AFL mid-season rookie draft: Re-live every selection and all the drama
The mid-season draft was over in a flash — and it finished with the son of a renowned horse trainer getting a second chance. Find out who your club picked up.
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Langwarrin teenager Jai Culley says hard work has paid off after the dynamic midfielder was selected by West Coast with the No.1 pick in the AFL mid-season draft.
Culley was the headline act in a draft that also saw Carlton address its backline woes and Essendon land a silky Caleb Daniel-type rebounding defender.
SEE EVERY PICK AND RELIVE ALL THE DRAMA BELOW
The Blues selected former North Melbourne backman Sam Durdin with their first pick in the draft, after losing key defender Jacob Weitering to a shoulder injury in last weekend’s loss to Collingwood.
A struggling North Melbourne also added some defensive depth by securing Williamstown intercepting defender Kallan Dawson with its pick 2, while Essendon snapped classy Western Jets defender Massimo D’Ambrosio at pick 3.
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Former Western Bulldogs utility Will Hayes earnt a second chance at AFL level, being chosen by Carlton with their second pick at No.22.
A total of 17 picks were made by clubs in the draft, from 23 available list spots.
Culley told New Corp that it had been a “whirlwind” past six months since he was overlooked in last year’s AFL drafts.
The 19-year-old hit the track hard over summer to work on his speed and fitness and moved into a new role playing primarily through the midfield for the Dandenong Stingrays in the NAB League this year.
“That’s what I pride myself on – my hard work,” Culley said.
“In the past I might have relied on my natural talent and ability, but I realised that I needed to work harder and that’s what I did.”
Unfortunately Will won’t be unloading horses for us mid training anymore, but a dream come true for him ðŸ‘🻠pic.twitter.com/uLbZBxmOEb
— Lindsay Park Racing (@lindsayparkrace) June 1, 2022
Culley watched the mid-season draft at home with family and friends and said the two weeks leading up to it had “hit me like a tonne of bricks” after interest in him skyrocketed.
Culley said he would embrace a move to the other side of the country to begin his AFL career and he was hopeful that he could play a role at the top level in the back half of the season for the struggling Eagles.
“I’m one of those kids that would go anywhere. I’ll love the move west,” he said.
“I believe in my ability, but at the same time I’ve never trained at AFL level or AFL standard. So I can’t guarantee anything until I’m put in that situation. But I’ll back myself in every situation.”
Culley has been working at a local Charcoal Chicken shop this year, but said he wouldn’t be handing in a letter of resignation to his boss on Thursday.
“He already knows. I don’t have to write anything,” Culley said.
BOMBERS’ SAAD REPLACEMENT IN CALEB CLONE
Essendon might have filled its Adam Saad void when it landed Massimo D’Ambrosio at the midseason draft.
After losing speedster Saad to Carlton 18 months ago, the Bombers on Wednesday night were thrilled to land the Caleb Daniel clone with exquisite skills and some dashing flair at pick No. 3 when they snared 18-year-old D’Ambrosio.
And in a one-two hit, recruiting boss Adrian Dodoro addressed another need when he swooped on clever SANFL small forward Jye Menzie to add some quickness and goal nous to the forward 50m arc.
D’Ambrosio is two to four weeks away from playing because of a shoulder injury sustained at the weekend, but Dodoro said the uptempo defender had “a lot of AFL traits” including his distribution by foot, not dissimilar to Saad and Melbourne’s Christian Salem.
“He’s a beautiful kick who will really help our ball movement off half back,” Dodoro said.
“He has played two VFL games and was in the best players twice. His skills are exquisite, he is tough, he is quick, he has got a great engine and he has come from the clouds this year.
“He has been fantastic. What Massimo does is take the game forward quickly because he starts the ball movement and he can hit the corridor.”
South Adelaide’s Menzie is an 180cm livewire who helps fill the Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Irving Mosquito void.
Dodoro said the Bombers needed Menzie’s pressure, liveliness and forward craft.
