ROOKIE SELECTIONS:

ADELAIDE – Callum Ah Chee
FREMANTLE – Oskar Ainsworth, Marcus Krasnadamskis
GOLD COAST – Leon Kickett
HAWTHORN – Thomas Burton, Jasper Hay, Liam Hetherton
MELBOURNE – Kalani White
PORT ADELAIDE – Cody Curtin
ST KILDA – Zac Harding, Avery Thomas
WEST COAST – Koby Evans, Hunter Holmes

 

CATEGORY B ROOKIES:

ADELAIDE – Mitchell Stevens, Indy Cotton
BRISBANE – Isaac Waller
COLLINGWOOD – Thomas McGuane
FREMANTLE – Toby Whan, Ryda Luke
GEELONG – Ben Rongdit
RICHMOND – Louis Kellaway
SYDNEY – Noah Chamberlain, Kaiden McNamara
WEST COAST – Wes Walley
WESTERN BULLDOGS – Will Darcy

ADELAIDE CROWS

List size: 43 of 44
36 Senior
5 Rookie
2 Category B
1 Rookie spot for train-on
2 National Picks 

 

List balance targets:
Centre Midfielder/Wing 2
Small/General Forward
Ruck

 

Draft Selections:
Pick 17 – Jevan Phillipou
Pick 47 – Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
Pre-Season – Callum Ah Chee
Category B – Indy Cotton, Mitchell Stevens

 

Midfield depth was certainly an area to bolster with a wingman a possibility if the Crows wanted to throw Dan Curtin into the centre going forward. They could still do so with Phillipou and Oudshoorn-Bennier both having the tools required to play wing, though they have been selected as midfielders. Ah Chee will help the forward half to assist Luke Pedlar and Ben Keays while allowing Izak Rankine to bring his class into the midfield more often. Father-son hopeful Stevens will offer wing/half back support and Cotton is a talented basketball convert at 194cm who was scouted by several clubs.

 

If not Phillipou at pick 17, then you have the likes of Harley Barker, Matthew LeRay and Cameron Nairn as good list fits – not just because they are South Australian. The Crows have plenty of pure inside midfielders so versatile midfielders and wingman with kicking skills should be the targets and all three fit the bill as potential wingman.

 

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BRISBANE LIONS

List size 44 of 44

36 Senior

6 Rookie

2 Category B

3 National Picks 

1 Rookie Upgrades 

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Defender 

Small/General Forward 

Centre Midfielder

Tall Forward

 

Draft Selections

Pick 4 – Daniel Annable

Pick 49 – Fergus McFadyen

Pick 51 – Tyan Prindable

Category B – Isaac Waller

Rookie Uprade – Bruce Reville

 

The Lions will be hoping an Annable bid doesn’t come before pick four to avoid going into deficit, but regardless it would seem they won’t select until late in the draft. There is a chance they take a player they really rated who has fallen, and in that case may forego brining in some academy players. 

 

Who the Lions take from their academy will also be tough and they are likely to bring back any that missed to their VFL side next year. McFadyen has improved a lot from that very program and could be taken, and although I haven’t selected Harrison Bridge here, he is still a very real option. Shadeau Brain might also be an upgrade option which would see another academy player miss out.

 

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CARLTON BLUES

List size 43 of 44

36 Senior  

5 Rookie

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

3 National Picks 

1 Rookie Upgrades 

 

List balance targets 

Tall Forward 2 

Tall Defender 

Centre Midfielder 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 5 – Harry Dean

Pick 28 – Archie Ludowyke

Pick 34 – Jack Ison 

Rookie Upgrade – Cooper Lord

 

The Dean bid will be a big talking point going into the draft with the Blues very likely receiving and making calls to other clubs in regard to their picks affected by potential bids. This scenario sees the Tigers bid on Dean which unfortunately takes up two early picks, while talented midfielder Ison is bid on by Melbourne with pick 34.

