Ultimate AFL Draft 2022 guide: Your club’s list needs, latest intel and who they could take
The first round has been and gone, but there are still plenty of promising talents available. See your club’s picks and who they could land on night two of the AFL Draft.
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The first night is in the books, but plenty of talents are left on the board.
We list for the final time every club’s picks, their list requirements, the likely players available and the late mail.
Get it right and your club recruiter can put your club on the pathway to a potential dynasty. Get it wrong and you can fall back into the pack for seasons.
ADELAIDE
Draft picks: 69
Who they took in first round:Max Michalanney (17)
Who’s in the mix after that: Billy Dowling
Adelaide could add to its midfield stocks by bringing in the North Adelaide youngster who is 187cm, 80kg, a good leader and kicks goals. The Crows have been working the phones to to trade back in and are believed to have put North Melbourne’s 2023 second-round selection on the table. If they land a deal, West Adelaide ruckman Harry Barnett may be an option.
BRISBANE
Draft picks: 51
Who they took in first round:Will Ashcroft (pick 2 bid), Jaspa Fletcher (pick 12 bid)
Who’s in the mix after that: Unknown
The Lions had to do a couple of deals on draft night after bids came inside the first 12 selections for both their father-sons. With pick 51 remaining, could they pull a late surprise?
CARLTON
Draft picks: 32, 46, 57, 67
Who they took in first round: Ollie Hollands (pick 11)
Who’s in the mix after that: Jaxon Binns, Tom McCallum, Jason Gillbee, Noah Long, Seth Campbell, Hudson O’Keeffe
The Blues said before the draft that their first selection will have a say on who they take later on. After pulling the trigger on Hollands, a key defender like Tasmanian Tom McCallum may be in their thinking. On the Apple Isle, interest has come late from the Blues for Devils small forward Seth Campbell, who could be in mix for their pick at 49. Later on, developing ruck Hudson O’Keeffe presents as an option with the Blues looming as his most likely suitor. The Blues are eager to have add another second round pick, with clubs such as West Coast and Collingwood – who have multiple picks in the 20s — presenting as potential options on draft night. Carlton was among the clubs to express interest in the Giants’ pick 22, but the club is unwilling to give up a future first-round selection to acquire it.
COLLINGWOOD
Draft picks: 28, 30, 47
Who they took in firsr round: Ed Allan (19)
Who’s in the mix after that: Harry Barnett, Jakob Ryan, Henry Hustwaite, Olli Hotton, Joe Richards, Harry Lemmey
The Pies have said they would consider adding a ruckman to their list and South Australian Barnett is the best of those. However, he could be off the board before Collingwood picks at 28. Hustwaite is the brother of Collingwood VFL co-captain Campbell and is in the club’s sights as a tall midfielder or defender with some similar traits to Scott Pendlebury. Richards has been the late top-30 bolter, with the small forward or midfielder being a 23-year-old schoolteacher from Wangaratta who played some very impressive football in the Ovens and Murray league this year. Rival clubs expect the Magpies to snaffle Joe Richards with one of their two second-round picks with interested clubs with picks in the 30s having all but given up on snaring him.
ESSENDON
Draft picks: 25, 49, 54, 59
Who do took at at first pick: Elijah Tsatas (pick 5)
Who’s in the mix after that: Alwyn Davey Jnr, Noah Long, Coby Burgiel, Bailey Macdonald, Anthony Munkara, Rhett Montgomerie, Jayden Davey
Ideally, the Bombers take another player at 25 before a bid comes for the talented Davey Jnr, with the class and speed of Burgiel in the mix, while ready-made WA prospect Hewett would be considered if he slides. As skilful as just about anyone in the pool, some believe there is little chance NGA prospect Munkara gets to pick 40, where the Bombers get access to him. Others believe he could get through to the rookie draft. Essendon has shown some interest in SA ball-magnet Adam D’Aloia, while mature-age Central District defender Rhett Montgomerie has also caught the club’s attention. Look for Essendon to be involved in a live trade, in order to get the most out of its second pick before it gets swallowed up by the Davey Jnr bid with the Dees and Bulldogs making a big play.
