THE GOLD Coast has first choice of twelve 17-year-olds born between January and April, 1992. Seven have already been signed. Here are the five leading the race for the remaining spots

How the Gold Coast's draft concessions work
The full Gold Coast list so far

Piers Flanagan
Vic Country, Geelong/Geelong Amateurs
Born: March 31, 1992, Height: 188cm, Weight: 74kg

A tall, athletic winger/ruck-rover, Flanagan is a skillful prospect. He has been likened to versatile Bulldog Robert Murphy – a player drafted by Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton. Flanagan is also a talented rower.

Jack Hutchins
Vic Metro, Sandringham/Haileybury
Born: February 20, 1992, Height: 191cm, Weight: 87kg

Predominantly a key defender, Hutchins was an AIS/AFL Academy member. Like a handful of contemporaries, he almost chose another sport, having almost made the Australian Olympic swim team for last year's Beijing games.

Alex Keath
Vic Country, Murray/Shepparton
Born: January 20, 1992, Height: 196cm, Weight: 82kg

Keath would have been a first-round selection had he been eligible for this year's NAB AFL Draft. The key tall is also an outstanding cricketer, having led the Victorian under-17 team. He was also selected in the Australian World Cup under-19 squad. 

Luke Mitchell
Vic Metro, Calder/St Bernards
Born: February 28, 1992, Height: 193cm, Weight: 91kg

Mitchell could be the smoky of the Gold Coast's dozen 17-year-olds. Didn't play in this year's U18 champ, although he has played for Vic Metro in the under-16s. A tall forward and highly regarded. 

Blayne Wilson
Western Australia, January 26, 1992
Born: January 26, 1992, Height: 187cm, Weight: 80kg

Was outstanding in defence for Western Australia in this year's U18 champs and was named full-back in the All-Australian team. Has first-class disposal skills, as highlighted by his 87 per cent efficiency during the carnival. 

Also in the mix
Vic Metro's Kieran Harper, Ben Jacobs, Tom Nicholls and Cameron O'Shea and Vic Country's Lucas Cook. And don't be surprised if there are other smokies, as Clayton has an excellent record in left-field selections.

The full Gold Coast list so far

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.