 

Charlie Curnow is obviously a huge hole to fill and the higher a bid Dean gets the lower value of pick comes in, which likely brings Carlton out of range for Schubert. Although, the likes of Marsh and Ludowyke could be available with the latter being taken here in what could be a real bargain given Ludowyke’s early-season form had him in top 15 calculations.

 

There hasn’t been an announcement on a rookie upgrade as of this article but I’ll be going with Lord who has shown very promising signs. The Blues will likely leave their remaining rookie pick for a train-on player and for list balance I feel a second key forward should be considered. Small forwards have been a need from most supporters but using my list balance method Blues have already filled that area ahead of the draft.

 

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COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

List size 43 of 44

36 Senior 

5 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

4 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

Centre Midfielder 2 

Tall Forward 

Tall Defender 

Small/General Forward 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 36 – Zac McCarthy

Pick 41 – Blake Thredgold

Pick 50 – Fred Rodriguez

Pick 52 – Sam Swadling

Category B – Thomas McGuane

 

The Magpies are in a good position a long as a McCarthy bid doesn’t come a lot earlier than expected. Improving the midfield depth is key and getting Rodriguez and Swadling this late could be real bargains – both being WA teammates to boot. Thredgold might be unlikely to last this long but would be perfect as a developing tall defender able to play on talls and smalls.

 

A small forward could also be considered late in the piece but more likely to look to that area through a train-on spot. Collingwood could look to elevate a rookie or two rather than select in the National Draft but with the players available I feel they take the picks instead.

 

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ESSENDON BOMBERS

List size 43 of 43

36 Senior 

6 Rookies

1 Category B

5 National Picks 

2 Rookie Upgrades

 

List balance targets 

4 Small/General Forwards 

1 Small/General Defender 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 9 – Sam Cumming

Pick 10 – Dyson Sharp

Pick 19 – Adam Sweid

Pick 27 – Rory Wright

Pick 29 – Hussein El Achkar

Rookie Upgrades – Jaxon Prior, Vigo Visentini

 

Obviously Cumming and Sharp will be midfield options going forward but any midfielders taken by Essendon are unlikely to be afforded much midfield time in their first year. Both have spent some time forward at SANFL League level, aiding that transition. Does Essendon potentially see Grlj as a forward option with his mix of speed/endurance, or Farrow for some drive from half-back?

 

The Sweid bid is just about the worst possible scenario for Essendon so expect them to try and trade up or for a future pick if they feel a bid comes early. El Achkar likely gets a bid after their fifth pick but it might happen the following pick with the Bulldogs regardless, so I have taken him with the Bombers’ final pick.

 

Wright’s late-season form down back has seen his stocks rise and Essendon supporters wouldn’t mind another Archie Roberts style of player. Thredgold could be another option here or maybe they go small again and look at Byrne.

 

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FREMANTLE DOCKERS

List size 44 of 44

36 Senior 

5 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

2 National Picks

2 Rookie Upgraded

 

List balance targets 

4 Small/General Forwards 

1 Centre Midfielder 

1 Ruck 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 21 – Latrelle Pickett

Pick 46 – Talor Byrne

Rookie – Oskar Ainsworth, Marcus Krasnadamskis

Category B – Toby Whan, Ryda Luke

Rookie Upgrades – Jeremy Sharp, Josh Draper

 

A quality centre midfielder – ideally one who can go forward – along with small/general forwards were the top priority here for Freo. After bids on Sweid and Addinsall, it left only some small forwards I felt the best fits were Pickett and Byrne. Both bring a lot of excitement in different ways, although Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves would be another consideration for pick 21.

 

Having Whan get through the national draft would be a bonus and Luke provides even more forward depth. Ainsworth and Krasnadamskis both have strong upside and I have left a train-on spot which could be filled by any role really.

