Picks: 14, 35, 43, 58

Adelaide has three live picks beyond the top 30, and it is likely to look for some depth in the talls department. Forward Mitch McGovern and defender Dan Howe have been linked to their upgraded second selection at No.35, and both are marking types. Later on, Queensland key defender Nick Jackson may be of interest, while they have put some time into ruckman Marc Pittonet. He's in with a shot at pick 58 and is probably the best pure ruckman in the draft. Of the smaller types, brutish Brayden Maynard is a slim chance to be still available at 35 and that would delight the Crows, while goalkicking half-forward Bailey Dale is another possibility. 

 

Picks: 44 (Liam Dawson academy selection), 61 (Harris Andrews academy selection), 65, 73, 81, 86 (Josh Clayton father-son selection)

There will be some talent around at the Lions' first two live selections - No.65 and 73. At 65, the Lions could look to add another running tall defender in Tasmanian Josh McGuinness. At 189cm, he collects plenty of disposals and uses them well. Speedy midfielder Jaden McGrath will be considered should he get through after an injury-interrupted season, as with hard-running midfielder Teia Miles. Academy player Matt Hammelmann is more likely as a rookie than national draftee for the Lions, given they have first access to him then. They are unlikely to use pick 81, but will decide on draft night.

 

Picks: 19, 28, 60, 63, 71, 82, 87

Having recruited inside midfielder Patrick Cripps last year, the Blues have made their intentions clear that they will search for run-and-carry midfielders at the draft. But, having said that, there's a slight chance a tall is too good to refuse at pick 19, which might see them look at midfielders later on. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow is a possibility beyond the top-30, as is Blaine Boekhorst. The Blues have been most strongly linked to the mature-aged midfielder from WA, and he's an exciting type who can sweep the ball forward out of a stoppage. Although Dean Gore is in the Cripps' mould as a ball-getter, he could be looked at late. They are expected to use their first four picks at the draft, hold one selection over to select former Bulldog Jason Tutt in the pre-season draft, and instead of using the final two picks at the national draft, are likely to have an extended rookie list.

 

Picks: 5, 9 (Darcy Moore father-son selection), 30, 48, 75

There's a chance the Pies use pick 75 on the night, and they'll decide during the draft. Last year they planned to be finished by pick 10, but Tom Langdon was available at pick 65 so they grabbed him. At selection 48 this time, there's a few possibilities. Athletic midfielder Damien Cavka has had some interest from the Pies and could be still available, as could his Calder Cannons teammate Matt Goodyear, who has great speed and endurance. Blaine Boekhorst could still be on the board and, as a 21-year-old, would be a little closer to being ready to go.

 

Picks: 17, 20

It is an extremely important draft for the Bombers, given the club's sanctions and loss of picks in the past two years. It will also be a pretty quick one, too, with Essendon's night practically over at pick No.20. The club will upgrade rookie forward Patrick Ambrose from the rookie list. It seems likely to draft Jake Long as a rookie under the father-son rule, and also take another live pick to the rookie draft.

 

Picks: 13, 34, 54, 68

The athletic and versatile Tom Lamb may still be available at selection 34 and that would be a good result for the Dockers. Daniel McKenzie is also a chance to be there and he has some outstanding athletic traits: he's 183cm, but can jump higher than most and has exceptional running power. If they're looking for midfield power, Touk Miller might also offer it. The Dockers are likely to look to add more tall depth, and the high-leaping Mitch McGovern could also be on their radar after a strong season in WA. They could look at Liam Griffiths late in the draft, a wingman with terrific endurance.

 

The Giants are every chance to have shut their books and finished up by pick 30, but they may use pick No.72, a decision that will be made on the night. If they go down that path, the club might choose to add another local product out of its academy, with defender Michael Mattingly and tall forwards Logan Austin and Dougal Howard the leading contenders. Those three are among the group of academy prospects the club has nominated under the rookie pre-selection rule. The Giants have also shown an interest in talented batsman Pat McKenna, who captained the Australian under-19 cricket team this year but has nominated for the draft. It's unlikely to activate pick No.80.

 

Picks: 31, 49, 50

As one of three clubs whose batch of picks come after the top-30, it would be hard for the Hawks to know exactly who will be available and to hone in on anyone too much. At 31, Touk Miller and Ed Vickers-Willis have been linked to them, while they are one of many clubs in the mix for the exciting but unpredictable tall Tom Lamb. Billy Evans could grab their attention at 49 or 50, while Hawthorn is one of a handful of clubs who have shown interest in Pat McKenna, whose' local season at Gisborne in the Bendigo Football League in the forward line caught the eye of scouts.

