AFL mid-season draft: The new pick-ups who can make an immediate impact
Which mid-season draftees can help their side right away in the back-half of the year? Here’s who to watch out for and the best SuperCoach buys of the bunch.
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The mid-season draft has been and went and 19 players found homes.
Who is in the mix for senior opportunities in the back-half of the season?
Stockpiling for the future is generally a priority in the mid-season draft, but some clubs were forced to look at mature-age pick-ups that could help them in the short-term.
Meanwhile, others went with promising state league talents with upside that can contend for a spot if their form continues.
See who is capable of making an immediate impact and the fresh draftees that SuperCoaches should be keeping tabs on.
MID-SEASON DRAFTEES WHO CAN IMPACT RIGHT AWAY
Jacob Blight (Richmond)
SC average: 100 (Peel Thunder WAFL)
SC price/position: $102.4k, DEF
With Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young out for the season with ACL injuries and Dylan Grimes also sidelined, Blight can provide immediate relief to Richmond’s depleted defensive stocks. The ready-made key defender has shone as an interceptor in the WAFL for Peel Thunder, averaging 18 disposals, eight intercept possessions, five spoils, three intercept marks and 100 SuperCoach points per game. The 22-year-old is also a great ball-user, hitting the target with 85 per cent of his kicks this season. A big watch for SuperCoaches.
Jack Hutchinson (West Coast)
SC average: 62 (Collingwood VFL)
SC price/position: $102.4k FWD
Ryan Maric played for West Coast just over a week after being picked in the mid-season draft, and don’t be surprised if Hutchinson gets an early opportunity with the Eagles. The 190 centimetre forward kicked nine goals in his first five VFL games with Collingwood which saw him burst onto the mid-season draft radar. He was held goalless in the last fortnight, but the 22-year-old has high impact per possession, highlighted by a miraculous hanger he took against Coburg.
Saad El-Hawli (Essendon)
SC average: 110 (Northern Bullants VFL)
SC price/position: $102.4k, DEF-MID
“We think there’s a chance he might be able to put selection pressure on in the immediate future, but that depends on how well he adapts to our environment as well… We think with the versatility he offers he’ll give Brad (Scott) and the coaching staff some options.” That’s Essendon recruiting manager Rob Forster-Knight on new Bomber El-Hawli. The 23-year-old has impressed in a range of positions for the Northern Bullants and has no trouble finding the footy despite their struggles, averaging 26 disposals, 16 uncontested possessions, seven marks and 110 SuperCoach points this season. It looks like the speedster will give the Bombers selection committee – and SuperCoaches – plenty to think about by year’s end. He even took some kick-ins while stationed at halfback.
Max Hall (St Kilda)
SC average: 118 (Box Hill VFL)
SC price/position: $102.4k FWD-MID
St Kilda is crying out for some spark in its forward half and Hall brings that in spades. Hall has gone to another level for Box Hill this season, boosting his SuperCoach average from 69 last year to 118 in 2024 and averaging 24 disposals, six marks and four tackles. In one of those games he dominated against North Melbourne’s VFL side, posting a 213-point total from 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 12 marks and two goals. The 22-year-old will likely spend less time in the midfield for the Saints than he would at Box Hill, but his speed, clean hands and workrate give him the chance to make an impact in the back-half of the year. However, he missed his last match with a back complaint which is set to sideline him for a couple of weeks.
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— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) May 30, 2024
Geordie Payne (North Melbourne)
SC average: 151 (Tasmania Devils)
SC price/position: $102.4k MID-FWD
After missing out on the draft last year as a rebounding defender, Payne tore the Talent League to shreds in his five games for the Tasmania Devils as a blistering midfielder-forward. Payne averaged 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six tackles, 151 SuperCoach points per game and kicked 12 majors, seeing him taken with the first pick in the mid-season draft. His last three SuperCoach scores: 175, 160 and 224. Payne is a competitor and his all-round athleticism and versatility should work in his favour of earning an early debut with North Melbourne, who is crying out for forward-half dynamism.
Will McLachlan (Brisbane)
SC average: 122 (Geelong Falcons)
SC price/position: $102.4k FWD
A similar case to Ryan Maric last year, McLachlan has the overhead marking and ready-made frame to push for selection sooner rather than later. Lions recruiting manager Stephen Canole said as much, likening McLachlan to high-flyer Lincoln McCarthy, who is ruled out for the season with injury. The Colac product has kicked goals for fun in the Talent League, booting 26 majors in six games, including four hauls of five or more. He won’t be playing against light 18-year-olds in the AFL ranks, but his ability to impact on the air or at ground level inside 50 is a valuable commodity, and the Lions’ injury woes should help his cause.
Ned Long (Collingwood)
SC average: 101 (Collingwood VFL)
Possible SC price/position: $190k MID
Long trained with the Pies over the pre-season and was overlooked, but the 194 centimetre midfielder has got his chance off the back of some strong VFL form. The 21-year-old ranks fifth in the VFL for tackles per game with 9.3, and is also averaging 23.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances and 101 SuperCoach points. Long could prove to be one of the beneficiaries of Collingwood’s injury crisis with his ready-made frame able to be deployed in the midfield or as a pressure forward. Unfortunately for SuperCoaches, the former Hawk managed four senior games last year which will impact his price.
Brynn Teakle (North Melbourne)
SC average: 123 (East Fremantle WAFL)
Possible SC price/position: $283.9k RUC
Now a dual mid-season draftee, Teakle was linked to Collingwood and Richmond, but he may be a better chance of getting a game at North Melbourne. The Roos have struggled to find a tall to accompany Nick Larkey, and while Teakle is a ruckman first and foremost, he has had an impact up forward for East Fremantle this season. His pre-season with the Pies has clearly done wonders for the former Port Adelaide player, with the 24-year-old averaging 35 hit-outs, 16 disposals, 123 SuperCoach points and kicking six goals across seven matches. He is probably too expensive for SuperCoaches unless Tristan Xerri goes down.
Luke Beecken (Brisbane)
SC average: 98 (Woodville-West Torrens SANFL)
SC price/position: $102.4k DEF
With Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee out for the season, Beecken gives the Lions a ready-made rebounding defender should another backman go down. The 184cm playmaker reads the play well, has speed off and has a penetrating kick, averaging 23 disposals, five intercept possessions and 98 SuperCoach points per game in the SANFL this year. He has also taken more than his fair share of kick-ins this year, SuperCoaches.
Originally published as AFL mid-season draft: The new pick-ups who can make an immediate impact
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