 

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GEELONG CATS

List size 44 of 44

38 Senior  

4 Rookies

2 Category B

3 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

3 Wingman

 

Draft Selections

Pick 18 – Harley Barker

Pick 38 – Hugo Mikunda

Pick 44 – Jesse Mellor

Category B – Ben Rongdit

 

Geelong is always an interesting case at the draft, known to take unknown players and make them stars. The Cats also tend to look local which I have done with both Mikunda and Mellor. They would obviously prefer Mellor make it past the national draft but his form would be hard to ignore for other clubs. A bid here at 44 would put Geelong into deficit, but I imagine moves will be made on the night to lessen the blow.

 

Hunter Holmes fits the bill as a wingman and it would be fitting to reunite him with his brother, so he could be an option rather than Mikunda at pick 38.

 

There is no rush at Geelong for a player like Barker who is coming off an ACL and he could be a real bargain as a potential elite wingman. I’ve had to make some moves (like Mark O’Connor to a more permanent backline position) to Geelong’s list to allow for Mikunda to be selected on list balance, and although he plays mostly forward like Mellor, both have the ability to play wing. Versatility has always been a strength for Geelong and all three players here provide that.

 

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GOLD COAST SUNS

List size 44 of 44

37 Senior 

5 Rookie

2 Category B

5 National picks

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Forward 2

Small/General Defender 

Centre Midfielder 

Wing 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 2 – Zeke Uwland

Pick 8 – Dylan Patterson

Pick 20 – Beau Addinsall

Pick 40 – Jai Murray

Pick 45 – Koby Coulson

Pre-Season – Leon Kickett

 

There will certainly be more pick swaps to come for Gold Coast in order to bring in the talent tied to their academy. They will be hoping Uwland and Patterson get slightly later bids, and if not Addinsall at 20 it could be Murray attracting that early interest instead. Meanwhile, Coulson might be a chance to make it through the draft.

 

Ideally the list balance gets resolved fairly easily with the academy talent coming in. Addinsall and Coulson will likely to play forward early, with Uwland likely on a wing, Murray a centre mid or half-back, and Patterson down back. Ben Hobbs has been linked to the Suns for a possible train-on spot or pre-season selection but I have them taking exciting talent, Kickett.

 

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GWS GIANTS

List size 44 of 44

38 Senior

4 Rookie

2 Cat B

2 List

2 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Defender

Wing

 

Draft Selections

Pick 14 – Oskar Taylor

Pick 33 – Cameron Nairn

 

The Giants haven’t left many spots open on the list and technically don’t even need to take a second selection in the national draft, but if a player that can play a wing role like Nairn is available at pick 33 then it’s perfect.

 

Originally I had two wings down for Giants but have moved Leake to a more permanent centre role to open up a defensive spot for Taylor, who is the type of player Giants really look for with his athletic ability.

 

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HAWTHORN HAWKS

List size 43 of 44

37 Senior

4 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

3 National Picks

1 Rookie Upgraded

 

List balance targets 

Small Defender 2

Tall Forward  2

Tall Defender 

Centre Midfielder 

Small/General Forward 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 13 – Josh Lindsay

Pick 22 – Mitch Marsh

Pick 53 – Riley Onley

Rookie – Liam Hetherton, Thomas Burton, Jasper Hay

Rookie Upgrade – James Blanck

 

Hawthorn has had great success with left-footed defenders in recent times and I see no reason to change a winning strategy, with Lindsay arguably being the best kick in the draft. Others to consider here are Farrow if he slides and Taylor, or maybe take Schubert and target other areas with the next pick.

 

A Jack Gunston successor in Marsh could be excellent value for hawks at pick 22 and Onley could be another bargain with the last pick in the draft. Burton provides more dash from the backline and Hetherton another tall forward target to allow Will McCabe to settle down back. Finally, Hay offers a more long-term defensive option, though there may potentially be a small forward preference instead.

