There aren't too many players as exciting as Ainsworth in this year's draft. The Victorian small forward can change a game with his brilliant work in the front half. Last year he was the second leading goalkicker in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships as a bottom-ager. He's a brilliant overhead mark, a confident shot for goal and wants to move into the midfield this year. Has genuine star factor.

Would suit: Only a few clubs will likely get the chance to think about Ainsworth, who is tipped to be an early choice. Any club wanting to add a lick of class to its forward set-up gets a readymade half-forward in the 18-year-old.

Allison was named an All Australian last year as a bottom-ager after a promising carnival for Queensland as a 17-year-old. His long kicking, athleticism and mobility made him an impressive prospect. He hasn't quite been able to replicate that form so far in 2016, but his size allows him to play a number of roles and positions. The Queenslander's booming right-foot allows him to drift forward to kick goals and he's also working on his inside game in a midfield role.

Would suit: The Brisbane Lions have the early running on Allison given he is a member of their northern academy. Despite not yet hitting his straps this season his qualities will appeal to a club so it will be interesting to see where a bid might come.

The younger brother of North Melbourne half-back Shaun, Atley is a different type of player. The Bendigo Pioneers captain is an inside ball-winning midfielder who burrows into contests and comes out with the footy in his hand. He's smart at stoppages and likes to feed the ball out. He is also a keen tackler, racking up eight in the opening round of Vic Country's under-18 championships against WA alongside his 22 disposals. Works hard and has been a consistent TAC Cup player.

Would suit: Contested possessions and clearances are king for midfielders in the modern game, and Atley has a willingness to go and win those.

The Dandenong Stingrays prospect has been a consistent goalkicker this season, booting four goals in each of his first three TAC Cup games. He also kicked four in the opening round of Vic Country's under-18s carnival. Battle is a hard-working, lead-up-at-the-ball type of forward who presents hard and competes strongly. He has an elite endurance base – he won the NAB AFL Academy's 3km time trial in January – and also converts his shots at goal.

Would suit: It isn't the year for tall forwards, so the interest for Battle might be heightened by the lack of big goalkickers. He probably comes into the system as a third tall forward option.

Berry pushed his name to the top rungs of the draft pool last year when he was named an All Australian as a bottom-ager. That was after playing as a rebounding half-back, but this year he has taken on more of a midfield role. Had some interruptions this season with a shoulder injury, but he's uncompromising and a great size to play a range of positions. Berry might develop into a key defender at the next level but will always be willing to run with the ball and take the game on.

Would suit: Clubs looking for versatile and flexible players in the back half. His leadership is also enticing for recruiters, and has been known for being one of the best characters in this year's draft crop.

Bolton has genuine flash. He can leap into the air and take a big mark, or rove a pack at full pace and stream into goal. The small forward has to improve his consistency, but has shown regular glimpses of his talent in the national under-18s carnival and for South Fremantle. He can move through traffic and make the game look a little slower, but a second later can speed it up by jetting off. Bolton has bounce and does things around goal that others just can't.

Would suit: Quality small forwards are hard to find and Bolton has genuine tricks with his speed and goal sense.

Bowes has the traits you like to see in a midfielder. He's very balanced and composed, tall enough to mark above his head, has clean hands and likes to push forward to kick a goal. He has been nicknamed this year's 'Rolls Royce' for a reason, with his classy decision-making setting him apart from others. He will need to build up his body more and more, and he isn't lightning quick, but he usually looks to have time. He was Queensland's captain and MVP at the under-18s division two carnival.

Would suit: There's really only one club that is going to get the chance to call out Bowes' name and that's Gold Coast. The Cairns product is tied to the club's academy and is a likely very early pick for the Suns.

Brodie attacks each contest with the same tenacity and competitiveness as the one before, which makes him one of the most consistent midfielders available. He uses his imposing size to bustle through congestion and collect the ball at ground level, and is adept at setting up teammates with quick and direct handballs. Brodie played at national under-18 level last year and is determined to take his game to another level in 2016.

Would suit: Brodie offers dependability. A club will pick him knowing he will dominate stoppages for a long time and continue to get better. He's in the conversation for the first handful of picks, including No.1.

English has been one of the revelations of this year so far, emerging from school football to be one of the most promising talls available. The WA product was eligible for last year's draft but was not selected, but looms as a possible first-round pick this time around. He's an agile, athletic ruckman who can roam around the ground and also push forward to take a grab.