“This guy’s numbers stack up as the best small forward available because he is on track to kick 50 goals this year,” Dodoro said.
“You watch him play, he had eight tackles at the weekend. He was really good and has kicked five goals in a game and he is still very young at 18.
“We really wanted to give him the chance.”
TOP PICK TO SPARK ROOS’ DIRE DEFENCE
A second-year apprentice electrician is hopeful he can provide North Melbourne with a spark in the second half of the season after making the switch from Williamstown’s VFL side.
Kallan Dawson has been plying his trade on the VFL circuit since 2018 but bolted up the AFL mid-season draft order to be selected by the Kangaroos with pick 2 on Wednesday night.
The 196cm intercept defender was playing for his local B Grade VAFA club Williamstown CYMS last year, unable to crack a spot in a rock-solid VFL defence.
However, Collingwood’s selection of fellow Williamstown key defender Charlie Dean in last year’s rookie draft opened up a spot at the Seagulls which Dawson took with both hands.
“I was just playing local footy last year so I wasn’t really thinking about the AFL too much and then it all came out of nowhere the last couple of weeks,” Dawson told News Corp.
“I was still trying to get to the AFL, but I was more just trying to get a VFL game last year. I missed the first three games due to a groin injury and I didn’t break in after that. So I was more just focused on playing down at Willy. Then this year I strung a few games together and now North has picked me up.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed but I’m super pumped.”
Dawson reads the play well, has good speed and works hard up the ground.
The 23-year-old had averaged 12.5 disposals, 6.6 marks, 5.5 intercept possessions and six spoils across eight VFL games this year and has played on AFL-listed opponents including Gold Coast’s Joel Jeffrey and Western Bulldogs livewire Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
“I feel like the more I’ve played at the level, the more I’ve grown in confidence,” Dawson said.
“I’ve definitely improved a fair bit this year.”
Dawson rolled his ankle in last weekend’s loss to Footscray, but is hopeful of putting his hand up to play some senior football for the struggling Kangaroos in coming weeks.
“Hopefully I can have an impact this year,” he said.
“I’ll be out for a couple of weeks, but then hopefully after that I’ll be playing some footy for North.”
Dawson’s day job will be unplugged for now, but it is an outlet he will look to return to down the track.
“I’ll hopefully still continue with my schooling and try and get my A Grade (electrician licence),” Dawson said.
“But I was a second-year apprentice so I can flick that for now, which is nice.”
RECAP ALL THE ACTION AND EVERY PICK
7:45pm OVER IN A FLASH
Thanks for tuning in to our live coverage!
Plenty of surprises and a couple of mature-agers who came from the clouds – most notably Will Hayes, who has landed his second senior opportunity.
There will be plenty of draft content coming your way as we analyse your picks from the mid-season draft.
And casting our minds to the end of year drafts, the national championships will kick off soon.
Catch you then, draft fans!
PICK 23 – FREMANTLE – PASS
PICK 22 – CARLTON – WILL HAYES
26, Midfielder, 181cm, 77kg, Carlton VFL
Who saw this coming? Will Hayes becomes a double mature-age, this time after winning a stack of the footy as a midfielder for Carlton's VFL side.
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A former Western Bulldogs utility who played 11 senior games before being delisted at the end of last year, Hayes has earnt another crack at AFL level after some strong form to start the season in the VFL. He has averaged 33 disposals and 5.3 clearances in the state league.
One way to put your hand up. 🙋â€â™‚ï¸
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 1, 2022
Will Hayes has been doing this all season for the @CarltonReserves. pic.twitter.com/PdyrUV9sdF
PICK 21 – COLLINGWOOD – PASS
PICK 20 – HAWTHORN – JAMES BLANCK
21, Defender, 195cm, 80kg, Box Hill
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A rock-solid key defender who is a strong overhead mark, Blanck trained with Hawthorn during pre-season but went back to Box Hill and has performed well in the VFL.
