The greatest strength of this year’s draft class — one of the best for some years — is clearly its depth.

While first-round picks are at a premium, clubs with second-round and third-round selections are just as likely to find a gem in the rough next month.

And according to the playing group, an array of underrated defenders set to be taken on night two of the draft will be highly valuable selections.

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Earlier this month, foxfooty.com.au asked some of the top players in this year’s AFL draft pool to nominate a ‘bolter’ prospect who they’d be prepared to use a first-round pick on.

Four of the players interviewed nominated Bendigo Pioneers utility James Barrat, who was a popular selection among the Vic Country boys despite being outside the top 30 of most media draft boards.

A 193cm prospect, Barrat showed impressive versatility this year. He booted 16.18 from his first six Coates Talent League games then kicked two goals against South Australia in Vic Country’s opening championships clash.

But an AFL club-led push saw Barrat swung into defence for the final two games of Country’s carnival — and he thrived on the big stage by averaging 11 touches and six intercepts.

He then carried that form as a defender back to the Pioneers, averaging 18.8 disposals, 9.2 marks and 8.0 rebound 50s from his final six home and away games, before producing a two-goal, 25-disposal display in Bendigo’s wildcard clash against the Stingrays.

Barrat late last month was announced as the winner of the Neville Strauch Best and Fairest Award for the Pioneers’ boys team for season 2024.

When asked to nominate his draft bolter, Pioneers star Tobie Travaglia – who finished runner-up to Barrat in the Pioneers’ club champion count – had no hesitation nominating his teammate.

“Going down back, you look back at some of the marks he takes and the way he competes, he’s one of the best at it I feel for his position,” Travaglia told foxfooy.com.au.

“He’s been through a lot of adversity when he was younger and has had to do a lot to get to that point. If a club does take him, they’re going to get the most out of him.”

Fellow Pioneer Jobe Shanahan said Barrat deserved “way more than everyone’s ranking him at the moment”.

“He’s probably had one of the best years going around,” Shanahan told foxfooty.com.au.

“Back at Bendigo, he was that much of a competitor. Just the amount of good performances he’s had throughout the year, I don’t know how he’s not talked about more.”

Murray Bushrangers goalkicker Jack Whitlock also nominated Barrat, who doesn’t turn 18 until next month.

“He’s probably not talked about as much, but just his ability to play forward at the start of the season — he averaged almost three goals a game – and then he’s gone back and locked down players and can take 10 intercept marks a game – which he did against us, unfortunately – he’s been exceptional,” Whitlock told foxfooty.com.au.

“Some of the things he’s been through, he’s very resilient and a good country bloke.”

Whitlock’s twin, Matt Whitlock, also would’ve said Barrat, but opted for another player to mix the survey results up.

“I’d say Josh Murphy. Another Murray boy, but he was the leading goalkicker in the Coates League, he’s got some really powerful traits and I can see him being a very good pick-up – wherever he goes,” Matt Whitlock told foxfooty.com.au.

There was also love for Glenelg defender Angus Clarke, who played a starring role for South Australia at the national carnival averaging 17 disposals and two intercept marks per match. He was invited to the national combine and ran his 2km time trial in 6:16 — ranked third overall.

What made Clarke’s year even more remarkable was the fact he often made the four-hour trip from his Mt Gambier family farm to Adelaide to play and train with Glenelg and the SA state side – all while completing his final year of school.

“He played in the state team this year and was a driving force down there,” Glenelg teammate Ben Camporeale told foxfooty.com.au.

“He’s got great attributes, he’s a nice kick and I feel like he’d bring a lot to an AFL club. He’s a great character as well. He’s put a lot of work in to get where he is.”

Top-10 prospect Sid Draper added: “Angus is an absolute gun who had a pretty awesome championships. He’s a tall intercept defender, smart footballer, elite skills. I think he would be catching a lot of clubs’ eyes and I think deserves a first-round pick if it was me.”

Draper also threw up Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Kade Herbert after a strong 2024 campaign, which included playing six league games in the SANFL.

“He (Herbert) is the ultimate competitor, hard worker and probably one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with,” Draper declared.

The other popular defender in the bolter category was Sandringham Dragons’ Harry Oliver, who was named in both the Under 18 All-Australian side and the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

There’s a lot to like about Oliver, who’s a composed defender with excellent decision-making skills and pinpoint distribution by foot. He can break the lines with his run, carry and kicking, while he also attacks the ball hard.

“He’s tough as and he doesn’t shy away from anything,” Dragons teammate Luke Trainor told foxfooty.com.au.

“He’s a really good defender, you can trust him and he’s an elite left-foot kick.”

Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Jagga Smith, who’s known Oliver since he was 12, added: “He’s the type of person and footballer that you’d want to bring into a club. He’s really hard at it and he plays a really team-orientated game.

“I’d be definitely happy to take him in the first round of the draft.”

Here’s who other likely draftees nominated when asked by foxfooty.com.au to name a first-round bolter in their eyes.

Calder Cannons star Isaac Kako said: “Probably Jayden Nguyen from the Cannons, a fellow NGA at the Bombers. He’s got speed, breaks lines and is a real good kid.”

Sandringham Dragons on-baller Murphy Reid said: “Probably Tom Gross. He was probably touted a bit higher earlier in the year and I don’t know why, but he seems to be a bit lower in mock drafts at the moment. He’s such a great person and great player.”

Powerful GWV Rebels prospect Sam Lalor said: “Ollie Hannaford. His back-end of the year, as soon as he went forward he made an impact straight away. He’s fast, powerful, agile and his game in the grand final, on the big stage he lifted.”

Sandringham Dragons forward Harry Armstrong said: “I think Luke Kennedy from Sandy. He’s a two-way runner and he’s the best kick in the team.”

Fellow Dragon Taj Hotton said: “I’ll say Mitch Kirkwood-Scott. He’s a Haileybury lad and I really rate him. I think he’s got an unbelievable kick and being able to kick like that is such a weapon in footy, he’s got one of the best shoes I’ve ever seen. I’ve had the best taste of it, and he usually laces me out when I’m playing with him. I think if a club takes a chance on him, they won’t regret it.”

Murray Bushrangers goalkicker Joe Berry said: “One of my good mates, Lachie Jacques. He’s a great player, great character and he had a great year including All-Australian.”

Peel Thunder star Bo Allan said: “I’m going to go a homegrown talent and go with Hamish Davis … He’s a really good runner with his endurance, but he’s gifted and a hard worker. He had a really good end of the year and played Claremont league games as well and shone there. I think he’s got really big upside and definitely a bolter for the draft.”

Glenelg winger Lucas Camporeale said: “I’ll go Charlie Nicholls. He’s a tall defender and forward. He took a lot of marks in the champs and it was great to see him play at both ends of the ground and show his versatility. We played Under 12s state footy together, so we’ve been really close since then. But it’s not just biased, because I’d like to think he’s got the attributes that would translate into an AFL environment.”