Would suit: Clubs are reluctant to pull the trigger early on ruckmen, but English has form on the board. Richmond and the Western Bulldogs are two clubs looking to boost their ruck stocks.

Gallucci brings some zip to the draft class. He can dash past opponents and get on the move in tight spots, and he enjoys taking a bounce and tucking the ball under his arm. A professional and dedicated prospect, the midfielder is Vic Metro's co-captain for the under-18 championships and leads by example. Showed his mix of outside speed and inside grunt with 36 disposals, three goals, 11 clearances and 12 inside-50s for the Eastern Ranges earlier this year.

Would suit: A club looking to add a pacy edge to its midfield. His first few steps are powerful and he can split a gap with ease.

Macreadie showed some impressive signs last year as a bottom-ager with his run and drive through half-back for New South Wales-ACT. He can run well with the ball and although at key position size, Macreadie sometimes looks most at home on a wing or half-back flank. That's unlikely to be his position at the next level, however, as some more time in the gym should see him build a bigger frame to hold down some taller marking forwards.

Would suit: The Giants have relocated Macreadie to Sydney to be closer to the club, so are clearly in the box seat to take the academy prospect.

The former cricketer was ruled out of Greater Western Sydney's academy after a "registration issue", which delighted 17 other clubs. It meant the Giants wouldn't have first access to the best tall forward in the draft, and allowed others to be in the mix for him. Marshall is 198cm, attacks marking contests with ferocity, kicks long and accurately and has plenty of room for development. He's raw but exciting and has a footy brain. He knows how to push an opponent under the ball, reads it well in the air and is smart around goal.

Would suit: The clubs near the bottom of the ladder – Fremantle and Essendon. Both are desperate for quality, young tall forwards and Marshall fits the bill.

With every game this year McCluggage has jumped up the draft order. The wiry midfielder had an interrupted pre-season with a back injury and hasn't been able to build up his body yet, but that hasn't stopped him from piecing together a brilliant early season. McCluggage isn't electrifyingly quick, but he's elusive and difficult to catch, he sets up teammates and puts them into space and is neat by foot. A five-goal and 36-disposal game in the TAC Cup in May was his breakout performance.

Would suit: He is likely to take a little bit of time to step into an AFL midfield given his size, but McCluggage will have plenty of suitors near the top end of the draft.

It was McGrath's brilliant final term for Vic Metro against Vic Country that helped his team clinch a two-point win, and also exhibited his talents across half-back. The Metro co-captain was brilliant with his attacking run, drive and rebound. He flew for marks and was courageous in the air while also keeping his opponent under wraps. McGrath has an elite athletics background as a hurdler and that comes through in his attacking, run-and-carry game from half-back and through the middle.

Would suit: McGrath's quality character and leadership traits will win him admirers among clubs, and he looms as a possible first-round choice.

Mutch stamped himself as one of the most improved players in this year's pool with a consistent display at the division two under-18s national carnival, where he averaged 25 disposals across three games. The teenager's best traits come in his work rate – he is an elite endurance athlete – and his ability to kick on both feet. His dual-sided skills allow him to spin out of stoppages and hit targets with a minimum of fuss, and he collects plenty of the ball.

Would suit: Mutch has improved his contested game to complement his outside run, so will have plenty interested. He's also very disciplined and follows plans. GWS has first call on him as a member of its academy.

A quality player who just moves like a natural footballer. Perryman isn't quick but twists and turns his way out of trouble and rarely gets caught. He has a background playing as a half-back, but this year has moved into the midfield where his strengths have come to the fore. He's equally as clever and classy on both feet, and knows where the goals are. Perryman plays in an unflustered and uncomplicated manner but always seems to make the right decision when in possession.

Would suit: Another academy player the Giants will have the ability to bring into their club. There's a lot of interest in him from rivals, however, due to his smarts and footy brain.

You'd have to search hard to find a better user of the ball than Petrevski-Seton, and the West Australian is just as good on both feet. Clean, classy, precise, Petrevski-Seton's kicking is uncomplicated and effective. It's a big part of his game, but not the only part. His tackling, forward pressure and goalkicking are other highlights, and he makes things look easy when others would crumble under pressure.

