VFL prospects for the AFL’s mid-season draft, featuring young guns and mature-agers

Here are some hopefuls from the VFL.

Jye Chalcraft, Geelong

The 22-year-old won the Cats’ VFL best and fairest in 2022 as an inside midfielder and there’s a good chance he’s leading the count this year.

Coach Mark Corrigan has used Chalcraft at half forward at times “just to try to add another string to his bow and I guess add to the appeal from a draftable point of view’’.

“He’s a beautiful ball-user, he finishes his work, he’s clean, he’s tough and he’s got enough power, his tank is good enough … he’s a very good player,’’ Corrigan declares. “If you put him in a full-time program you’ll see him go to another level.’’

The midfielder is from Shepparton United, went through the Murray Bushrangers and became a VFL Cat in 2021.

Mitch Cox, Williamstown

The powerful right-footer spent last year on Brisbane’s list as a selection in the pre-season supplemental period.

He hasn’t quite shown his best for the Towners as he makes the transition back to part-time footballer, but he’s a dynamic player and started May the right way, having 23 touches and kicking a goal against Collingwood and following up with 26 touches against the Sydney Swans.

Mutaz El Nour, Richmond

The tall defender was considered a mid-season draft hope last year as a Northern Bullant and was disappointed when he was overlooked.

But he’s presented again as a Tiger, negating with hard spoils or creating with his intercept marking, and there’s a touch of class to whatever he does.

Felix Flockhart, Port Melbourne

There were quiet raps on the young ruckman after his late rise at the Sandringham Dragons, and he’s back in the thoughts of clubs now that he’s overcome injuries (groin last year, ankle in the 2023 pre-season) and served as Sam Naismith’s back-up.

His athleticism is apparent with his ability to play forward and his skill at ground level.

“He’s turning himself into a competitive footballer,’’ Borough coach Adam Skrobalak says.

Marcus Herbert, Geelong

The Cats have a high opinion of the former Greater Western Victoria Rebel, who sat out a few games with concussion and has impressed since his return to the half back line.

“I look at him and I think he’s got attributes that could go to another level,’’ Geelong coach Mark Corrigan says. “Beautiful ball user, really clean, he changes the game when he gets the ball in his hands.

“But he also defends really well. He’s not just a purely offensive-minded player. He’s really good in the contest, he finds his way out of traffic quickly and he dilutes the pressure situations for us.’’

Herbert, 20, joined Geelong VFL in 2021.

Marty Hore, Williamstown

The 14-game former Demon is having the sort of season that brings team-of-the-year honours.

Hore, 27, joined the Seagulls this year from North Melbourne VFL and has averaged 22.9 disposals across eight games, his interceptions a feature.

Ben Jepson, Coburg

The Lions knew they were getting a good player when they recruited Jepson from Old Carey three years ago.

At 21 and with more confidence, his football has taken off this season; he’s the best decision-maker and kick in the Coburg team.

Jepson is averaging 23.7 possessions across his first six matches, boosted by three 30-plus hauls.

Sam Lowson, North Melbourne

Roos coach Tom Lynch calls the small forward “the most dynamic player in the VFL’’.

Touted as the No. 1 mid-season pick in 2019, only to pick up an injury before the draft, Lowson has kicked 20.13 for the Roos this season since crossing from Coburg.

Trent Mynott, Frankston

Few VFL midfielders are going as well as Frankston’s co-captain, who led his team to its first victory of the season with four goals and 23 possessions against Sandringham in Round 4.

Mynott was an Essendon rookie in 2018-19 but he’s still only 23 and there are Dolphins officials who will tell you he’s their most influential and important player as an “inside’’ midfielder.

Sam Naismith, Port Melbourne

Clubs needing to bolster their ruck divisions will look at the former Sydney 30-gamer, who has proven his fitness this year as a dominant big man in the VFL.

He’s averaging 40.4 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game, and his leadership has been exemplary.

“He’s been really solid in his performances. His ruck work has been outstanding and he’s building his around-the-ground game,’’ Borough coach Adam Skrobalak says.

“As a person and player, his buy-in at our club has been exceptional. He’s getting through week to week and he’s covering a lot of ground and he’s crashing and bashing. He’s doing all the things I would think an AFL club would want to see.’’

Kai Owens, Frankston

The 23-year-old is the older brother of fast-rising Saint Mitch, and his move into the midfield this season has been the making of him.

Previously a forward lending an occasional hand in the ruck, Owens (192cm) has flourished as an onballer alongside Will Fordham and Trent Mynott, averaging 23.8 disposals and 5.8 tackles.

