‘Genius’: Footy world gobsmacked by club’s ‘unbelievable’ deal at AFL Draft

One club has emerged as big winners of the AFL Draft after pulling off a late deal that appears to have put a rival in serious trouble.

Richmond fans are daring to dream of their next premiership after emerging as the big winners of the 2024 AFL Draft.

The Tigers selected midfielder Sam Lalor with the No. 1 pick. The GWV Rebels prospect has been described as a Dustin Martin clone thanks to his powerful style of play.

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Richmond made the most of their haul of picks, filling a host of positional needs across the field with Lalor, Josh Smillie (pick 7), Taj Hotton (pick 12), Jonty Faull (pick 14), Luke Trainor (pick 21) and Harry Armstrong (pick 23).

The Tigers had seven first round picks to use after several premiership players retired and departed during the trade period.

The highly touted Levi Ashcroft, seen as the best player in this year’s draft, was taken by reigning AFL premiers the Brisbane Lions at pick 5.

AFL chaos as one club dominates the draft

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But Richmond’s moves didn’t end there. In a late pick swap, the Tigers gave North Melbourne pick 27 and their 2024 second round pick in exchange for the Roos 2025 first round pick.

North Melbourne drafted lanky swingman Matt Whitlock with pick 27, conscious of recruiting key position players around their already impressive young midfield group.

North Melbourne put its F1 on the table to every club starting from St Kilda at Pick 8. Eventually, it found a buyer in Richmond with the last pick in the first round. Shows how highly they rated the 198cm Matt Whitlock, who fills a vital positional need for the Kangas. @AFLcomau

— Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev) November 20, 2024

The Kangaroos aren’t expected to challenge for finals next season, so the Tigers have likely landed themselves another high pick in next year’s draft.

North Melbourne has finished 17th or 18th on the ladder in the past five seasons.

But the Kangaroos are expected to improve in 2025 after recruiting veterans Jack Darling from West Coast and Luke Parker from the Sydney Swans.

The number 27 pick, Matt Whitlock is presented his North Melbourne Kangaroos jumper by Andrew Swallow. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Matt Whitlock is congratulated by his twin brother Jack Whitlock after being drafted to North Melbourne. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Whitlock and his twin brother Jack, who is also tipped to be drafted, both looked stunned as the pick came in.

The pick 27 swap surprised footy draft experts, who said North Melbourne was making a big gamble.

Fox Footy’s Max Laughton said: “This might be the best night of the 2020s for Richmond. and they won a flag at night in this decade. North’s future 1st???”

The AFL Draft Expert account wrote: “Richmond securing North Melbourne’s 2025 1st round selection for 27 and a 2025 second is an unbelievable trade! North Melbourne 12 months from now will be looking very silly if they don’t suddenly make a major jump up the ladder!”

The top 18 picks in the AFL Draft. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond draft picks, Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie and Harry Armstrong. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Sam Lalor was taken with pick 1 by Richmond. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was billed as a big night for Richmond, who have lost premiership stars Dustin Martin and Dylan Grimes to retirement, as well as Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli in the trade period.

Sarah Jones said on Fox Footy: “It’s the night that could make or break their next premiership tilt.”

Mick Ablett said: “They’ve built their list exactly as we expected. They’ve gone either end of the ground, stocked up in the midfield. I just marvel at it.

“I think (Richmond general manager – football talent) Blair Hartley’s a genius. He’s done an exceptional job of building a list on the back of one draft.

“The timing couldn’t have been better. We know it’s a super draft. Look at that list. They’re names Richmond are going to get used to for a long, long time.”

Trent Cotchin presented Lalor with his Richmond guernsey as he became the club’s first No. 1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.

Originally published as ‘Genius’: Footy world gobsmacked by club’s ‘unbelievable’ deal at AFL Draft