football smarts

Precise, duel sided kick with time and space

Just as comfortable as an inside or outside midfielder

Capability to play midfield, back or forward

Capable crumber off packs and inside 50m

Weaknesses:

Decision making under pressure

Hurt factor with ball in hand

10. Andrew Brayshaw (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder/outside midfielder

Height, weight: 183cm, 80kg

Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Angus Brayshaw

September Ranking: 8

Rationale: Drops slightly with finals and Under-18 All Star game impact good but slightly below the standard of some others. Like Clark, Brayshaw is one of the few midfielders who looks comfortable in playing either inside or outside midfield roles.

Strengths:

Contested ball winning

Tackling

Stoppage work

Clean at ground level

Footy smarts

Kicking

Vision

Endurance

Evasiveness

Pace

Production

Consistency

Contributes effectively both at stoppages and in general play

Just as comfortable as an inside or outside midfielder

Weaknesses:

Impact per possession low

Needs to use athleticism more offensively

11. Nicholas Coffield (VIC)

Best position: General defence/inside midfield

Height, weight: 190cm, 83kg

Recruited from: Northern Knights

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: James Kelly

September Ranking: 14

Rationale: One of the few players this year with genuine class and composure with ball in hand. At his height and with his mix of attributes has the scope to develop into a midfielder with time. Performance against Oakleigh in final through the midfield adds optimism of midfield prospects.

Strengths:

Evasiveness

Sidestepping and composure in traffic

Sound decision maker in traffic

Classy ball user and clean kick over a variety of distances

Agility

Takes on players with his run

Clean at ground level

Clean, quick hands in close

Intercept marking

Reading of the ball in flight

Scope to develop into midfielder

Weaknesses:

Unclear contested ball winning capabilities

Inconsistent production from game to game

Tackling

Tackle pressure

Nicholas Coffield Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

12. Lochie O'Brien (VIC)

Best position: Outside midfield

Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Mitch Duncan

September Ranking: Not ranked

Rationale: Arguably the best kick in the draft and one of the best outside runners. Reclaims top 20 position on the back of strong performance in Under-18 All Star game. Performances this season have been below expectation due to niggling injuries which has seen his draft stocks drop over past 12 months, but deserves benefit of the doubt based on the damage he did at his best in 2016.

Strengths:

Arguably the best kick in the draft with his precision, variety of kicks he can execute, hurt factor and dual sided kicking

Lowers eyes

Vision

Decision

Making

Line breaker

Acceleration

Evasiveness

Agility

Overhead marking

Production

Versatility to play midfield or on flanks at either end

Weaknesses:

Stoppage work

Contested ball winning

Consistency

13. James Worpel (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 185cm, 84kg

Recruited from: Geelong Falcons

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Josh P. Kennedy

September Ranking: 16

Rationale: Dominant stoppage specialist possessing size and a ready to go game. Rises as expectations of key position players drop.

Strengths:

Stoppage specialist

Powerful tackler

First possession winner

Contested ball winning

Clearance winner

Strong build

Strength through the hips allows Worpel to stand up when tackled and deliver a clean handball to a target without going to ground

Powerful fend offs

Courageous

Can hit the ball at speed and win it at full pace

Consistent performer

Acceleration

Agility

Leadership

Able to play forward and hit the scoreboard

Weaknesses:

Unreliable kick

14. Brayden Crossley (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)

Best position: Ruck

Height, weight: 198cm, 105kg

Recruited from: Labrador Tigers

Projected draft range: Third round onwards

Similar to: Shane Mumford

September Ranking: 10

Rationale: Strength in the ruck combined with his rare follow-up work by position gives Crossley the scope to be the best ruckman in this draft. Late season and finals performances impacting games up forward only add to enhance Crossley's draft stocks, but drops down this draft board with the rise of several midfielders.

