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Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - casts his eye over the countrys 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 wrap, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month.And as we get closer to Novembers national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.Player focusThe younger brother of North Melbournes Shaun, Joseph Atley is a contrasting player compared to his sibling. He lacks the explosive pace of his brother but instead is a 186cm, 84kg rough rider through the midfield. Atley has built a reputation for winning contested ball and tackling through the midfield.Atley, in Bendigos loss to Gippsland last weekend, was prominent as he so often is through the midfield with 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, three marks, five tackles, eight clearances and one goal.As typically is the case, Atley had no single eye-catching play that changed the complexion of the contest. What was encouraging from Atley though was his goal midway through the second quarter and the signs he showed not only through the midfield but also forward of centre.Atley has kicked eight goals from his 11 TAC Cup games this season. Continuing to improve forward of centre will be an area of focus for Atley with clubs increasingly looking for midfielders at AFL level who have the capacity to play multiple positions.Analysis?Some recruiters say Atley lacks an x-factor. He is neither fast, nor a damaging kick. Given this, Atley does not look like a first-round pick, with his estimated draft position more likely mid to late draft.The strengths to Atleys game are his work at stoppages with his contested-ball winning, distribution by hand and tackling particularly impressive. He has also proven a strong mark overhead.Victorian prospect watchThis week in the TAC Cup each of the finalists had a week off, with the four teams to miss out on a finals position playing: Northern vs. Western and Gippsland against Bendigo.TAC CupHaving been a major ingredient through the midfield this year for Northern, Luke Bunker again contributed strongly with 34 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six marks (one contested), five tackles, one goal and one score assist. The 185cm, 78kg midfielder has received a state combine invite this year on the back of a strong season for Northern, while also contributing well for Vic Metro during the AFL Under-18 Championships.Exciting bottom-age talent Ethan Penrith was at his scintillating best with 22 disposals, seven contested possessions and five marks (one contested). Penrith off half back provided meaningful drive for Northern, breaking the lines and often looking to run with ball in hand. His skills were silky and he used the ball efficiently, finding his targets by foot consistently.Lachlan Murphy, a 173cm, 74kg midfielder with a December birthday plays an appealing, hard-nosed style of game through the midfield. Typifying the style of game he plays, his first meaningful involvement for the game was a smother, followed up immediately by a strong tackle.He was clean at ground level and impressed in the contested elements of the game with 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, four marks, seven tackles and eight clearances. Murphy is considered to be in the mix late in this years draft.Northerns only player to receive a national combine invite, Patrick Lipinski, a 188cm, 79kg forward and midfielder had 19 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five marks (two contested possessions), three goals and one score assist in Northerns win. Lipinski is an impressive athlete with exciting speed, leap and ball-winning ability.Against Western, while he performed well up forward and attacked the ball well in the air, he struggled on several occasions with reading the flight of the ball and taking his marks.Patrick Naish, the son of former Richmond star Chris, showed some promising signs for Northern. He looks like a potentially draftable player for 2017, impressing with 20 disposals, four contested possessions, six marks and three tackles. Naish showed some promising signs, with his run and clean footskills on the outside impressing.Consistent performer Brodie Romensky had by his lofty standards one of his quieter games for the season with 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions and seven clearances. The 189cm, 88kg midfielder at times showed some promising glimpses with his evasiveness, sidestepping opponents and providing difficult to lay a hand on.In the final quarter, Romensky was instructed to come off the field but was heard to ask: how come? With the game on the line, Romensky obviously wanted to stay on the field, but clubs at AFL level will be expecting a more responsive attitude at the next level.Oscar Junker continued to show signs with 15 disposals, seven contested possessions, four marks (one contested), three goals and one score assist. The 191cm, 84kg utility at times also showed some promising evasive ability and has built a reputation this year as one of the stronger marks in the TAC