TRY TELLING Aidan Tropiano and Jye Bolton state pride was all that mattered when the SANFL took down the WAFL in Perth on Sunday.

With AFL club recruiters scattered around Optus Stadium, a host of readymade prospects had their last major chance to impress before the May 27 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. 

For the first time since 1993, players from outside the competition have the chance to walk straight into an AFL club and change their fortunes in the middle of a campaign.

While a number of clubs are expected to snap up youth for the long-term, several mature-age prospects are making a case for the now.

From the end of 2018 to the start of round one this year, a total of 28 players were plucked from state leagues onto AFL lists.

Here's 10 leading midfielders looking to add to that number in the short term.

Frank Anderson – Northern Blues (VFL)

21yo, 186cm, 83kg 
Was playing local football just six months ago before landing at the Blues for his first VFL season this year. Has already turned heads with his composure in his four matches to date. Attended the Victorian State Combine last year and is one of 22 players set to undergo a medical with club doctors next week.

Jye Bolton – Claremont (WAFL)

27yo, 187cm, 84kg
Last roll of the dice for the dual Sandover medallist. One of the fittest midfielders in the WAFL, the former Pie collected 28 disposals in the state match on Sunday. Provides the option of a big body at stoppages and can push forward to kick goals. Had 36 touches against a West Coast reserves side featuring 18-AFL listed players just three weeks ago.

Josh Deluca – Subiaco (WAFL)

22yo, 179cm, 80kg
Awarded WA's best player in the state match last Sunday with a 29-disposal performance. Has already attracted the eye of five AFL clubs and will undergo a medical screening next week. Had his name called out in three drafts across four seasons at the Dockers after being delisted on two separate occasions. Will it be a case of fourth time lucky?

Jordan Foote – Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL)

23yo, 184cm, 81kg
Delisted by Sydney last year, Foote hasn't wasted anytime in making an impact at his new SANFL club. Has averaged 26.8 disposals in six matches and collected 24 touches and booted two goals in the SA win over WA. Regarded as an endurance machine, Foote was one of the best performing Swans in time trials in his four seasons at the club that netted six matches.

Mitch Hibberd – Williamstown (VFL)

22yo, 191cm, 90kg
Has added size to his frame and transformed into an inside midfielder after being delisted by the Roos. Was Williamstown's best and picked up a game-high 29 disposals against Richmond's VFL outfit in his last match. The former second-round draftee has been nominated for a medical screening next week.

Damian Mascitti – Box Hill (VFL)

26yo, 190cm, 86kg
A 2017 Port Melbourne premiership teammate of Brody Mihocek. Crossed from the Borough last season following a 26-disposal, four-goal elimination final against Box Hill after missing the bulk of the season with an Achilles setback. The move to an AFL-aligned club provided the opportunity for more exposure to club recruiters.

Luke Meadows – Box Hill (VFL)

24yo, 186cm, 85kg 
Was strongly considered by Hawthorn during the pre-season supplemental period and played in an AFL intraclub match before the Hawks decided to take beanpole ruckman Ned Reeves. Moved from West Perth to Box Hill this season in an attempt to give him the best chance to earn a berth on an AFL list. Also attracted interest from Carlton and Brisbane at the end of last season.

Declan Mountford – Claremont (WAFL) 

22yo, 183cm, 70kg
While he may not amass big numbers with the ball, the work Mountford does defensively has impressed this season. Regarded as the ultimate professional, has the endurance to suggest he could walk straight in to play at AFL level. Managed 12 matches at North Melbourne in 2017 before he was delisted at the end of last year. Nominated for a medical screening next week.

Marlion Pickett – South Fremantle (WAFL)

27yo, 184cm, 84kg
The WAFL's best midfielder, Pickett has been named for his first match on Saturday after missing the start to the year with a broken finger. Received strong interest from Gold Coast last year, with Richmond circling the readymade midfield option this season. With four young children, the move across the country was a big hurdle last November. Could a 10-week stint and a shot at an AFL flag appeal this time?

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Aidan Tropiano – North Adelaide (SANFL)

26yo, 183cm, 84kg
Had an eye-catching performance on Sunday with 28 disposals and a match-high 11 tackles. In a new-age where pressure is king, Tropiano provides it in spades and was the No.1-ranked tackler in the SANFL last season. A Sandover Medal winner in the WAFL, the 26-year-old moved to the SANFL to chase his dream of playing in the AFL. A premiership player at North Adelaide last year in a team that had five players drafted, could he become the sixth?

The 2019 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be broadcast LIVE on AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and Fox Footy from 6.30pm AEST on Monday, May 27