FREMANTLE
Draft picks: 33, 41, 42, 58, 63
Who they took in first round: N/A
Who’s in the mix after that: Steely Green, Hugh Davies, Harry Lemmey, Harry Cole, Cam Owen, Conrad Williams (NGA), Clay Tucker, Corey Wagner, Tom Emmett
Expect the Dockers to look homegrown with a number of potential WA options. The club has shown interest in Steely Green, who shone at WAFL level at stages this year, and he could come into their thinking with their two picks in the 40s. As would athletic key defender Hugh Davies and 187cm forward Harry Cole, with his manager Andrew McDougall revealing on the Hard Ball Gets podcast that he has had several interviews with the club. Key position prospect Harry Lemmey is another one to watch for the Dockers after re-emerging as a possible second round pick after his draft standing dropped significantly during the year. Fremantle has shown strong interest in adding Corey Wagner as a ready-made rookie as he hunts a third AFL opportunity. After the Dockers lost ruckmen Rory Lobb and Lloyd Meek, the club appears to be after a developing ruck. The club has shown interest in Tasmanian Cam Owen and Ranges prospect Clay Tucker as potential rookie picks.
GEELONG
Draft picks: 52
Who they took at first pick: Jhye Clark (pick 8)
Who’s in the mix after that: Archie Lovelock, Harvey Gallagher, Phoenix Foster, Ted Clohesy (NGA), Osca Riccardi (F/S), Frank Szekely
Geelong Falcons vice-captain, and tough contested-ball winner, Ted Clohesy has been nominated as an NGA prospect, while the son of 288-game star Peter Riccardi, Osca, could join him on the list – most likely in the rookie draft. Unless they trade back in – which wouldn’t be a surprise – it might not be a busy second night for the Cats. The Cats have shown interest in Norwood big man Phoenix Foster, who has terrific hands in the air and booted 26 goals in 11 SANFL under-18 matches this season. They’ve also spoken recently with his South Australian teammate Archie Lovelock.
GOLD COAST
Draft picks: 43, 61
Who they took at first round: Bailey Humphrey (pick 6)
Who’s in the mix after that: Tom Scully, Harry Lemmey
The Suns’ second pick won’t come until the very late stages of the draft, but if there are any key forwards left on the board then they could be an option. South Australian pair Scully and Lemmey have slid down draft boards this year after being highly rated at the start of the season and may still be available. Key forwards take time to develop and are rarely a finished product in their 18th year. Both players have strong upside.
GWS
Draft picks: 22, 34, 51
Who they took at first round: Aaron Cadman (pick 1), Harry Rowston (pick 16 bid)
Who’s in the mix after that: Nick Madden (academy), Max Gruzewski, Brayden George, Harry Barnett, Noah Long, Hugh Bond, Ryan Eyres
The Giants secured a small forward with one of their picks in the teens, with one of their selections wiped out by arch-rival Sydney’s bid. Don’t be surprised if they look to livewire Charlie Clarke, but the Giants are also fans of powerful forward Brayden George and contested marking swingman Max Gruzewski. If the Giants get back into the draft late, Noah Long is set to be on their radar, while Hugh Bond could also come into their thinking in the second round. GWS has big-bodied academy ruck Nick Madden at their disposal who they can secure as a Category B rookie — same goes for Albury based over-age key back Ryan Eyres, who is viewed as an outside chance.
HAWTHORN
Draft picks: 37, 45
Who they took at first pick:Cam Mackenzie (pick 7), Josh Weddle (18)
Who’s in the mix after that: Harvey Gallagher, Cooper Vickery (NGA)
The club has shown interest in 19-year-old Harvey Gallagher, who starred in the back-half of the year after being re-programmed as a distributing defender.The Hawks have liked the development of Next Generation Academy member Cooper Vickery this year, who is sure to come into consideration if he doesn’t receive a bid in the first 40 picks.
MELBOURNE
Draft picks: 38
Who do they get at first pick:Matthew Jefferson (pick 14)
Who’s in the mix after that: James Van Es, Hugh Bond, Harvey Gallagher, Jed Hagan, Blake Drury
The Demons could make a play for the first pick of the second night – and they might have ruckman Harry Barnett in mind. If not, Melbourne’s second pick won’t come until the early 40s after some father-son bids are made in the first two rounds. A key defender from Victoria, Van Es would appeal if he isn’t taken earlier. Standing 197cm, he is athletically gifted and has some AFL weapons.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Draft picks: 26, 56
Who do they get at first pick: Harry Sheezel (pick 3) George Wardlaw (pick 4)
Who’s in the mix after that: Lewis Hayes, Max Gruzewski, Joe Richards, Tom McCallum, Blake Drury, Cooper Harvey (father-son)
After taking two smaller prospects early, the Roos could look at a tall early in the second round. Josh Weddle might be hard to pass up if he gets through, while Hayes and Gruzewski are two other standout key-position prospects at this point of the draft. Later, Cooper Harvey, the son of AFL/VFL games record holder Brent, will become the club’s sixth ever father-son selection. North has also put some late work into Wangaratta bolter, and speedy small forward, Joe Richards, who now appears a very likely top-30 selection.
