AFL Draft 2022: See all your club’s picks and our expert verdict
Carlton had a clear plan going into the AFL Draft. Did it pay off? See all your club’s recruits from the national and rookie drafts and the verdict from the experts.
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Every club is brimming with excitement at the new talent it has added in the 2022 national draft.
But who are the real winners?
See all your club’s recruits here plus the verdict from News Corp’s draft experts.
ADELAIDE
17: Max Michalanney (190cm, 78kg, Def, Norwood. Junior club: Glenunga)
43: Billy Dowling (187cm, 87kg, Mid, North Adelaide. Junior club: Walkerville)
50: Hugh Bond (185cm, 81kg, Mid/Def, GWV Rebels. Junior club: North Ballarat)
Rookie draft: Andrew McPherson, Paul Seedsman
MATT TURNER’S VERDICT: Stayed local early, taking two South Australians, and traded up to get ball magnet Dowling and tough inside midfielder Bond. Michalanney is versatile and ultra reliable.
BRISBANE LIONS
2: Will Ashcroft (182cm, 78kg, Mid, Sandringham Dragons. Junior club: Southport Sharks)
12: Jaspa Fletcher (183cm, 76kg, Mid, Brisbane Lions Academy. Junior club: Coorparoo)
Rookie draft: Shadeau Brain, Ryan Lester, Nakia Cockatoo
JORDAN PINTO’S VERDICT: Matching two bids in the top 12 cost the Lions but it’s likely to be worth it with the draft’s most complete player in Will Ashcroft, and the classy Jaspa Fletcher, ready to push Brisbane’s best 22 next year. Capped off an outstanding off-season nicely.
CARLTON
11: Ollie Hollands (183cm, 71kg, wing, Murray Bushrangers. Junior club Wodonga JFC)
30: Lachie Cowan (187cm, 81kg, defender, Tasmania Devils. Junior club: Devonport)
32: Jaxon Binns (182cm, 71kg, wing, Dandenong Stingrays. Junior club: Berwick JFC)
47: Harry Lemmey (200cm, 95kg, key fwd, West Adelaide. Junior club Blackwood)
Rookie draft: Ed Curnow
JAY CLARK’S VERDICT: Was all about the outside run. The Blues loaded up on two wingmen, nabbing Oliver Hollands and Jaxon Binns to add some powerful new wheels to the engine room. Gave up a future second-rounder for Tassie rebounder Lachie Cowan as part of a surprise trade with Collingwood.
COLLINGWOOD
19: Ed Allan (194cm, 83kg, Mid, Claremont. Junior Club: Mosman Park)
28: Jakob Ryan (189cm, 79kg, Def, Glenelg. Junior Club: Brighton Districts & Old Scholars)
48: Joe Richards (177cm, 71kg, Mid-Fwd, Wangaratta. Junior Club: Wangaratta Imperials JFC)
Rookie draft: Cooper Murley
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S VERDICT: Secured the man they wanted in James Sicily-like defender Ryan at pick 28, while also snagging first-round slider Allan. Joe Richards is a brilliant story, coming from outside the usual talent pathways.
ESSENDON
5: Elijah Tsatas (187cm, 80kg, Mid, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Surrey Park)
25: Lewis Hayes (199cm, 84kg, Def, Eastern Ranges. Junior club: Lysterfield)
45: Alwyn Davey Jr (180cm, 76kg, Fwd/Mid, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Palmerston Magpies)
54: Jayden Davey (180cm, 78kg, Fwd, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Palmerston Magpies)
Rookie draft: Rhett Montgomerie, Anthony Munkara
MATT TURNER’S VERDICT: The Bombers have brought X-factor and speed onto their list for new coach Brad Scott, while Hayes fills a need as a tall defender. No Alwyn Davey bid until 45 was a win for them.
FREMANTLE
33: Hugh Davies (196cm, 90kg, Def, Claremont. Junior club: Claremont JFC)
41: Tom Emmett (187cm, 88kg, Fwd, Sturt. Junior club: Payneham NU)
42: Max Knobel (206cm, 91kg, Ruck, Gippsland Power. Junior club: Maffra)
57: Corey Wagner (181cm, 80kg, Def, Port Melbourne. VFL Junior club: Sandgate)
Rookie draft: Connor Blakely, Liam Reidy
DAN BATTEN’S VERDICT: The Dockers approached this draft differently to most, taking plug-and-play talents and developing talls. Tom Emmett and Corey Wagner, handed his third AFL lifeline after a breakout VFL season, can play right away at either end of the ground.
