AFL mock draft 2021: How the top 30 picks could fall
Who will your club take in November’s AFL Draft? See how it all could unfold in our experts’ top 30 mock draft. Every pick and full video.
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The AFL Draft is less than a month away.
Will your club land its next star?
To shine a light on this year’s pool and give you an insight into how November’s national draft might play out, Jordan Pinto and Dan Batten played the role of club recruiters in a top-30 mock draft.
WATCH THE MOCK DRAFT REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
The draft was a reflection of club needs and factored in father-son and academy bids, even featuring a surprise live trade inside the top-10 selections.
Who did your club land? Check out how the mock draft played out and have your say in the comments below.
TOP 30 MOCK DRAFT
1. North Melbourne – Jason Horne-Francis (South Adelaide/SA)
Midfielder/forward, 184cm, 77kg
Jordan says: After enjoying a front-row seat to the Horne-Francis show over the past two years, there’s no bidding on the second-best player in the draft here. The South Adelaide star has it all, blending an unrivalled mix of strength, skill, speed, competitiveness and ball-winning ability – in the air and on the ground. Some say he’s the best prospect to ever come out of the state – and I’m not arguing.
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2. Collingwood – Nick Daicos (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Matching GWS’ father-son bid
Midfielder/forward, 183cm, 72kg
Dan says: As former coach Nathan Buckley alluded to at the beginning of the year, Daicos could have been playing at AFL level this year, such is his talent. Expect him to be a senior regular next year for Collingwood under Craig McRae as a silky yet dangerous small forward-midfielder after dominating every time he took the park in 2021.
3. Western Bulldogs – Sam Darcy (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Matching GWS’ father-son bid
Key-forward/defender, 204cm, 75kg
Jordan says: I’ve had Sandringham midfielder Finn Callaghan ahead of Darcy on my board at times this season but there’s no chance I – or the Bulldogs next month – won’t match an early bid. Darcy moves incredibly well for a 204cm big man, but what he can do in the air is even more impressive. Could prove very hard to stop at the top level, in time.
4. GWS – Finn Callaghan (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder, 189cm, 82kg
Dan says: The Giants are well stocked with ball-winners but the lethal left boot, size, speed and agility in traffic of Callaghan adds a different dimension to their midfield mix. While athletic ruck Mac Andrew was in the equation, Callaghan – who may begin as a wingman before becoming an inside midfielder – was too hard to resist with his game-changing attributes.
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5. Gold Coast – Josh Gibcus (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
Key defender, 195cm, 84kg
Jordan says: There are a number of ready-made midfielders who could come straight in and have an impact, but the Suns aren’t short of talent in that area. And Gibcus appears the ideal fit to shore up the future of the spine. His height, elite vertical leap and long arms have made him look unbeatable in the air at times in the NAB League. Arguably, the best pure key-defensive prospect in the pool.
Live trade
Adelaide trades pick 6 and 33 to Richmond for picks 9 and 17, plus a swap of future second-round selections.
6. Richmond – Ben Hobbs (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
Midfielder, 183cm, 80kg
Dan says: Moving up the order with the live trade on ‘draft night’ was much more appealing with Hobbs still available. Richmond’s clearance woes have been well documented, sitting behind only Gold Coast and North Melbourne for contested possession differential and ranking dead last for stoppage clearance differential in 2021. These two areas are Hobbs’s modus operandi, and he looms as one of the most ready-made prospects in the pool and a future leader.
7. Hawthorn – Josh Ward (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Midfielder, 181cm, 74kg
Dan says: Hawthorn is lacking in midfield depth and with Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and Chad Wingard all over the age of 27, Ward fits the bill perfectly here. The ultra-consistent midfielder is a strong ball-winner, has a massive engine and has noted leadership qualities – put simply, he won’t let you down.
8. Fremantle – Jye Amiss (East Perth/WA)
Key forward, 195cm, 83kg
Jordan says: Not going to pass up the local boy who kicked 51 goals in 14 WAFL Colts games this season – 16 more than any other player – here, especially given the Dockers’ need for another key-forward. Amiss is a beautiful set shot, brilliant on the lead, strong overhead and boasts uncanny goal sense for a big man.
9. Adelaide – Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender/midfielder, 186cm, 73kg
Jordan says: With Callaghan off the board, I was happy to trade back down the order with the Crows’ first pick. And I’ve gone with the kid who could be the game-changer midfielder Adelaide needs. Some had Sinn in the top-pick conversation heading into the year before injury struck again. But his ability to break the game open with his speed and foot skills is undeniable. Sinn’s weapons behind the ball are obvious, but his form through the midfield prove that, at 186cm with long arms and clean hands, those weapons are more damaging in the middle
10. Fremantle – Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg/SA)
Wingman, 188cm, 70kg
Jordan says: It’s not the Adam Cerra-replacement, or the big-bodied homegrown mid which would allow Nat Fyfe to play forward more, but Wanganeen-Milera’s unmatched foot skills and incredible balance were too hard to go past. I’ve seen him win his own ball – with very clean hands – at senior level in the SANFL, too. For a while, though, he’ll just hit Amiss on the chest – a lot.
