WHILE this year’s National Draft produced record low numbers, several clubs still took the opportunity to cash in on major hauls of new players. With that often comes a balancing act, configuring a draft haul around the ability to add depth in multiple areas of the ground and with diverse traits.

Perhaps the most pertinent example this year was Essendon. The Bombers made five selections overall, but their first three were of particular interest. With what ended up being picks nine (Sullivan Robey), 10 (Jacob Farrow), and 13 (Dyson Sharp), they nabbed a forward/midfielder, defender/midfielder, and genuine centre bounce midfielder.

Essendon has long yearned for some size and grunt through the engine room, so there remained an element of sameness in their haul with the three selections measuring up at 192cm, 187cm, and 188cm respectively. What’s more, all three are effective metres-gained players.

The Bombers’ deliberate approach allowed them to bolster a key area of the ground in the long-term, while remaining flexible in the short. Similarly, Collingwood’s midfielder-heavy crop may seem sameish at first glance, but a deeper dive reveals a consideration of balance.

The Magpies took Tyan Prindable off Brisbane’s hands for his clean extraction work and potential to play a pressure forward role. Sam Swadling was next as a more outside-leaning accumulator who can kick off both feet. Then there was Angus Anderson, a bigger and more mature body ready to crash and bash.

Altogether, while the common threat of senior experience binds the three new Collingwood midfielders together, National Recruitment Manager Shane O’Bree says their respective traits will “compliment each other”.

Brisbane, who allowed academy graduate Prindable to walk to the Magpies, sited positional needs and its draft order as priorities. The Lions instead added depth in other areas of the ground after matching for Daniel Annable at pick six, nabbing a power mid-forward, key position utility, and wingman.

West Coast also selected for a spread, hoping to plug gaps across the field. The Eagles’ five National Draft selections included a long-term midfielder (Willem Duursma), ruck-forward (Cooper Duff-Tytler), defender (Josh Lindsay), wingman (Sam Allen), and small forward (Tylah Williams).

Even Richmond, following on from last year’s mammoth haul, made some secondary adjustments. This time, the Tigers targeted speed and power with the combination of Sam Cumming and Sam Grlj up front, before doubling down to select fellow mid-forwards Zane Peucker and Noah Roberts-Thomson later on.

Of course, there are always antitheses or exceptions to the rule. While they ended up with quite a diverse crop, the Gold Coast Suns arguably had less choice with their commitment to five academy products. They also managed to make an open draft selection in Avery Thomas.

The likes of GWS and Geelong clearly drafted on traits. More specifically, the Giants sought to strengthen their ‘orange tsunami’ with speedy defenders Oskar Taylor and Finn Davis, while the Cats had rule changes in mind when also targeting running power via Harley Barker and Hunter Holmes.

Fremantle fell into a similar boat, seeking some forward half shine. The Dockers took Adam Sweid and Tobyn Murray as hard-running, small midfielder-forwards, before adding Leon Kickett as a touch of X-factor in the Rookie Draft.

Adelaide could also be pointed out as drafting two similar types, with tall forwards Mitchell Marsh and Archie Ludowyke landing at West Lakes. Although, the Crows had considered Ludowyke with the pick they took Marsh, and simply couldn’t resist once he slid all the way down to pick 50.

So, while clubs may enter a draft looking to target one area of the ground or searching for particular traits, doing so often requires a consideration of balance. At surface level, the likes of Collingwood seemed to lack that balance compared to a team like West Coast, though each player offers something unique. How they all fit into the overall puzzle is the great balancing act.