Rookie and pre-season draft order announced: Who could your club target?
See what picks your club has and who they might select on Wednesday
THE AFL has released the order for Wednesday’s NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft and following rookie draft.
From 11am AEDT, all 18 clubs will lodge their selections electronically from their home state or club base, with the League’s football operations department to run the drafts from the AFL offices.
Below are each club's picks for the drafts, and our reporters' assessments on what types of players may be looked at.
Adelaide
Rookie draft selections: 9, 27, 44.
What they need: The club added to its key defensive/offensive depth at the NAB AFL Draft and its attention should turn to picking up medium-sized players with excellent disposal skills. While the likes of Brodie Smith, Matthew Jaensch and Ricky Henderson form an imposing half-back line, they could do with increased support. Harrison Wigg (pick No.35 at the national draft) has superb foot-skills and the Crows will likely aim to bring in similar players. At the same time though, the club remains keen to add more talls if possible. - Harry Thring
What they need: They addressed the need to add midfield class and grunt during the trade period and to solidify the backline in the NAB AFL Draft, so will now likely address the forward line. The Lions are a big chance of taking Academy tall forward prospect Matt Hammelmann, and it wouldn't shock to see them chase another goalkicking option as they search for more scoreboard impact both this year and into the future. - Michael Whiting
What they need:Carlton used this year's NAB AFL Draft to address a number of deficiencies. In Blaine Boekhorst – the club's first-round pick – the Blues brought in the outside speed they had been craving. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Clem Smith add sturdiness and class to the defence, while Jayden Foster is another tall forward option. The Blues could still do with some class through the midfield to complement their industry in the engine room. The Blues lost a number of close games last year and the poise and skill execution was one thing that let them down. Former Western Bulldog Jason Tutt will be taken in the pre-season draft, while the Blues then have three rookie picks. – Ben Guthrie
Carlton will bring in more youngsters after drafting four last Thursday night. Picture: AFL Media
Collingwood Pre-season draft selections: 3
Rookie draft selections: 8, 26, 43, 60.
What they need: Jack Frost will be the Magpies' nominated rookie but the Pies may look to find some experience to support the talented youngsters coming through with their two rookie selections. Sam Dwyer has shown that such a player does not necessarily need AFL experience to fit that bill. Rookies with elite kicking would be attractive as would a mid-sized defender who can read the play. - Peter Ryan
Essendon
Rookie draft selections: 12, 30, 47, 62.
What they need: A ruckman should be a priority for Bombers, who will take one 'live' selection to the rookie draft. Given the departure of Patrick Ryder, the club has only two ruckmen on its list so will be keen to add to its stocks. There should be a few options available, and the club has been linked to big men Sam Tagliabue, Angus Milham and key defender Sean McLaren. It has already committed to picking Jake Long as a rookie father-son pick and to re-drafting delisted player Kurt Aylett as a rookie, and will not have a pick in the pre-season draft. - Callum Twomey
Essendon has added Jake Long - son of former star Michael - as a rookie. Picture: AFL Media
Fremantle Rookie draft selections: 13, 31, 48.
What they need: The Dockers provided a shock in last week's NAB AFL Draft by electing not to take a key position player despite the apparent need for key defenders and key forwards. They will re-select Tanner Smith as a rookie having delisted the key position player ahead of the national draft. Smith has played one AFL match in two seasons on the list, round four 2013, after he was drafted with pick 36 in the 2012 NAB AFL draft. He only played seven WAFL matches this year due to injury. Smith has continued training with the Dockers over the past two weeks. - Alex Malcolm
Geelong Rookie draft selections: 14, 32, 49.
