AFL Draft 2024 Day 1: See every pick, the best video and all the reaction from first round
The first round of the AFL Draft is over and, in no surprise, Richmond was the clear winner. But there were shocks – and plenty of emotion. See every pick, recap all the action.
Richmond is hopeful it has found its next Dustin Martin after locking in a player at the No.1 pick who wants to wear the No.4 jumper next year.
As was widely expected, Bacchus Marsh boy Sam Lalor was the first selection of a bumper draft haul for the Tigers.
In a touching tribute to late Richmond recruiter Chris Toce – who passed away from a cancer battle at age 42 last month – Toce’s young son Harry input the details in the Richmond recruiting room to lock in Lalor.
The powerful midfielder-forward – who grew up idolising three-time Norm Smith Medal winner Martin – was presented with his jumper by Martin’s premiership captain Trent Cotchin.
The Tigers are weighing up what to do with Martin’s No.4 jumper following his retirement this year.
However, Lalor has put his hand up to carry on the superstar’s legacy and take over his old locker at Punt Rd right away.
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“I’d definitely like it,” Lalor said of the No.4.
“I wear No.4 throughout the year and it’s my favourite number. So if I did get it, I’d happily snatch it up.
“It’s pretty hard to play like him (Martin), but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him. He’s someone I’ve watched growing up, and I’d love to play like him.”
Lalor revealed last month that he had not played at more than 80 per cent fitness this year, amid hip, ankle, quad and hamstring complaints which interrupted his campaign.
The rough run means he will be carefully managed when he arrives for his first day of pre-season training at the Tigers.
“The body’s feeling pretty good,” Lalor said.
“I’ve already spoken to Richmond and I’ll be put into a rehab program for the first couple of weeks and they’ll work with me through that.”
Richmond secured 195cm big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie at pick 6, who has drawn comparisons to Carlton star Patrick Cripps.
The Tigers then grabbed X-Factor midfielder-forward Taj Hotton at pick 12, before placing a bid on Essendon NGA prospect Isaac Kako.
They sprung a surprise at pick 14 by selecting Jonty Faull to be the first key forward taken in the draft, before adding intercept defender Luke Trainor (pick 21) and a second key forward in Harry Armstrong (pick 23) later in the order.
After trading their seventh first-round pick to North Melbourne, the Tigers now hold the first pick of second round on Thursday night.
Jagga ready to make Pies the enemy
Carlton draftee Jagga Smith says he is ready to bring a different dynamic to the Blues’ midfield as he sets his sights on an early AFL debut next year.
A prolific ball-winner, Smith found his way to Princes Park at pick 3 in Wednesday night’s national draft – the selection that Carlton secured from West Coast during the trade period.
The Blues did not interview Smith at the draft combine in early October, given that their first pick at that point stood at No.11.
However, their interest in the Oakleigh Chargers star spiked in recent weeks as they conducted a search for a light-footed midfielder at the top of the order.
“I think the point of difference for me is my quick feet, my ability to get inside to outside,” Smith said.
“I think that they’re the main strengths of my game and just being one-touch at ground level and being able to find the ball and hopefully make my teammates better.
“It’s a tough midfield to crack (at Carlton)…but I just want to contribute to the club and hopefully earn my spot in the team.”
Viewed by rival recruiters as a future club captain and a “bankable” 200-game player, Smith starred across three VFL games for Richmond this year to prove he is ready for the next level.
He looks up to Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and is every chance to feature early next year for Carlton.
“I think any draftee that gets drafted wants to come in and play as early as possible, but I know that pick three is just a number,” Smith said.
“I just want to get in there and earn the respect and hopefully play as soon as possible.”
Smith’s father, Michael, was drafted to Collingwood in 1988 and the sports-loving family have been Magpies fans.
But Smith said he was more than happy to swap his colours for “arch enemy” Carlton.
“It’s kind of Collingwood that’s the arch enemy now, because I’m at the Blues,” he said.
“But I’m just so thankful again for Carlton giving me the opportunity.”
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