 

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MELBOURNE DEMONS

36 Senior List

6 Rookies

2 Category B

3 National Picks 

Rookie Upgrades 1 (Cat B)

 

List balance targets 

Small Defender 2

Wing

Centre Midfielder 

Small/General Forward

 

Draft Selections

Pick 11 – Sam Grlj

Pick 12 – Jacob Farrow

Pick 35 – Oliver Greeves

Rookie – Kalani White

Rookie Upgarde: Andy Moniz-Wakefield (B to A)

 

The Demons took two highly rated midfielders in Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay last year and may look to use them in the midfield more often next year. Maybe even Rivers gets a better run there, so are pure midfielders a real need?

 

I’ve still taken Greeves with pick 35 but Grlj could really play anywhere for the Demons next year and Farrow could slot into Rivers’ spot at half-back to allow Rivers to become a more full-time midfielder.

 

The Demons currently don’t have a Category B spot available after signing Berry and keeping Mentha which leaves father-son White as a late pick or rookie selection.

 

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NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS

38 Senior 

4 Rookies

0 Category B

3 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

2 Small Defenders – Matthew LeRay/Max Kondogiannis

1 Centre Midfielder/Wing – Jack Dalton

 

Draft Selections 

Pick 25 – Matthew LeRay

Pick 26 – Max Kondogiannis 

Pick 43 – Jack Dalton

 

Plenty has been said about North Melbourne drafting too many midfielders but when you look at their list a bit closer they actually have less depth there than most clubs, especially for dedicated wingman. North seems to prefer having plenty of defensive depth on their list and could look to replenish that with LeRay and Kondogiannis. 

 

LeRay spent most of his time on a wing this year but showed good signs late in the year as a defender, his strong kicking skills would be great for North. Dalton is a hard working midfielder who could also play as a small forward or wing is be a good option with pick 43 – there is no shortage of midfield/wing options at that pick.

 

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PORT ADELAIDE POWER

36 Senior 

5 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

1 National Pick

3 Rookie Upgrades

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Forwards 2

Tall Forward 

 

Draft Selections

Pick 38 – Zane Peucker

Rookie – Cody Curtin

Rookie Upgrades – Josh Lai, Tom Cochrane, Harrison Ramm

 

Port might not make any picks at all and upgrade another rookie, or leave a spot open for the pre-season draft. More small forwards should be looked at and Peucker has shown some promising signs this year. Being local is another bonus. 

 

Another young key forward should be considered and Curtin fits the bill as a solid body with a strong endurance base. The added bonus of having his older brother in the same city to make the move down a bit easier is handy. Expect Port to also leave a spot open for a train-on option – potentially another small forward.

 

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RICHMOND TIGERS

Main list 43 of 44

38 Senior

3 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

3 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

Tall Defenders 2- Xavier Taylor

Centre Midfielder – Sullivan Robey

Ruck/Tall Forward – Louis Emmett

 

Draft Selections

Pick 6  – Sullivan Robey

Pick 7 – Xavier Taylor

Pick 37 – Louis Emmett

Category B – Louis Kellaway

 

If not Eagles at pick two I can see Tigers going on a bidding spree with a few options who fit the list needs. The highest midfielder and tall defender left on my board were Taylor and Robey, and I didn’t think twice for the Tigers here. There is discussion about whether Richmond need another player like Lalor but midfielders who can hit the scoreboard are a rare breed and often end up stars of the game.

 

If Duff-Tytler is available I can’t see Tigers passing as he would make a great understudy for Nankervis, but could also end up a star key forward as well. A player like Emmett could also fit that bill and could be a real bargain down the line. Kellaway might get a bid but have him making it through the national draft and should provide handy midfield depth. The Tigers could keep a spot open for a train on spot which I would target a key defender if one isn’t taken with pick 37. 

 

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ST KILDA SAINTS

Main list 43 of 44

37 Senior

4 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

1 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Defender 2

Ruck 

Centre Midfielder

 

Draft Selections

Pick 42 – Kye Fincher

Rookie – Zac Harding, Avery Thomas

 

Fincher is a great list fit for the saints being able to play both down back and through the midfield but a bid at 42 would leave a slight points deficit. Another young ruck is likely to be taken either as a rookie or train-on option and another running defender wouldn’t hurt and Thomas has showed plenty this year especially at the national championships.

