The class of 2015 already looks likely to be more of a midfielder's draft than this year's, with most of the top-end prospects stationed in the onball department.
AFL.com.au has cast an eye over the pool and found 10 players likely to be heavily discussed as early draft picks next year.
Callum Ah Chee
South Fremantle/Western Australia
9/10/97
180cm/69kg
Midfielder/half-forward
Despite missing this year's championships for WA due to injury, he remains one of the more exciting prospects for next season. Ah Chee possesses brilliant speed and combines that with excellent foot skills to be a damaging run-and-carry player. He likes that side of the game - taking opponents on, chasing them down, and doing it over and over. Ah Chee brings some dash to next year's pool.
Ryan Burton
North Adelaide/South Australia
31/1/97
190cm/79kg
Forward
A natural forward who reads the play, converts his chances, finds space and has some spark. Although not an overly tall forward, Burton has a nice, instinctive leap and knows how to time his run at marks. He is agile, crafty and capable of producing game-breaking moments. Burton kicked five goals for South Australia in round one of this year's championships, but suffered a serious broken leg later in the season that will impact his 2015.
Josh Dunkley
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
9/1/97
187cm/84kg
Defender/midfielder
Has the versatility and maturity to play a number of different spots, including as a medium defender, forward and midfielder. With a developed body, Dunkley is able to out-position opponents, he tackles with some oomph, doesn't get ruffled in the action and is strong overhead. Is eligible as a father-son pick to the Sydney Swans, where his dad Andrew played 217 games.
Rhys Mathieson
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
10/1/97
183cm/79kg
Midfielder
Mathieson is a midfielder with grunt. He hunts the ball, breaks through packs to get it, and has a mean streak. He likes the physical elements of the contest, and enjoys beating others to the ball. That was obvious this season, when he was a standout for Vic Country at the national carnival and was named in the All Australian team. Mathieson can start the play in a stoppage, but is also confident on the outside, and looks a likely early selection next year.
Callum Mills
Sydney Swans Academy/NSW-ACT
4/2/97
186cm/73kg
Midfielder
Clubs have already pegged Mills as one of the best players in next year's draft, although they won't get much of a look at him. Mills is part of the Sydney Swans academy, and seems destined to be another draft steal for the club after it secured Isaac Heeney this year. Mills is a competitive and prolific ball-winner who is a solid overhead mark, enjoys kicking goals, and has damaging disposal. Has the knack of finding the footy.
Callum Mills looks set to be another gun Sydney Swans midfielder from 2016. Picture: AFL Media
Darcy Parish
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
25/7/97
178cm/69kg
Midfielder
Parish has some dash. He likes to get the ball and whisk it forward, doing everything quickly. Parish seems to be always on the move. When he plays off half-back, he gets the ball and likes to pass it off, set something up and then keep running. His foot skills are precise and despite his lighter body he throws himself into the action. Parish had a standout season as a bottom-aged player in 2014, winning All Australian honours at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships after averaging 16 disposals in five games for Vic Country.
Darcy Parish was an U18 All Australian despite being a bottom-ager last season. Picture: AFL Media
Josh Schache
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
21/8/97
196cm/89kg
Tall forward
One of the talls to keep an eye on next year. The big and hard-leading forward presents well on the lead, can kick goals from anywhere inside the forward 50 and isn't out of the play when the ball hits the ground. Athletic and strong for his size, Schache's best trait is his marking and he uses his bigger and mature frame to position himself well at contests. The son of former Brisbane Bears forward Laurence Schache, he booted 27 goals in the TAC Cup this season.
Stephen Tahana
North Adelaide/South Australia
2/2/97
182cm/72kg
Half-back
With a bounce and stretch in his marking and sublime speed on the ground, Tahana offers plenty of drive off half-back. The South Australian has already played senior football with North Adelaide in the SANFL, and shown his bravery in the air. Tahana backs himself, takes players on and uses his pace to effect (he has ran a 2.89-second 20-metre sprint).
Darcy Tucker
North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
23/1/97
180cm/73kg
Half-back
A rebounding and attacking half-back who can move into the midfield, Tucker has a bit going for him. Athletically he is strong, he has a good build, and a nice turn of foot. When he spots a gap he goes for it, and his left-foot disposal is reliable. Tucker averaged 21 disposals for Vic Country at this year's championships and won All Australian honours, before an on-going ankle injury ruined the second half of his season.
Jacob Weitering
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
23/11/97
190cm/81kg
Tall defender
Weitering is a versatile and flexible prospect touted as a possible top-five pick at next year's draft. Mainly used as a tall defender, he's an excellent overhead contested mark, and is confident in the air against any opponent. Quick of mind and foot, he can roam up and down the field, and has occasionally been used in attack and on the wing, too. He was an important player for the Stingrays last season.
Darcy Parish
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
25/7/97
178cm/69kg
Midfielder
Parish has some dash. He likes to get the ball and whisk it forward, doing everything quickly. Parish seems to be always on the move. When he plays off half-back, he gets the ball and likes to pass it off, set something up and then keep running. His foot skills are precise and despite his lighter body he throws himself into the action. Parish had a standout season as a bottom-aged player in 2014, winning All Australian honours at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships after averaging 16 disposals in five games for Vic Country.
Darcy Parish was an U18 All Australian despite being a bottom-ager last season. Picture: AFL Media
Josh Schache
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
21/8/97
196cm/89kg
Tall forward
One of the talls to keep an eye on next year. The big and hard-leading forward presents well on the lead, can kick goals from anywhere inside the forward 50 and isn't out of the play when the ball hits the ground. Athletic and strong for his size, Schache's best trait is his marking and he uses his bigger and mature frame to position himself well at contests. The son of former Brisbane Bears forward Laurence Schache, he booted 27 goals in the TAC Cup this season.
Stephen Tahana
North Adelaide/South Australia
2/2/97
182cm/72kg
Half-back
With a bounce and stretch in his marking and sublime speed on the ground, Tahana offers plenty of drive off half-back. The South Australian has already played senior football with North Adelaide in the SANFL, and shown his bravery in the air. Tahana backs himself, takes players on and uses his pace to effect (he has ran a 2.89-second 20-metre sprint).
Darcy Tucker
North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
23/1/97
180cm/73kg
Half-back
A rebounding and attacking half-back who can move into the midfield, Tucker has a bit going for him. Athletically he is strong, he has a good build, and a nice turn of foot. When he spots a gap he goes for it, and his left-foot disposal is reliable. Tucker averaged 21 disposals for Vic Country at this year's championships and won All Australian honours, before an on-going ankle injury ruined the second half of his season.
Jacob Weitering
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
23/11/97
190cm/81kg
Tall defender
Weitering is a versatile and flexible prospect touted as a possible top-five pick at next year's draft. Mainly used as a tall defender, he's an excellent overhead contested mark, and is confident in the air against any opponent. Quick of mind and foot, he can roam up and down the field, and has occasionally been used in attack and on the wing, too. He was an important player for the Stingrays last season.
