We analyse every club’s draft picks and which players are ready to step up for Round 1, 2019
The 2018 draft could shape your club’s future for years to come. But which top picks will debut first? Check out our club-by-club guide to find out who will make the biggest impact and which clubs were the big winners.
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The 2018 draft could shape your club’s future for years to come.
Did your club get its picks right? Are the players drafted ready to make an impact?
RE-CAP: RE-LIVE EVERY DRAFT PICK AND TRADE
TRADE: BLUES GO ALL IN WITH BOMBSHELL MOVE
SLIDER: DID GEELONG GET STEAL OF THE DRAFT?
SNOOZE: CARLTON SAVE DAY FROM BORING FORMAT
Geelong and GWS had six picks across the two days while Hawthorn - who didn’t enter the draft until pick No.52 - only used two picks.
We analyse every pick and look at which players are ready to step up from Round 1 next year
ADELAIDE
No.9. Chayce Jones (Launceston)
No.16. Edward McHenry (Geelong Falcons)
No.30. Will Hamill (Dandenong Stingrays)
No.64. Lachlan Sholl (Calder Cannons)
Rookies: Kieran Strachan, Paul Hunter, Jordan Butts
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Is there anything Chayce Jones can’t do? A midfield-forward by trade the Tasmania under-18 captain starred across half-back earlier in the year in a game for NAB AFL Academy against North Melbourne reserves.
Geelong Falcons pocket rocket Edward McHenry couldn’t have a better mentor in Eddie Betts, while Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl might need a summer in the weights room to press for selection.
Swapped 2019 first-round picks with Carlton and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top this time next year.
BRISBANE
No.21. Ely Smith (Murray Bushrangers)
No.36. Thomas Berry (GWV Rebels)
No.40. Tom Joyce (East Fremantle)
No.42. Connor McFadyen (Lions Academy)
No.55. Noah Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers)
Rookies: Ryan Bastinac, Jacob Allison,
GLENN McFARLANE SAYS: Mids, mids and more mids ... Brisbane went into this draft with a zeal to boost their inside stocks in the wake of Dayne Beams’ departure. Ely Smith, a nephew of former Saint and Hawk Joel, is an inside bull who could step straight into senior football. He wins his own ball, and that’s invaluable for teenagers keen to make an immediate impression.
One of the best stories of the draft is Thomas Berry joining his brother Jarrod. The club’s Twitter feed vision of Jarrod’s reaction was heart-warming. A medium-sized defender, he oozes competitiveness. Brisbane missed the chance to secure Charlie Cameron’s brother Jarrod (he went to West Coast), but snapped up East Fremantle inside mid Tom Joyce.
The Lions matched Richmond’s bid on Brisbane Academy midfielder Connor McFayden at pick 42, who has been a part of the system since he was 11. Brisbane closed out their draft when they traded a future fourth selection to North Melbourne to claim Oakleigh’s Noah Answerth, who can play at either end.
CARLTON
No.1. Sam Walsh (Geelong Falcons)
No.19. Liam Stocker (Sandringham Dragons)
No.66. Finbar O’Dwyer (Yarrawonga)
No.70. Ben Silvagni (father-son, Oakleigh Chargers)
Rookies: Hugh Goddard, Tom Bugg
GLENN McFARLANE SAYS: Some bold decisions from the Blues should see them kick-start the long road back after a 2018 season that stalled almost before it started.
They did what everyone knew they would in selecting midfielder Sam Walsh as the No.1 draft pick. It was a no-brainer. He will learn from his new co-skipper Patrick Cripps as well as Marc Murphy, while develop alongside Zac Fisher, Paddy Dow and Sam Petrevski-Seton.
But that’s where the script went out the window.
The bold move to trade with Adelaide on Thursday night - swapping their respective future first round picks - secured Liam Stocker, which cost the Tigers a player they wanted. They paid a price which could ultimately be a big one, but the Blues were desperate for the Morrish Medal winner, who like Walsh can play as soon as Round 1 next year.
Livewire forward Finbar O’Dywer and father-son pick Ben Silvagni - who like his dad can play at either end - were added late.
