WHILE 71 players made it onto AFL lists during the National AFL Draft, plenty more will be hoping for a chance at the elite level via today’s Rookie intake. In the online event which gets underway at 3:00pm AEDT, several clubs will keen to dip further into the depth of this year’s crop. We highlight 10 players who could earn lifelines, along with the likely club-tied selections.

>> EVERY PICK: 2024 National AFL Draft

GWV Rebels, Vic CountryRuck Forward

Floyd Burmeister

Height: 199cm

Weight: -

DOB: 04-05-2006

Burmeister is exactly the kind of player the Rookie Draft was made for. He has bucketloads of potential and raw athletic traits, with the footballing development set to come in due course. The 199cm prospect was part of Greater Western Victoria’s first run to the Coates Talent League Grand Final in 27 years, playing a key role through the ruck and up forward.

Bendigo Pioneers, Vic CountryForward-Midfielder

Archer Day-Wicks

Height: 186cm

Weight: -

DOB: 13-05-2006

Day-Wicks surely has far too much talent to overlook with a rookie selection. The mercurial left-footer is a slick ball user at his best and has a strong aerial game. His competitive nature sees him ride the bumps better than most class-based prospects, and he showed an aptitude across a variety of roles. Perhaps he is best suited as a forward who can pinch-hit in midfield.

Claremont, Western AustraliaKey Defender

Clancy Dennis

Height: 195cm

Weight: -

DOB: 28-12-2006

Dennis was the only top-age All Australian not to have been selected in the National Draft, but was linked with a few clubs searching for key defensive support. He remains in the hunt as a competitive lockdown type who can also peel off to intercept, or rebound the ball without fuss. The 195cm defender, who finished the season in a moon boot, was part of Claremont’s Colts premiership side.

Calder Cannons, Vic MetroUtility

Damon Hollow

Height: 179cm

Weight: -

DOB: 30-03-2006

Hollow is another prospect whose season ended through injury, after he fractured his neck in Wildcard Round. The Calder Cannons captain showed plenty beforehand though, playing roles in each third of the field with dogged determination and grit. His weapons include a booming kick and the ability to take strong overhead marks, on top of his ravenous work ethic.

Geelong Falcons, Vic CountryMidfielder-Forward

Xavier Ivisic

Height: 181cm

Weight: -

DOB: 01-06-2006

Ivisic sets himself apart with smart and hard running – attributes every club needs in the modern day. The Geelong Falcons product splits his time through midfield and up forward, often breaking to the outside and using the ball neatly by hand and foot. His bursts of run and overall work rate throughout make him a threat over the course of four quarters.

Oakleigh ChargersDefender

Blake Leidler

Height: 181cm

Weight: -

DOB: 20-03-2006

Leidler had interest late in the draft and boasts the kind of profile clubs are after. He ticks the boxes athletically with terrific speed and translates that on-field with daring running plays. While capable of aggressive moves in transition, Leidler also proved his wares in lockdown roles and can even swing forward from his usual defensive post. The potential is there.

Peel ThunderDefender

Michael Sellwood

Height: 186cm

Weight: -

DOB: 02-10-2003

While considered a mature-ager in the draft space, Sellwood is just 21-years-old and has been courting interest after a breakout season in the WAFL. The defender was a consistent figure in Peel Thunder’s League premiership this year and has been highly touted at Mandurah since graduating from the Colts program. He could even be a SSP train-on for clubs like West Coast and Carlton.

Sandringham DragonsMidfielder-Forward

Nathaniel Sulzberger

Height: 187cm

Weight: -

DOB: 06-05-2006

Looking to become the 11th Sandringham Dragons graduate to be drafted this year, Sulzberger would also be the first Tasmanian to find a home. The powerful midfielder-forward was highly touted coming into the season for his blend of size and running ability. After a steady start, he showed he has enough traits with great form to end the year, no less with a Coates Talent League flag.

Dandenong StingraysForward

Sam Toner

Height: 184cm

Weight: -

DOB: 23-10-2005

Toner well and truly burst onto the scene this year with 11 goals in three full Coates Talent League appearances, including five in just his second game. The over-ager was plucked from local football, where he had already booted 50 goals for Narre Warren. Interest was there despite a lack of exposure, with Toner’s raw talent and speed through the contest catching the eye.

Sandringham DragonsKey Position Utility

Lachlan Voss

Height: 199cm

Weight: -

DOB: 19-04-2005

Voss is yet another Sandringham Dragons prospect in frame to hit the big leagues, hoping to do so having been overlooked last year. The two-time Coates Talent League premiership player had previously cut his teeth as a lockdown key defender, but went on to impress in a revamped ruck-forward role this year. His versatility and strong aerial ability are big ticks.

CLUB-TIED ROOKIES

Plenty of intrigue surrounds what St Kilda will do with its rookie selections. The club is committed to re-listing Brad Crouch, but did not match a bid for Academy product Lennox Hofmann (Geelong) in the National Draft and has the potential to take on Adrian Cole and Elwood Peckett.

Having drafted strongly for tall defenders and overlooked Hofmann, Cole now seems an unlikely choice. The Saints remain uncommitted to the Sandringham Dragons product, who may attract interest from other clubs. Similar can be said for Peckett, who is the son of 252-game former Saint, Justin.

After mobilising to match an early bid for Isaac Kako, Essendon has confirmed it will automatically add fellow Next Generation Academy member Jayden Nguyen to its Category B rookie list. The pair played together at Calder Cannons and Vic Metro this year.

Similarly, GWS will welcome a second Academy graduate in local boy Josaia Delana, after taking ruck Logan Smith with its final pick in the National Draft. Ricky Mentha will get to Melbourne, while Benny Barrett lands at Port Adelaide having slipped through to the rookie intake despite late interest.

There was no word from the Eagles post-draft, though NGA talent Malakai Champion is available to list as a Category B rookie. Brisbane was set to do the same with Ty Gallop before Geelong bid with pick 42. Conversely, four bids were left unmatched during the National Draft.

RE-LISTED PLAYERS

Adelaide: Chris Burgess, Harry Schoenberg
Brisbane: Darcy Craven, Darragh Joyce
Collingwood: Ash Johnson, Oleg Markov
Fremantle: Max Knobel
GWS: Josh Fahey, Lachlan Keeffe, Jacob Wehr
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston
North Melbourne: Toby Pink
Richmond: Mate Colina
St Kilda: Brad Crouch
Sydney: Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling

Note: Brisbane is expected to take Sam Day via the Pre-Season Draft.