Former AFL stars find new homes in 2024 Carlton Draft
Five former AFL players have found their way to new local footy homes after they were locked in for special appearances. See who is going where and how they reacted.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Some of the biggest names in the AFL’s modern era have found their ways to new local footy homes.
The 2024 Carlton Draft has been held with Trent Cotchin, Issac Smith, Matthew Lloyd, Leigh Montagna and Dylan Buckley all picked up.
Ballan (Central Highlands), Bunyip (West Gippsland), Castlemaine (Bendigo), Old Collegians (Warrnambool and District) and Toora (Mid Gippsland) all had selections on the night.
See how it played out in our recap below.
HOW BUNYIP PLANS TO USE ISAAC SMITH
Bunyip and their newest recruit Isaac Smith are already on the same page.
When the four-time AFL premiership star was selected in pick one in the Carlton Draft, he said he wanted to play in a position where he can use his run and carry.
“Halfback, back pocket, take all the kick ins, get one-twos,” he said with a laugh.
Bulldogs coach Lachlan Petch said those tactics perfectly fitted in with his own plans.
“We’ll put him on the wing or either at halfback and just let him do his thing,” he said.
“I’ve got a coaching record of 0-24 so I’m just looking forward to being able to work with Isaac.”
The Bulldogs have endured a difficult start to the West Gippsland league season including losses of 259 and 247 points in the past fortnight — failing to kick a goal in both games.
“All the boys will be thrilled to play alongside a player of Isaac Smith’s calibre.” Petch said.
“It’s just good for community football altogether and just a team which has struggled in the past few years but is trying their hardest. The effort is there every week.
“The league is definitely growing. We’ve obviously got the Gippsland League, which is obviously a well unknown league.
“I’m really confident the West Gippsland league can grow even more to being one of those top leagues in the state.”
Three-time Richmond premiership skipper Trent Cotchin will take his talents to Ballan after he was selected with pick two.
It’s a selection which will see Cotchin don a Blues jumper.
“Because mum barracked for the Blues growing up and my big mate Matty Kreuzer got drafted there, so there always was a soft spot,” he said.
“And it’s way better than putting on the Magpies jumper,” he laughed.
Cotchin’s arrival is an added bonus to the Central Highlands league club after they played a home game for the first time in two years earlier this season.
Delays to renovations of the club’s facilities meant the Blues were forced to hit the road.
“To get someone like Trent Cotchin to your club doesn’t happen every day,” Ballan president Dave O’Hanlan said.
“He’ll probably play wherever he wants.
“I’m sure he’ll run have a run through the middle at some stage and we’d love to see him kick a goal and the crowd celebrate.”
Other selections saw Matthew Lloyd go to Old Collegians in the Warrnambool and District league, Dylan Buckley joined Mid Gippsland club Toora while Leigh Montagna will head to Castlemaine in the Bendigo competition.
Dates for the games are to still be confirmed.
THE LAST PICK IS IN
St Kilda champion Leigh “Joey” Montagna is off to Castlemaine.
Brown called for a “sympathy applause” when his name was called to join the Bendigo league club.
Now he’s ready to follow in the footsteps of Richmond champion Dustin Martin who spent time with the club.
“I’m familiar with Castlemaine, I lived next door to Dusty for about five years,” he said.
“I know Dustin and his brothers quite well. I’m looking forward to going on and having a kick.”
Castlemaine is coached by former Essendon and Hawthorn defender Michael Hartley.
SELECTION SHOCK AT FOUR
In what might be the biggest shock in local footy history since Covid, Dylan Buckley has been selected at pick four by Toora.
It could be a little awkward for the former Blue who will now don Magpies colours.
On stage, Buckley simply said “wow” after his selection.
“Pick four sounds good, it was technically second last,” he joked.
“But I’m extremely excited. This will actually be the first time I’ve played footy since I finished up my career.
“I love community footy. I know how tough some of these clubs have done it.
“I want to get down there and make a weekend of it.”
And on playing for the Magpies.
“I absolutely love it,” he said with a massive grin.
“I’m a big supporter of the Toora Magpies, not the Collingwood ones. It’s interesting they’ve got the Port Adelaide away strip on to. Bit of three clubs in there.
“Hopefully I get the number 43.”