 

Picks: 2, 3, 40, 42 (Billy Stretch father-son pick), 53

After their prized picks two and three, the Dees have a bit of waiting to do before using their next two live selections. On the radar at picks 40 and 53 are likely to be some well-positioned prospects, with pace a possible priority. Small forward Toby McLean is crafty around goal and could be a shot at pick 40, while Ed Langdon might be in the mix for 53. The younger brother of Collingwood defender Tom Langdon had an interrupted season with a finger injury, but has an excellent mix of speed and endurance as a half-forward. If the club, as expected, doesn't pick defender Jake Lever at two or three, key back Oscar McDonald could be a chance to join his brother Tom at the Dees if not already gone.

Picks: 16, 25, 36

North is in a good position to sit and wait to see who gets through to each of its picks, particularly its third and final selection at No.36. There they would be a sneaky chance to grab athletic tall Tom Lamb, who can do just about anything on the field and may be available. The same applies for defender Ed Vickers-Willis should he get through. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow would offer some run off half-back, Dan Howe is a mobile, marking defender who has enjoyed a strong year, and although the Roos are flushed with inside midfielders, if Connor Blakely is available at pick 36 they'd have to strongly consider him. They have some interest in Daniel Nielson if they don't secure a tall back at 16 or 25, while some time has been put into Jordan Cunico, an exciting and evasive midfielder. 

 

Picks: 56, 69, 78, 84

Recruiting manager Geoff Parker and his team will need to wait a while before getting into the draft, but will be busy at the back end of the night. They have four picks, and should get a look at a few different types. South Australian James Rose, a half-forward with nous, is likely to come under consideration, as might Jaden McGrath, who the club recently interviewed. Another key defender and young ruckman would be good additions to a strong list, and they've been linked to big man Marc Pittonet and Hugh Beasley. Will Fordham, a midfielder with good pace, and ball-winner Dean Gore are also in the mix. Quick medium forward Matt Uebergang may be looked at late in the piece.

 

Picks: 12, 33, 52, 67, 77, 83

With four live selections, the Tigers will obviously be hoping for some talent to get through late. They've shown an interest in small forward Toby McLean, and he would offer something new and vibrant to their forward line with his high-marking and goalkicking smarts. The Tigers liked Dan Howe last year but, like every other club, overlooked him come draft time. He's had a better season this year and is in the Tigers' mix at 33, while hard-at-it midfielder Nathan Drummond is a chance later having put together an impressive back half of the season. South Australian inside midfielder Dean Gore is also considered a possibility. Richmond is more likely to use five picks at the draft and hold pick 83 over for a rookie or pre-season selection.

 

Picks: 1, 21, 22, 41

As per their very structured rebuild plans, most of the Saints' work will be done nice and early at the draft, leaving pick 41 as their only live selection outside the top 30. What they do there might depend on the players they've already secured, but if they look to bolster their small forwards, South Australian Cory Gregson has been linked to them and he loves to exert inside-50 pressure. Jack Lonie and Jaden McGrath are other possibilities, and either would fill a need as a crafty small option given the club has lost a few of those in recent times.

 

Picks: 18 (Isaac Heeney academy selection), 37, 38 (Jack Hiscox academy selection), 70 (Abe Davis academy selections), 79

The draft hasn't even occurred and already the Swans are one of the big winners. Three quarters of their intake was sorted at the start of October at the academy bidding meeting, when they secured midfielders Isaac Heeney and Jack Hiscox, and tall defender Abe Davis. Heeney is one of the best players in it, Hiscox is a top-level natural runner, and versatile tall Davis is a bargain back at pick 70. It means the Swans head to the Gold Coast with just one live selection. Although they need a young key back, there won't be many left at pick 37. Expect them to save that specific search for the rookie draft, but Dan Howe could sneak through and would be a good addition, and Daniel Nielson does his job as a taller defender. It's considered unlikely the Swans will use pick 79 at the national draft, but instead pick another rookie-listed player.

 

Picks: 11, 32, 51, 66, 76 (Alec Waterman father-son selection)

The Eagles will decide on draft night whether they use pick 66 or hold it over for the pre-season and rookie drafts. There's likely to be a hard call for the Eagles at pick 32, such is the talent around that mark. Hard-working WA midfielder Connor Blakely could be still on the board, as might the athletic Damien Cavka, who runs and runs and just keeps on running. He's enjoyed a strong season, and has been linked to the Eagles. Local product Brenden Abbott might be worth a look and despite his goalkicking ability, some see him as a long-kicking rebounding defender. The Eagles have kept a close eye on Clem Smith, too, who trained with them in January and impressed.

 

Picks: 26, 27, 39, 45, 46, 62 (Zaine Cordy father-son selection)

With five live selections – three after the first 30 – the Bulldogs have done their homework on all parts of the draft. Getting Zaine Cordy at such a cheap price through the father-son bidding system means they don't necessarily have to get another tall defender, but they have shown some interest in tight-checking tall back Daniel Nielson, who has his fans. They might also look for some pace, which could see the clever and talented Jordan Cunico in the mix, as well as Toby McLean, who would add some spark to the forward set up.