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South Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis and a pair of Victorian father-son prospects are expected to be selected early in the AFL national draft.
THE TOP PROSPECTS FOR THE 2021 AFL NATIONAL DRAFT
* JASON HORNE-FRANCIS
Club: South Adelaide/Christies Beach FC. Height: 185cm. Weight: 81kg.
A ready-made midfielder who already has two seasons of senior SANFL football under his belt. Stood out for the Panthers this year, kicking three goals from 24 disposals in their preliminary final loss. Wins the ball at stoppages, is dangerous near the goals and appears certain to be snapped up by North Melbourne with the No.1 pick.
* NICK DAICOS
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Kew Rovers. Height: 182cm. Weight: 73kg.
The smooth-moving midfielder is set to attract an early bidder in the top few picks but heads to the draft knowing that bid will be matched by Collingwood, who hold rights to the father-son prospect. Reads the game well and has excellent skills by hand and foot. Father Peter was a mercurial forward for the Magpies and brother Josh is entering his sixth season with the club.
* SAM DARCY
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Glen Iris FC/Scotch College. Height: 205cm. 93kg.
Will be bid on early, like Daicos, but the son of former Western Bulldogs star Luke Darcy is destined for Whitten Oval. The ruck-forward is still growing and is capable of playing multiple positions, including key back. Reads the ball well in flight, kicks accurately at goal and has added 8kg to his tall frame this year while NAB League matches have been on hold.
* FINN CALLAGHAN
Club: Sandringham Dragons/St Bede's College. Height: 191cm. Weight: 86kg.
The left-footed midfielder wins his own ball in the contest and moves well through traffic, but can also play on the outside where his penetrating kick comes to the fore. Also has a strong aerial ability and good goal sense, making him a tough match-up. Likened to Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli and has attracted plenty of interest from clubs.
* MAC ANDREW
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Berwick FC/St Joseph's Ferntree Gully. Height: 201cm. Weight: 74kg.
The best of the Next Generation Academy prospects and is tied to Melbourne, but is unlikely to get to the premiers because of a new rule that prevents clubs matching bids for academy players inside the top 20 picks. The athletic ruck-forward has strong hands and a huge leap to go with outstanding speed and agility for a player of his size.
* JYE AMISS
Club: East Perth/Busselton FC. Height: 196cm. Weight: 83kg.
Arguably the best key forward in the draft. Garnered attention with his accurate goalkicking in the WAFL colts competition, booting 51.14 from 14 matches this year. The left-footer has good hands, is a strong pack mark and is quick on the lead.
* JOSH RACHELE
Club: Murray Bushrangers/Shepparton Swans/Caulfield Grammar. Height: 180cm. Weight: 78kg.
A junior soccer star who was offered a scholarship with Melbourne City but chose the oval ball and set his sights on a path to the AFL. The small forward can also play through the midfield but is electric around goals, where he has starred at junior level. Stands out with his competitive nature.
