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Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars. As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis. Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft. Player Focus Overager Mark Baker showed he could be a draftable talent with an at-times spectacular trial game against Vic Country on Sunday. He took the mark of the day with an exciting hanger inside 50m on top of a pack, with Vic Country runner (and Geelong Falcon star midfielder Ned McHenry) heard asking from the boundary "who was that?" after the mark and set shot conversion. Sunday's trial games were not about giving opportunity to star talents who select themselves but rather the potentially draftable and better underage talents who are competing for Vic Metro or Vic Country selection for this year's National Under-18 Championships. Baker, a 196cm, 83kg key position player, spent most the first trial match playing in defence. As a defender, Baker read the ball in flight effectively, hit a long target by foot coming out of defence, intercepted, spoiled from behind and checked his opponent closely. It was his work up forward in the final quarter with his hanger and soon after a clean pickup inside 50m which made those in attendance take notice. His eight disposals, four marks (one contested) and one goal in Vic Metro's loss are not numbers that suggest Baker will be an early draft selection. He does however possess a desirable mix of attributes at his height with clean skills and athleticism that make you think he is untapped and developable. His style of play is not dissimilar to opportunity-starved Blue key defender Harrison Macreadie as a similarly skilled and athletic stopper. Victorian Under-18 Victoria Country v Victoria Metro trials Game one: Overage midfielder Matthew McGannon was all class with his ball use by hand and foot in Vic Country's game one win. The 184cm, 74kg midfielder gathered 16 disposals and six tackles. McGannon has had an impressive start to the season averaging 28 disposals and 10 marks for Gippsland. With his combination of clean skills and marking capabilities, he is with continued strong form a legitimate draft chance.  With eight of his 10 kicks effective, it was Caleb Serong's ball use that impressed. The 178cm, 82kg underage midfielder from Gippsland gathered 18 disposals and five marks (one contested). He demonstrated that he could win the contested ball and used it efficiently under pressure and on the outside. One of 2019's most likely prospects, underage midfielder Matthew Rowell from Oakleigh put forward a strong performance. The 178cm, 74kg midfielder amassed 22 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven tackles and six clearances. It has been Rowell's pace, quick ball movement and the ease with which he finds that football that makes him so desirable. The key area Rowell will need to develop over the next year is his kicking which has lacked consistency through the opening rounds of the season. Game two: Playing a pivotal role in Vic Country's win in the second match, Dandenong midfielder Jamie Plumridge amassed 17 disposals, five marks and three goals. The 183cm, 75kg midfielder was also responsible for setting up a goal with his forward pressure causing a Vic Metro turnover. Continuing his impressive start to the season, underage forward Sam Flanders collected 11 disposals, one goal and two score assists. While his stats may sound lean, his impact for Vic Country was high, showing a complete bag of tricks. Flanders got down low to win ground balls, pressured opposition defenders, was an effective marking target, read the flight effectively and showed his smarts and was unselfishness up forward giving up shots at goal to players in better position. Providing run and carry and displaying his evasiveness in traffic, Dandenong midfielder Toby Bedford had several eye-catching moments. The 176cm, 65kg midfielder managed 13 disposals and nine tackles. Winning the ball through the midfield, Charlie Sprague did a lot of his best work in close. The 187cm, 79kg Geelong midfielder amassed 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and one goal. Leading the way for Vic Metro through the midfield, James Rowbottom competed strongly throughout the contest. The 185cm, 78kg Oakleigh midfielder gathered 19 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and one goal. SANFL Reserves Possible top-10 draft choice Connor Rozee impressed for North Adelaide in their loss to Sturt. The exciting 185cm, 71kg midfielder gathered 21 disposals and seven marks. Under-18s In the bests for each of his first three matches, Jarrod Miller played a pivotal role in Woodville-West Torrens win against South Adelaide. The 185cm, 84kg midfielder secured 26 disposals and four goals. South Adelaide's best in the loss was Luke Bogle. He gathered 42 disposals, eight tackles and nine inside 50s. He has been among South Adelaide's best in each of their first three matches. Named North Adelaide's best player for the second time in three weeks, Boyd Woodcock was instrumental in North Adelaide's win against Sturt. The 177cm, 72kg midfielder who won the McCallum Tomkins Medal for the SANFL Under-18's in 2017 accumulated 43 disposals. WAFL In a breakout performance, Trey Ruscoe announced himself for East Fremantle in their win against Claremont. The 194cm, 88kg key forward secured 20 disposals, seven tackles, eight inside 50s and six goals. Playing a central part in West Perth's three-point win against South Fremantle, Nathan Murphy gathered 31 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals. The 176cm, 67kg midfielder has had a consistent start to season 2018, not dropping below 29 disposals through his first three matches. Performing strongly for West Perth, Kyle Hamersley led the way with 36 disposals and five marks. This follows 27 disposals the week prior for the 185cm, 81kg midfielder. Top rated Western Australian prospect, Ian Hill was a standout for Perth in their win against Peel. The speedy midfielder gathered 28 disposals, five tackles, two goals and three behinds. Continuing his strong vein of form, Luke English is quickly building his case for selection inside the first half of this year's AFL draft. Playing alongside Hill in Perth's victory, English amassed 25 disposals, five marks, five tackles and three goals. This is the second week in a row now that English has kicked three goals. NEAFL After draft consideration in 2017, exciting forward Adam Sambono played a significant part in NT Thunder's win against Aspley. The 184cm, 79kg forward managed 13 disposals, eight marks, four goals and four behinds.  AFL Under-18 Academy Series Nick Blakey was the star of the first week of the AFL Under-18 Academy Series. The 195cm, 80kg athletic utility secured 19 disposals, seven marks and five goals for Sydney in their win against Brisbane playing up forward and pushing up through the midfield. Part of Sydney's Next Generation Academy, Blakey is also eligible for Brisbane and North Melbourne as a father-son prospect. Blakey is one of this year's top-end talls and has the scope with further performances of this quality to push up into the top five on draft day.
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