AFL Mid-Season Draft 2023: See every pick as it happened

The mid-season draft is all over, and two former AFL players earned AFL lifelines, while others missed out. Plus, the Tigers pulled one of the shocks of the night. See every pick here.

Former Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle and ex-Collingwood wingman Caleb Poulter have earned second chances at the top level after impressive starts to the season in the VFL.

Narkle was selected by Port Adelaide at pick 11 in Wednesday night’s AFL mid-season draft, just after Poulter joined the Western Bulldogs at pick 10.

Narkle, who was axed by the Cats at the end of last season, had been playing with Essendon’s VFL side this year and shapes as a ready-to-go backup for the second-placed Power.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY PICK AS IT HAPPENED

The 25-year-old had averaged 20.3 disposals, 4.9 clearances, 10.9 contested possessions and 2.9 inside 50s in nine matches for the Bombers’ reserves.

Narkle had played 41 AFL games in five seasons with Geelong.

“We were looking to add midfield and forward depth, and Quinton has experience in both these roles at AFL level,” Port Adelaide national recruiting manager Geoff Parker said.

“He’s got great character traits and is desperate for a second chance.

Quinton Narkle has earned an AFL lifeline at the Power. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We know he’ll do everything he can to make the most of this opportunity.”

Essendon overlooked Narkle – who also had an off-field role as a player development manager at the club – two picks before Port Adelaide.

The Bombers instead decided to bolster their forward line by adding 196cm West Australian goalkicker Jaiden Hunter.

An apprentice electrician, the 21-year-old Hunter booted five goals for Perth’s senior side in the WAFL last weekend to make for 11 majors from his past three matches.

Poulter was delisted by Collingwood at the end of last year following 12 AFL games across two seasons.

Originally selected at pick 30 in the 2020 national draft, he featured in some match simulation for the Bulldogs over summer.

Poulter had averaged 16.9 disposals and 5.6 marks on a wing across eight VFL games for Footscray this year.

“We are pleased to be able to bring Caleb into our AFL program full-time,” Bulldogs national recruiting manager Dom Milesi said.

Caleb Poulter was taken by the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

“He will provide valuable depth to our list heading into the second half of the season.

“We followed Caleb closely throughout his draft year and as a top 30 pick clearly has attributes to make him successful at the top level.

“Our program is very familiar with Caleb after spending time in the Footscray side this season, continuing a strong trend of developing talent for AFL lists.”

North Melbourne swooped on an exciting small forward from Western Australia in an AFL mid-season draft which saw 13 players find new homes.

The Kangaroos selected Subiaco’s Robert Hansen Jnr with the second selection in Wednesday night’s draft, beating a host of other interested clubs to the punch.

Hansen Jnr, 19, was overlooked in his draft year last season but had excited recruiters while playing senior WAFL football with the Lions this season.

The 180cm forward is lightning quick and agile and is viewed as a player who has plenty of upside.

A Fremantle supporter growing up, Hansen Jnr had attracted strong interest from the Dockers – who held pick 8 – but was taken off the table earlier than some expected.

He nominated an 18-month contract term, meaning he will be at North Melbourne until at least the end of next year.

Hansen Jnr’s cousin, Tyrell Dewar, joined West Coast as a Category B rookie last November.

As was widely expected, Victorian Ryan Maric was selected by West Coast with pick 1.

Maric, who lost 24kg in less than three years to earn his opportunity, had said last week that he would welcome a move interstate.

No.1 pick Ryan Maric. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I’ve always thought I’m a pretty adventurous person and I like to take up a challenge,” he said.

“I’m happy I can finally prove myself. I’ve always known that I’ve had the ability but my name’s just never really been out there.”

Maric had been stacking shelves at his local Woolworths in Drouin this year while studying a Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education at Federation University.

The 19-year-old’s weapon which got him drafted is his kicking ability, which he gives credit to his father Peter for.

“He’s always given me a footy since I was 2 years old,” Maric said.

“He’s got some funny videos teaching me how to kick and mark. All the credit goes back to him.”

Hawthorn selected 204cm ruckman Clay Tucker with the third pick, who had impressed in his VFL debut for Box Hill last weekend.

