Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.

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 draft analysis.

Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.

Player Focus

Performing a critical role for Gippsland in their win against Northern, Under-18 All-Australian key defender Kyle Reid was a standout.

With a style of play comparable to Richmond's David Astbury, Reid is one of this year's most promising key defenders. What makes him stand out above his peers is his one-on-one marks in defence - Reid uses his body effectively in the contest and reads the drop of the ball to perfection. His intercept marking is also a highlight.

Reid is strong and a capable athlete. He possesses good speed, agility and a high leap, enabling him to restrict the opposition's influence. Reid balances quelling his opponents influence with intercepting.

Earning a draft combine invite, the 193cm, 85kg, key defender is not elite in any one category but is a strong all-rounder. Viewed as a likely mid-draft choice, Reid secured 13 disposals and six marks (three contested) against Northern.

Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images Kyle Reid of the Power celebrates a goal against the Pioneers in August, 2017.

TAC Cup

Among Gippsland's best players, overager Matthew McGannon's run, carry and intercept marking were highlights. The classy rebounding defender amassed 25 disposals, 11 marks and two score assists.

Making his presence felt with his powerful tackling and contested ball-winning, Austin Hodge performed strongly for Gippsland. The powerful midfielder collected 24 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 12 tackles, seven clearances, eight inside 50s and one goal. One of the highlights was his 55m goal off a few steps with a man on the mark.

Performing strongly at stoppages and demonstrating composure with ball in hand, Gippsland captain Xavier Duursma posted 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven tackles, two goals and two score assists.

Xavier Duursma. Daniel Pockett/AFL Media/Getty Images

Demonstrating excellent bodywork and contested marking, Noah Gown provided Gippsland an impressive front-half target. He contributed 13 disposals, five marks (three contested) and five goals. This is the second consecutive week Gown has managed a five-goal haul.

For Northern, 184cm, 77kg, underage stoppage specialist Sam Philp was his sides most productive. The ball winning midfielder regularly won first possession, amassing 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions, five tackles and eight clearances.

One of Northern's bests, Josh D'Intinosante impressed with his first possession-winning at stoppages and one-touch ground ball winning. The 175cm, 71kg, underage midfielder secured 21 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances and two goals.

Contributing just 10 disposals and one goal, Lachlan Potter was named Northern's best. What made the underager stand out was his mindset. Every time with ball in hand, even at what would for anyone else be considered ill-advised times, he took on the game. Potter broke the lines, running 20m-40m with ball in hand each possession to break the game open. He also showed no fear when there was a man on the mark, backing himself to get by them. There no one in the TAC Cup faster or more daring with ball in hand than Potter.

Earning best on ground honours in a scrappy affair, Isaac Quaynor's rebound from defence was a central ingredient in Oakleigh's win against Geelong. The Collingwood next generation academy (NGA) prospect secured 21 disposals and 11 contested possessions.

Hurting Geelong with his relentless forward pressure and work close to goal, Jake Gasper was one of Oakleigh's strongest performers. The goal sneak posted 18 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine tackles and three goals.

Tightening his grip on a top-two selection, Sam Walsh carried Geelong's midfield with 33 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six tackles, six clearances and six inside 50s.

Sam Walsh is one of this year's most promising AFL draft prospects. Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images

Geelong underager Jay Dahlhaus, a cousin of Western Bulldogs midfielder Luke Dahlhaus, tackled relentlessly and provided energy around the ball. The 170cm, 70kg, midfielder secured 15 disposals, 11 contested possessions, a team-high 17 tackles and one goal.

Making the most of each of his possessions, Matty Lloyd, brother of Sydney's Jake, amassed 37 disposals, 10 marks, six inside 50s, six rebound 50s, one goal and two score assists for Greater Western Victoria in their convincing win against Eastern. Lloyd has built a reputation for his reliable kicking and this performance was no exception with 20 of 26 kicks effective.

Providing Greater Western Victoria a focal point up forward, Charlie Wilson was a class above. The small forward produced 28 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 12 marks (two contested), six inside 50s, five goals and three score assists.

Making the most of his opportunities for Murray in their win against Western, Mathew Walker was his side's leading goalkicking. The 187cm forward posted 14 disposals, eight marks (one contested), seven tackles and six goals.

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Staking his claim for selection inside the first round in this year's AFL draft, Liam Stocker was the dominant midfielder for Sandringham in low scoring affair against Bendigo. Missing the Under-18 Championships due to a broken jaw, Stocker has been one of Sandringham's best players in each of his past five matches. The powerful ball-winning midfielder amassed 35 disposals, 18 contested possessions, five tackles, nine clearances, 12 inside 50s and one goal.

Sandringham underage midfielder Ryan Byrnes provided strong support at stoppages. The 179cm, 75kg, midfielder secured 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions and six clearances.

Providing Dandenong with a powerful marking target up forward in their win against Calder, Bailey Williams while erratic in front of goal was too powerful overhead when he attacked the ball aerially inside 50m. The promising key forward produced 17 disposals, eight marks (four contested) and two goals.

Bailey Williams of the Dandenong Stringrays and Jacob Atley of the Bendigo Pioneers. Morgan Hancock/Action Plus via Getty Images

Playing an important role at stoppages for Dandenong, Sam Fletcher tackled ferociously and distributed effectively by hand. The powerful ball winner gathered 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 12 tackles, eight clearances and one goal. With the AFL Draft Combine lists released this week, Fletcher is among the most surprising omissions. Despite not being one of the 80 players invited, the impressive ball winner remains firmly in the draft mix.

For Calder in their loss to Dandenong, Mitch Podhajski was his side's most productive. The overage midfielder amassed 33 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six marks, five tackles, seven clearances and one goal.

SANFL

League

Performing solidly for the Eagles in their loss to Norwood, potential No. 1 selection Jack Lukosius gathered 14 disposals, five marks and one goal.

Athletic forward Connor Rozee played his role for North Adelaide in a high scoring affair against Adelaide, managing 15 disposals, seven marks and one goal.

Connor Rozee of South Australia runs with the ball during the U18 AFL Championship match between Vic Metro and South Australia at Etihad Stadium. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Reserves

Among Sturt's strongest performers in their win against Central Districts, powerful ball winner Tom Lewis secured 24 disposals, five tackles, six inside 50s and one goal.

Competing strongly through the midfield for Sturt in a four-point loss to Central Districts, Casey Voss (son of Michael) managed 23 disposals and eight marks.

WAFL

Reserves

Earning a position in East Perth's bests in their convincing win against Perth, Sydney Stack in his first reserves game secured 15 disposals.

Gathering 13 disposals, seven marks and two goals for Swan Districts in loss to East Fremantle, West Coast NGA prospect Jarrod Cameron was one of his sides bests.

NEAFL

Greater Western Sydney Academy prospect Thomas Green in his second NEAFL match, looked at home. The underage midfielder played a central role in the Giants' strong win against Sydney University with 28 disposals, eight tackles, 10 clearances and one goal. Green is one of the players who is in the pick No. 1 conversion for 2019. Further performances like this may soon mean the powerful ball winner is viewed as the best in next year's draft class.

Holding his own as the Giant's lead ruckman against experienced state league ruckman Sam Tagliabue, Kieran Briggs arguably won the matchup. The Giants Academy prospect posted 16 disposals, six tackles and 35 hitouts, furthering his claims as their years most promising ruck prospect.