GEELONG
8: Jhye Clark (181cm, 77kg, Mid, Geelong Falcons. Junior club: Queenscliff)
52: Phoenix Foster (198cm, 90kg, Fwd/Ruck, Norwood. Junior club: Central Eyre United)
Rookie draft: Osca Riccardi, Ted Clohesy
SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON’S VERDICT: After pulling off a masterstroke to get pick 7 from Gold Coast, Geelong picked a player likened to recently retired club legend Joel Selwood in Jhye Clark. They then added a player to develop in tall Phoenix Foster. More outstanding business from the Cats.
GOLD COAST
6: Bailey Humphrey (186cm, 83kg, Mid/fwd, Gippsland Power. Junior club: Moe)
Rookie draft: Connor Blakely, Jake Stein
DAN BATTEN’S VERDICT: Humphrey is the matchwinner the Suns need in their forward half. No selections on night two, but also no bid on high-leaping academy prospect Lloyd Johnston, meaning they can take him as a Category B rookie.
GWS GIANTS
1: Aaron Cadman (195cm, 92kg Fwd, GWV Rebels. Junior club: Darley Football Netball Club)
16: Harry Rowston (182cm, 81kg, Mid/fwd, GWS Academy, Junior club: Griffith Swans)
21: Darcy Jones (175cm, 64kg, Mid/fwd, Swan Districts. Junior club: Kalamunda)
22: Max Gruzewski (193cm, 85kg, Def/fwd, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Surrey Park)
34: Toby McMullin (183cm, 82kg, Fwd, Sandringham Dragons. Junior club: Port Fairy Football Netball Club)
Rookie draft: Phil Davis, Nick Madden, Jason Gillbee
JORDAN PINTO’S VERDICT: Took the young key forward they wanted with the first pick but then were seemingly caught off guard by Sydney’s early bid for Harry Rowston. Steadied to take two players with plenty of upside in swingman Max Gruzewski and skilful small Toby McMullin on the second night. A tale of two halves, but still plenty of talent through the door.
HAWTHORN
7: Cam Mackenzie (188cm, 82kg, Mid, Sandringham Dragons. Junior club: Beaumaris FC)
18: Josh Weddle (192cm, 92kg, Def, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Templestowe Dockers)
37: Henry Hustwaite (195cm, 84kg, Mid, Dandenong Stingrays. Junior club: Rosebud)
46: Jack O’Sullivan (178cm, 72kg, Mid, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior Club: Kyneton)
51: Bailey Macdonald (182cm, 74kg, Mid, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior Club: Surrey Park)
Hawthorn: Seamus Mitchell, Joshua Bennetts
SAM LANDSBERGER’S VERDICT: The Hawks drafted two players in the top 20 for the first time since 2005 and drafted a batch of five players for the first time since 2009, while importantly maintaining a selection in every round of the hotter 2023 draft. Stayed local with all Victorians and powered up all parts of the ground. Considered exiting the draft with four players, but Macdonald was too good to pass up. Big tick.
MELBOURNE
15: Matthew Jefferson (195cm, 84kg, key fwd, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior club: Ashburton JFC)
38: Jed Adams (196cm, 89kg, key def, Peel Thunder. Junior club: South Mandurah)
Rookie draft: Will Verrall, Oliver Sestan
JAY CLARK’S VERDICT: Hooked the key forward they had been eyeing for months when they landed Jefferson, future-proofing the attacking 50m. The Dees are excited about the way he’ll pair up with Jacob Van Rooyen as Ben Brown enters the season under another injury cloud. List needed a replacement spearhead.
NORTH MELBOURNE
3: Harry Sheezel (185cm, 80kg, Fwd, Sandringham Dragons. Junior Club: AJAX JFC)
4: George Wardlaw (182cm, 79kg, Mid, Oakleigh Chargers. Junior Club: St Peter’s FC)
26: Brayden George (187cm, 85kg, Fwd, Murray Bushrangers. Junior Club: Gigarre Football Club)
56: Cooper Harvey (180cm, 80kg, Fwd, Northern Knights. Junior Club: Yarrambat JFC)
Rookie draft: Blake Drury, Hamish Free, Daniel Howe, Kayne Turner
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S VERDICT: A much-needed injection of talent with the first two picks, who will excite Roos fans. George is recovering from an ACL and won’t play in 2023. A father-son selection as the son of club great Brent, Harvey showed he had some X-Factor this year.