Strengths:

Rare recovery after ruck contests

Follow-up work with ground ball winning and tackling

Freakish cleanness at ground level for someone his height/size

Aggressive tackler

Roves off contests like a small

Physical impact around the ball

Strength to not go to ground when tackled and dispose cleanly of the ball

Bodywork in the contest

Agile

Provides a target forward of centre

Scoreboard impact when used forward

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Leap

Acceleration

Brayden Crossley (L) and Hayden McLean compete during the 2017 Under-18 Championships. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

15. Connor Ballenden (QLD - Brisbane Academy)

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 199cm, 95kg

Recruited from: University of Queensland

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Jeremy McGovern

September Ranking: 9

Rationale: Drops slightly as several midfielders rise. Promising late season and finals NEAFL performances.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Reading of the flight

Size and strength

Contested marking

Clean kick on both sides

Vision

Decision making

Physical style of play

Scoreboard impact

Forceful tackler

Versatility to play key defence, ruck or key forward

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Work rate

Athleticism

Agility

Acceleration

Inconsistent performances as a forward

16. Harrison Petty (VIC)

Best position: Key defender

Height, weight: 194cm, 81kg

Recruited from: Norwood

Projected draft range: Second to third round

Similar to: Robbie Tarrant

September Ranking: 18

Rationale: Named South Australia's Under-18 MVP during the Under-18 Championships. Late season performance sees Petty continue his rise.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Reads the flight of the ball early

Takes marks at highest point

Clean at ground level

Effective ball user

Composure with ball in hand

Capable athlete

Rate of improvement

Strong performances from limited exposure

Weaknesses:

Keeping balance in one-on-one contests

17. Aaron Naughton (WA)

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 194cm, 84kg

Recruited from: Peel Thunder

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Alex Rance

September Ranking: 12

Rationale: Transition to WAFL League football has been seamless. May be the most ready to play key position prospect in the draft. Drops as others rise.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Strong hands overhead

Reading the flight of the ball early

Football smarts

Contested marking

One-on-one marking

Keeps his feet in the contest

Agility

Acceleration

WAFL League performances

Weaknesses:

Kicking while reliable enough is of a high, loopy style which is too easily intercepted

Aaron Naughton looks to pass the ball. Paul Kane/Getty Images

18. Callum Coleman-Jones (SA)

Best position: Ruck/key forward

Height, weight: 199cm, 98kg

Recruited from: Sturt

Projected draft range: Second round

Similar to: Toby Nankervis

September Ranking: 13

Rationale: Big body who can take a mark, find a lot of the ball around the ground and has the performances on the board both through the ruck and up forward. Appears an ideal relieving ruckman. Drops as other rise.

Strengths:

Contested marking

Strong hands overhead

Intercept marking

Reading of the ball in flight

Size

Strength

Physicality

Clean at ground level

Disposal numbers per game through the ruck

Scoreboard impact

Taps to advantage

Mobility

Production

Prolific both as a key forward and ruckman

Very advanced game for age

Weaknesses:

Poor leaper

Lacks explosiveness

Awkward kicking style

19. Jarrod Brander (VIC)

Best position: Key forward/key defence

Height, weight: 195cm, 83kg

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Ben Reid

September Ranking: 7

Rationale: Drops due to limited improvement and below expectation performance late in the season.

Strengths:

Clean at ground level

Agility

Pace

Endurance

Work rate

Marking threat on the lead

Reads drop of the ball early

Contested marking

Intercept marking

Clean field kick

Vision to spot damaging targets up the field

Decision making with ball in hand

Stands up through tackles

Versatility to play key forward or key defence

Weaknesses:

Sometimes drops simple marks

Conversion in front of goal

Struggles down back to contain key forwards

Inconsistent from game to game

Tackling

Tackle pressure

Improvement not as strong as expected given his standard of play in 2016

20. Oscar Allen (WA)

Best position: Key forward/general forward

Height, weight: 191cm, 83kg

Recruited from: West Perth

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Jack Gunston

September Ranking: Not ranked

Rationale: Larke Medalist led the Under-18 Championships with 11 goals and was Team Enright's best in the Under-18 All Stars game. Has earned a top-20 position.

Strengths:

Football smarts

Reads play early

Reads ball in flight early

Leading patterns

Work rate

Forward pressure

Clean at ground level

Strong hands overhead

Weaknesses:

Below average height and reach by position