11. St Kilda – Matthew Johnson (Subiaco/WA)
Midfielder, 192cm, 78kg
Dan says: With Wanganeen-Milera off the board (just), I opted for Johnson, a classy and creative 192cm inside midfielder who has had a barnstorming finish to the season at WAFL Reserves and national championships level. The Subiaco product, who was best-on-ground in the grand final curtain-raiser, will bring a point-of-difference to a midfield which lacks polish. St Kilda ranked fourth last in the competition for scores per inside 50 and had the fifth worst kicking efficiency in 2021, two areas which Johnson can help tidy up.
12. West Coast – Neil Erasmus (Subiaco/WA)
Midfielder/forward, 192cm, 80kg
Jordan says: Despite my slight concern over his field kicking, I’m very happy to take the talented West Australian here. I think the Eagles would feel the same about the Elliot Yeo-like prospect on November 24. This year, Erasmus transitioned into the midfield, adding genuine ball-winning ability – at the contest and away from it – to his list of elite traits, which include vertical leap, strong overhead marking and work ethic. Given his rapid improvement over the past 12 months, there’s likely to be more to come.
13. Essendon – Josh Rachele (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country)
Forward/midfielder, 180cm, 78kg
Dan says: Who needs Bobby Hill, when you have Rachele’s trick-bag? Rachele, who looms as a likely top-10 selection, is capable of the impossible around goal, and his impact as a midfielder has been significant at stages in the junior ranks. Would fast become a fan favourite at Windy Hill and the highlights will come thick and fast.
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14. Port Adelaide – Matty Roberts (South Adelaide/SA)
Midfielder/forward, 183cm, 81kg
Jordan says: The South Adelaide gun, who featured at senior level in 2021, fits perfectly here. Roberts, who boasts a neat left-foot kick, is tough, competitive, makes good decisions and an elite footy IQ means he’s always in the right spot. And the best thing for Port Adelaide, who are still in the window, Roberts is ready to play next year – even as a forward after booting six goals in seven SANFL appearances. Remember what Jack Graham did at the end of his debut season?
15. GWS – Mac Andrew (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Ruckman, 200cm, 70kg
Dan says: The Giants recruiting team would be laughing – perhaps crying tears of joy – if Andrew managed to slide this far to their second selection. What a steal! Blessed with athletic gifts, the 200cm ruckman will take time to develop under the likes of Braydon Preuss and Matt Flynn but has enormous upside. A Melbourne Next Generation Academy member, the Demons are unable match a bid on Andrew inside the top 20 after a change of academy rules.
16. Brisbane – Arlo Draper (South Adelaide/SA)
Midfielder/forward, 186cm, 71kg
Dan says: Knowing Adelaide had the next selection – after its trade with Richmond on ‘draft night’ – I knew it would have been a major risk hoping Draper would be available at the Lions’ next pick at 20. A unique talent who can add something different to the Lions’ attacking make-up, Draper provides X-Factor as a forward-midfielder with his overhead marking, scoreboard impact and work in traffic.
17. Adelaide – Josh Goater (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder/defender 190cm, 79kg
Jordan says: Just when I thought the local boy, Draper, was going to get through to Adelaide’s next pick, Dan strikes. But adding Goater alongside Sinn, make it a big x-factor draft for the Crows. He starred as a rebounding, intercept defender for Calder this year but he was a standout on the inside for Vic Metro. And it’s that potential as a 190cm midfielder, who’s brilliant in traffic and can explode out the other side, that’s hard to ignore.
18. Sydney – Tyler Sonsie (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Midfielder, 181cm, 77kg
Dan says: A case of best available for the Swans, with Sonsie, a potential top-10 pick entering the year – sliding down the order through no fault of his own. The Ranges midfielder is dynamic and kicks goals, underlining these qualities in an impressive VFL debut for Box Hill with 24 disposals and two majors. Chesser was another consideration with the Swans losing rebounder Jordan Dawson, but Sonsie is a sound addition to a budding crop of youngsters.
19. Melbourne – Campbell Chesser (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder/defender, 186cm, 83kg
Jordan says: Without any glaring holes in the list, it’s best available for the premier here. And it’s pretty good, too. Chesser battled injury this year, making just three NAB League appearances, but that lack of exposure could be a win for the Demons in the long run. He’s highly-regarded as leader and he makes things happen when he’s got the ball. Chesser’s run-and-carry and penetrating right-foot on the outside will fit nicely alongside Melbourne’s inside bulls.
