AFL mid-season draft 2024: Every pick and all the reaction
There were plenty of surprises in last night’s mid-season draft as 19 players made their way onto an AFL list. Recap all the action and see who your club selected.
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An injury-hit Richmond has bolstered its key position stocks by selecting a pair of young talls in the AFL mid-season rookie draft.
After North Melbourne took Tasmanian forward Geordie Payne off the table as expected at pick No.1, the Tigers pounced on West Australian key defender Jacob Blight with the second selection.
Richmond went on to also secure Essendon VFL tall forward Campbell Gray at pick 16, before deciding not to use a third pick that it had at its disposal.
Blight is just 22 years old and Gray is 21, with the Tigers seeing plenty of long-term upside in both players despite each having only nominated minimum six-month contracts for the draft.
Richmond recruiting manager Chris Toce said while injuries had left the Tigers’ list looking thin mid-way through the season, the selections were about the future.
“Our mindset is we’re picking players to help us in the long-term,” Toce said.
“We believe they can be long-term players for Richmond. We certainly haven’t picked either lad just to help us in the short-term.”
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY PICK AS IT HAPPENED BELOW
A strong 196cm defender, Blight had been a standout for Peel Thunder in the WAFL in the early part of the year, averaging 18.4 disposals, 8.7 marks (3.3 intercept marks) and 4.6 spoils from seven matches.
He also impressed in a recent state game against the SANFL to further stamp his draft credentials.
Gray joins a long list of AFL players to come out of the Keilor Football Club, where he spent 2023 and played in an Essendon District Football League premiership.
A 195cm utility who can feature at either end of the ground, Gray only joined Essendon’s VFL side during pre-season but quickly caught the eye of scouts playing at the level.
A fourth-year apprentice electrician, Gray had played all eight games for the Bombers this season, averaging 9.3 disposals, four marks and 1.3 goals a game.
Gray was surrounded by teammates at Essendon’s Tullamarine headquarters, watching the live stream of the draft when his name was called out.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without them, they’ve thought about me and made me a better player,” Gray said of the Bombers’ VFL group.
Richmond’s selections came on the back of season-ending injuries to key defenders Josh Gibcus and Tyler Young and ruckman Sam Naismith.
A raft of other Tigers are also on the sidelines with short and medium-term injuries.
There were 19 players selected in this year’s mid-season draft, up from 13 players last year.
The Brisbane Lions were the most active club with three selections.
8PM: LIONS HAPPY WITH HAUL
Brisbane Lions recruiting boss Stephen Conole has spoken to AFL.com about the Lions’ three picks in Will McLachlan, Luke Beecken, and Darcy Craven.
Conole said he was excited by McLachlan, who looms as a like-for-like replacement for injured forward Lincoln McCarthy.
“We look forward to getting him up to Brisbane. He’s got some special traits, multifunctional forward, can work aerially, can impact at ground level,” he said.
“Beecken’s played 50 league games premiership player, got experience at state league, he can run the lines, lovely kick of the footy. We’ll see where he goes, certainly no ceiling on him and we’ll push some of those legs a bit harder.
He said Darcy Craven was a longer-term selection.
“He’s going to be a slower burn … from an area we’ve had some success with in the past. Part of the ground we really want to add to, let’s see what he can do.”
He said the club hadn’t specifically looked to fill roles for injured players.
“It Wasn’t a priority we had to tick off on but it was nice to pick some players who were there to come in and give us flexibility and some options as well,” Conole said.
7.45PM: NEW TIGERS RECRUIT SPEAKS
New Richmond recruit Campbell Gray has spoken to AFL.com’s live coverage of the mid-season draft, saying “emotions are high”.
Gray arrived at the club as a defender but has been thrown forward, saying it’s the role he prefers but is happy playing at either ends of the ground, which will help his injury-hit new club.
Gray was emotional on camera when his name was called out at Essendon training, with his teammates getting around him.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without them, they’ve thought about me and made me a better player,” he said.
Will McLachlan is already in @brisbanelions colours ðŸ¦
— AFL (@AFL) May 29, 2024
Watch the 2024 Mid-Season Rookie Draft: https://t.co/UaetnZcoG8pic.twitter.com/IyfriVsFxa
7.35PM: DONE!
A whirlwind draft finished very quickly, with Richmond, Adelaide and Brisbane passing on their last picks in the draft.
PICK 21: DARCY CRAVEN (BRISBANE)
Darcy Craven is a bit of a bolter for the Lions as their third and final pick, another goalkicking small forward to help replace some firepower up forward for the Lions.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: A 174cm small forward, Craven started the WAFL reserves season in impressive fashion for East Perth. He then kicked four goals on WAFL senior debut against West Coast and hit the scoreboard in his next two games.
PICK 20: PASS (RICHMOND)
PICK 19: NED LONG (COLLINGWOOD)
The Pies pick the former Hawthorn rookie from their own VFL side.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: The tall midfielder trained with Collingwood over the summer after being delisted from Hawthorn at the end of 2023, playing five games across two seasons. He may have missed out through the SSP, but his hard work for their VFL side paid off, joining their AFL list after averaging 24 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances and 101 SuperCoach points.
PICK 18: PASS (ADELAIDE)
PICK 17: LUKE BEECKEN (BRISBANE)
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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 16: CAMPBELL GRAY (RICHMOND)
A key defender-turned key forward from Essendon’s VFL, the Tigers get one back over the Bombers who have punched Massimo D’Ambrosio and Sam Durham from the Tigers VFL.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: Gray has put in a strong month of form for Essendon’s VFL side, booting 10 goals in his last two matches, including two majors against the Tigers on the MCG over the weekend.