PORT ADELAIDE
Draft picks: 36, 53, 65
Who they took in first round: N/A
Who’s in the mix after that:James Van Es, Jed Adams, Nathan Barkla (NGA), Will Verrall, Toby McMullin
Given it is not entering the draft until midway through the second round, the Power has plenty of players on its board and is confident someone it rates in the top 20 will slip through. Van Es, a tall backman from Greater Western Victoria, fills a need but St Kilda is also keen and picks one spot ahead at 35. The Power went some way to addressing its small forward void by recruiting Junior Rioli and Francis Evans, but it could do with another young goalsneak. Might Sandringham Dragons speedster McMullin be available later in the draft, or as a rookie? If it misses out on Van Es and does not take a taller defender at 36, Peel Thunder’s Jed Adams may appeal with its second pick. Some rival recruiters believe Port may swoop on West Adelaide swingman Harry Lemmey if he is available but it is understood that is unlikely and there is a belief the former top-five prospect will be gone before the Power’s first selection.
RICHMOND
Draft picks: 48, 55, 70
Who they took in first round: N/A
Who’s in the mix after that: Tom Scully, Harry Lemmey, Steely Green, Bailey Macdonald
The Tigers intend to use only two picks in the draft, leaving a couple of vacant list spots. Their pick 62 is likely to be one of the last selections used on the night and it remains to be seen who is still left to pick from at that point. The Tigers aren’t going to be big players in this year’s draft, but do believe they already have some significant talent in the wings after securing five top-30 selections last year.
ST KILDA
Draft picks: 31, 35, 44, 66
Who do took in first round: Mattaes Phillipou (pick 10)
Who’s in the mix after that: Coby Burgiel, James Van Es, Jaxon Binns, Harvey Gallagher, Noah Long, Angus McLennan (NGA), Clay Tucker
It is believed the Saints are among several clubs looking to get another pick in the second round of the draft. The Saints are fans of speedster Coby Burgiel if he gets to 31, but he may not get past a host of suitors before them. The draft range of key defender James Van Es begins at their third choice at 35, while they have shown interest in 19-year-old distributor Harvey Gallagher, wingman Jaxon Binns and small forward Noah Long, who could all come into the equation in the second-half of the draft. While they were unable to snare Mackenzie through their Next Generation Academy, they are likely to secure forgotten defender Angus McLennan as a Category B rookie. McLennan has endured a wretched run with injury but the 19-year-old has shown promise this year for St Kilda’s VFL affiliate the Sandringham Zebras and in the NAB League.
SYDNEY
Draft picks: 27, 40, 62
Who they took in first round: Jacob Konstanty (21)
Who’s in the mix after that: Harry Barnett, Lachie Cowan, Brayden George, Olli Hotton, Tom McCallum, Bailey Macdonald, Roan O’Hehir, Will Edwards (academy)
Dalrymple also spoke glowingly about Harry Barnett on The Drafts podcast, a ruckman he believes won’t take long to push for senior selection with his size. With the Swans moving back in the order to 27 after their shrewd move with the Hawks, he remains in the mix. Cowan, powerful forward Brayden George and Olli Hotton have also been linked and could be available. The Swans may be the club to pounce on backline bolter Bailey Macdonald at 40, while they have shown interest in Tom McCallum. Dalrymple said they would consider taking academy key defender Will Edwards as a Category B rookie. They have also reportedly been linked to South Fremantle prospect Roan O’Hehir as a later draft or rookie selection.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Draft picks: 24, 39, 60, 68
Who do they get at first pick: Jedd Busslinger (pick 12)
Who’s in the mix after that: Brayden George, Lachie Cowan, Max Gruzewski, Rhett Montgomerie
A powerful mid-sized forward like George would suit the Bulldogs well and is right in the range at their second selection. He will be sidelined in 2023 as he recovers from a recent ACL injury, but is a highly-rated prospect with huge potential. Gruzewski could also come into the frame if the Bulldogs don’t take a key defender with their first pick. He is a 193cm swingman who can play forward or back and could be a third-tall type interceptor.
WEST COAST
Draft picks: 23, 29, 64
Who do they get at first pick: Reuben Ginbey (pick 9), Elijah Hewett (pick 14)
Who’s in the mix after that: Coby Burgiel, Jakob Ryan, Kaleb Smith, Harry Lemmey, Tyrell Dewar (NGA), Jordyn Baker (NGA).
The Eagles have been linked with Burgiel in the second round and could also take a look at SA tall Lemmey and WA bolter Kaleb Smith at pick 29, depending on who they take before that. Dewar and Baker are expected to join the club as NGA selections. West Coast is likely to consider athletic Glenelg defender Jakob Ryan at pick 23.
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