OLD COLLEGIANS TAKE THE VELVET SLEDGEHAMMER
Matthew Lloyd will follow in the footsteps of the draft commissioner and head to the state’s southwest.
The Essendon champion was taken with pick three in Tuesday night’s draft.
“I look forward to lacing the boots back up. When I play, I play seriously so I look forward to helping Old Collegians on the day,” he said.
“I’ve seen the (Carlton Draft) campaign over the last couple of years and it always looked like so much fun. A good mate of mine, Kane Cornes, played last year and we had a bit of fun at his expense because he only had six disposals.
“I’ve stirred him up and put my hand up to have a kick.”
COTCHIN NUMBER TWO, AGAIN
Trent Cotchin has played in plenty of big games against the Blues for Richmond, now he’s about to become one of them.
With the second pick in the draft, the three-time premiership star was selected by Ballan from the Central Highlands league.
Being the number two pick has become part of Cotchin’s career. The Tigers took him at pick two in the 2007 national draft.
Cotchin said it wouldn’t be weird pulling on a Blues jumper.
“Because mum barracked for the Blues growing up and my big mate Matty Kreuzer got drafted there, so there always was a soft spot,” he said.
“And it’s way better than putting on the Magpies jumper,” he laughed.
He said he didn’t have massive hopes.
“Hopefully none from anyone,” he responded when asked about expectations.
“Get through the game is my only hope and expectation. I am looking forward to it. Hopefully play in different parts of the field, depending what the game is throwing up.”
BUNYIP MAKES ITS SELECTION
Isaac Smith is off to Bunyip.
The four-time premiership hero was selected first by the Bulldogs with the first pick of the draft.
When his name was read out it was met with wild applause. No pressure now.
“Very lucky to be picked one.
“Looking forward to getting down there and learning a bit about the competition. I’ll back from footy skills and smarts in and hopefully I’ve got enough endurance to get through the game.”
He joked he “hoped” to play in the back pocket and not return to the wing where he finished his AFL career.
“Halfback, back pocket, take all the kick ins, get one-twos,” he said with a laugh.
Can he match the performances of Harley Reid at West Coast?
Smith told the crowd he expects to get a “few handball receives” and would be “disappointed” if he didn’t.
Bunyip is the junior club of Sydney star Tom Papley.
DRAFT ORDER LOCKED IN
The draft order has been locked in for 2024.
West Gippsland league club Bunyip will have the honour of selecting first and are now on the clock.
They’ll have five minutes to make their selection.
1. Bunyip
2. Ballan
3. Old Collegians
4. Toora
5. Castlemaine
DRAFT COMMISSIONER OFF TO A FLYER
Draft commissioner Jonathan Brown has opened the evening and he’s got the crowd up and going.
He’s introduced the five draftees as “four ex-AFL stars and Dylan Buckley”.
A little tough on the former Carlton father-son who has enjoyed a successful career off the field with his podcasts.
ANTICIPATION IS BUILDING
The players have arrived on the Carlton Draft red carpet and there’s nerves aplenty.
Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin was among the first to arrive.
“Excited, a little bit of nerves,” he joked.
“It should be a bit of fun. I was up in Wagga yesterday and I had a kick around with a junior team there and I’m not sure I’m in the best nick kicking wise.
“I think I need to get a bit of practice in before I get out there.”
Having played in front of monster crowds at the MCG, expectation shouldn’t concern Cotchin too much.
But he did admit there were a few nerves.
“It carries a little more weight, I think, the local footy crowd,” he said.
“They’re not afraid of giving it to you and you’ll hear it better as well.”
Geelong and Hawthorn premiership hero Isaac Smith said he wasn’t sure if the night would fold out like the “AFL or schoolyard draft”.
“I’m looking forward to it, it should be fun,” he said.
“I’d be disappointed if Trent got in front of me (in the draft order). The big power forward, Matty Lloyd, might take the take. Everyone loves a power forward.”
Colac coup: Tigers land former AFL star in massive signing
After missing the finals this year, Colac is well placed to go deep in September in 2025 after signing a two-time AFL best and fairest winner.
‘I think I may have committed’: Champion forward set for local footy run
Lining up at full back in the second division of one competition just got a whole lot tougher, with goal kicking great Tom Hawkins revealing his plan to play local footy in 2025.