Would suit: Another prospect only a handful of clubs will get to consider as a likely early pick. He might take some time and will start as a half-forward so clubs will need to be patient before he moves into a full-time midfield role.

Powell-Pepper started his under-18 championships in flying form, gathering 15 disposals, six inside-50s and three goals in a dominant display against Vic Country for Western Australia. There's not a whole lot of subtlety to Powell-Pepper's game, but that's not necessarily a bad thing: he competes ferociously, runs through anyone in the way and is as tough as they come. After playing as an attacking half-back last year, Powell-Pepper has progressed to midfield and half-forward roles this season and impressed.

Would suit: Who needs an imposing midfielder to add to their mix? They don't make too many players of Powell-Pepper's ilk any more, and he is a throwback to yesteryear with his aggression. He would add a different element to a developing, skillful midfield.

Rotham excites with his speed and athleticism out of defence. When playing with confidence the West Australian enjoys grabbing the ball, seeing some space and going for a run out of the back half. He can jump for his marks, too, and uses the ball well by foot. At 192cm Rotham is tall enough to play as a second or third tall defender, but in time some clubs see the confident 18-year-old moving up the ground to a wing role.

Would suit: Rotham will stir the interest of clubs given his ability to slot into a few different positions looking into the future. He started the season as one of the leading prospects in Western Australia.

Injuries have limited Scrimshaw's output over the past couple of seasons, with the utility dealing with separate hip and foot complaints. Nonetheless he remains a player of interest for many clubs, given his size (193cm) and skills (good by foot and smart in traffic) lends him to being a good key position defender. However, Scrimshaw has the mobility and confidence to be a ball-winning midfielder, and his relaxed left-foot kicking is assured under pressure.

Would suit: Tall midfielders are in vogue, so there will be a number of clubs interested in Scrimshaw if he can stay fit. Watch for him to bolt up the rankings with a good run.

One of the smoothest movers in the draft. Setterfield combines a solid inside game as a midfielder with strong run and flow with ball in hand, and he rarely wastes a touch. The 18-year-old is the prototype for the new-age midfielder given his height and athleticism, and can play all over the ground. He finished his under-18s division two carnival for the winning Rams with 28 disposals and six tackles in a commanding showing.

Would suit: Despite living in Melbourne at boarding school and playing TAC Cup footy for the Sandringham Dragons, Setterfield is eligible for GWS's academy, having moved from Albury. He is set to be another early academy selection for the club.

Simpkin's goal smarts were on show in 2015 when, as a bottom-ager, he provided some highlights during Vic Country's unbeaten run in the division one NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. The half-forward proved his pace, spark and creativity in the forward half to be among his best qualities, and looked likely to take them into the middle this year. Unfortunately a broken leg in April cut short his season, with surgery ruling him out of the remainder of the year.

Would suit: Quality small forwards who kick goals are hard to find and extremely valuable. Simpkin's pace and class will make him an appealing prospect in the first round.

Taranto helped turn the game Vic Metro's way in round two of the under-18 championships, when he shifted forward to kick three goals against Vic Country. The Sandringham Dragon is a really good size for a midfield option. He runs a beep test above level 15, has filled out, can win his own ball as well as get it on the outside and provide some dash. Taranto's finishing skills are of a high standard and means when he does go forward he provides some polish.

Would suit: Goalkicking midfielders push themselves up the draft board every year, so Taranto's ability to play both roles well will aid his chances of being a top-30 pick.

Possessing pace, agility, power and toughness, Venables has an exciting combination of skills for a midfielder. He also has the height and shape to be used at half-forward or half-back, and has shown his natural ability around goal. Some injuries over the past year have limited his exposure but he has the raw ability to match it with the best his age. He continues to gain more game awareness with each week.

Would suit: Venables been identified as a possible top-10 pick due to his unique mix. A tall and powerful midfielder adds up to make an appealing prospect.

After a promising second half of last season saw him elevated to the NAB AFL Academy, the composed half-back entered this year keen to move into the midfield. But those hopes were ended by a broken leg in May, which will see him miss the rest of the season following surgery. When up and going, Witherden is a poised prospect who can pinpoint passes from the back half and is trusted with the ball. He can direct a game with his foot skills and manages to think smartly through situations.

Would suit: It will be interesting to see what impact Witherden's injury has on his draft position. He might be a real steal for a club looking for a defensive distributor if it pushes him a little further down the order.