2024 AFL mid-season rookie draft: The 29 top prospects to watch
The mid-season draft is only hours away, with a host of ex-AFL players in contention. Draft experts DAN BATTEN and CHRIS CAVANAGH have answered your burning questions.
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As many as 23 players could achieve their football dreams tonight in the AFL mid-season rookie draft.
There is a bit of everything on offer for clubs, from 18-year-old’s seeking their first chances in the big league to 28-year-old’s looking for a second crack in the AFL.
While 23 list spots have been opened up, clubs expect between 15 and 20 selections to be made.
There were 13 players selected in last year’s mid-season draft.
Many sides with later picks will sit back and see what’s left on the table.
North Melbourne is widely expected to select exciting mid-sized forward Geordie Payne with the No. 1 pick.
Dan Batten and Chris Cavanagh have answered your draft questions below, while they’ve also assembled details on 29 mid-season draft hopefuls
Geordie Payne (Tasmania Devils)
A builder from Burnie on the Apple Isle, Payne is tipped to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s mid-season rookie draft. He was on the radar of clubs last year as a running halfback, but has shifted forward to great effect in the Coates Talent League this season. Payne — who measured 184cm — sat out the Devils’ match last weekend to avoid injury, but racked up 29 disposals and booted four goals in his most recent outing. He has spoken to 14 clubs but looks unlikely to get past the Kangaroos.
Jacob Blight (Peel Thunder)
The best key defender in the WAFL this season, the 196cm Blight also impressed in the recent state game against the SANFL to further stamp his credentials. Labelled a ready-made professional, Blight has averaged 18.4 disposals, 8.7 marks (3.3 intercept marks) and 4.6 spoils from seven matches for Peel this season and is still only 22 years old. Richmond could pounce first, given its slim key defensive stocks.
Jack Hutchinson (Collingwood VFL)
A high-flying and athletic lead-up forward, Hutchinson was playing for Wonthaggi Power in the Gippsland League last year before being pushed to test himself at VFL level. He joined the Magpies during pre-season and was quick to catch the eyes of recruiters after kicking multiple goals in four of his first five games – along with taking some spectacular marks. Hutchinson is still just 22 years old and looks to have a lot of upside. Richmond is one club that has shown interest, while West Coast could also be in the mix.
Luke Beecken (Woodville-West Torrens)
A half-back flanker, Beecken has blossomed over the past 12 months playing senior SANFL football and has some great traits with his running power and kicking. Measuring 184cm, he has averaged 22.7 disposals, 5.4 marks and 4.3 rebound 50s from seven matches for the Eagles this year. He was also one of the South Australia’s best players with 24 disposals in the recent state game against the WAFL. A ready-made prospect at 23 years old, Beecken is believed to be in West Coast’s sights but could also suit hometown club Adelaide.
Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons)
McLachlan has dominated as an over-age player for the Falcons, leading the Talent League goalkicking with 26 goals in six matches, including four hauls of five or more. The latest for the Colac product came while under the weather, booting 6.3 in his final audition over the weekend against the GWV Rebels. A powerful 185 centimetre forward with strong hands overhead, McLachlan has spoken to at least eight clubs, with Hawthorn, Brisbane and Carlton shaping as possible landing spots.
Brynn Teakle (East Fremantle)
A former Port Adelaide player who has previously played six AFL games, Teakle is one of the leading ruck options in the mid-season draft pool. Still just 24 years old, he has been the premier ruckman in the WAFL this year, averaging 16.4 disposals, 3.6 marks, 34.9 hit-outs, four clearances, 0.9 goals and five score involvements from seven games this season. Teakle trained with Collingwood during pre-season in search of an SSP spot but missed out. He has again been linked to the Magpies, along with the likes of Richmond and North Melbourne which could also do with some ruck back-up.
Liam McMahon (Carlton VFL)
Originally selected by Collingwood at pick 31 in the 2020 national draft, McMahon was delisted at the end of 2022 before making the move to Carlton’s reserves. He was drafted as a ruckman but has been playing as a key forward for the Blues this season and has averaged 11.3 disposals, 5.4 marks, 5.3 score involvements and 2.4 goals across seven VFL games. Carlton has confirmed he is one player in the mix for their selection.
Trent Bianco (Footscray)
Taken by Collingwood at pick 45 in the 2019 national draft, Bianco spent four years on the Magpies’ list and played 23 AFL games before being delisted at the end of last season. He moved to Footscray this year where he has impressed on a wing at VFL level, averaging 22.4 disposals, five marks, three clearances, 6.8 score involvements and 1.1 goals across eight games. Bianco has been discussed as a potential option for the Bulldogs’ pick.
