Geelong eyeing South Australian midfielder Jackson Hately in first round of AFL national draft

Geelong could find its successor to Joel Selwood’s onball throne in Thursday night’s AFL draft, with the Cats eyeing one of the best midfield options from this year’s highly-rated talent pool.

Jackson Hately is expected to be snaffled by an AFL club on Thursday night. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Geelong could find its successor to Joel Selwood’s onball throne in Thursday night’s AFL draft.

The Cats are circling 192cm clearance machine, Jackson Hately, from Central Districts in South Australia with their No. 12 pick.

The Trinity Grammar school captain excelled at the stoppages at the under-18 national championships — averaging 23 possessions and six clearances a game this year.

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And he has already gained some valuable senior experience against men — averaging 19 disposals across 12 senior SANFL matches this season.

The powerful ball-winner and strong tackler looms as one of the best onball options in this year’s draft as the Cats look to find another clearance-winner to replenish their ageing engine room.

AFL draftee Jackson Hately at Marvel Stadium during Combine testing last month. Picture: David Geraghty / The Australian.

Geelong skipper Selwood, who has attended more centre bounce than any other player in the league since he was drafted in 2006, will turn 31 next season.

And Tim Kelly will ask for another trade to West Coast after failing to make the shock switch at the end his first season.

Geelong is hoping South Australian Hately will slide past Adelaide (pick No. 8), Greater Western Sydney (picks No. 9 and No. 11) and the Power (No. 10) in the first round of the draft at Marvel Stadium.

Joel Selwood has been a driving force in Geelong’s midfield for more than a decade. Pic: Michael Klein