COLLINGWOOD
No.13. Isaac Quaynor (NGA Academy, Oakleigh Chargers)
No.29. Will Kelly (father-son, Oakleigh Chargers)
No.77. Atu Bosenavulagi (Oakleigh Chargers)
Rookies: Tim Broomhead, Sam Murray
GLENN McFARLANE SAYS: The Magpies got to have their cake and eat it too after all. The decision to trade for Dayne Beams was balanced by the fact the Pies desperately wanted to keep access to Next Generation Academy star Isaac Quaynor and father-son Will Kelly.
That was finalised, with another Academy member Atu Bosenavulagi thrown in for good measure. It wouldn’t surprise to see Quaynor wearing the black and white in Round 1 next year. He is the hard-running defender the club needs and can play on all manner of forwards. He could even pinch hit in attack at times.
Kelly, the son of premiership Magpie Craig, might take a little longer. But as a key defender he fits the club’s long-term needs. Bosenavulagi, who is Fijian born, is sure to become a fan favourite, being related to Joffa Corfe by marriage. But he has made a real impression as a late convert to the game after playing rugby union.
ESSENDON
No.38. Irving Mosquito (Gippsland Power)
No.60. Noah Gown (Gippsland Power)
No.72. Brayden Ham (Geelong Falcons)
Rookies: Tom Jok, Matt Dea,
JON RALPH SAYS: Despite Adrian Dodoro’s fist pump at securing Hawthorn-linked Irving Mosquito, all of the Bombers three picks are project players.
Mosquito is talented but has plenty to learn, Gown kicked 31 TAC Cup goals but will take time and Ham is a 65kg midfielder who can play both ends.
No harm in future-proofing a list that is already star-studded and with a dozen kids already pushing for Round 1 spots next year.
FREMANTLE
No.17. Sam Sturt (Dandenong Stingrays)
No.32. Luke Valente (Norwood)
No.57. Lachlan Schultz (Williamstown VFL)
No.59. Brett Bewley (Williamstown VFL)
Rookies: Ethan Hughes, Tobe Watson, Ryan Nyhuis
JON RALPH SAYS: A quartet of nice additions to a trade haul led by Jesse Hogan. A couple of premium picks in a lead-up forward and strong midfielder, then the Dockers struck with a pair of mature-aged Williamstown VFL players who will hope to make an immediate impact.
Schultz is a 20-year-old ready-made mid, while 23-year-old Bewley is a running machine who averaged 25 possessions a game this year for the Seagulls.
Added Schultz to their Hogan in a comedic touch.
GEELONG
No.15. Jordan Clark (Claremont)
No.48. Ben Jarvis (Norwood)
No.50. Jacob Kennerley (Norwood)
No.65. Darcy Fort (Central Districts)
No.68. Jake Tarca (South Adelaide)
No.74. Oscar Brownless (father-son, Geelong Falcons)
Rookies: Tom Atkins
JON RALPH SAYS: The Cats drafted for needs, identifying a classy running defender in Clark, a hit-up forward in Jarvis to replace Dan Menzel and a 25-year-old 99kg ruckman previously from Geelong in Fort given their ruck issues.
With an athletic run-all-day midfielder in Billy’s son Oscar Brownless, they have six picks that might see Stephen Wells brew up some magic.
Also bid on father-son candidate Bailey Scott to keep the Roos honest despite his selection of North Melbourne as his preferred home.
GOLD COAST
No.2. Jack Lukosius (Woodville-West Torrens)
No.3. Izak Rankine (West Adelaide)
No.6. Ben King (Sandringham Dragons)
No.23. Jez McLennan (Central Districts)
No.71. Caleb Graham (Suns Academy)
Rookies: Michael Rischitelli, Jack Leslie, Brad Scheer, Harrison Wigg
JON RALPH SAYS: Shooting fish in a barrel with three top-six picks plus traded up to 23 to secure the defensive interceptor in McLennan they need. Now the biggest task is ensuring Ben King stays given he will try to race home at the earliest opportunity.
List boss Craig Cameron said the Suns would boost their welfare staff to six or seven to help retain the new kids. Capped it off with Cairns local Caleb Graham as a late local pick.