Max Hall (Box Hill)
A 22-year-old midfielder, Hall has regularly been one of Box Hill’s best players across the first half of the VFL season. He missed last weekend’s match against the Brisbane Lions with a slight back issue, but has averaged 23.6 disposals, 6.1 marks and 3.4 clearances across seven VFL games this season. Hall had a standout match against North Melbourne in round 4, where he was best afield with 32 disposals, 12 marks, nine tackles and two goals. St Kilda is one club who has been tracking him closely.
Jasper Scaife (West Perth)
Scaife kicked two goals and had 10 disposals and six marks against Swan Districts over the weekend for West Perth. A superboot key forward who graduated from Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy in 2022, Scaife kicked seven goals in the space of two games early in the season and has 11 majors to his name from seven matches. He has spoken to around 10 clubs but could be available later in the piece, with clubs linking Scaife to North Melbourne.
Saad El-Hawli (Northern Bullants)
A 23-year-old midfielder with speed to burn, El-Hawli has emerged in a big way this year. Along with his athleticism, he has good skills and can win the ball in a number of ways – both at ground level and in the air. El-Hawli made one final push ahead of the mid-season draft with a big performance against Sydney in the VFL last Friday. He racked up 33 disposals, six marks, six inside-50s and kicked two goals in that game. El-Hawli has been linked to Melbourne and Collingwood.
Remy Maclean (Eastern Ranges)
Maclean’s best game for the season came at the best possible time, kicking four goals — two of those from outside 50 — and clunking three contested marks in his final audition against the Bendigo Pioneers. The athletic 195cm key forward also impressed for the Young Guns with four goals in their win over Vic Country. On Box Hill’s VFL list, he shapes as a potential candidate for the Hawks and also met with Carlton in the lead-up. Maclean played mostly down back last season and has the versatility to play at either end.
Iliro Smit (Eastern Ranges)
Smit has rare traits for a 200cm talent, kicking some miraculous goals in the Talent League for Eastern Ranges and showing off his athleticism. The ruck-forward also showed promising signs in the Young Guns series. Smit, 18, missed a year and a half with injury, including his entire draft year in 2023. He has been interviewed by at least four clubs in the lead-up and, like his Ranges teammate Maclean, he is also part of Box Hill’s list. Interestingly, there is a website putting forward ‘Big Roo’ Smit’s case.
Joe Pike (Geelong Falcons/Geelong VFL)
Pike has seen dramatic improvement since missing out on the draft last year, highlighted by his 30 hit-outs (10 advantage), 11 disposals, two goals and 119 SuperCoach points on VFL debut a fortnight ago. He won another 10 hit-outs to advantage to go with seven touches and four clearances against GWS ruckman Nick Madden over the weekend. Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond are among the clubs to show interest in the 203 centimetre product, who has dominated at Talent League level with the Falcons.
Lachlan Voss (Sandringham Dragons)
A 200cm key defender from the Sandringham Dragons, Voss missed much of his draft year in 2023 with a foot injury but returned late in the season and played in the club’s Coates Talent League premiership. He was expected to be drafted last November, but required foot surgery which meant he was overlooked and then had a delayed start to this season. However, Voss has returned to fitness to play three matches for the Dragons this year and logged 14 disposals, eight marks (three intercept marks) and seven spoils against Gippsland Power last weekend. He has been linked to Melbourne.
Riley Collier-Dawkins (Williamstown)
The former Tiger is in the mix to get an AFL lifeline after an impressive season with Williamstown, averaging 24 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles. Collier-Dawkins, 24. was taken as a first-round pick by Richmond in 2018 and played 11 games in four seasons at the club before joining Woodville-West Torrens and then the Seagulls. Carlton, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne are the clubs who have tracked his progress, with the Blues appearing to be the frontrunner.
Toby Murray (Adelaide Crows SANFL)
A 200cm key forward and ruckman, Murray is the younger brother of current Crows defender Nick and has played some good football in the SANFL this season. He spent last year playing senior football with the Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray Football League, before being approached to join Adelaide’s SANFL squad. The 20-year-old has averaged 10.4 disposals, 4.8 marks, 4.4 score involvements and 1.2 goals from five SANFL matches this season. Adelaide – which has up to three picks – is believed to be one interested party.
Dan McKenzie (Port Melbourne)
Delisted by St Kilda at the end of last year after eight seasons and 73 AFL games, McKenzie has been plying his trade on a wing in the VFL this year. Across four games, he has averaged 15 disposals, five marks, seven intercept possessions and 3.3 score involvements. Having just turned 28, he looks a ready-to-go option for clubs. McKenzie trained with Fremantle in search of an SSP spot during pre-season and had also been set to train with the Gold Coast Suns during the same period before suffering an injury setback.
Noah Howes (South Adelaide)
Howes was another candidate to impress on the eve of the mid-season draft. The 196cm tall kicked 2.2 for South Australia against the Allies at the national championships, also tallying 14 disposals, four marks and 97 SuperCoach points. Howes has shown some impressive form at SANFL level for South Adelaide, booting three goals against Adelaide’s reserves and Glenelg. Melbourne has been strongly linked to the youngster, with the Crows and Hawthorn also speaking to the 18-year-old in the lead-up.