PICK 19 – ADELAIDE — PASS
PICK 18 – ESSENDON – JYE MENZIE
19, Forward, 180cm, 81kg, South Adelaide
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: An electric small forward who is originally from Tasmania, Menzie started the SANFL season on fire. He is an X-Factor player who knows where the goals are and has speed and a good football IQ.
PICK 17 – NORTH MELBOURNE – PASS
PICK 16 – WEST COAST – PASS
PICK 15 – FREMANTLE – SEBIT KUEK
21, Forward, 195cm, 75kg, East Perth
A SERIOUS bolter! Fremantle has pulled a swifty. Kuek has slotted 16 majors in five games in the WAFL this season as a key forward.
CHRIS CAVANGH SAYS: A surprise selection, Kuek is an athletic forward who has a great vertical leap and strong ball-reading ability. He goes by the nickname ‘The Difference’ and has kicked 16 goals from five WAFL games this season.
What a show reel 🔥 Sebit Kuek is our newest Freo Docker! #foreverfreopic.twitter.com/c8j2Mj7cvQ
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 1, 2022
PICK 14 – ST KILDA – PASS
PICK 13 – CARLTON – SAM DURDIN
25, Defender, 198cm, 95kg, Glenelg
As expected, the Blues have gone with mature-age defensive option Durdin, who was a former first-round selection to North Melbourne. Now 25, he has been impressing in the SANFL and can provide some immediate relief to their depleted tall defensive stocks.
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A former North Melbourne defender, Durdin was delisted by the Kangaroos at the end of 2020 following 22 AFL games. However, he has been solid for Glenelg in the SANFL this season and looks a ready-made option.
PICK 12 – GEELONG – ZANE WILLIAMS
20, Forward, 183cm, 71kg, Woodville West Torrens
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A lively small forward, Williams has had a strong year in the SANFL. His best game came against Glenelg in Round 4, when he booted five goals from 12 disposals.
PICK 11 – SYDNEY – HUGO HALL-KAHAN
18, Forward, 188cm, 78kg, Sandringham Dragons
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A mid-sized marking forward, Hall-Kahan has come from nowhere to earn an AFL opportunity this year. An excellent mark above his head, he is also a quality kick and has regularly hit the scoreboard this year.
PICK 10 – RICHMOND – JACOB BAUER
19, Forward, 191cm, 80kg, North Adelaide
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A genuine high-marking key forward, the former Sydney Swans Academy has been a revelation in the SANFL this season. He marks the ball at its highest point and is a quality kick.
Bauer Power âš¡ï¸
— Richmond FC 🯠(@Richmond_FC) June 1, 2022
🎥 Take a look at some highlights from our mid-season draft selection, Jacob Bauer. pic.twitter.com/RG5bos0UH4
PICK 9 – COLLINGWOOD – JOSH CARMICHAEL
22, Midfielder, 189cm, 89kg, West Adelaide
A surprise slider here for the Pies, with multiple clubs in the top five linked to him. A nice ready-made addition to the Collingwood midfield.
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A strong big-bodied midfielder-forward, Carmichael was playing for Merbein in the Sunraysia Football League last year before moving to the SANFL where he has starred.
PICK 8 – PORT ADELAIDE – BRYNN TEAKLE
22, Ruck-Forward, 203cm, 97kg, East Fremantle
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A developing ruckman, Teakle trained with Essendon during the 2020 pre-season and played an AAMI Community Series match for the Bombers that year. He is proficient in the ruck and can also impact around the ground.
PICK 7 – GOLD COAST – OSKAR FAULKHEAD
19, Midfielder, 182cm, 76kg, Bendigo Pioneers
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: An tough inside midfielder who wins plenty of the ball and also loves to win the contested ball and lay tackles, Faulkhead has enjoyed a breakout season after spending time with Geelong’s VFL squad over summer.
PICK 6 – HAWTHORN – MAX RAMSDEN
19, Ruckman/Forward, 202cm, 86kg, Sandringham Dragons
The Hawks have gone with the ruckman first instead of a key defender! An interesting tactic, but Ramsden is one of the top long-term prospects available.