Cup.Clearly the best most impressive performer in the second game was likely top-10 selection Ben Ainsworth. He continued his recent strong form with 33 disposals, eight contested possessions, 10 marks, four tackles, three clearances, four goals and three score assists. His influence through the second half was arguably what won Gippsland the game.Kade Renooy, a 178cm, 75kg forward also played a pivotal role for Gippsland in their strong second half with 18 disposals, three marks and five goals for the game.Through the ruck, top-ager Joshua Patullo finished off the season strongly with 18 disposals, 10 marks (three contested), three tackles, 32 hitouts and one score assist.GWS Academy prospect and first-gamer Derek Smith was one of the highlights with 13 disposals, six contested possessions, four marks and five tackles. He is 180cm, 73kg and has spent the year playing for Wentworth. His pace was eye-catching and is someone who next season as a top-age prospect may be worth listing for Bendigo.Bottom-ager Changkuoth Jiath, a 184cm, 71kg defender showed some promising flashes with 11 disposals, four marks and five tackles while also offering good run.Bottom-ager Lachie OBrien was impressive with 30 disposals, seven contested possessions, nine marks, three tackles, three clearances and one goal.Paddy Dow, a 186cm, 80kg bottom-ager, also contributed well with 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five marks (one contested), five clearances and one goal.VFLIn his second VFL match for Richmond, Kayle Kirby again proved difficult to contain up forward with 13 disposals, six marks (three contested) and four goals. The powerful forward has kicked nine goals from his two VFL games and is improving his chances to be selected in this years AFL draft by the week.Tyson Lever, the brother of Adelaides Jake, is a 185cm, 79kg midfielder. In his VFL debut he was rated one of Coburgs best players with 17 disposals and five marks.Tom Atkins, a 180cm, 85kg midfielder for the second week in a row was listed as Geelongs best player. He had 23 disposals, seven marks (one contested), eight tackles and three goals. Atkins plays a hard, contested style of game and has built a reputation as one of the stronger tacklers in the VFL, with a high of 18 tackles earlier in the season against North Ballarat.South Australian prospect watchSANFLLeagueFormer Essendon midfielder Nick OBrien continued his big month with 31 disposals, 11 contested possessions, four clearances and two goals. He averages 29 disposals, 6.4 marks, 5.4 clearances and 1.4 goals from his past five games. OBrien has been listed as one of Woodville West-Torrens best players in each of their past five games and their best overall player in three of their last four games.Jake Pitman, a 177cm, 77kg midfielder, in his fourth league game featured in the bests for Norwood for the second time this season. He had 19 disposals, eight contested possessions, seven tackles and five clearances.AFL-ready key forward Brett Eddy continued his rich vein of form with 19 disposals, nine marks (six contested), four tackles, seven inside 50s, five goals and three score assists. Eddy has been outstanding this season in the SANFL kicking 69 goals from his 18 games.Under-18sPossible father-son selection Ben Jarman, who has played much of the season in the SANFL reserves, had significant impact through the midfield with 30 disposals, 19 contested possessions, four marks, four tackles, seven clearances, eight inside 50s and one score assist.Northern Territory midfielder Brandon Pariftt was lively through the North Adelaide midfield. He had 32 disposals, nine contested possessions, four marks, five tackles, six clearances and six inside 50s.Bottom-ager Darcy Fogarty, a 190cm midfielder who looks like he may be one of the better midfield prospects for 2017, was outstanding for Glenelg with 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight marks (one contested), three tackles, five clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals.Mitch Carter, a 196cm, 93kg key position player, contributed well with 18 disposals, six marks (three contested), two goals and two score assists. Carter has played much of the season playing in the reserves but on return to the under-18s has averaged 17 disposals, seven marks (three contested) and has also kicked 10 goals from the three games.Western Australian prospect watchWAFLLeagueAthletic impact player Sam Powell-Pepper up forward was again effective with 12 disposals, three tackles and two goals. He has played at league level the past four weeks and has been able to adapt to the stronger standard of competition.Top ruck prospect Tim English in his league debut was soundly beaten at centre bounces by ex-Richmond and Adelaide ruckman Angus Graham. He will unquestionably learn from the experience. English had 10 disposals, six marks, five tackles and 15 hitouts for the game.ColtsCameron Zurhaar, an athletic 188cm forward who has received a draft combine invite, was lively with 20 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s. He has had 20 or more disposals in last three