GWS GIANTS
No.11. Jye Caldwell (Bendigo Pioneers)
No.14. Jackson Hately (Central Districts)
No.22. Xavier O’Halloran (Western Jets)
No.24. Ian Hill (Perth)
No.34. Kieren Briggs (Giants Academy, Pennant Hills)
No.61. Connor Idun (Geelong Falcons)
SAM EDMUND SAYS: Ian Hill, the cousin of Fremantle’s Bradley and Stephen, brings the X-factor in the Giants six-man draft haul.
Forced to match West Coast’s bid for big man Kieren Briggs later in the second round with the Western Sydney product secured with selection 34.
Connor Idun is an English-born defender of African descent.
HAWTHORN
No.52. Jacob Koschitzke (Murray Bushrangers)
No.63. Mathew Walker (Giants Academy)
Rookies: Damon Greaves, Will Golds, Tim Mohr, Will Langford
SAM EDMUND SAYS: Didn’t draft on a needs basis, but clearly Koschitzke offers key back reinforcement. The cousin of former St Kilda star Justin can also play forward and the Hawks believe he can come in and potentially play straight away. Kicks the ball well.
MELBOURNE
No.27. Tom Sparrow (South Adelaide)
No.33. James Jordon (Oakleigh Chargers)
No.53. Aaron Nietschke (Central Districts)
No.56. Marty Hore (Collingwood VFL)
No.75. Toby Bedford (Dandenong Stingrays)
Rookies: Kade Chandler
SAM EDMUND SAYS: Added yet more midfield power with its first three selections - Sparrow, Jordon and Nietschke all ball-winners.
Hore comes in a 22-year-old defender from Collingwood’s VFL team, with the Demons tracking his progress since interviewing him as an 18-year-old.
NORTH MELBOURNE
No.8 Tarryn Thomas (NGA Academy, North Launceston)
No.46. Curtis Taylor (Calder Cannons)
No.49. Bailey Scott (father-son, Gold Coast Academy)
No.69. Joel Crocker (father-son, Sandringham Dragons)
Rookies: Tom McKenzie, Kyron Hayden, Tom Wilkinson
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Speed, thrills, grunt and x-factor will be the Kangaroos 2019 DNA after the bumper trade and draft intakes. It is a nice problem to have for North Melbourne coach Brad Scott but good luck try to settle on the best 22.
Prized Next Generation Academy prospect Tarryn Thomas is a walk-up start next season, while goalkicking midfielders Curtis Taylor and Bailey Scott map nicely to figure early in 2019.
Joel Crocker, son of Kangaroos premiership player Darren, could take time having missed a lot of footy with injury. The quartet will join recruits Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Aaron Hall and Dom Tyson all vying for spots at Arden Street.
PORT ADELAIDE
No.5. Connor Rozee (North Adelaide)
No.12. Zak Butters (Western Jets)
No.18. Xavier Duursma (Gippsland Power)
No.73. Riley Grundy (Sturt)
No.76. Boyd Woodcock (North Adelaide)
Rookies: Tobin Cox
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Stemmed the bleeding after losing Chad Wingard, Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard in the trade period with first-round picks Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma welcome additions at Alberton.
Wingard-clone Rozee looks set to make an impact straight away, the classy midfielder has the speed, size and hunger to slot straight into Ken Hinkley’s best 22.
Riley Grundy, brother of Collingwood’s Brodie, looks a beast in the making, while Boyd Woodcock rocketed into draft calculations with a strong finish to the season for SANFL premiers North Adelaide.
RICHMOND
No.20. Riley Collier-Dawkins (Oakleigh Chargers)
No.43. Jack Ross (Oakleigh Chargers)
No.58. Fraser Turner (Clarence)
No.62. Luke English (Perth)
Rookies: Jake Aarts, Jacob Townsend, Mabior Chol
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Got an absolute gem in Riley Collier-Dawkins and the scariest part - for the rest of the competition - is the tall and explosive midfielder likened to Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps hasn’t stopped growing yet.
Big-bodied midfielder Jack Ross is ready to go, while running machine Fraser Turner is sure to keep Tigers wingmen Brandon Ellis and Kamdyn McIntosh honest.
Hard-working inside midfielder English, who won the 2017 Jack Clarke Medal as the best player in the WAFL colts as a bottom-ager, has been compared to Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis.
