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SOME clubs chose the development path. Others decided to take the approach of topping their lists up with experienced types who know what it takes to play at AFL level.

Staged via phone hookup in the Mike Sheahan media centre at AFL headquarters in Docklands, the 2016 NAB AFL Rookie Draft served up an eclectic mix of players with unique stories and backgrounds.

There were also key themes to emerge from the rookie draft, with many clubs opting to focus their energies on bringing in raw and inexperienced ruck prospects and allowing them time to develop in the system. 

Here are a few other observations from Monday's rookie draft.

Clubs left in the dark
With the NAB AFL Draft moving to a Friday night this year, the penultimate list lodgment had to be moved to Monday afternoon which made for a tight turnaround with the rookie draft kicking off at 4pm. The clubs had to lodge their lists by 1pm on Monday, and, by the time all the administrative paperwork was completed, the rookie draft had almost begun. Some clubs remained in the dark about the final composition of opposing lists half an hour prior to Monday's proceedings.

Apple Isle remains fruitless
There were no players originating from Tasmania taken in Friday night's draft. And that theme held firm in Monday's intake. The state did not have any draftees for the first time since 1986, which poses a concern for the football-mad state. State academy coach Adam Sanders told AFL.com.au that the improved talent pool from New South Wales and Queensland were key reasons behind the state's struggle to produce talented players. 

McKernan earns another chance
After 34 games in four seasons with Adelaide, Shaun McKernan was delisted. He earned another opportunity with Essendon and went on to play 15 matches in two seasons at the Bombers and was elevated to the club's primary list for 2016. But with the players returning from drug-imposed bans in 2017, McKernan was again cut from the list after the season. He received another reprieve, however, re-selected by Essendon with pick No.19 in the rookie draft. The versatile big man adds depth to the club's tall forward and ruck stocks.

Silvagni bloodlines get stronger
It is fair to say the Silvagni name is a famous one down at Ikon Park and list manager Stephen Silvagni made sure another one would join Carlton's ranks in 2017. Silvagni and his recruiting team decided to select delisted Docker Alex with pick No.23 in the rookie draft to bolster its key defensive stocks. Alex is a second cousin of Stephen and with young Jack Silvagni beginning to make his name at the club, the famous surname will live a while yet. The 29-year-old will be looking to add to the 53 games he played for Freo in seven seasons.

Alex Silvagni joins young gun Jack at the Blues. Picture: AFL Photos

Delisted Dockers to reunite
Experienced midfielders Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu did not get many opportunities in Ross Lyon's team last season. But both will get the chance to prove their former coach wrong when they run out for the Giants in 2017. The teammates are set to reunite after Greater Western Sydney threw Mzungu a lifeline by taking him with pick No.15 in the rookie draft. That follows their selection of de Boer with pick No.58 in the draft on Friday night. With perhaps the deepest list in the AFL, GWS has two players who know what it takes to play consistent senior football. 

Clubs maintain the faith
There were 13 players re-drafted by AFL clubs in the 2016 rookie draft. Seven of those players – Sam Shaw (Adelaide, who remains retired), McKernan (Essendon), Josh Prudden (Western Bulldogs), Yestin Eades (Essendon), Andrew Gallucci (Carlton), Fraser McInnes (West Coast) and Jack Fitzpatrick (Hawthorn) – returned to their clubs. While Jake Barrett (Brisbane Lions), Tendai Mzungu (Greater Western Sydney), Alex Silvagni (Carlton), Henry Schade (Collingwood), Drew Petrie (West Coast) and Shaun Edwards (Sydney Swans) found new homes. There were 42 players re-selected as rookie-listed players prior to the drafts.

Scorpions find their sting
In the national draft, it was Geelong's VFL side taking the honours with the Cats selecting three players (Tom Stewart, Timm House and Ryan Abbott) from their local area. The Casey Scorpions took that mantle on Monday, with VFL affiliate players Tim Smith and Declan Keilty becoming Demons. Ruck prospect Oscar McInerney was the other Scorpion taken, ending up at the Brisbane Lions. Casey, which has vastly improved its alignment with Melbourne in recent seasons, made the VFL Grand Final in 2016 and was the team to beat for much of the season.

Keeping it in the family
After being passed up in the national draft, Ben Jarman and Sam Simpson were free to join Adelaide and Geelong, respectively, as rookies. The clubs made it official on Monday, the Crows taking Jarman with pick No.45 and the Cats selecting Simpson with pick No.53. Jarman, the son of Darren, became the club's first ever father-son draft pick. Geelong also selected Zach Guthrie who will play in the hoops with older brother Cameron in 2017. Jonty Scharenberg, the brother of Collingwood's Matt, and Hamish Brayshaw, the brother of Melbourne's Angus, were two of the unlucky players not to find homes in the rookie draft.

Jonty Scharenberg, the brother of Collingwood's Matt, missed out being drafted. Picture: AFL Photos