games.After a run of four games at league level, Jake Waterman made a strong return to colts football with 32 disposals, five tackles and one goal through the midfield.Michael Humble, a 180cm midfielder was at his productive best with 30 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and one goal through Peels midfield.Having his most productive game for the season, Joshua Rotham continued to push for a selection inside the first two rounds this year with 31 disposals and three tackles.After a stretch of games at league level, Griffin Logue impressed in the colts with 33 disposals and four marks which is his most productive game for the season.Division two states (Tasmania, Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland and Northern Academy) prospects watchNEAFL:Gold Coast AcademyWhile Gold Coast were beaten by Sydney University in their elimination final, Jack Bowes finished off the season on a strong note with 31 disposals, three marks, three tackles, eight clearances and eight inside 50s. Bowes, a 187cm midfielder, is likely to join Gold Coast as a top-10 draft choice.Brad Scheer is Gold Coasts other midfielder in hot demand. Scheer is a first-round draft chance who has impressed this season with his stoppage work and contested-ball winning. In his final game of the season Scheer continued his consistent midfield play with 18 disposals, three marks, six tackles and six clearances.Josh Williams again contributed well on the outside with 15 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s. Williams as an outside linebreaker may receive interest from clubs late in the national draft.Brayden Crossley, a 198cm, 100kg bottom-age ruck prospect, showed his trademark aggression getting on top through the ruck with eight disposals and 44 hitouts. It has been impressive watching Crossley compete against men this season in the NEAFL for Gold Coast. He has on several occasions this season been required to shoulder the ruck load and has held his own which is a terrific sign for the future.Brodie Foster, a 179cm bottom-age midfield prospect showed signs for 2017 with 21 disposals and six marks. He has in his past two games managed 17 disposals, nine marks and one goal in Round 20 and 15 disposals, five marks and five tackles in Round 21. These numbers in the NEAFL, which is a solid state league competition, are encouraging.Bottom-age midfielder Jacob Dawson continued his strong form with 19 disposals, four marks, five tackles and three clearances.Utility Harry Simington, ruckman Brayden Crossley and midfielders Brodie Foster and Jacob Dawson are the bottom-age prospects to watch from Gold Coast for 2017.Wholesale Fake Jerseys . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Fake NFL Jerseys . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. http://www.fakejersey.com/fake-baseball-jerseys/ . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Fake Jerseys Online . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Fake MLB Jerseys . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota.Many of college footballs best teams have already reached the halfway point of the 2016 season, and a clear top four in the College Football Playoff race has emerged.Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Michigan are who we thought they were. What order would you put them in? Well, they may be interchangeable, depending on how you size each of them up at this point.Defending national champion Alabama looks like the best team, but dont tell Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban that. It might get you an ass-chewing normally reserved for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. The top-ranked Tide gave up too many points and far too many passing yards (400) in a 49-30 victory at Arkansas, their 18th consecutive win.Theres still plenty of room for improvement, and Alabama is about to find out if its really the best team in the country. The Tide play at No. 9 Tennessee next week, then host No. 8 Texas A&M on Oct. 22 and play at LSU on Nov. 5.Were certainly not where we want to be, not in all facets of the game, Saban said. Sometimes we play great on offense, but weve just got to be more consistent when we play really good teams.No. 3 Clemson might have the best individual win this season -- a 42-36 victory over Louisville at Death Valley last week. But the Tigers havent beaten anybody else of real consequence, and theyll play only more ranked foe during the regular season: at No. 23 Florida State on Oct. 29.Ohio State might have the best overall collection of talent even if much of coach Urban Meyers rebuilt team is extremely young. The No. 2 Buckeyes have won each of their first five games by at least 20 points, including Saturdays 38-17 win over Indiana. Well know more about Ohio State after next weeks trip to No. 11 Wisconsin.We cant say for sure if Ohio State is even the best team in the Big Ten. No. 4 Michigan demolished Rutgers 78-0, holding the Scarlet Knights to two first downs and only five passing yards. Rutgers punted 16 times in the game, and its longest play from scrimmage was 12 yards.It was Michigans