Who excelled in this year’s Carlton Draft, plus our hopes for 2024
The Carlton Draft is over for another year. We rank the six players from best to worst while revealing our future wish lists for the clubs and former greats we want to see in 2024.
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This year’s Carlton Draft matches had it all as former AFL players turned up to country football teams in Victoria to play.
From large hauls of goals and leather poisoning for some players to one lasting just eight minutes, all draftees contributed in their own way.
But who stood out from the rest and who disappointed?
We rank all this year’s draftees from one to six to reveal who impressed and who should stick to retiring and their media commitments.
6. Kane Cornes
Sorry Kane but just like your terrible call on Tim Taranto not being in the top 150 players in the AFL, your performance for Moyston Willaura was not much better. Just eight touches, despite playing in the midfield, and not much influence as the Panthers got smashed by Hawkesdale/Macarthur by 119 points. The fact another player, on one leg, rated higher just shows the performance the Port Adelaide legend put in. Hopefully in the future, he sticks to his running and making more bold and wild calls in the media.
5. Nathan Buckley
Buckley might have had just one disposal in eight minutes of football, before his hamstring gave way, but his influence alone during the week for Nilma Darnum was almost enough for the team to end their 36-game winless streak. The Collingwood legend trained with the team on Thursday before playing against Catani. After his injury he stayed on the sidelines and helped the team to almost beat Catani, losing by two points to the Blues. His playing days might officially be over now but you can’t underestimate his influence.
4. Jordan Lewis
If Lewis didn’t concede plenty of free kicks for Buchan he might have been higher on the list. The former Hawthorn and Melbourne player was influential in the 37-point win over Lindenow South. He not only kicked two goals, including one late, but also had a fair few possessions. Unfortunately, just like his career, where he averaged one free kick against per game, his discipline let him down at times.
3. David Mundy
He might have been the first cap off the ranks but Mundy almost had the best game out of the draftees in the season. The Fremantle legend kicked six goals for Carngham Linton in the Central Highlands league in its massive win over Beaufort. Playing in the midfield and forward line, Mundy had a day out. He held the record for most goals in the Carlton Draft until another player came along to play this season.
2. Bernie Vince
The former Adelaide and Melbourne midfielder’s record of eight goals will take some beating after he had a day out for Maryborough Rovers. Vince kicked 8.9 and had 36 disposals. He should have and could have kicked more goals with his inaccuracy hurting him and providing assists to his teammates to get others involved. The only reason Vince isn’t number one is the quality of opposition he faced during the day. Campbells Creek has not won a game all season and has had an average losing margin of 164 points.
1. Josh Kennedy
Josh Kennedy’s performance in the Carlton Draft should be the template for every other draftee in the future of the concept. On the Friday before he played for Murrabit he trained with the club’s seniors and juniors. It was his decision, and a way to be at the club before the game. The next day he dominated in the middle, helping the team to a four-point win over Wandella. According to those at the game, he got more than 40 touches and kicked a goal. It was no surprise he was the best player on the day and still showed, despite retiring last year, that the former Sydney and Hawthorn player has still got it. While others made headlines for kicking a bag of goals, Kennedy was the best for his dedication to the weekend and doing what he does best, winning the ball at the coalface.
OUR WISHLIST FOR 2024
Now this year’s Carlton Draft is done, who should front up next year?
Fourteen players have played over the past two years for country clubs with some of the biggest names in AFL taking part.
We reveal our wishlist and which clubs should take part next year.
Joel Selwood – The Geelong premiership captain and All Australian would be the perfect drawcard and potential number one draft pick. Not only would he attract plenty of attention but having not been out of the game long, he’d be ready to play with his fitness and skill levels. Has to be on top of the Carlton Draft radar for next year.
Jack Riewoldt – We’re assuming this year is Riewoldt’s last season after a stellar career with Richmond, including a Coleman Medal and a three premierships. The Tigers forward would be perfect for a team needing a key forward for the weekend.
Marc Murphy – A 300-gamer for Carlton, the former number one draft pick would be handy.
Luke Hodge – Every year at least one former AFL player in the media gets a go. The biggest one yet not to do it is Luke Hodge. A legend in the game with multiple premierships and a Norm Smith Medal, Hodge would attract a major crowd and would still be quite handy as a player given he has only been out of the game for a couple of years.
Jimmy Bartel – Another former AFL player who is involved in the media. The Brownlow Medallist and AFL premiership player would attract a large crowd and we’re sure he would still be capable of getting plenty of touches and kicking a couple of goals as a small forward.
Lance Franklin – One can only dream, right? The leading goalkicker this millennium in the AFL is likely to retire at the end of the season after a brilliant career for Hawthorn and Sydney. If he lands in the draft, he would attract a major crowd and teams would go crazy trying to land him. Expect him to kick a bag as well if he plays.
Robert Murphy – Imagine Bob running off halfback and having a stack of the ball for a country club. Murphy would be perfect for the Carlton Draft with his personality and his role in the game.
THE CLUBS WHO DESERVE A GO
Huntly – Won just three games in the past two seasons in the Heathcote league. With no Carlton Draft player going to a Heathcote club, the Hawks would be an ideal candidate for it.
Newbridge – The club fought back from floods in the off-season to win two games this season in the Loddon Valley league. The Maroons deserve a weekend of having an AFL legend come to the club to not only raise the clubs spirits but provide a valuable cash injection.
Koondrook Barham – The Crows have won twice in the Central Murray league in the past two seasons and are winless this year. Adding a Carlton Draft player could help the team gain a valuable win in the competition.
Toora – The Mid Gippsland outfit has won twice in the competition in two years. With no Carlton Draft players yet to play in the competition, Toora is the club most likely to be in contention to have a player involved for them.
Western Eagles – The Colac and District league club finished bottom last year and is second bottom this season.
Old Collegians – The Warrnambool District team has lost 18 games in a row and is on track for last place this season.
Wahgunyah – The Lions have not won a game since 2021 and have struggled to be competitive this season in the Tallangatta league. If the team survives into next year it would be a worthy candidate for a Carlton Draft player.
Corryong – There has been talk about the Upper Murray Football League for the past few years in relation to the future of the competition. Corryong has been the worst team in the competition the past two seasons, so having a player come up would be fantastic for publicity for the competition.
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