This year's revamped division one NAB AFL Under-18 Championships start on Saturday, when South Australia takes on the Allies at Football Park.
With the introduction of the Allies – made up of players from the division two sides Queensland, New South Wales-ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory – each division one team will play four games over the next four weeks.
See the full U18 National Championships fixture
This year's draft is extremely even, with a clear candidate yet to emerge even for the No.1 choice. That might happen across the carnival, which is generally seen as the most important part of a draft prospect's season.
Below is a list of 20 players to keep an eye on across the championships.
Note: this group doesn't include any players from the Allies, as the standouts from division two have already been covered.
Ben Ainsworth
Small forward
179cm/74kg
10/2/98
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
It's been a frustrating year so far for Ainsworth, who broke his wrist in January, hurt his knee early in the TAC Cup season and was then suspended for four weeks for two incidents while playing for the Gippsland Power. That will set back his start to this year's campaign, but Ainsworth already has plenty of runs on the board as a leaping, clever and sharp small forward. Dynamic and dangerous, Ainsworth wants to move into the midfield more through the carnival.
Joe Atley
Midfielder
186cm/84kg
4/8/98
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Atley is the younger brother of North Melbourne defender Shaun, although the pair play in different ways. Joe has established himself as one of the better ball-winning midfielders in this year's crop, showing his hard approach at the contest and ability to zip away with the ball tucked under his arm. Atley is strong-bodied, neat with the ball and can also push forward to kick a goal – he has booted five in seven TAC Cup games this year.
Josh Battle
Tall forward
192cm/90kg
1/9/98
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Battle will be Vic Country's main target in attack during the championships and has already proven himself to be a hard-working player. Battle has booted four goals in each of his three TAC Cup appearances this year and is the type of forward to make lead after lead up the ground before getting his hands on the ball. A smooth shot for goal and an elite endurance runner, Battle has some key attributes that should see him have an influence on games.
Josh Battle is set to be Vic Country's main forward focus. Picture: AFL Media
Jarrod Berry
Midfielder/half-back
191cm/80kg
5/2/98
North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
Berry won All Australian honours last year for his work off half-back for Vic Country, but is likely to be pushed up the ground for this year's carnival. With his height, agility and strength, Berry is best as an inside midfielder who finds the ball and bursts away. He can also push forward to create an awkward match-up near goal or play across centre-half back, and has shown his leadership qualities over the past couple of years. Berry is one of a number of players in the mix as No.1 pick contenders.
Shai Bolton
Small forward
177cm/67kg
8/12/98
South Fremantle/Western Australia
An extremely gifted small forward, Bolton will offer some head-turning moments across the championships. The West Australian isn't yet consistent and needs to work on stringing together his best games, but his highlights reel will be among the best of this year's pool. He's confident in the air, brilliant at ground level and loves to chase down an opponent.
Will Brodie
Midfielder
189cm/82kg
23/8/98
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Brodie enters the championships as one of the best midfielders available in the draft. He's tough, hard and competitive, and wills himself at the ball and contest time after time. He starred for the NAB AFL Academy against two VFL teams in April, and used his size to influence the game at the stoppages. He's keen to use his pace a little more to build his outside game, but Brodie is the type of midfielder who performs week-in, week-out.
Tim English
Tall forward/ruckman
203cm/86kg
10/8/97
South Fremantle/Western Australia
English has caught the attention of recruiters this season with a run of encouraging performances. The 'over-ager' was eligible for last year's draft but focused on school football, but has shown his rapid improvement for South Fremantle so far in 2016. The ruckman is mobile and gets around the ground, and also has a presence near goal. The championships will be a good test to see where he sits against quality defenders.
Jordan Gallucci
Midfielder
183cm/75kg
4/5/98
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Gallucci brings some genuine speed and pace to the draft pool. The midfielder's ability to break the lines in a flash and jet away from congestion sets him apart. But the professional 18-year-old has more to his game than just a turn of foot, and showed that recently with a standout game for the Eastern Ranges when he gathered 36 disposals, three goals, 11 clearances and 12 inside-50s. Gallucci will be a key member of Vic Metro's midfield.
Jordan Gallucci has shown a great turn of pace in the TAC Cup. Picture: AFL Media
Kayle Kirby
Medium forward
181cm/86kg
26/10/98
Bendigo Pioneers
The exciting forward has had a promising opening to his draft season, and starts the championships in strong form after booting six goals last week for the Pioneers. Kirby is powerful with the ball in hand, has a turn of pace and knows his way around goal. Those attributes have seen him prove to be a difficult match-up, and he will be a part of Vic Country's forward line that is hoping to push for back-to-back titles.
Kym Lebois
Small forward
175cm/66kg
22/5/98
North Adelaide/South Australia
Defenders get a little nervous when Lebois is around the forward line. He darts from pack to pack, loves to lay a tackle and his forward pressure is difficult to escape. Due to his leg speed, the small goalkicker can creep up on opponents and make something from nothing. He's crafty around goal, has nice foot skills and has good bloodlines, too, as a nephew of Aaron and Alwyn Davey.
