2018 draft shaping as bumper crop of father-son picks including Mason Fletcher, Oscar Brownless, Ben Silvagni

RICHMOND, Collingwood and Adelaide are weighing up how much to pay for father-son picks in this year’s draft. But next year is when the real action is.

QUALITY is high but numbers small in terms of father-sons for this year’s AFL draft, whereas 2018 is a smorgasbord of chips off the old block.

To date three players have been nominated as father-son selections for this Friday’s draft -Patrick Naish (Richmond, son of Chris) Jackson Edwards (Adelaide, Tyson) and Tyler Brown (Collingwood, Gavin).

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Of that trio, Naish is expected to attract the earliest interest, although the Tigers are well placed with three picks inside 25 to use on the long-kicking and explosive teenager who is desperate to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Patrick Naish is hoping to get picked up by Richmond on Friday night. Picture: Stephen Harman

Jackson Edwards, son of Adelaide champion Tyson Edwards. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Richmond hasn’t benefited a lot from the father-son rule over the past 30 years with only six selections, although Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden were outstanding.

Collingwood has nominated exciting midfielder-forward Tyler Brown while Adelaide should be able to secure midfielder Jackson Edwards later in the draft.

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Brisbane has the option of nominating small forward Lachie Harris, but Hawthorn has chosen not to pursue Devlin Brereton or James Langford.

Andrew McLeod’s son Connor, who plays half-back like his father, and Liam Hickmott (Adrian, Carlton) are other father-sons hoping for selection this year.

Oscar Brownless, son of Billy Brownless, in action for the Geelong Falcons.

Essendon fans will see a lot of his dad in Mason Fletcher.

In 2018 there are a host of potential father-sons, with Geelong having to decide on Oscar Brownless (Billy), Lochlan Hocking (Garry), Baxter Mensh (David) and Bailey Scott (Robert), the latter being eligible for both the Cats and North Melbourne.

Nick Blakey (John) and Jake Bradshaw (Daniel) are both available to Brisbane with Blakey also eligible to join North Melbourne. Further complicating Blakey’s prospects is the fact he’s a member of the Sydney Swans Academy and could nominate the club where his father has been an assistant coach since 2006.

The Kangaroos will also be monitoring Joel Crocker (Darren).

Dustin Fletcher’s son Mason is a potential Essendon father/son, as are Zac Hart (Ben, Adelaide), Will Hickmott (Adrian, Carlton), Will Kelly (Craig, Collingwood), Oskar Manton (Glenn, Carlton), James Rendell (Matt, Brisbane), Ben Silvagni (Stephen, Carlton), Casey Voss (Michael, Brisbane) and Rhylee West (Scott, Western Bulldogs).

Calder Cannons father-son prospect Rhylee West.

Joel Crocker, son of North Melbourne star Darren, is on the Kangaroos’ 2018 draft radar. Picture: Andy Brownbill