What they need: The Cats will take two picks into Wednesday's NAB AFL Rookie Draft, after retaining Zac Bates and James Toohey as second-year rookies. Michael Luxford (second season) and Irishman Padraig Lucey are category-B rookies and do not count in the official quota. There was some talk in the lead up to Thursday's draft that Geelong was in the market for a key defender with its first pick. The Cats decided to draft speedy wingman Nakia Cockatoo with pick No.10 and passed up the opportunity to bring in Jake Lever, Sam Durdin or Hugh Goddard. As such, the Cats will wait for picks to filter through before determining which players to bring onto the rookie list. - Ben Guthrie
What they need: One problem identified in the football department review at the end of last season was the lack of depth and experience on the list. Injuries not only cruelled the finals chances of the senior team, but trickled down to severely deplete the winless NEAFL team and stifle the development of younger Suns. They have committed to fixing this issue and will re-draft reliable defender Greg Broughton and acquire former Brisbane Lions tagger Andrew Raines, which should have a flow-on effect for both teams. Don't be surprised if the Suns also target another key position player after promoting former national high jump champion Josh Hall to the senior list. - Michael Whiting
Greater Western Sydney Pre-season draft selections: 1, 6
What they need: Another bumper crop of top-end draft talent and the additions of Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull means the major building blocks are already in place for Greater Western Sydney's rise up the ladder. The Giants could adopt a 'best available' approach in the pre-season and rookie drafts, with another key defender and tall depth in general, possibly on the radar. The Giants have already brought in six teenagers this off-season, so it remains to be seen if they feel they need to add more youth to their squad. - Travis King
Hawthorn Rookie draft selections: 18, 36, 53, 65.
What they need: The Hawks are down an inside midfielder following the departure of Mitch Hallahan to Gold Coast during the trade period and it is a deficiency they didn't address at last week's national draft, so they figure to look to bolster that department on Wednesday. List manager Graham Wright said that there are players the Hawks rated who weren’t selected last week and they are committed to bringing Sam Grimley back if no other club selects the key forward who played three games for the club in 2013. But the Hawks will save that selection until last while they address other needs. - Ashley Browne
Sam Grimley is set to be given another chance with Hawthorn as a rookie. Picture: AFL Media
Melbourne Rookie draft selections: 2, 20.
What they need: Melbourne delisted Alex Georgiou but it is still likely to be in the market for a mature-aged defender who could add depth to a young backline. Although the Demons recruited Jeff Garlett, the club could also use more outside speed after losing Dom Barry, Sam Blease and Shannon Byrnes at the end of the season. A ruckman could also be an option given Max Gawn and Jake Spencer's injury issues. Luke Tapscott was delisted but may still be picked up as a rookie. The Demons have two live selections in the rookie draft. - Peter Ryan
North Melbourne Rookie draft selections: 15, 33, 50, 63.
What they need: Having replenished their tall defensive stocks at the NAB AFL Draft – and with delisted big man Cameron Delaney in the mix to be rookie-listed - the Kangaroos are likely to go hunting for outside speed and a ruckman. Star veterans Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells remain two of North's best ball movers, and the Roos could have their eye on a speedy midfielder or small forward, most likely to be delisted livewire Robin Nahas. The Roos' ruck division is largely unproven, Todd Goldstein aside, so North could continue the AFL trend by developing another big man via the rookie list. - Travis King
Port Adelaide Rookie draft selections: 16, 34, 51.
What they need: The Power substantially bolstered their big-man stocks at the NAB AFL Draft and during the trade period, but they didn't add much depth across half-back – particularly after both Lewis Stevenson and Campbell Heath were delisted. That being the case, Port is expected to target a smaller player in the rookie draft. The club has promised to take veteran Tom Logan as a rookie, praising his leadership and the example he sets with his relentless work ethic. Logan's a ready-made defender, proven at the highest level during finals. - Harry Thring
Richmond Pre-season draft selections: 4
Rookie draft selections: 11, 29, 46, 61, 68, 72.
What they need: The Tigers addressed the need to deepen their midfield stocks at the NAB AFL Draft by recruiting Corey Ellis, Connor Menadue, Nathan Drummond and small forward Daniel Butler, who has scope to play up the ground. They also threw in a tall key forward – Reece McKenzie – as a raw, developing option. Taylor Hunt is another key addition to the midfield after joining them as a delisted free agent last month. With the likes of Anthony Miles, Matt Thomas and Ricky Petterd progressing to senior footy after starting at their second club as rookies, the Tigers could again aim for delisted AFL players looking for a second chance. They won't pick in the pre-season draft and will instead focus on rookies - Matt Arnot will be one of them after being delisted from the senior list. - Jennifer Phelan
St Kilda Rookie draft selections: 1, 19, 37, 54.
