HOPEFUL brothers of current AFL stars are among the 219 footballers who have nominated so far for this month's NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft ahead of Friday's deadline.
That number is as of Thursday night, with AFL.com.au obtaining the latest nominations list that was forwarded to recruiters and football managers.
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About 15 players are tipped to join clubs on May 27, after round 10, with a series of one-time AFL footballers bidding for a career lifeline.
They include Alex Johnson (Sydney) – who is recovering from a sixth knee reconstruction – former Roo and Cat Aaron Black, Cory Gregson (Geelong), Mitch Hibberd (North Melbourne), ex-Pie and Saint Nathan Freeman, and Ben Kennedy (Collingwood and Melbourne).
Heartache: Alex Johnson and Nic Newman after Johnson ruptured his ACL in round 21, 2018. Picture: AFL Photos
Another familiar name is Kristian Jaksch, a first-round pick in 2012, who is playing for Old Carey Grammarians and sits equal-fifth in the VAFA goalkicking behind Ayce Cordy, Josh Green and Jarrad Waite.
Jacob Atley (brother of Shaun and Joe), Kyle Dunkley (Josh), Josh Guthrie (Cam and Zach), Angus Hanrahan (Ollie), Aaron Heppell (Dyson), Harry Marsh (Jonathon), Peter McEvoy (Ben) and Jackson Merrett (Zach) are others dreaming of an AFL call-up.
Sydney, Carlton, Gold Coast and Richmond have shown interest in Gippsland Power's Dunkley, whose father Andrew was a stout defender for the Swans across 217 matches.
Kyle Dunkley in action for Oakleigh Chargers in 2018. Picture: AFL Photos
The 18-year-old's brother, Josh, is a promising forward-midfielder at the Western Bulldogs.
Atley, also 18, captained the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup last season before linking up with Essendon's VFL side after missing out at the drafts.
On top of them, siblings Matt and Jydon Neagle (sons of Merv), who are both playing in the SANFL for Central District, also nominated.
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VAFA club Williamstown CYMS's Oskar Manton (Glenn), Southport's Tyler Roos (Paul), and VFL team Williamstown's Jaylon Thorpe (Alan) put their hats in the ring, too.
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The mid-season draft, the first of its kind for almost 25 years, is designed to provide instant help for teams with positional needs.
However, recruiters are also expected to use it to nab long-term prospects before the National Draft in November.
Club officials have until Wednesday next week to lodge with the AFL up to three players who have nominated for the draft and they want to have medically tested.
MID-SEASON DRAFT RULES Clubs allowed to test up to three players
Players must have previously been on an AFL list or have nominated for last year's national and rookie drafts to be eligible for the mid-season draft.
To participate, clubs must have a list spot available, which may be left open from the rookie draft or created by a retirement or a player being placed on the long-term injury list.
State-league prospects to watch include Coburg pair Sam Lowson and Harry Nolan, Sturt key forward Hugo Munn, dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton, Williamstown defender Sam McLarty, and Werribee's Ryan Hebron.
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The bolter might be 205cm ruckman Jack Blair, who started playing football last year for AFL Sydney club UNSW-Eastern Suburbs before crossing to SANFL side North Adelaide.