Scenes at Essendon VFL training as Campbell Gray realises his AFL dream 🥰
— AFL (@AFL) May 29, 2024
Watch the 2024 Mid-Season Rookie Draft: https://t.co/UaetnZcoG8pic.twitter.com/GQRZadOzrP
PICK 15: BRYNN TEAKLE (NORTH MELBOURNE)
Into Round 2 now, with former Port ruckman Brynn Teakle given a second chance. Teakle trained with Collingwood during pre-season in search of an SSP spot but missed out.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 14: THOMAS HANILY (SYDNEY SWANS)
A 179cm small forward who can also have a run through the midfield, Hanily is described as a “hard-edged” player with a thirst for the contest.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: He had been in sizzling form in the Coates Talent League in the early part of the season, averaging 24.5 disposals, six marks, 3.5 clearances, eight score involvements and 1.5 goals from four matches. Hanily also impressed in the second Young Guns game in April, racking up 18 disposals, three clearances and five tackles.
PICK 13: SAAD EL-HAWLI (ESSENDON)
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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 12 LOGAN EVANS (PORT ADELAIDE)
The Power going with some homegrown talent, picking Evans out of their SANFL program to join the AFL list.
OUT EXPERTS SAY: The Power have plucked Evans straight out of their SANFL program. Evans picked up 26 disposals, six tackles and 132 SuperCoach points in his last game in round four. The 198cm defender burst onto the draft radar last year after some impressive form at senior level for Norwood early in the season, but he was left on the board at the end of the year.
PICK 11: LUKER KENTFIELD (MELBOURNE)
A West Australian smoky the Dees have jumped on.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: Kentfield was on the draft radar last year, testing at the state combine, but ultimately missed out. Since then the 18-year-old key forward has impressed for Subiaco in the reserves, averaging 11 disposals, two goals and 115 SuperCoach points in two games which earnt him a WAFL senior debut.
PICK 10: ILIRO SMIT (COLLINGWOOD)
The Pies pick up some ruck depth, but not Brynn Teakle like many expected – a longer-term play here.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 9: COOPER LORD (CARLTON)
Cooper Lord is a bit of a curveball for the mid-season draft, an outside runner who can play in the midfield.
Congratulations to Cooper Lord who made his way to @CarltonFC in tonight's @AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft 👊
— North Melbourne Reserves (@NMFCReserves) May 29, 2024
Go well, Lordy!
📸: @maddiemelb#Kangaspic.twitter.com/DabSPuH7gK
OUR EXPERTS SAY: Lord is another prospect that missed out in last year’s draft despite a promising season for the Sandringham Dragons. He joined North Melbourne’s VFL program in the off-season and showed good signs as a balanced midfielder, averaging 17 disposals, four marks and 72 SuperCoach points.
PICK 8: KELSEY RYPSTRA (WESTERN BULLDOGS)
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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 7: TOBY MURRAY (ADELAIDE)
Some brotherly love for the Crows! 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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: Murray 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.
PICK 6: WILL McLACHLAN (BRISBANE)
A Lincoln McCarthy-type replacement for the Lions, could we see their new pick Will McLachlan line up early?
We’re thrilled to announce Will McLachlan as our first mid-season draft pick for tonight! Welcome to the Den 🤠pic.twitter.com/U8mAUQwgGI
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 29, 2024
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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
PICK 5 – JASPER SCAIFE (HAWTHORN)
While Hall had been right under the nose of Hawthorn, the club was relegated to pick 5 in the mid-season draft after jumping St Kilda on the ladder following an upset win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend.
The Hawks went down a different route with their selection regardless, picking up West Australian key forward Jasper Scaife.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: A former Fremantle Next Generation Academy member, the 197cm Scaife burst onto the scene in his first season of senior WAFL football with West Perth this year and attracted significant interest from AFL clubs across the country.
The 19-year-old had kicked 11 goals across seven games and caught the eye with his athleticism, aerial abilities and precise and powerful kicking.
PICK 4 – MAX HALL (ST KILDA)
The Saints selected Max Hall with the fourth selection in Wednesday night’s mid-season rookie draft, with the 22-year-old midfielder-forward having been one of the VFL’s biggest rising stars over the past 12 months.
Hall had played the first seven matches for Box Hill this season, including a best-on-ground performance with 32 disposals and two goals against North Melbourne in round 4.
He will be at Moorabbin until at least the end of next season, having nominated a longer-term contract ahead of the draft.
“Max has been a player we’ve kept tabs on for some time now and we’re thrilled to have him as a part of our list,” St Kilda recruiting boss Simon Dalrymple said.
“He’s a tough midfielder-half-forward who comes equipped with speed, endurance and tenacity, but also has good football smarts and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.”
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 3 – JACK HUTCHINSON (WEST COAST)
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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 2 – JACOB BLIGHT (RICHMOND)
A key defender for the injury-hit Tigers backline. No real surprise here from the Tigers. 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.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
PICK 1 – GEORDIE PAYNE (NORTH MELBOURNE)
Club recruiters have logged in and Georgie Payne will be putting his tools down and is off to Arden St. He’s less likely to play early for the Roos, but could well make his way into the side by season’s end.
Jon Ralph reports he’s the result of a growing talent pipeline out of Tasmania.
OUR EXPERTS SAY: 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.
6.50PM: FULL DRAFT ORDER
Welcome to live coverage of mid-season draft night, with as many as 20 hopefuls set to realise their dreams and join AFL clubs, while clubs – in particular Richmond and Brisbane – will be welcoming warm bodies to help stave off mammoth injury lists.
The draft will formally begin at 7pm but North Melbourne isn’t expected to lock away its first pick for 15 or 20 minutes afterwards.
Draft experts Dan Batten and Chris Cavanagh answered your questions about the draft earlier today, catch a recap of that here.
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