Kelsey Rypstra (North Adelaide)
A clever small forward who measures 173cm, Rypstra was overlooked in his draft year of 2022 but is in the mix to earn an opportunity in this year. The 20-year-old has been playing senior SANFL football with North Adelaide this season and has shown some good signs, averaging 10.6 disposals, 3.2 marks, five score involvements, 3.4 tackles and 0.6 goals from five games.
Corey Ellison (Williamstown)
A third tall forward, Ellison has kicked 12 goals in eight games for Williamstown this season. His standout display came in round six against Casey, where the 192cm goalkicker finished with 21 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six marks, four majors and 170 SuperCoach points. Carlton has been linked to him, while it is understood Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Adelaide have shown interest.
Jez McLennan (Central District)
A former first-round draft pick for the Gold Coast Suns in 2018, McLennan returned to Central District ahead of the 2023 season having not played an AFL game. The rebounding defender produced a solid 2023 campaign, but has taken another step forward this season. Across seven SANFL matches, he has averaged 19.7 disposals, 6.6 marks (2.1 intercept marks) and two spoils. The 23-year-old was also best afield for the SANFL in state games against both the VFL and WAFL in April and May. Adelaide is one club which is believed to have shown some interest in McLennan.
Tobyn Murray (Geelong VFL)
Murray made an eye-catching start to his VFL career, kicking six goals in his first two games as a small forward. That included a four goal display against Box Hill, which included a stunning finish from the boundary. Murray was also among the standouts across the Young Guns series, particularly in game one where he finished with 24 disposals and a goal. The 19-year-old didn’t feature at any level over the weekend and hasn’t played for Geelong’s VFL side since round three.
Dayten Uerata (Bendigo Pioneers)
A 185cm midfielder-forward, Uerata has shown some promising signs for the Bendigo Pioneers this season, averaging 17 disposals and three clearances. His standout performance came against Murray Bushrangers in round two where he booted two goals and won 17 possessions. Uerata did not nominate for last year’s draft and he took the field for Essendon VFL on the hallowed turf of the MCG last Saturday in order to qualify for the three-game state league qualification. He had nine possessions, four intercepts and four tackles against the Tigers. Uerata’s Young Guns appearances also counted towards his eligibility, racking up 15 disposals, three goal assists and a goal in their second match. The Bombers, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs are among the clubs to interview him.
Oskar Smartt (Essendon VFL)
An eye-catching and powerful half-forward, Smartt played two games for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships last year but was overlooked in the national draft given a lack of consistency at times. He earned an opportunity with Essendon’s VFL side this year and put himself back on the radar of clubs with a four-goal haul against Footscray in round 3. Across six VFL matches this season, the 18-year-old has averaged 8.7 disposals, 4.7 score involvements and one goal. Smartt also played well in both Young Guns games, including a 22-disposal, five-clearance and two-goal performance against Vic Country. He has been most strongly linked to Richmond.
Ajang Kuol mun (Geelong VFL)
The rise of Kuol mun has been as steep as any on the mid-season radar. The South Sudanese prospect played his first season of football in a decade last season with Anakie in the third best competition in Geelong. Despite his side getting belted every week, the athletic 205 centimetre ruckman thrived, attracting VFL interest, and this year a promising start for the Cats saw him catch the attention of AFL recruiters. The 21-year-old has been interviewed by West Coast and Essendon in the lead-up to the draft and has shown some exciting glimpses for the Cats.
Will Patton (West Adelaide)
A 193cm defender, Patton served as South Australia’s under-18 captain last year and earned all-Australian honours following the national championships but was overlooked in November’s draft. He has stepped up to play senior SANFL football this year and has averaged 16.1 disposals, 5.6 marks (1.6 intercept marks), 4.6 rebound 50s and 5.6 spoils across seven matches. With plenty of clubs looking for defenders, he could come in the mix.
Caleb Ernst (Coburg)
A 195cm key forward who competes well, Ernst is in his first VFL season after joining Coburg from Bendigo Football League club Strathfieldsaye over the off season. While still raw, the 21-year-old has a high workrate and has shown some exciting glimpses of his future potential. Ernst has played six matches for the Lions this season, averaging 8.7 disposals, 2.7 marks and 0.5 goals to give AFL clubs something to think about.
Matthew Ling (Norwood)
Taken with pick 14 in the 2017 AFL Draft, Ling was cruelled by injuries in his four seasons at Sydney, managing four senior games. After three years of state league footy for Geelong VFL and Norwood, the small defender has attracted interest from at least two clubs. He produced another solid SANFL outing over the weekend, tallying 22 disposals, eight marks, five intercepts and kicking a goal. That came after 24 touches, nine marks and seven intercepts against Adelaide’s SANFL side the previous week.
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