ST KILDA
No.4. Max King (Sandringham Dragons)
No.41. Jack Bytel (Calder Cannons)
No.47. Matthew Parker (South Fremantle)
No.54. Nick Hind (Essendon VFL)
No.67. Robert Young (North Adelaide)
Rookies: Callum Wilkie
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: The need for speed was obvious, both with foot pace and a fast improvement next year. The Saints grabbed three mature-age blokes with serious zip and when you throw in former Demon Dean Kent there’ll be some ballistic forward line action next year.
Young has played about 60 SANFL games including a flag and Hind’s burst and creativity set up a VFL finals win for Essendon this year. These blokes will allow Jade Gresham and Jack Billings to play more midfield minutes next year.
Jack Bytel rivalled No.1 pick Sam Walsh as a TAC Cup ball-winner in 2017 but was floored by a back injury this year. The medical team has to get him and spearhead Max King right over summer.
SYDNEY
No.10. Nick Blakey (Swans Academy, UNSW)
No.25. James Rowbottom (Oakleigh Chargers)
No.44. Justin McInerney (Northern Knights)
No.51. Zac Foot (Dandenong Stingrays)
Rookies: Durak Tucker, Harry Reynolds, Kurt Tippett
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: Thursday night’s crafty trading – the Swans and Eagles flipped picks either side of drafting Nick Blakey – allowed Sydney to get pick No.25 and take James Rowbottom.
The Swans targeted midfielders with Dan Hannebery gone and Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy the wrong side of 30 and landed three. Rowbottom is a tough kid, McInerney a smoky who couldn’t get a game for Marcellin last year and was spotted by a Northern Knight player’s dad playing local footy while Zac Foot boasts blistering pace and will carve up the SCG with Gary Rohan now at Geelong.
As for Blakey? He’s a 195cm prospect who can play in the middle and a clear top-five talent. What a steal.
WEST COAST
No.28. Xavier O’Neill (Oakleigh Chargers)
No.31. Luke Foley (Subiaco)
No.35. Bailey Williams (Dandenong Stingrays)
No.39. Jarrod Cameron (NGA Academy, Swan Districts)
Rookies: Harry Edwards, Josh Smith
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: Charlie Cameron’s younger brother Jarrod will add swagger and inane goalsense to the AFL’s premiership attack. Cameron, Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli will leave defenders in cold sweats years to come.
Held the golden first pick of Day 2 and received a flood of overnight interest before trading it to Gold Coast to help secure three second-round selections before taking Cameron. The Eagles nabbed 400m and 1500m state medallist Luke Foley, an elite outside player who was overlooked at last year’s draft and balanced midfielder Xavier O’Neill, who averaged 20 disposals in the TAC Cup but was overlooked by Vic Metro.
After signing ruckmen Tom Hickey and Keegan Brooksby, the Eagles also drafted the clean-marking and athletic key forward who can play in the ruck in Bailey Williams.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
No.7. Bailey Smith (Sandringham Dragons)
No.26. Rhylee West (father-son, Calder Cannons)
No.37. Laitham Vandermeer (Murray Bushrangers)
No.45. Ben Cavarra (Williamstown)
No.78. Will Hayes (Footscray VFL)
Rookies: Lachie Young, Jordan Sweet
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: You wouldn’t want to be a fringe Bulldog in 2019. Bailey Smith, Rhylee West, Ben Cavarra and Will Hayes are all ready to play AFL, plus trade recruits Sam Lloyd and Taylor Duryea.
Inside bull West has been a Bulldog since birth and - like his champion father Scott - is a tough extractor who is strong through the core, although Rhylee is a right-footer. The 173cm Cavarra has been waiting five years and will add immediate forward spark, just as Billy Gowers did last year. Cavarra won the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal in 2013 and then Frankston’s VFL best-and-fairest in 2014 and 2015.
Hayes – the son of horse trainer David Hayes – won Footscray’s VFL best-and-fairest this year and was taken with the last pick in the draft. Vandermeer is a bit of a smoky as a lightning-quick 19-year-old who uses it nicely.
Originally published as We analyse every club’s draft picks and which players are ready to step up for Round 1, 2019
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