“Kai’s got that bit of swerve and curve about him that comes from his basketball background and he’s also got hops – he can really jump. He’s in good nick because his game’s in good shape and he’s bubbling along off some of the buzz around his brother,’’ Dolphins coach Danny Ryan told CODE Sports.

Fraser Rosman, Port Melbourne

Drafted during the Covid period and delisted after two years at Melbourne, the athletic and sure-handed Rosman is relishing his move to Port Melbourne.

With his spring and speed, the 194cm defender is capable of playing on opponents of all shapes and sizes.

Brandon Ryan, Northern Bullants

No VFL player has risen as quickly this year as 25-year-old Ryan, a 200cm forward who joined the Ants from Essendon District league club Maribyrnong Park.

The strong-marking left-footer caught the eye in the state-alone practice-match carnival in Craigieburn – “Who is No 12 for Bullants? He’s not on the team sheet?’’ a recruiter asked on the day – and had 18 goals from seven matches, including five against Sydney, before copping a three-match suspension for striking.

Ryan is raw but has a lot of natural ability.

Ryley Stoddart, Frankston

In his second year with the Dolphins, the 23-year-old former Sydney Swan will be some chance for a second AFL listing if he maintains his slashing start to the season.

His left-foot kicking has been on show from half back, spearing Frankston forward, and he’s displayed plenty of dash and aggression too.

He had 37 touches against Port Melbourne in round five and is averaging 27.4 disposals.

Shaun Mannagh, Werribee

The dynamic Mannagh hurtled into the headlines with his round three performance for Werribee, when he stacked up 40 possessions and booted four goals against Southport.

“He’s a matchwinner. He’s special,’’ Sharks coach Steve Daniels declared after the game.

The 25-year-old had 33 touches and kicked two goals against the strong Suns in Round 9 and is averaging 27.4 disposals per outing as he pushes for the next level.

“He’s a jet,’’ a VFL coach says of the former Murray Bushranger.

Oscar McDonald, Williamstown

At 27, McDonald is in contention for a third AFL club after a bright opening to the VFL season: he has played eight games and averaged 16.8 disposals and 8.3 marks.

McDonald also rates elite in the competition for intercept marks (four a game) and above average for intercept possessions (8.9 a game).

His performances and professionalism have been everything Willy expected of him, and they may have to go into the second half of the season without their No. 1 backman.

Quinton Narkle, Essendon

The former Geelong midfielder was unable to find another club after being delisted by the Cats at the end of last season.

He trained with Richmond during pre-season, but the Tigers opted to instead fill their last list spot with forward Kaelan Bradtke during the supplementary selection period.

In eight VFL games as a Don this season Narkle has averaged 20 disposals, 4.6 clearances, 4.4 tackles and a goal a game; he hasn’t faded from view.

Ethan Stanley, Box Hill Hawks

The 188cm, 81kg Stanley has been a surprise package this year for the Hawks.

Recruited from local club Frankston YCW, where he played four senior games last year and the rest in the Under 19s, he has made six appearances as a wing and flanker.

He also turned out in the Young Guns series.

There were two goals and 16 disposals for him on the weekend.

“We’ve been rapt with him,’’ says Box Hill Hawks coach Zane Littlejohn.

“There was no expectation on him when he came here – he’s never been a pathways kid, just played local footy with his local club – and he’s been a breath of fresh air, I guess.

“He’s excited, he wants to learn, he’s hungry. He’s played four games as the 23rd player, but we’re arguably missing him and he’s going to be a big chance to play regardless of the 23rd. He can play a variety of roles – wing, half back, half forward, inside – he’s got athleticism and running power, and he’s a beautiful user of the footy.’’

Lachie Sullivan, Footscray Bulldogs

The Dogs’ VFL captain is one of the league’s most consistent players, rarely leaving the ground without having handled the ball 25 times. He won the Dogs’ best and fairest and was in the VFL team of the year in 2022.

Unheralded but not to be underestimated, Sullivan might appeal to a club keen to add another number to its midfield.

James Trezise, Richmond

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The Tigers have latched on to a good prospect in 20-year-old Trezise, who featured in West Gippsland club Tooradin-Dalmore’s premiership last season alongside former AFL Magpies Brent Macaffer and Adam Oxley.

“Needs to be on an AFL list,’’ Oxley declared on social media last month after Tigers VFL coach Steve Morris called the 20-year-old a “super exciting player’’.

Trezise is 188cm and versatile enough to play any position on the ground; he’s even done some ruck work for the Tigers this season.