quarterback Ryan Nassib this preseason. Nassib,

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. Custom Minnesota Twins Jerseys . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Custom Chicago Cubs Jerseys .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.customjerseysbaseball.com/custom-houston-astros-jerseys-364x.html . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Custom Baltimore Orioles Jerseys . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Two of the most accomplished Giants will not play in their preseason opener on Friday night at MetLife Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.Wide receiver?Victor Cruz has been ruled out with a groin injury suffered earlier in the week. He did not practice Wednesday.Eli Mannings absence is the coaching staffs decision. The Giants want to take a longer look at backup quarterback Ryan Nassib this preseason. Nassib, who has not started a game in his first three professional years, is a free agent after this season.I made the decision not to play Eli tonight, coach Ben McAdoo said in a statemennt by the team.dddddddddddd We have a pretty good idea of what Eli can do, and as I said the other day when asked, Ryan is going to play a lot of football for us this preseason. And that starts tonight. We will also get?Logan [Thomas]?some?work, as well.Cruz was hoping to appear in a game for the first time in 670 days. It didnt happen, though he has adamantly asserted that the tightness in his groin is a minor problem. Cruz has missed most of the past two seasons with leg injuries. ' ' '