A week out from the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, Kevin Sheehan has outlined his top 40 prospects to keep an eye on.

The AFL’s National Talent Manager, Sheehan said the young talent in this year’s pool could rival some of the very best draft crops.

Much has been made of the top-end talent this year, with the ‘Elite Eight’ dominating conversation ahead of one of the most intriguing nights on the football calendar.

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“Those in the business of watching and analysing AFL draft prospects over the last two years have been very bullish about the elite potential throughout the draft class of 2018,” Sheehan said.

“It has led to comparisons with what is generally referred to in the AFL industry as the ‘Super Draft’ of 2001.”

Carlton holds the No.1 selection in this year’s draft, as well as picks Nos.69, 71 and 77 as things stand.

In alphabetical order, here is Sheehan’s top 40:

Nick Blakey (Sydney Swans Academy); Kieren Briggs (GWS Giants Academy); Zak Butters (Western Jets); Jack Bytel (Calder Cannons); Jye Caldwell (Bendigo Pioneers); Jordan Clark (Claremont); Riley Collier-Dawkins (Oakleigh Chargers); Xavier Duursma (Gippsland Power); Jackson Hately (Central District); Ian Hill (Perth); Chayce Jones (Launceston); Tom Joyce (East Fremantle); Will Kelly (Oakleigh Chargers); Buku Khamis (Western Jets); Ben King (Sandringham Dragons); Max King (Sandringham Dragons); Jacob Koschitzke (Murray Bushrangers); Jack Lukosius (Woodville West Torrens); Connor McFadyen (Brisbane Lions Academy); Edward McHenry (Geelong Falcons); Tom McKenzie (Northern Knights); Jez McLennan (Central District); Xavier O’Halloran (Western Jets); Isaac Quaynor (Oakleigh Chargers); Izak Rankine (West Adelaide); Connor Rose (North Adelaide); Bailey Scott (Gold Coast Suns Academy); Bailey Smith (Sandringham Dragons); Ely Smith (Murray Bushrangers); Tom Sparrow (South Adelaide); Sydney Stack (Perth); Liam Stocker (Sandringham Dragons); Sam Sturt (Dandenong Stingrays); Curtis Taylor (Calder Cannons); Tarryn Thomas (North Launceston); Fraser Turner (Clarence); Luke Valente (Norwood); Sam Walsh (Geelong Falcons); Rhylee West (Calder Cannons); Bailey Williams (Dandenong Stingrays)