Where is your club’s first draft selection from 2018 at in their development?

Every club aims to strike gold with every draft pick. But did your club pull it off in 2018? While some got Rising Stars, others are still waiting to see their picks debut. See where your club’s top pick is at.

Sam Walsh enjoyed a brilliant debut year. Picture: AFL Photos

Every club aims to strike gold with every draft pick. But how does your club stack up when it comes to nailing its all-important first one?

Flashback to last year’s draft and the batch of 18 youngsters have combined for six Rising Star nominations, one overall winner and plenty of highlights.

How much of that production has your club enjoyed? With players now returning to pre-season training, check out how your top pick is tracking after one year in the big time.

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ADELAIDE

Chayce Jones – Pick 9

Incredibly, Chayce Jones was Adelaide’s first top 10 draft pick since it snapped up Brad Crouch in the 2011 mini-draft. While he only played eight games in his debut year, the Crows clearly liked what they saw, signing him to a three-year contract extension in July. After an extended mid-year stint in the SANFL, Jones forced his way back into the senior side for the final two matches of the season. With Eddie Betts moving on, expect Jones to see a lot more senior action in 2020.

BRISBANE

Ely Smith – Pick 21

The Lions were fashionably late to the 2018 draft, with the club’s opening pick not falling until the end of the first round. While Smith played in the club’s NEAFL flag, he was unable to force his way into the all-conquering best 22. However, just being out on the park late in the season was a win for Smith, who suffered a stress reaction in his foot early in his time at the club. A big bodied midfielder, he will be one to keep an eye on during the pre-season. Interestingly, the Lions’ next three picks, Thomas Berry (36), Tom Joyce (40) and Connor McFadyen (42) also all failed to make their debuts.

Sam Walsh took out the 2019 Rising Star award. Picture: Getty Images

CARLTON

Sam Walsh – Pick 1

Now this is what you call a home run. In landing Sam Walsh, the Blues have found a midfield star who can ride shotgun next to Patrick Cripps for the next decade … at least. As well as winning the Rising Star award, Walsh posted the highest number of disposals for any first year draftee in the history of the AFL. He failed to reach the 20 disposal barrier on just three occasions and also finished fourth in the Blues’ best and fairest. Now imagine the damage he will be able to do with a full AFL pre-season under his belt.

COLLINGWOOD

Isaac Quaynor – Pick 13

The Magpies had no hesitation matching a bid from Greater Western Sydney for academy prospect Isaac Quaynor, who showed plenty of good signs during his debut season. His form at VFL level was exceptional and, with the Magpies’ injury list growing, he made his debut against Hawthorn in the back half of the season. Given he only played a handful of games in 2019, he will still be eligible for the Rising Star award next year. To the delight of Magpie fans, Quaynor has already signed a two-year contract extension.

ESSENDON

Irving Mosquito – Pick 38

He may have the best name in the AFL, but Irving Mosquito is still waiting to make his debut in the big time. After trading out the club’s early picks last year, the Bombers pinched academy prospect Mosquito from Hawthorn at the end of the second round. He played 12 games in the VFL, booting eight goals.

Irving Mosquito spent his debut year in the VFL. Picture: Mark Stewart

FREMANTLE

Sam Sturt – Pick 17

Following the Jesse Hogan trade, the Dockers didn’t kick things off until late in the first round, taking Frankston junior Sam Sturt. While he showed some good signs throughout the WAFL season, consistent injuries prevented the forward from forcing his way into the seniors. After focusing on cricket for the majority of his junior sporting career, the Dockers always planned to ease Sturt in. With a full pre-season under his belt, look for him to be knocking on the selection door early in 2020.

GEELONG

Jordan Clark – Pick 15

List guru Stephen Wells did it again! The Cats look to have struck gold at pick 15, with Clark fitting into the mix seamlessly. He played 18 games in his debut year and among players eligible for the Rising Star award, he was among the stat leaders for inside 50s, running bounces, metres gained and kicks. However, after suffering an unlucky elbow injury at training in early August, Clark couldn’t get back in time for the Cats’ finals campaign.

GOLD COAST

Jack Lukosius – Pick 2

One of the most highly touted prospects in the draft, the Suns wasted no time swooping on Lukosius, who spent his first season up north as a defender. After a promising debut year, the only thing left to do is secure his signature on a contract extension. While fellow top picks Izak Rankine and Ben King have put pen to paper on new deals, Lukosius is yet to sign. Seventeen rival clubs will be monitoring this situation.

