Harvey Thomas makes history as latest draft pick to debut in season opener for GWS

With Harvey Thomas becoming the latest draft pick to make an instant debut in GWS history, we’ve looked at every club’s diamonds in the rough this century.

Teenager Harvey Thomas will create history on Saturday night when he becomes the latest draft pick in the Giants’ history to debut in the opening game of the season.

Thomas, 18, was selected by GWS with the 59th selection of last year’s draft. The talented midfielder stormed into contention for an unlikely opening-round debut after an impressive performance against the Suns in Canberra.

He was lively around the ball and finished with six tackles as he embraced his role in the Giants’ orange tsunami game style.

“It’s always good to see another Academy boy get a debut like that,” Tom Green said.

“Harves hasn’t put a foot wrong since he’s been here. He’s tough, he’s really hard working and I think that’s all you can ask for as a young kid.

Harvey Thomas is told he will make his debut in the Opening Round. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“He’s kept himself available as well. Most of the first-year boys have had a few niggles and knocks, but he’s been lucky with that and he’s been throwing himself into everything.

“He’s come with a great attitude and completely earned his spot. I have no doubt he’s going to play a really important role for us on Saturday.”

Thomas takes the Giants’ record from Zac Langdon who played the opening game of the season for GWS after being taken with pick 56 of the 2017 draft.

Every club prides itself on finding draft gold but rarely do they get the chance to impress so early on the big stage.

Every club’s latest national draft pick to debut in round one since 2000

Adelaide Crows – Hayden Skipworth (Pick 53 – 2000)

Skipworth would play 55 AFL games, including five in his debut season for the Crows. An All-Australian at the under-18 level, he made his first AFL start at the age of 18 years and 35 days. He is currently an assistant coach at Collingwood.

Brisbane Lions – Jaden McGrath (Pick 73 – 2014)

McGrath only played three AFL games, the first three games of the Lions’ 2015 season. After finishing with a handful of touches in each game, he fell out of the side and eventually retired in 2016 after losing interest in the sport.

Carlton – Adrian Deluca (Pick 72 – 2003)

Taken as a mature draft pick, Deluca made his debut at age 21 and played 22 games in his first season for Carlton as a forward/second-ruckman. He went on to play 46 games for the Blues and retired at the end of 2006.

Matthew Lokan celebrates a goal.

Collingwood – Matthew Lokan (Pick 70 – 2002)

Lokan had an incredible start to life in the AFL, playing every game off halfback for Collingwood in his debut season, including in the 2003 grand final. However, he would play his last game in 2005 before being delisted.

Essendon – Nick Kommer (Pick 73 – 2012)

The small forward had a career hampered by injury after being taken by the Dons in 2012. He played 19 games in his first season in 2013, but would only play three more games, all in 2016, before being cut by Essendon.

Fremantle – Lachie Schultz (Pick 57 – 2018)

One of the big success stories on the list, Schultz has turned into an impressive player after being picked up by the Dockers late in the 2018 draft. He played 90 games for Freo before heading east to join the Magpies for 2024 and beyond.

Geelong – Matthew Egan (Pick 62 – 2004)

Egan gave up tennis to give footy a crack and was taken by Geelong with their final pick of the 2004 draft. He played three seasons as a towering half-back, earning All-Australian selection in 2007. However, a foot injury ended his career that season and he is now part of the Western Bulldogs coaching setup.

Touk Miller has turned into one of the Suns’ best ever players. Photo by Richard Gosling

Gold Coast Suns – Touk Miller (Pick 29 – 2014)

Touk Miller has become one of the genuine superstar midfielders in the competition and it’s hard to believe he was one of the Suns’ later draft picks. He has played 173 games since debuting for Gold Coast back in 2015 and continues to get better with age.

GWS Giants – Zac Langdon (Pick 56 – 2017)

Hailing from WA, the Giants took a punt on Langdon as he played in their opening-round demolition of the Western Bulldogs in 2018. He played 31 games at the Giants before another 25 across two seasons at West Coast.

Hawthorn – Tyler Brockman (Pick 46 – 2020)

Brockman had an impressive start to life at the Hawks, kicking two goals in his debut against Essendon. He was hampered by injury in 2022 before playing another 15 games last season. The 21-year-old has made the move over to West Coast as he looks to become a key part of their developing side.

Melbourne – Ryan Ferguson (Pick 66 – 2002)

Ferguson was a role player for the Demons as a backup defender and ruckman after being drafted from Frankston. He played 47 games across five seasons before being delisted and took up a playing opportunity in the SANFL. He has also had an extensive coaching career at Richmond across their AFLW and VFL teams.

Lindsay Thomas kicked plenty of goals for North Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Martin Philbey

North Melbourne – Lindsay Thomas (Pick 53 – 2006)

Thomas turned into a stalwart at the Kangaroos after a fairly unassuming debut in 2007. He finished the round one clash against Collingwood with no goals and five behinds. But he would end up with 329 goals across a 12-year AFL career.

Port Adelaide – Cameron O’Shea (Pick 52 – 2010)

After impressing in the TAC Cup, O’Shea was selected by Port Adelaide as a role-playing defender and played 81 games across six seasons. After being delisted, he was picked back up in the rookie draft by Carlton where he would play another 11 matches in 2018.

Richmond – Ben Nason (Pick 71 – 2009)

After being overlooked in several drafts, an impressive 2009 in the SANFL generated plenty of interest in Nason with the Tigers taking him at pick 71 in 2009. A goal and 10 touches in his debut showed signs of promise but he would only play 23 games across two years before being delisted at the end of 2011.

Matthew Parker produced a nice highlight reel in his short career. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

St Kilda – Matthew Parker (Pick 47 – 2018)

After plying his trade for South Fremantle, Parker was brought in by St Kilda and played 17 games in his first season. However, he was delisted at the end of 2020 after just two more matches. He played 11 more AFL games for the Tigers after being selected in the mid-season rookie draft but called time on his career in 2022 to return home to WA for family reasons.

Sydney Swans – Ricky Mott (Pick 74 – 2001)

The young WA product wasn’t selected in his first two drafts but the ruckman finally found his way to the Swans in 2001. After injuries to Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle, he played in round one and would play 17 games in 2002. However, he wouldn’t play again for the club and only played two more AFL games after being given a lifeline by Carlton in 2004.

West Coast Eagles – Noah Long (Pick 58 – 2022)

The most recent selection on this list, the damaging small forward played 19 games for the Eagles last season. He kicked a goal on his debut against the Kangaroos and received a goal of the year nomination for his miraculous effort from the pocket against St Kilda.

Western Bulldogs – Tory Dickson (Pick 57 – 2011)

A mature-age selection by the Bulldogs, Dickson was 24 when was selected in the 2011 draft with pick 57. He played 17 games in his first season for the club and would go on to kick 181 goals across 114 AFL matches, including 40 in 2016 as part of the Dogs’ premiership-winning side.