What they need: The Saints grabbed a variety of types at the NAB AFL Draft – Paddy McCartin (key forward), Hugh Goddard (key defender), Daniel McKenzie (midfielder) and Jack Lonie (small forward) – and have already secured forward Tim Membrey from the Sydney Swans. Adam Schneider will be rookie-listed and the Saints have plenty of room for more, having upgraded Eli Templeton, Maverick Weller, Cam Shenton and Darren Minchington. They've got another collection of players training with them including former Crows Jared Petrenko and Shaun McKernan and ex-Sun Jeremy Taylor; all who could bolster their depth in different areas. Ahmed Saad remains a chance to be redrafted as a rookie but the Saints have not committed while Sandringham players Cameron Banfield, Elliot Le Grice, Jack Noone and Kenny Ong have also been training with them. The scope is there for the Saints to again improve their depth across the field. - Jennifer Phelan
Powerful forward Tim Membrey has already joined the Saints from the Swans. Picture: AFL Media
Sydney Swans Pre-season draft selections: 5, 8
Rookie draft selections: 17, 35, 52, 64, 69.
What they need: The NAB AFL Rookie Draft takes on increased importance for the Swans given their AFL-imposed trade ban. It is an opportunity for the club to add the hardened bodies it was unable to trade for, albeit from the second chance saloon. Delisted West Coast defender Blayne Wilson, who is training with the club, could be snared after nine games in four seasons. Boasting great depth with their running players, the Swans may target a number of rookie talls to give them injury insurance, particularly in the backline. The rookie draft has been good to the club in recent seasons, with Xavier Richards, Jake Lloyd and Daniel Robinson all elevated in 2014, while Shane Biggs was traded. – Nathan Schmook
West Coast Rookie draft selections: 10, 28, 45,
What they need: The Eagles added the midfield depth they have been searching for in the NAB AFL Draft, picking five midfielders of varying shapes and styles. They also upgraded ruckman/forward Callum Sinclair from the rookie list after signing him to a two-year extension. The rookie list has already been bolstered by the addition of category B rookies Corey Adamson and Paddy Brophy but both are long-term projects. Further midfield depth and experience is an option for the Eagles to explore in the pre-season and rookie draft but not essential. - Alex Malcolm
Western Bulldogs Rookie draft selections: 5, 23, 40, 57.
What they need: The Bulldogs went small in the draft with the average height of their five selections just 179cm. The acquisitions of key defender Zaine Cordy as a father-son recruit and former Cat Joel Hamling have helped the Dogs to bolster their depth in defence. What they need now is to improve their ruck stocks. Ruckman Will Minson will be 30 next year, and aside from youngster Tom Campbell, the Dogs don't really have another player that can take on that role. The club has already committed to rookie-listing delisted defender Daniel Pearce, and is also considering re-drafting Alex Greenwood or Brett Goodes via the rookie list, with the delisted duo training with the club over the pre-season. - Nat Edwards
PRE-SELECTED ROOKIES
The following players have been nominated as pre-selected rookies:
Cian Hanley (Ireland), Brisbane Lions – international player.
Fraser Russell, Carlton – non registered for three years player.
Mason Cox (USA), Collingwood – international player.
Conor McKenna (Ireland), Essendon – international player.
Sean Hurley (Ireland), Fremantle – international player.
Padraig Lucey (Ireland), Geelong – international player.
Johann Wagner, Port Adelaide – winner, The Recruit.
Ivan Soldo, Richmond – non registered for three years player.
Cory Adamson, West Coast – non registered for three years player.
Patrick Brophy (Ireland), West Coast – international player.
Extended highlights of the Kangaroos and Power clash in the first preliminary final of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season
06:15
AFLW full post-match, FWK3: Kangaroos
Watch Nth Melbourne's press conference after their Preliminary Final match against Port Adelaide
04:54
AFLW full post-match, FWK3: Power
Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after their Preliminary Final match against Nth Melbourne
01:27
Wall stands tall as Roos book GF spot
Vikki Wall produces an eye-catching performance with three goals, including a monster from long range as North secures a second-straight Grand Final berth