largest margin of victory since an 85-0 win over the University of Chicago in 1939. It was Rutgers worst loss since an 82-0 defeat against Princeton in 1888.It just feels like playing a video game, Rutgers safety Anthony Cioffi told reporters. Just got spanked.Michigan doesnt play a ranked opponent in its next five games and will be heavily favored to roll into its Nov. 26 showdown at Ohio State with an 11-0 record. A Big Ten title -- and potentially a spot in the CFP -- might be on the line.Given the competition the top four teams faced in Week 6, there wasnt much that happened that would have changed opinions about them. However, the second tier of playoff contenders beneath them changed dramatically.No. 6 Houston lost 46-40 at Navy, which all but knocked the Cougars out of contention for the playoff.?We didnt play very well in any phase of the game, and we still had a chance to win it there in the fourth quarter, Houston coach Tom Herman said. Youre not going to win very many games against really good teams on the road turning the ball over three times, one for a touchdown, snapping the ball over the punters head and letting them rush for 300 yards.With Houston falling, No. 5 Washington and No. 8 Texas A&M look like the best bets to challenge the top four teams for the playoff spots.The Aggies moved to 6-0 for the first time since 1994 after surviving a 45-38 win over No. 9 Tennessee in two overtimes. Texas A&M blew a 21-point lead in the second half and then won in overtime after squandering two chances to put the Volunteers away in the final minutes.Texas A&Ms defense allowed 684 yards against Tennessee, including 402 passing. Theyll have two weeks to clean things up before traveling to Alabama on Oct. 22.Its great, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett said. We finally got over the hump, the little 5-0 hill that weve been facing every year.Talk about getting over the hump. Washington ended a 12-game losing streak to bitter rival Oregon by demolishing the Ducks 70-21 at Autzen Stadium. It was the first time Oregon allowed 70 points in a game since losing to Texas 71-7 on Dec. 6, 1941. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor the next day.Im just glad I dont have to talk about the streak, or have to answer that, Washington coach Chris Petersen said. Thats probably the No. 1 thing Ive been asked since the day I got to Seattle.There are plenty of questions about Oregons future after it dropped its fourth straight game. The Ducks are 11-9 in their last 20 games under coach Mark Helfrich since reaching the CFP National Championship at the end of the 2014 season.Its different than a normal loss, no question, Helfrich said. I apologize for that score.The Ducks arent the only team that has fallen dramatically. Notre Dame is also 2-4 after losing to NC State 10-3 on the road. The Fighting Irish offense managed only 113 yards on 64 plays in the rain and wind from Hurricane Matthew. Quarterback DeShone Kizer was sacked five times and completed only 9 of 26 passes for 54 yards.We dont have any excuses, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. We were atrocious offensively.Texas coach Charlie Strong is out of excuses as well. After Strong demoted defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and took over the defensive playcalling earlier this week, the Longhorns surrendered 672 yards of offense in a 45-40 loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas.Texas lost its third straight game and fell to 2-3 overall. It has allowed 45 points or more in four of its first five games.We lost the game, so there was no improvement at all, Strong said. We gave up 45 points and cant give up those big plays on defense.Playoff teams after Week 61. Alabama: Crimson Tide freshman Jalen Hurts keeps getting better every week. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and ran for two more scores in a 49-30 win at Arkansas. He has accounted for eight total touchdowns in the last three games.2. Ohio State: The Buckeyes slogged through a 38-17 win over Indiana, which limited the Buckeyes to onlly 93 passing yards.dddddddddddd But Ohio State ran for 290 yards and won their fifth consecutive game by 20 points or more, the longest active streak in FBS. The Buckeyes will have to play better when they travel to No. 11 Wisconsin next week.3. Clemson: The Tigers had a short week after last weeks thrilling win over Louisville, but they responded with a 56-10 rout at Boston College on Friday. Clemson has won 12 consecutive ACC games and eight straight road games, tying the school record set in 1978-79. Theyll get an extra day to rest before hosting NC State next week.4. Michigan: One day after the 100-year anniversary of Georgia Techs 222-0 win over Cumberland, Michigan steamrolled Rutgers 78-0 on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights had two first downs, five passing yards and were outgained 600-39 in total offense. Rutgers has been outscored 136-0 in its last two games.Next four in contention1. Washington: The Huskies took out 12 years of frustration on Oregon, crushing the Ducks 70-21 at