READ UP ON THE 2019 DRAFT CLASS

      Callum Twomey and Riley Beveridge from AFL.com.au profile some of the top draft prospects heading into the 2019 NAB AFL National Draft.

      NED CAHILL

      "GO PLUGGER."

      It's a message from the coaches' box that all Dandenong Stingray players want to hear. It's also a message that Ned Cahill received quite often throughout an impressive 2019 campaign.

      'Plugger' is a position the Stingrays have created for players that are running hot. Paying homage to St Kilda and Sydney goalkicking great Tony 'Plugger' Lockett, it's a licence to go to the goalsquare and an instruction not to leave.

      Ned Cahill in the huddle with the Dandenong Stingrays.

      "It's always fun when the coach tells you to go 'Plugger'," Cahill told AFL.com.au.

      "You think to yourself, 'bloody oath, bugger off boys'. It's a lot of fun."

      Fortunately, Cahill has the smarts and the nous around goal to make 'Plugger' the most natural position for him.

      Clean and dangerous on ground level, the 178cm forward has kicked goals in bunches this season and enjoyed some of the NAB League's most dominant individual games from the forward line.

      He kicked three goals from 29 disposals against the Oakleigh Chargers in April, bagged four majors from 19 touches against the Western Jets in May and helped his side win its first final against the Murray Bushrangers with three goals from 21 disposals in August.

      Cahill knows where the goals are.

      It's helped elevate Cahill to become one of the NAB AFL Draft pool's most attractive and intriguing small forward prospects, alongside his Stingrays teammate and close friend Cody Weightman.

      The two are tight, and it's no surprise. Both are energetic and enthusiastic characters, with their blossoming partnership inside both the Dandenong and Vic Country forward lines clear to see.

      "I love a celebration, but I normally plan it with a few other boys … like Cody," Cahill said.

      "We've got a little handshake thing that we work on."

      Cahill, a boyhood Sydney fan, has long idolised Swans goalsneak Tom Papley.

      Indeed, the manner in which Papley plays is reflected in Cahill's game. He's clever inside 50, while he has the ability to burst through the midfield – averaging 18 disposals per match in the NAB League this season.

      But it's not just the way they play their football that is comparable. There are also some similar personality traits.

      "He's a bit crazy on the field as well," Cahill laughed.

      "I wouldn't say I get stuck in like that, but if I'm going alright and if they're talking a little bit I don't mind giving a little bit back. I think I'm just up and about as a person."

      Fortunately, Cahill is able to back up that spunk with his work ethic and output on the field.

      His top-10 finish in the 2km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine was reflective of his running ability, with Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Darren Flanigan of the belief that his aerobic capacity makes him an even more dangerous prospect in the forward line.

      Cahill (centre) during the 2km time trial.

      "He works really hard," Flanigan told AFL.com.au.

      "He's got a really good 2km time trial, so he works his defender over, plus he's very good at creating turnovers in the front half and he's good finisher.

      "He's got a good motor. There's no reason why, with a little bit more craft around stoppages, he couldn't spend a bit more time in the midfield. But he's just so valuable in the front half, especially with his finishing and his pressure."

      Despite his stints through the midfield, it's forward where Cahill feels most comfortable and forward where he thinks he'll play his best footy at senior level.

      "Last year we had such a strong midfield with the Stingrays, with three or four of them getting drafted, so as a bottom-ager I was never going to be able to get into that midfield group," Cahill said.

      "I had to develop my game somewhere else and that was forward. I really enjoyed that. If I had to pick between the two, I think I'd probably prefer to play forward."

      DEVEN ROBERTSON

      Deven Robertson wasn't going off the ground. It wasn't an option. 

      It was halfway through the second quarter of Western Australia's final round match of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, facing Vic Country at Marvel Stadium in a clash that would decide the title.

      Robertson had steered his team throughout the national carnival, captaining the state and being its most consistent player through the midfield. A shoulder dislocation wasn't getting in the way of anything.

      "I sublaxed my shoulder, so it popped out and went back in. I knew straight away that something wasn't right," Robertson told AFL.com.au.

      "I didn't say anything to any of the doctors or physios because I was too scared they were going to hold me out of the game.

      "Moving throughout the game it was fairly fine, there was lots of adrenaline going through my body, so I wasn't too bad."

      The injury didn't impact Robertson's output, with the midfielder gathering 28 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles as his side claimed a win with the last kick of the game – sealing Western Australia's first title in a decade.

      Two weeks later, after Robertson had claimed the Larke Medal as the best player in the championships and the under-18 All Australian captaincy following an average of 30 disposals and five clearances, he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.

      "To lead WA throughout the carnival was a huge honour, and to be able to bring the cup back home to WA for the first time in 10 years is so special for me and something I'll never forget," he said.

      "The Larke Medal was really special for me and it's a huge honour. There's been some fantastic players win it over the last recent years and before that as well.

      "I was just playing my role for the team and it just so happened to be that my role was winning a lot of the ball and getting it out to my teammates. So that's what I did."

      He did it well enough to push himself into top-10 consideration.

      Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney could consider Roberson with their first round selections, and he offers immediate leadership, grunt and ball-winning ability to a midfield.

      The knock is on Robertson's kicking, and he doesn't have the same polish as other top-end prospects.

      But his courage and consistency cover for that, having spent the off-season improving several key areas.

      "The goal for me over the pre-season was to improve my fitness and a little bit of off-field stuff as well in regards to my diet. That set me up for the year hugely. I was feeling a lot better in the games and covering more ground, so it was a big pre-season," he said.

      "It's satisfying and really good to get reward for a lot of hard work."

      A club that won't get access to Robertson at this month's NAB AFL Draft is West Coast, which will enter the draft at pick No.46 after its monster Tim Kelly trade.

      Robertson has close ties to the Eagles, the team he grew up barracking for and the club that was captained by his uncle, West Coast great Darren Glass.

      Glass recently departed Hawthorn as its assistant coach to take the reins as the Eagles’ new list manager, but Robertson hasn't discussed how their draft order is shaping up – and where he fits within it.

      "He's 'Uncle Daz'. Growing up you idolise all these footy players and to have one in your family you can chat to, and someone you can see regularly, was amazing. He's been really influential for me," Robertson said.

      "I haven't spoken to him too much about it. I don’t think he's got too much to do with this year's draft. Whatever happens, happens."