Richmond pulled a surprise at pick 4 by selecting Glenelg small forward Matt Coulthard, before the Tigers used their second-round pick to select James Trezise from their VFL side.

Sydney strengthened its depleted backline with key defender Harry Arnold from Brisbane’s VFL side, while also adding West Australian key forward Jack Buller with their second pick.

There had been 17 players selected in last year’s mid-season draft.

SEE EVERY PICK AS IT HAPPENED

Thanks for joining us in our live blog!

Great to see Caleb Poulter and Quinton Narkle — who were unlucky to be delisted — get second chances at AFL clubs.

We had some SANFL bolters in Aaron Hardie and Matt Coulthard, while Northern Bullants big man Brandon Ryan is among the mature-agers to get their first crack at the big time.

PICK 15 - SYDNEY - JACK BULLER (CLAREMONT)

22, Forward, 199cm, 99kg

Buller had been mooted as a potential option to the Eagles with the No.1 pick. Instead the competitive and athletic forward joins the Swans with the very last pick of the mid-season draft.

Chris Cavanagh says: A key forward who models his game on Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon, Buller is a fierce competitor and a physical presence in attack who can take plenty of contested marks and has kicked plenty of goals in the seniors this season.

PICK 14 - GWS - PASS

PICK 13 - RICHMOND - JAMES TREZISE (RICHMOND VFL)

21, Defender, 188cm, 76kg

Chris Cavanagh says: Recruited from Tooradin-Dalmore as a half-forward, Trezise has shone brightly across half-back in the VFL this year. He has good speed and endurance, an exciting leap and is a booming kick.

James Trezise. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

PICK 12 - HAWTHORN - BRANDON RYAN (NORTHERN BULLANTS)

25, Forward, 200cm

Ryan was playing in the Essendon District League last year. Now, the 25-year-old, 200cm athletic forward is a Hawk after starring for the Northern Bullants in 2022.

Chris Cavanagh says: A towering tall forward, Ryan previously spent two years on North Melbourne’s VFL list but was playing local football for Maribyrnong Park last year before returning to the state league competition this season. He has kicked 18 goals from seven games for the Bullants this year

PICK 11 - PORT ADELAIDE - QUINTON NARKLE (PORT ADELAIDE)

24, Midfielder, 182cm, 83kg

Narkle has joined the Power! The axed Cat was close to finding a new home at the Tigers over the pre-season and now has the chance to have an immediate impact for Port Adelaide after impressing for Essendon’s VFL side.

Chris Cavanagh says: A former Geelong midfielder, the zippy Narkle was delisted at the end of last season but has been solid for the Bombers in the VFL this year, averaging 20.3 disposals from nine games.

Welcoming a bit of 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞 to Alberton 🔌⚡

📝 | https://t.co/gZ99NyM85mpic.twitter.com/lm1JuRujge

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) May 31, 2023

PICK 10 - WESTERN BULLDOGS - CALEB POULTER (FOOTSCRAY)

20, Wing, 194cm, 84kg

Death, taxes and the Bulldogs taking a mature-ager out of their VFL program. The former Pie has found a new home at the Western Bulldogs after a strong season for Footscray at senior level.

Chris Cavanagh says: Delisted by Collingwood at the end of last season, Poulter has impressed on a wing for Footscray in the VFL this year to earn another AFL opportunity. He has averaged 16.9 disposals from eight games this year.

PICK 9 - ESSENDON - JAIDEN HUNTER (PERTH)

21, Forward, 196cm, 93kg

Chris Cavanagh says: A goalkicking forward, Hunter missed last year with an ACL injury but has caught the eye in the seniors since returning this season. He is a competitor, has good aerial ability and reads the play well.

PICK 8 - FREMANTLE - ETHAN STANLEY (BOX HILL)

19, Wing/Forward, 188cm, 83kg

Chris Cavanagh: Stanley was playing under-19s with his local club Frankston YCW last year but has starred since stepping up to the VFL. He’s versatile, a powerful kick, has explosive speed and a great vertical leap.

PICK 7 - GEELONG - MITCH HARDIE

25, Midfielder, 182cm, 85kg

Another SANFL shock! Hardie has been in strong form in the SANFL competition and the 25-year-old could be a player the Cats call on right away.