 

St Kilda might try to trade up to take someone they rate and Fincher and go with 38 on the main list with a player like Emmett or Dalton maybe in the mix. After a strong trade and free agency period there I’m sure the list management team are still looking to bring in quality young talent.

 

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SYDNEY SWANS

Main list 43 of 44

36 Senior

5 Rookies

2 Category B

1 Rookie spot for train on

3 National Picks

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Defenders 3

Key Forward

Centre Midfielder

 

Draft Selections

Pick 23 – Harry Kyle

Pick 24 – Lachlan Carmichael

Pick 32 – Max King

Category B – Noah Chamberlain, Kaiden McNamara

 

There isn’t anything ruling the Swans out of getting a pick ahead of bids, but it would be very difficult and if they did I feel a key forward or midfielder would be looked at. Kyle, Carmichael, and King could all realistically get a bid in the top 30, if not higher, which would leave the Swans in deficit. Kyle and Carmichael I feel are more likely to be bid higher with many quality defenders being taken in the top 20.

 

Luckily all the academy players fit into the Swans’ list needs in some way and if Chamberlain can fall outside the national draft it would be an added bonus. If the Swans leave a train-on spot I feel a midfielder will be high on the list.

 

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WEST COAST EAGLES

Main list 47 of 48

38 Senior

2 Category B

7 Rookies

1 Rookie spot for train on

4 National Picks

2 Rookie Upgrades

 

List balance targets 

Small/General Forwards 2

Wings 2

Tall/Small Defender 

Ruck 

Tall Forward 

Centre Midfielder 

 

Draft Selections 

Pick 1 – Willem Duursma

Pick 3 – Cooper Duff-Tytler 

Pick 15 – Aidan Schubert

Pick 30 – Tylah Williams

Pick 39 – Charlie Banfield

Rookie – Hunter Holmes, Koby Evans

Category B – Wes Walley

Rookie Upgrades – Ryan Maric, Tyrell Dewar

 

This was easily the hardest one to get right and the Eagles fans demand the best, so the pressure is on. Duursma and Duff-Tytler has long been a rumoured pair and for good reason – both have shown to be the standout talents in the open draft and their upside is also high.

 

If not Duff-Tytler I could see Taylor being a shock pick especially if Eagles do follow through on a bid on Dean, showing they really want a key defender, then having Taylor right there if they want him.

 

Pick 15 is another really hard one to pick as the Eagles need to cover plenty of different roles. If they take Taylor they could pair him with teammate Dovaston, or maybe a high upside talent in Barker. Bids for Williams and Banfield might not happen, but if any do then Williams likely goes the highest and I imagine the Eagles make some moves to not go into deficit. 

 

It’s been reported Eagles will only take four picks but if Banfield is bid on I would make sure to match as I feel he has AFL qualities either as a tall wingman or contested marking forward. Evans is a slight chance for a bid but more likely to make it through the rookie draft. West Coast only has one category B spot which is likely to be used on Walley.

 

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WESTERN BULLDOGS

37 Senior

1 Cat B

4 Rookie

1 Rookie spot for train on

2 National Picks

2 Rookie Upgrades

 

List balance targets 

2 Small/General Forwards

1 Tall Forward

 

Draft Selections

Pick 16 – Lachlan Dovaston

Pick 31 – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves

Category B – Will Darcy

Rookie Upgrades – Oskar Baker, James O’Donnell

 

Small forwards should be the aim of the game for the Dogs and Dovaston has clearly been the best performed throughout the year. If he isn’t available maybe they look at Pickett or Phillipou. Cumming would also be a good option if he slid here.

 

The same conundrum will be at their next pick with Hibbins-Hargreaves potentially on the board although I feel he might be a wing long term. Byrne could be a real option here or even the hard working Dalton who could play that small forward role. Darcy could get a late bid which they can still match and I expect the Dogs to leave a spot open for a train-on option with a spot to fill on the list for another key forward.