Phew .… what a night.
The first round of the AFL draft is done and dusted. Twenty-seven young guns from around the country have made their way to an AFL list. Click HERE to see the full list.
We’ll be back tomorrow night from 6.30pm for comprehensive coverage and expert analysis as the 2024 draft draws to a close. See you then.
Good night.
AFL top-draft pick Sam Lalor has put his hand up for Dustin Martin’s famous No.4 jumper and taken early comparisons to the retired Richmond legend in his stride.
The 18-year-old Victorian, an explosive goal-kicking midfielder, was the first of six first-round selections by the Tigers at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
The mammoth draft haul comes as Richmond attempt to bounce back after finishing last in Adem Yze’s first season as coach.
No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor.Credit: Penny Stephens
Lalor has modelled his game on triple-premiership great Martin and Collingwood gun Jordan De Goey, attracting attention at junior level with his powerful frame and knack of fending off opponents.
“It’s pretty hard to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him,” Lalor said of comparisons to Martin.
“He’s someone I’ve watched growing up, so I’d love to play like him.
“For me, I don’t look into it too much. I just can’t wait to get in there, chip away and work hard.”
AAP
Carlton can’t wait to bring No.3 pick Jagga Smith into their club after drafting him tonight.
The Blues’ head of list management Nick Austin said Smith had a lot to offer the club.
Jagga Smith of the Blues and Michael Voss, head coach of the Blues.Credit: Getty Images
“We had a targeted approach during the trade period to put ourselves in the best possible position on draft night, and to be able to welcome Jagga to the fold is the result we’re thrilled with,” Austin said.
“You’d struggle to find a more impressive young person and player than Jagga. He’s one of the standout leaders in his draft class, which was reflected in his captaincy duties throughout the year, and he’s someone who we think can offer a real point of difference to our midfield for a long time.
“He’s the No.1 ball winner for his age but more than that, he gets bang for buck with his ball use. We love what he’s able to do in traffic, he’s someone who really relishes the contest side of the game, and he’s been incredibly consistent for Oakleigh, Vic Metro, the under-18 Australian side and even Richmond in the VFL.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Jagga to our club, he’s someone who we’ve had our eye on for a while that we think will play a pivotal role for our football club in the years to come.
“We can’t wait for our members and supporters to see what he can do when he pulls on the Navy Blue jumper.”
There’s been a dramatic finish to the first night of the draft. North Melbourne traded their first round pick from next year’s draft to Richmond in return for pick 27, the final first-round selection. That’s a story in itself, given North have finished bottom two for the past five years. Richmond could have two very high picks next year. North then picked one of the Whitlock twins, key forward Matt. So it was joy for Matt, and agony for Jack, who was not selected despite being invited to the draft function. It’ll be a bitter-sweet night for the Whitlocks.
Wow, what a moment .… big man Matt Whitlock is drafted by North Melbourne after a pick swap late on night one of the draft.
The Swans have drafted Ned Bowman, picked up from Norwood.
And check out this highlight!
What draft guru Kevin Sheehan said about Bowman: “This boy took mark of the year at any level while playing colts with Norwood in the SANFL,” Sheehan said on Fox Footy. “He stood on their shoulders. That was super special. And there was a game against WA in the national championships where he started at halfback and then went forward and kicked three goals.”
Sam Marshall gets to Brisbane Lions, after Sydney put a bid on him and the premiers matched it.
There will now be another pick tonight, for the Swans.
What Marshall said: ”It was a bit nerve-wracking but they matched the bid and I’m grateful to be with the Lions,” Marshall told Fox Footy. “Doing three years of school in Melbourne was good for building into it [his AFL career]. I spent a bit of time with [Lions players] Hugh McCluggage and Jaxon Prior during the year and I really enjoyed it. I watched the grand final on TV, I was pretty sick that week so I just watched it in bed.”
Here’s a bolter. The GWS Giants choose Cody Angove with a high pick – No.24 overall.