Chris Cavanagh says: A mature-aged midfielder who can kick goals, Hardie has been a standout this season in the SANFL. He has averaged 25.7 disposals and a goal a game this year.

Mitch Hardie is now a Cat. Picture: Image/Russell Millard Photography

PICK 6 - SYDNEY - HARRY ARNOLD (BRISBANE VFL)

24, Defender, 194cm, 85kg

The Swans have been decimated in their key defensive stocks, and Harry Arnold shapes as a potential ready-made replacement in defence.

Chris Cavaangh says: A key defender who has been likened to Harris Andrews, Arnold is a former Gold Coast Suns Academy player who has had a super season for the Lions in the VFL, averaging 13.8 disposals, 7.8 marks, 4.4 spoils and 2.5 intercept marks.

PICK 5 - GWS - PASS

The Giants have opted to pass here - despite having two selections. They were keen on Clay Tucker and with him off the board, they have decided not to take anyone.

PICK 4 - RICHMOND - MATT COULTHARD (GLENELG)

22, Forward, 176cm, 69kg

Wow a serious surprise here from the Tigers. A SANFL small forward from Glenelg, this is an interesting pick that noone saw coming. He only became eligible for the draft over the weekend after playing his third SANFL game.

Chris Cavanagh says: A mature-aged small forward, Coulthard has impressed in the SANFL this season both at reserves and senior level. He kicked four goals from eight disposals last weekend in his final audition.

PICK 3 - HAWTHORN - CLAY TUCKER (EASTERN RANGES)

18, Ruck-Forward, 204cm, 99kg

The Hawks had been weighing up Tucker and Ethan Stanley, who had both played for their VFL side and trained with the club last week. But they’ve opted to go with the developing ruckman who has shown great signs for Eastern Ranges and in the Young Guns games.

Chris Cavanagh says: A towering tall, Tucker covers the ground well with his mobility and agility and has good ruck craft. He has also shown an ability to go forward, take nice marks and kick goals this year.

Clay Tucker joins the Hawks!

We've selected the young ruckman with Pick 3 in the mid-season rookie draft. 👊

📝: https://t.co/pnq069pTPrpic.twitter.com/ox7O47aewC

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) May 31, 2023

PICK 2 - NORTH MELBOURNE - ROBERT HANSEN JR (SUBIACO)

19, Forward, 180cm, 70kg

Chris Cavanagh says: A wingman or small forward, Hansen Jr is lightning quick, agile, has a dynamic left foot and does things on the field that others can’t. He has been playing senior WAFL football this year.

PICK 1 - WEST COAST - RYAN MARIC (GIPPSLAND POWER)

18, Forward, 193cm, 83kg

No surprises here, with the Eagles going with the No.1 pick favourite Ryan Maric out of the Gippsland Power.

Chris Cavanagh says: A third-tall forward type, Maric’s weapon is his beautiful kick. He works hard to present up the ground, makes good decisions, has speed and kicks goals. The Drouin local was widely considered to be the top talent available.

West Coast has selected Ryan Maric from Gippsland Power with Pick 1 in the Mid-Season Draft.

FOLLOW LIVE 👉 https://t.co/lfBzH7SO6spic.twitter.com/S73TDWpHxq

— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) May 31, 2023

7:03PM VIRTUAL DRAFT

Clubs are starting to log on to the virtual draft.

Hopefully there’s no lag when a club goes on the clock!

The draft itself is expected to begin around 7:15pm.

Clubs joining the virtual AFL Mid-Season Draft.

6:50PM DRAFT ORDER

Welcome to mid-season draft night!

We are just minutes away from West Coast taking first pick being taken and some AFL dreams being realised.

Here is the full draft order. A maximum of 15 picks can be taken, which is less than in previous seasons.

FIRST ROUND

1. West Coast

2. North Melbourne

3. Hawthorn

4. Richmond

5. GWS

6. Sydney

7. Geelong

8. Fremantle

9. Essendon

10. Western Bulldogs

11. Port Adelaide

SECOND ROUND

12. Hawthorn

13. Richmond

14. GWS

15. Sydney

Originally published as AFL Mid-Season Draft 2023: See every pick as it happened