Carlton saves the day after AFL draft cops heavy criticism for taking too long

The AFL wanted to transform its national draft into a Hollywood-style epic but instead had the suspense of a tepid rom-com which had TV viewers reaching for the remote until Carlton stole, writes JON RALPH.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan addresses the crowd at the start of the 2018 AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Thursday, November 22, 2018. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

The AFL attempted to transform its national draft into a Hollywood-style epic worthy of a Kevin Costner sporting drama.

The goal with the introduction of live trading was a night of drama with jaw-dropping moves, last-second trades and dramatic plot twists.

The verdict?

The night had all the suspense of a tepid Jennifer Aniston rom-com as it wound down to its conclusion.

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Then came the Carlton bombshell.

Early on there were the usual junior dreams realised, a worrying trend emerging of exciting talents warning clubs they are not prepared to move interstate.

But AFL House wanted the kind of national draft showcased in Costner’s 2014 movie Draft Day, about an NFL general manager wheeling and dealing before pulling off a monster last-minute trade to “win” the draft.

It got exactly what it wanted with the Carlton trade period that could be inspired or just downright insane.

It was a long night at the national draft with the top 10 taking nearly an hour before it was announced. Picture: AAP

As Richmond waited to take hyped inside midfielder Liam Stocker at pick 20, the Blues swept in from nowhere.

They swapped their 2019 first-round pick for Adelaide’s pick 19 and Adelaide’s 2019 first-rounder.

If Carlton win the spoon again and Adelaide win the flag, they may have handed over next year’s pick 1 for Adelaide’s 19 and a 2019 pick somewhere close to 20.

So Carlton have effectively backed themselves in to ensure they explode up the ladder and ensure they hand over a pick closer to 10.

Not only was Richmond left without its man, there was Carlton board member and champion Chris Judd presenting Stocker with his Blues jumper ahead of their Round 1 encounter next year.

It was exactly the kind of “oh-my-gosh” moment only a live trade on draft night can provide.

Other clubs were less explosive but still equally canny.

No.1 pick Sam Walsh with Blues co-captains Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty. Picture: Michael Klein

Sydney smartly traded out its mid-20s pick early, matching a bid for John Blakey’s boy Nick, then traded back into the 20s to maximise its draft haul.

It means they have an early pick waiting on Friday and already have a ready-made goalkicker in Blakey to start the pre-season in coming days.

Victorian midfielder Bailey Smith’s determination to remain close to home had draft insiders believing the Dogs might trade pick seven for two later selections, still snaring him as he fell through the draft.

It is a trend the AFL should continue to monitor, given Gold Coast was forced to call Ben King’s bluff given he also seemed extremely keen to stay in Victoria.

Gee whiz, way to make one of the most boring events on the AFL calendar even worse. #AFLDraft

— Declan Byrne (@Dec__Byrne) November 22, 2018

#AFLDraft pic.twitter.com/FP7GAl8tI2

— Calder Cannons FC (@CalderCannonsFC) November 22, 2018

Get on with it @AFL 😴😴😴😴 #AFLDraft

— Rob C (@RobC_26) November 22, 2018

26 minutes. 4 names called out #AFLDraft

— Matt (@Mattys123) November 22, 2018

Why am I watching this rubbish. Back to Seinfeld. #AFLDraft

— DAMIEN (@DamienDzanic) November 22, 2018

Talk about milking it....snooze fest #AFLDraft

— Kareeming 🇦🇺 🐴🐯🏆 (@Kareeming_1) November 22, 2018

HURRY UP WITH THE PICKS!!! #afldraft pic.twitter.com/4bzlRlee2Z

— Iam The Duckman 🇦🇺 (@iamtheduckman) November 22, 2018

Whether the Dogs were spooked Richmond might rise up the draft to take him or it was just backroom talk, they ended up nailing their man with the draft’s seventh pick.

So the night got the twists and turns the AFL had hoped and yet it can still be so much more.

The biggest problem is this — no one really has any idea who these kids are yet.

In the NFL they get four years of college, while the NBA’s likely No.1 pick Zion Williamson’s performance again Gonzaga on Thursday was as big a moment as LeBron James returning to Cleveland.

Would you know Riley Collier-Dawkins if he stood up in your porridge?

Do you know your Xavier O’Halloran from your Xavier Duursma?

The Bulldogs got their man Bailey Smith at pick seven. Picture: AAP

For every instant hit Jaidyn Stephenson there is last year’s hyped tyro Luke Davies-Uniacke, who played only seven games for 73 possessions as last year’s No.4 pick.

The AFL needs greater exposure for these kids, even if that is challenging in their packed schedules.

Why not start with an All Star MCG curtain-raiser on Grand Final day televised by Seven and Foxtel, not hidden away in the days beforehand.

Yet as a starting point it was rich with potential and a dash of drama, ensuring Carlton’s ladder position next year will be as big a talking point as the Hawthorn first-rounder they gave up in 2018 for Jaeger O’Meara.

Originally published as Carlton saves the day after AFL draft cops heavy criticism for taking too long