Hugh McCluggage
Midfielder
185cm/75kg
3/3/98
North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
McCluggage missed a big chunk of the pre-season nursing a back injury but you wouldn't know it by his form in 2016. The wiry midfielder finds space and time where others can't, and thinks through situations clearly. He's clean with his hands, tidy by foot and effective near goal. McCluggage's breakout game came when he gathered 36 disposals, kicked five goals and had eight clearances for the Rebels in round five of the TAC Cup season. Importantly, it also looks like there's plenty of scope for growth in McCluggage's game.
Hugh McCluggage had 36 touches in a standout game for North Ballarat this year. Picture: AFL Media
Andrew McGrath
Midfielder
179cm/75kg
2/6/98
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
McGrath's elite junior athletics background comes through in his play. The former high jumper, triple-jumper, hurdler and runner brings out those traits when on the field, with the Sandringham Dragons prospect often taking the game on with his dash and dare. McGrath separates himself from the pack within moments, and uses his top-end agility to get out of trouble in tight areas. Enjoyed a complete game for the Dragons last month when he collected 44 disposals, 14 clearances and 19 tackles against Gippsland.
Sam McLarty
Key forward/defender
193cm/93kg
11/5/98
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
McLarty was played in defence last year but has spent significant chunks of this season in attack and pinch-hitting in the ruck. He has some spring in his legs and goes for his marks, and is hard to beat whether he's trying to kick goals or stop them. McLarty gained good experience last year and featured in Oakleigh's TAC Cup premiership team.
Sam Petrevski-Seton
Midfielder/half-forward
181cm/76kg
19/2/98
Claremont/Western Australia
The West Australian makes things look easy, and makes things easier for his teammates. He is a sublime kick on both feet, sometimes choosing to go with his non-preferred left foot over his right. Petrevski-Seton has had a little bit of trouble with his hamstring and groins in the first half of this season, but is a class above most players around him. Named an All Australian last year, Petrevski-Seton's smart and skillful approach makes him a possible No.1 pick come November.
Sam Powell-Pepper
Midfielder
186cm/83kg
8/1/98
East Perth/Western Australia
Powell-Pepper won't shirk an issue, which is one of his standout qualities as a player. The hard and tough West Australian attacks the ball with ferocity and likes to push it forward with force. Powell-Pepper has experience already at this level after having a taste of things during last year's carnival for WA.
Sam Powell-Pepper has shown a liking for the contested ball. Picture: AFL Media
Josh Rotham
Tall defender
192cm/79kg
25/2/98
West Perth/Western Australia
Rotham plays with confidence: he backs himself to beat an opponent in the air, read the ball on the ground and then to run off half-back and send a pass to a teammate. At 192cm he probably isn't quite at true key position height for a defender, and in time he will add more weight to his frame, but he has some exciting and explosive traits. Given Rotham's pace and athleticism he might be suited to a move up the field in time.
Jonty Scharenberg
Midfielder
186cm/80kg
28/8/98
Glenelg/South Australia
You can rely on Scharenberg to find the ball. The midfielder knows where to go to at a stoppage, is comfortable putting his head into dangerous spots to win it, and has sure hands to feed it out. At this stage the Glenelg product, who has already had a fair taste of senior action in the SANFL, is best as an inside midfielder. He's the younger brother of Collingwood defender Matt Scharenberg, who was a top-10 pick in 2013.
Jonty Scharenberg will be hoping for a better run at AFL football than brother Matt. Picture: AFL Media
Jack Scrimshaw
Utility
193cm/80kg
4/9/98
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Injuries have restricted Scrimshaw over the past couple of years but a strong championships could rocket him right into the top group of draft prospects. Scrimshaw's height and game sense makes him an appealing prospect for clubs, given he is big enough to hold down a key position but tends to play his best footy through the midfield. The left-footer is precise by foot, steps up in big moments in games and, if a recent Vic Metro trial game is any indication, he looks set for a good carnival.
Tim Taranto
Midfielder
186cm/82kg
28/1/98
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Taranto plays with the qualities you find in natural footballers. He's a good size for a midfielder and uses his strength to outmuscle and outbody opponents, but can also get out of trouble with a quick couple of steps to find himself some space. Taranto is another member of a strong Sandringham Dragons outfit this year and he has a few tricks in his game: he wins the ball, can get it on the outside and combines pace with endurance.
Daniel Venables
Midfielder
186cm/81kg
19/11/98
Western Jets/Vic Metro
Venables' power, speed, size and aggression make him an exciting prospect and one who is in the thinking of some clubs as a top-10 pick. The midfielder has game-changing qualities, and an explosive side that can bust through congestion and break games open. He is still developing his consistency, but has shown a knack for pushing forward and hitting the scoreboard. He's certainly one to watch over the next month.
