Mid-season draft review: How every club’s picks are faring

A month on from the mid-season draft, just one of the selected players has made his AFL debut. But several others are knocking on the door. How did your club fare?

The Dons think they have a ripper in Will Snelling. Picture: AAP

Essendon midfielder Will Snelling is building a powerful case to build to add to his single AFL game despite a mixed bag from the league’s mid-season draftees so far.

Carlton’s Josh Deluca will play his first VFL game this weekend after a hamstring strain, with the Blues holding him back until after last week’s bye.

Melbourne’s Kyle Dunkley is biding his time for the Demons VFL affiliate but has played a pair of exceptional VFL games including last week’s 10-clearance haul.

The Bombers are thrilled with Snelling’s progress and while he might have to continue knocking down the selection door they will hope they have a long-term prospect on their hands.

The Dons were miffed to miss out on SANFL ruckman Michael Knoll, with Sydney taking him three picks earlier as the Bombers tried to strengthen their ruck department.

But Snelling, a 176cm midfielder with elite endurance, last week put in another audition to add to the game he played for Port Adelaide in Round 1, 2016.

The Dons think they have a ripper in Will Snelling. Picture: AAP

He picked up 29 possessions, 14 score involvements, 157 ranking points, ten tackles and six clearances in the win over Port Melbourne.

The previous week he had won seven clearances in a 142-ranking point performance, having played three games for Essendon and averaged 28 possessions, 7.3 tackles and 13 contested possessions.

In his last three games in the SANFL he recorded 17, 16 and 16 tackles as an elite running, hard-tackling midfielder.

Dodoro secured Snelling after he was delisted by Port Adelaide after three seasons and at 21 he has time on his hands.

“He’s one of those guys who thoroughly deserves a second chance. He’s worked so hard, and when you’ve got that attitude you give yourself the best chance,” Dodoro said.

“We’re always looking to bolster our midfield. He’s a high-endurance athlete. He’s probably going to come into the club and be our best athlete. He does a 16 (on the beep test) and he’s pretty quick.

“We just felt he was one of the premier players outside of the AFL at the moment … He’s a pro and his form stacks up.”

Former Docker Josh Deluca is set to make his VFL debut with the Blues on the weekend.

YOUR CLUB’S MID-SEASON DRAFT PICK SO FAR

Pick 1: Carlton — Josh Deluca (Subiaco)

Will make his VFL debut with the Blues this weekend after they were cautious with a hamstring injury he picked up the week before he arrived. A tough inside mid who racks up huge disposal tallies.

Pick 2: Gold Coast Suns — Mitchell Riordan (Dandenong)

One game with Gold Coast’s NEAFL side where he picked up 17 possessions, 12 tackles and 90 ranking points.

Pick 3: Melbourne — Kyle Dunkley (Gippsland)

Another massive game last week with 10 clearances, 18 possessions and five tackles after three goals, six clearances and 21 possessions the previous week. Has to be closing in one a game.

Kyle Dunkley is biding his time at Casey. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Pick 4: Sydney Swans — Michael Knoll (South Adelaide)

Has played three NEAFL games with solid results, averaging 11 possessions, 29 hit-outs and 2.7 tackles.

Pick 5: North Melbourne — Lachlan Hosie (Glenelg)

Three games so far for exciting results, averaging two goals, 66 ranking points and 10 disposals as a 189cm forward.

Pick 6: Western Bulldogs — Ryan Gardner (Footscray)

The first of the mature-agers from the mid-season draft to debut, kicking a goal in each of his two AFL games. Solid last week in the VFL with 91 ranking points and a goal.

Pick 7: Essendon — Will Snelling (West Adelaide)

A massive fortnight for the Dons, including last week’s 157-ranking point, 29-possession, 10-tackle, six-clearance, 14-score involvement game.

Backed up from a 142-ranking point, seven clearance game the previous week.

Pick 8: St Kilda — Jack Mayo (Subiaco)

The 194cm forward has played three VFL games for an average of 10 disposals and 48 ranking points, not setting the world on fire but developing as a key tall.

Pick 9: Port Adelaide — Cam Sutcliffe (Port Adelaide SANFL)

Being groomed as a tagger, his last game was a four-goal, 19-possession 107-ranking point audition for senior duties. Port’s midfield is ticking over nicely but he was a solid needs pick.

Pick 10: Hawthorn — PASS

Pick 11: Fremantle — Dillon O’Reilly (East Fremantle)

Has played a mix of senior and reserves football in the WAFL all year and is very much a key position project player at 19 and 193cm.

Pick 12: Adelaide Crows — PASS

Pick 13: Richmond — Marlion Pickett (South Fremantle)

Still six to eight weeks away from a return after finger surgery, he is being eased into life in Melbourne after moving in with Dustin Martin immediately upon flying east.

Pick 14: Collingwood — John Noble (West Adelaide)

Played his first VFL game on the weekend and was excellent with 20 possessions, 95 ranking points and 16 kicks and 75 per cent efficiency. The Pies want to use his run and carry to good effect in the back half of the season.

Pick 15: Gold Coast Suns — PASS

Pick 16: Sydney Swans — Cody Hirst (Eastern Ranges)

A young midfielder said to have searing pace, he has averaged 10 possessions and 55 ranking points in his three NEAFL games so far for the Swans.

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