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A developing big man, Ramsden is described as an “athletic freak”. He is seen as a longer term prospect at AFL level, but has shown plenty in the ruck and as a forward this year.
PICK 5 – GWS – WADE DERKSEN
20, Forward, 195cm, 90kg, Peel Thunder
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A key forward, Derksen was on Essendon’s VFL development list last year but played just two games before moving to the WAFL this year where he has impressed with his marking ability and hauls of goals.
PICK 4 – ADELAIDE – BRETT TURNER
25, Midfielder, 185cm, 88kg, Glenelg
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A mature-age midfielder, Turner has turned heads with some big games in the SANFL this year. The tough onballer hurt his foot in Round 4, but showed plenty for Glenelg up until that point.
PICK 3 – ESSENDON – MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO
18, Defender, 178cm, 80kg, Western Jets
Wowie, the first big surprise of the draft! The Bombers were weighing up a few players and have gone with the elite-kicking distributor who was overlooked at last year’s draft.
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A smooth-moving rebounding defender or wingman, D’Ambrosio might be short in statue but he is big in ability. He has a polished kick, has good composure and can run all day.
PICK 2 – NORTH MELBOURNE – KALLAN DAWSON
23, Defender, 194cm, 78kg, Williamstown
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: An intercept defender, Dawson has developed nicely in the VFL this year after playing B Grade VAFA football last season. He reads the play well, has good speed and works hard up the ground.
PICK 1 – WEST COAST – JAI CULLEY
19, Midfielder, 193cm, 87kg, Dandenong Stingrays
As expected, the Eagles have taken Jai Culley with the No.1 pick!
CHRIS CAVANAGH SAYS: A big-bodied onballer with classy skills, Culley has thrived in a new role through the midfield this year. He has missed games with a shoulder injury and soreness, but has dominated in the matches he has played.
6:55pm MOMENTS AWAY
It all starts at 7pm!
Who will your club take, and which bolters will spice up the order?
It’s sure to be over fairly quick, unlike the recent national drafts, so strap yourself in!
6:45pm TOP PROSPECTS ON OFFER
Haven’t been following the lead-up to the draft?
Chris Cavanagh has you covered with all the top prospects available here.
6:35pm MID-SEASON STATS VAULT
KFC SuperCoach fans may know Azza Jewell from Jock Reynolds, or from our KFC SuperCoach BBL coverage.
The stats whiz has compiled a mega-stats vault on every possible prospect, detailing their numbers in the state leagues and under-19 competitions.
Have at it,
Happy #AFL 2022 Mid-Season Draft day!
— Azza (@azzajewell) June 1, 2022
To help everyone get to know the nominees a little better, I've devised this handy dashboard that lists all relevant player information and season average statistics for 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Check it out here:https://t.co/QHBavR5nPz
6:26pm GREAT STORIES OF THE DRAFT
From charcoal chicken shops to a Sudanese star hoping to make his community proud, there’s a host of heartwarming stories in this draft.
Jon Ralph spoke with No.1 contender Jai Culley this week and it’s hard not to like the kid.
6:20pm ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Earlier, I gave it my best shot to answer all your mid-season questions.
It’s great to see the interest rising by the year, and draft fans have certainly been doing their homework on these prospects!
6:11pm DRAFT ORDER
Welcome to our live coverage!
Here is the full order for tonight, with the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Brisbane the only clubs without selections.
Clubs can opt to pass, but don’t expect any sides at the pointy end to be doing that with plenty of high-quality talent available.
ROUND ONE
1. West Coast
2. North Melbourne
3. Essendon
4. Adelaide
5. GWS
6. Hawthorn
7. Gold Coast
8. Port Adelaide
9. Collingwood
10. Richmond
11. Sydney
12. Geelong
13. Carlton
14. St Kilda
15. Fremantle
ROUND TWO
16. West Coast
17. North Melbourne
18. Essendon
19. Adelaide
20. Hawthorn
21. Collingwood
22. Carlton
23. Fremantle
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