20. Brisbane – Darcy Wilmot (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Defender, 183cm, 75kg
Dan says: All-Australian Daniel Rich isn’t going to be around forever and while Keidean Coleman showed positive signs as a running defender towards the end of the season, Wilmot is a suitable selection here to end the first-round. Not only does Wilmot offer speed and run off half-back, he is also a fierce competitor defensively, making him a well-rounded prospect. Born on New Year’s Eve, he has plenty of development left in him as the youngest player in the pool.
21. Fremantle – Jacob van Rooyen (Claremont/WA)
Key forward/defender, 193cm, 87kg
Jordan says: This caps a nice haul for the Dockers. The spearhead, the draft’s best kick and now the athletic West Australian tall, who can play at either end, in van Rooyen. He’s equally as impressive in the air as a forward, whether it be on the lead or one-out, given his outstanding bodywork, as he is in defence, highlighted by his intercept-making masterclass against SA.
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22. North Melbourne – Leek Alleer (Central District/SA)
Key defender, 195cm, 84kg
Jordan says: Van Rooyen would’ve fit nicely, too, as would have fellow Sandgroper Rhett Bazzo, given the Roos’ need for a key-defender. But neither have the upside of this year’s bolter. Alleer, whose draft year was ruined by injury, may have played a variety of roles through his junior career but a move to defence over summer has highlighted just how much talent – and potential – he has. The 20-year-old took 28 intercept marks in 11 senior games this year and was a standout at the SA combine, smashing the running vertical jump record.
23. Hawthorn – Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder, 180cm, 74kg
Dan says: Ward has the ball-winning covered, and Taylor will bring the much-needed silky skills to Hawthorn’s engine room. Taylor had an eye-catching finish to the NAB League season where his clean hands, composure and precise ball-use stood out. Hawthorn’s midfield is crying out for the class he will provide.
24. Geelong – Tom Brown (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country)
Defender, 186cm, 71kg
Jordan says: Not eligible as a father-son selection but the son of former Cat, Paul, makes it through anyway. And his speed, pose and intercepting ability across half-back would fit in nicely at Geelong. The dashing playmaker would add some extra zip to Chris Scott’s side, without sacrificing anything defensively.
25. Hawthorn – Sam Butler (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
Midfielder/forward, 184cm, 73kg
Dan says: Thought long and hard about exciting small forward Jesse Motlop but sided with Butler, the brother of St Kilda goalsneak, Dan. Showcasing his explosive traits at the AFL Draft Combine with four top 10 finishes nationally, Butler also boasts strong forward pressure, creativity and clean hands in the clinches as a forward-midfielder. Likely starts his career as a small forward, where he can help fill the void of Luke Breust once he retires.
26. Carlton – Jesse Motlop (South Fremantle/WA)
Forward/midfielder, 176cm, 74kg
Jordan says: I had Butler lined up for the Blues given his potential as a midfielder but Motlop’s skill, speed, sublime ability through traffic and brilliant goal sense make him the best pure small-forward in the pool. He’s made plenty of defenders look silly this season, and he’s likely to keep doing it at the next level.
27. Richmond – Jack Williams (East Fremantle/WA)
Key forward, 195cm, 91kg
Dan says: After Losing Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol during the trade and free agency period and with Jack Riewoldt possibly entering his final year, it makes sense for the Tigers to look at a key forward and Williams is the best available at this spot. Williams’s major weapon is his workrate, running a 6:43 2km-time trial at the combine, and was a consistent goalkicker at WAFL Colts level for East Fremantle, booting 40 majors (ranked second) in 15 matches.
28. Richmond – Angus Sheldrick (Claremont/WA)
Midfielder, 179cm, 88kg
Dan says: Sheldrick has come with a bullet to enter top-30 calculations, with the strong midfielder looming as a prospect who can make an impact in his first season after a full pre-season under his belt. The tough 179cm prospect has proved he is a big game player with emphatic performances at the national carnival and in Claremont’s losing WAFL Colts grand final, coupling his presence at the coalface with scoreboard impact. Another ready-made boost to their inside midfield stocks.
29. Richmond – Blake Howes (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Forward/midfielder, 190cm, 79kg
Jordan says: A nice get here to round out these four selections for the Tigers. Howes would fit perfectly as a tall, athletic wingman with speed, penetrating kick and wonderful hands – in the air and on the ground. And that’s not even his ceiling.
30. St Kilda – Marcus Windhager (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Matching West Coast’s NGA bid
Midfielder, 183cm, 82kg
Dan says: The Saints will be happy with any bid outside 20 for the St Kilda Next Generation Academy member, who has some exciting traits as a midfielder-forward. Coming off a knee reconstruction last year, Windhager has lacked exposure but has plenty of power and a nice speed-endurance mix.
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