GWS

Jye Caldwell – Pick 11

The Giants might be loaded with top talent but watch out for Jye Caldwell to push his way into the senior side in 2020. After a highly impressive pre-season, a calf injury initially stalled the midfielder’s campaign. He finally got a clear run of health late in the year and made his debut in Round 21.

HAWTHORN

Jacob Koschitzke – Pick 52

Since 2011, Hawthorn has had just one pick inside the top 20, when they selected Ryan Burton in 2015. So it was no surprise to see the brown and gold picking late again last year. The Hawks snapped up Jacob Koschitzke, who is the cousin of former St Kilda star Justin. Koschitzke played 13 games in the VFL in 2019, kicking five goals.

MELBOURNE

Tom Sparrow – Pick 27

After a complicated trade period in which Jesse Hogan moved on and Steven May came in, the Demons didn’t hold a first-round selection. However, that didn’t stop Tom Sparrow from making an early impact, forcing his way into the senior side for rounds one and two. Unfortunately, a knee injury suffered in the VFL ended his season in May.

Tarryn Thomas has a brilliant first year with the Roos. Picture: Getty Images

NORTH MELBOURNE

Tarryn Thomas – Pick 8

The Roos have got a good one here. A very good one. Tarryn Thomas impressed all throughout his debut season, notching 20 games while being used in the midfield and up forward. He secured a Rising Star nomination in round 12 and among players eligible for the award, rated in the top 10 for goals, tackles and contested possessions. However, it is this quote from coach Rhyce Shaw that should have Roos fans most excited. “I don’t think I’ve seen a cleaner pair of hands in a first-year player than the ones Tarryn Thomas has,” Shaw said.

PORT ADELAIDE

Connor Rozee – Pick 5

The Power went all-in on youth this time last year and they would be absolutely rapt to have landed Connor Rozee. He finished second in the Rising Star award, booting 29 goals across 22 matches. That is only five goals less than what Collingwood jet Jaidyn Stephenson had produced at the same stage. Rozee has x-factor for days and was a tackling machine inside the forward 50. He is also the youngest Power player to ever win the club’s goal kicking award and finished fourth in the best and fairest.

RICHMOND

Riley Collier-Dawkins – Pick 20

It is a tough side to break into at Tiger Land. And despite showing plenty of positive signs in the VFL, Riley Collier-Dawkins was unable to get a crack at senior level in 2019. There is a lot to build on for the big bodied midfielder though. Collier-Dawkins was a consistent contributor in the VFL, being named in the Tigers’ best players in seven of his 20 matches. In the Grand Final win over Williamstown, he finished with 15 disposals and two vital goals.

Max King was impressive in the VFL before his year was ruined by injury. Picture: Getty Images

ST KILDA

Max King – Pick 4

Few players will hit 2020 with more hype than Max King. The big bodied forward had his debut year ruined by injuries but he is already out on the track for pre-season training. As a guide for what Saints fans can potentially expect, his identical twin brother Ben was a star in his debut year for the Gold Coast, booting 17 goals. With outstanding speed and power, the Saints are thrilled with the way Max has launched into pre-season. However, they are also mindful of throwing him in the deep end after moving on Josh Bruce during the trade period.

SYDNEY

Nick Blakey – Pick 10

As a father-son prospect, Nick Blakey had his choice of nominating three clubs. And the Swans will be absolutely rapt that he landed on them. Blakey looks every bit like a key position pillar for the next decade, showing plenty of encouraging signs during his debut year. He was rewarded with a Rising Star nomination in Round 14 and finished the year with 19 goals. The Swans’ biggest call for next season might be where Blakey’s best position is. He also spent time on a wing this year and showed he is more than capable of winning his own footy and using it well going inside 50.

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WEST COAST

Xavier O’Neill – Pick 28

The Eagles took a slow and steady approach with Xavier O’Neill during his debut year after he battled some knee soreness early in his time with the club. He went on to play 18 WAFL games, including two finals.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Bailey Smith – Pick 7

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge clearly isn’t afraid to hand a draftee a big workload. In 2018 he played Aaron Naughton in 18 games for his debut year. This year Bailey Smith played a whopping 23. The club’s highest pick since Marcus Bontempelli in 2013, Smith proved to be a tackling machine up forward, while also being able to win plenty of ball in the midfield. He picked up a Rising Star nomination after Round 9 and finished fourth in the award.

Originally published as Where is your club’s first draft selection from 2018 at in their development?