PORT ADELAIDE
36: Tom McCallum (193cm, 82kg, Def, Tasmania Devils. Junior club: Clarence)
53: Tom Scully (203cm, 89kg, Fwd, West Adelaide. Junior club: Lockleys)
58: Kyle Marshall (201cm, 84kg, Def, South Adelaide. Junior club: McLaren Districts)
Rookie draft: Dylan Williams, Nathan Barkla
SIMEON THOMAS WILSON’S VERDICT: The Power went for height with their three selections, with Tom McCallum the smallest at 193cm. He can play as a key defender, while Tom Scully started the year on fire as a key forward for West Adelaide. Tall defender Kyle Marshall ran the equal-fifth fastest 2km time-trial at all state based combines so he can move.
RICHMOND
49: Kaleb Smith (180, 79kg, defender, East Fremantle. Junior club: Melville)
55: Steely Green (179cm, 75kg, midfielder, South Fremantle. Junior club: Brookton Pingilly)
Rookie draft: Seth Campbell, Tylar Young
JAY CLARK’S VERDICT: Nabbed two electric smalls for midfield/defensive running roles as the Tigers had a throw at the stumps late. Steely has a bit of Liam Baker about him while Smith has a powerful rebound game.
ST KILDA
10: Mattaes Phillipou (190cm, 89kg, Mid-Fwd, Woodville-West Torrens. Junior Club: Phantoms Football Club)
31: James Van Es (197cm, 98kg, Def, GWV Rebels. Junior Club: North Ballarat)
35: Olli Hotton (182cm, 79kg, Fwd, Sandringham Dragons. Junior Club: Hampton Rovers)
44: Isaac Keeler (198cm, 89kg, Fwd, North Adelaide. Junior Club: South Augusta)
Rookie draft: Angus McLennan
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S VERDICT: Ticks all round. Got the X-Factor player they wanted in Phillipou, who some clubs had rated a top-five talent. Van Es fills a need for another key defender, Hotton was too good to pass up at pick 35 and Keeler could be anything.
SYDNEY
20: Jacob Konstanty (177cm, 73kg, Fwd, Gippsland Power. Junior club: Warragul Blues)
27: Cooper Vickery (181cm, 72kg, Def, Gippsland Power. Junior club: Orbost Snowy River)
40: Caleb Mitchell (187cm, 80kg, Mid, Murray Bushrangers. Junior club: Yarrawonga)
Rookie draft: Will Edwards, Cameron Own, Jaiden Magor
MATT TURNER’S VERDICT: After providing night one bidding entertainment, the Swans brought in a nice mix, including bolter Vickery, a quick, left-footed defender. Konstanty should emerge nicely under Tom Papley’s tutelage
WEST COAST
9: Reuben Ginbey (189cm, 82kg, Mid, East Perth. Junior club: Dunsborough)
14: Elijah Hewett (185cm, 84kg, Fwd/Mid, Swan Districts. Junior club: Caversham)
23: Harry Barnett (202cm, 96kg, Ruck, West Adelaide. Junior club: Goodwood)
29: Coby Burgiel (183cm, 80kg, Mid/Fwd, Gippsland Power. Junior club: Maffra)
58: Noah Long (178cm, 74kg, Fwd, Bendigo Pioneers. Junior club: Echuca)
Rookie draft: Isiah Winder, Zane Trew, Jordyn Baker, Tyrell Dewar
SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON’S VERDICT: The Eagles have kick-started their rebuild strongly with four top-30 selections. Rueben Ginbey will quickly find a spot in the Eagles midfield while Elijah Hewett has plenty of upside although there were some behavioural issues that concerned clubs. They then started the second round by nabbing the best ruckman in the pool in Harry Barnett, while Coby Burgiel satisfies the need for speed at the Eagles.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
13: Jedd Busslinger (196cm, 83kg, Def, East Perth. Junior club: Coolbinia)
24: Charlie Clarke (183cm, 79kg, Fwd, Sandringham Dragons. Junior club: South Melbourne Districts)
39: Harvey Gallagher (179cm, 77kg, Def, Bendigo Pioneers. Junior club: Sandhurst)
Rookie draft: None
SAM LANDSBERGER’S VERDICT: The first of the Josh Dunkley picks was used on Clarke, a small forward who will complement Cody Weightman and who sold candy as a 17-year-old on debut for Port Melbourne Colts. Gallagher was overlooked last year but rattled to the line this season, averaging 34.2 disposals and 170 SuperCoach points in his last five NAB League games. Busslinger is skinny and as raw as butcher’s steak and needs time before he can take over from Liam Jones. Sore shoulder means he won’t train until early next year.
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