Autzen Stadium. It was the Huskies first win in the series since beating Oregon 42-10 in 2003, and theyve now scored at least 35 points in nine consecutive games. The Huskies get a week off before hosting Oregon State on Oct. 22.2. Texas A&M: The Aggies piled up 592 yards against Tennessee and had a 200-yard rusher and 100-yard rusher in the same game for only the second time since 1950. Tailback Trayveon Williams ran for 217 yards with one touchdown, and quarterback Trevor Knight ran for 110 yards with three scores.3. Louisville: The Cardinals had an extra week to stew over their 42-36 loss at Clemson last week. They will host Duke on Friday.4. Tennessee: The Volunteers nearly put together another incredible comeback, rallying from an early 28-7 hole before falling 45-38 in two overtimes at Texas A&M. The Vols were undone by seven turnovers and 12 penalties, and now they have to bounce back to play No. 1 Alabama at home next week.Heisman candidates1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: Watson is starting to look like the player he was a year ago. He passed for 266 yards with four touchdowns at Boston College on Friday night and is now 24-2 as Clemsons starting quarterback.2. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State: Barrett had a so-so day against Indiana. He ran for 137 yards with one touchdown on a career-high 26 carries while completing 9 of 21 passes for 93 yards with one score and an interception. With 86 career touchdowns (rushing and passing), he moved past former Buckeyes quarterback Art Schlichter for second place in OSU history.3. Jabrill Peppers, LB/RB, Michigan: Peppers scored two of Michigans nine rushing touchdowns in a 78-0 rout at Rutgers. Peppers, who has played 12 positions this season, also had a 63-yard run to set up another score and had an electrifying punt return for a touchdown wiped out by a penalty -- and he did it all without playing in the second half. Afterward, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said: In my humble opinion, were looking at a Heisman Trophy winner and candidate.4. Jake Browning, QB, Washington: Browning accounted for eight touchdowns in Washingtons 70-21 rout at Oregon. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 304 yards with six touchdowns and ran for two more scores. In six games, Browning has thrown 23 touchdowns with only two interceptions.Best momentsTweets of the nightBest playsWorst playsQuotes of the night1. It shows the resiliency of our kids. I always say that it lets you know our country is in good shape because these are the leaders of our country in the future. -- Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo after the Midshipmens 46-40 upset of No. 6 Houston.2. Were tired of hearing about everybody else: North Carolina, Miami, Clemson, Louisville. Those are great teams, but we think we deserve to be mentioned in that category. -- Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans, after the Hokies improved to 4-1 with a 34-3 win at North Carolina.3. The game needs to be played, and we need to work to find a way to do that. This conference often describes itself as a family; a family has points of tension. I certainly understand the angst and frustration. I have my own level of angst, but we need to come together to play a football game and find the best way to do that. -- SEC commissioner Greg Sankey to CBS, on whether Florida and LSU will reschedule their game from Saturday, which was postponed because of Hurricane Matthew.4. If I had to do it over again at the end of the game, I probably still would have gone for it, but I would have called a different play. I felt the way the game was going, I felt like we could make a half-yard, and we didnt, so thats on me. Thats my responsibility, and Ill take the blame for it. - Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, on his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Techs 34 with 1:47 to play. Pitts defense stuffed Dedrick Mills for no gain, setting up Chris Blewitts game-winning 31-yard field goal with no time left in the Panthers 37-34 victory.Stats that matter1. 9: Purdue snapped a nine-game losing streak with its 34-31 win in overtime at Illinois. It was the Boilermakers first road win since 2014. In its last 17 road games, Purdue is 3-0 at Illinois and 0-14 against everybody else.2. 31: Virginia Tech walloped No. 17 North Carolina 34-3 on the road on Saturday, its second largest road win ever against an AP-ranked opponent. The Hokies defeated No. 24 Virginia 38-0 in 2011.3. 149-55: Since losing to FCS foe Eastern Washington and Mountain West Boise State in its first two games, Washington State has outscored its last three opponents by a combined score of 149-55. The Cougars won 42-16 at No. 15 Stanford on Saturday night. The Cardinal lost consecutive games for the first time under coach David Shaw.4. 232: Oklahomas Dede Westbrook had 232 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches in the Sooners 45-40 win over Texas. It was an OU single-game record for receiving yards and the most by a player on either team in the Red River Rivalry. ' ' '