Adelaide
Daniel Talia
Talia didn’t put a foot wrong in his first radio interview after being drafted by Adelaide, but he gave the program hosts an inferiority complex when he put on his new club polo shirt and revealed a set of abs the announcers joked could ‘grate cheese’. This trim physique coupled with a mop of bleached-blond hair will see young female fans flock to the Crows’ new No.12 this season.

Brisbane Lions
Sean Yoshiura
Yoshiura was almost guaranteed cult status in the 2010 NAB AFL Rookie Draft when he became the first Japanese-born player listed by an AFL club. The former world-class cross-country runner, affectionately known as ‘Yoshi’, has a habit of thanking his coaches after every game and will have 127 million people behind him if and when he makes his debut.
 
Carlton
Levi Casboult
Casboult, 19, is better known for his involvement in two unfortunate off-field incidents over the break, but Blues fans will be hoping the powerfully built rookie can generate headlines on the field as well. The strong-marking forward booted 41.14 for the Dandenong Stingrays last year and could become a fan favourite at a club on the lookout for its next star goalkicker.

Collingwood
Shae McNamara
The former US College basketballer is another player endeavouring to be a pioneer of Australian football in his home country. McNamara, 24, was invited to train with the Pies in the lead up to the rookie draft after sending the club a video of himself kicking a gridiron ball. The 204cm, 104kg, athlete from Wisconsin, Milwaukee, will wear the No.50 at Collingwood to represent the states of the USA.

Essendon
Anthony Long
Long was the last of Essendon’s picks in November’s NAB AFL Draft, but he’s already the most famous of the draftees. The skilful defender is the nephew of former Bomber great Michael Long and is also a cousin to Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli. Coach Matthew Knights admits he’s as excited as anyone to have another Long in the mix at Windy Hill.

Fremantle
Anthony Morabito
It’s hard to see footy fans not being taken with this slick, 190cm wingman. Morabito, who was snapped up with pick No.4 in last year’s national draft, has been compared to dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, but some Freo fans prefer to think of him as the next Buddy Franklin. Either way, it’s not a bad rap for an 18-year-old.

Geelong
James Podsiadly
The former Liston Trophy winner had given up on a career in the AFL and was enjoying his new role as Geelong’s high performance assistant when the club offered him another lifeline. Podsiadly was rookie-listed exactly 10 years after first being drafted by Essendon and, at age 28, will become the Cats' oldest first-gamer since Joe Finnin in 1945 should he make his long-awaited debut this season.

Hawthorn
Wayde Skipper
The former Western Bulldogs utility was selected as a mature-age rookie in the December draft, but could find himself on the senior list come round one given the recent retirement of Trent Croad and injury to ruckman Brent Renouf. The injury-riddled big man struggled to cement a spot during his time at Whitten Oval but has all the tools to become an important player for the undersized Hawks.

Melbourne
Jack Trengove
Tom Scully might have pipped him as the No.1 draft pick, but Trengove is sure to become a fan favourite as early as round one. The talented teenager won plenty of admirers for his poise and courage during last year’s SANFL finals series and is one player capable of lifting the Dees off the bottom of the AFL ladder.

North Melbourne
Majak Daw
Daw, like Yoshiura and McNamara, will carry the hopes of a nation with his career. The 18-year-old is the first Sudanese-born player to be picked up by an AFL club. He’s incredibly raw having only taken up the game four years ago, but his freakish athleticism will excite spectators from Arden Street right back to Sudan.

Port Adelaide
Jasper McMillan-Pittard
It’s not often a draftee gets asked about his senior coaching aspirations in his first press conference, but it’s not often you meet an 18-year-old like McMillan-Pittard. The creative half-back won clubs over with his impressive interview technique during last year’s draft camp and while his name might be a commentator’s nightmare, his deep thinking, chatty demeanour is a supporter (and marketer’s) dream.

Richmond
Ben Griffiths
There’s one sure fire way to push a little-known teenager to cult status and that’s by comparing him to one of the most popular players in history. AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan offered hope to long-suffering Tigers’ supporters when he likened Griffiths to the league’s all-time leading goalkicker, Tony Lockett.

St Kilda
Tommy Walsh
It took St Kilda two years to land Gaelic football’s best young player, but the club’s patience has paid off if you buy into the hype surrounding Walsh at Linen House Oval. The high leaping, powerfully built forward is in a different mould to the other Irishmen that have attempted to make the switch to AFL and the Saints are confident he’s a genuine star in the making.

Sydney Swans
Gary Rohan
This flashy redhead, nicknamed ‘Mr Magic’ by his Vic Country teammates, has cult figure written all over him. Rohan was one of the most talked about players leading into the national draft, following his eye-catching performance at the under-18 championships. Sydney Swans’ coach Paul Roos is a big fan of Rohan’s “freakish” ability and don’t be surprised if fans are already printing the teenager’s name on their banners.

West Coast
Gerrick Weedon
The skilful, clever and hard tackling half-forward has all the makings of a future cult figure. The Eagles have recognised Weedon’s promise by handing him jumper No.44 formerly worn by club champion and indigenous advocate David Wirrpanda. The 23-year-old starred with Claremont last year and will be looking to add some excitement to the West Coast forward line this season.

Western Bulldogs
Andrew Hooper
Hooper, unlike most of the aforementioned players, doesn’t have the ‘x-factor’ usually associated with a cult figure, but he has the work ethic and determination to become a favourite among the Doggies’ faithful. The joint Larke Medallist was overlooked in November’s NAB AFL Draft because of his size (172cm) but can find his own ball and is bound to win some fans with his fierce attack at the footy.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.