NIGHT one of the 2024 National AFL Draft is in the books, with 27 young athletes realising their dreams of becoming AFL footballers. The evenness of the crop was proven through the raft of surprise selections, though as expected, Richmond picked midfielder Sam Lalor first off the board. We recap all the key moments before looking forward to tomorrow’s intake.

>> EVERY PICK: 2024 AFL Draft Night One

KEY TALKING POINTS

PICK ONE

Things got underway as Richmond paid tribute to late recruiting manager Chris Toce, having his son Harry input the first selection of the night. As was touted by many, Lalor’s name was duly called out and he was presented his new colours by Tigers great Trent Cotchin.

THE FIRST BID

The first bid of the night was made with pick five, as Melbourne put Brisbane on the board for father-son gun Levi Ashcroft. After the Lions quickly matched for their newly minted midfielder, the Dees snapped up Victorian powerhouse and Larke Medallist Harvey Langford.

ST KILDA’S TWO-PIECE

St Kilda got on the clock at pick eight and was primed to snap up Bendigo Pioneers utility Tobie Travaglia, as per several links. The next move was to place a bid on Suns Academy prospect Leo Lombard before making it a Vic Country pair with Alix Tauru at pick 10. Together, he and Travaglia form one of the most exciting, athletic and versatile packages of any club to pick so far.

THE FIRST KEY TRADE

Port Adelaide traded up within the first round to nab Josh Sinn back in 2021, and pulled off a similar move for Joe Berry this time around. The crafty small forward, who idolises Robbie Gray, was nabbed after Port moved ahead of West Coast with pick 16, while also handing over pick 45.

GWS’ BOLTS FROM THE BLUE

Greater Western Sydney pulled off arguably the biggest shock selections of the night, starting with bolter Oliver Hannaford at pick 18. He was the first state combine invitee to be selected. The Giants weren’t done there, cutting ahead of Richmond with its next pick to take small defender Harrison Oliver.

Their third and final pick, though, was the one which sent the room into a spin. Claremont dasher Cody Angove was their man, the biggest bolter of the night but a pick which suits GWS’ usual archetype. His running game off the wing or half-forward leads to scores and he has significant upside.

RICHMOND’S NEXT PREMIERSHIP SPINE

Richmond was always going to be a big winner out of night one, especially with such a wealth of selections. The Tigers ended up with plenty of height, taking 188cm and 195cm midfielders in Lalor and Josh Smillie within the top 10, along with key forwards Jonty Faull (pick 14) and Harry Armstrong (24), and tall defender Luke Trainor. Taj Hotton was the outlier, but offers a handy point of difference.

Altogether, there is already great variety in the Tigers’ crop, having targeted bookends with reference to their last great premiership team, which featured Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt. Of course, they are also covered in the middle of the park and should be well poised to reassess before either taking offers for pick 28, or staying put and adding another piece of the puzzle.

ESSENDON’S TRADE SHOCKER

Essendon mobilised during trade period to ensure its first selection would not be eaten up by a bid on Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako. Having previously been poised at pick nine, which Melbourne used to recruit Xavier Lindsay, the Bombers ended up matching a bid back at pick 13. It made the trade redundant on Essendon’s end and looks like a major blunder, despite the useful late picks the club netted. Instead, the Bombers could have had Kako and another first rounder.

BRISBANE’S BID STEALS

Brisbane would have been chuffed with Ashcroft falling to pick five, which was pegged coming into the night. Some experts rated him as the top prospect in the draft. Later on, the Lions welcomed Academy graduate Sam Marshall with a well priced pick 25, seeing them lose picks 43 and 44, but gain 57. The Swans then selected Ned Bowman and Brisbane is left with plenty of draft capital to spare.

THE FINAL SAY

Richmond had a say in the first and final calls of night one. Clearly with a player in mind, North Melbourne was keen to get on the phone and manufacture a deal, though look to have been absolutely skinned in the process. The Tigers parted with pick 27 and a future second rounder for North Melbourne’s 2025 first round pick. To be fair, it meant North was able to nab Matt Whitlock to close proceedings – a player they rated incredibly highly.

THE NEXT BEST

After a night of drama and plenty of bolters, there is still plenty of talent left off the board. Perhaps most significantly, key forwards Jack Whitlock and Jobe Shanahan were overlooked for the quality midfield and utility talent available. They will be in high demand to start night two, and may even pique Richmond’s interest first off the board.

Another consideration for the Tigers will be leading ruck prospect Alex Dodson, who would nicely round out their rebuilding spine. Elsewhere, the Western Bulldogs hold two of the next four selections and could look at some running power in Hamish Davis, or explosiveness with Tom Gross.

Ruck/forward Thomas Sims is another key position prospect who will be high on many clubs’ boards and may warrant a trade up the order. The likes of Christian Moraes and Jasper Alger have plenty of links in the next 10 selections or so and will likely also find homes quickly.

On top of the four first round bids, another three may be placed early on night two. Giants Academy ruck Logan Smith should attract attention, while St Kilda will have first dibs on NGA products Lennox Hofmann and Adrian Cole in a similar range. Meanwhile, Carlton will be hoping to hear a bid for Ben Camporeale after its pick 40.

Night two gets underway at 7pm AEDT at Marvel Stadium.