See where every club stands, what they need and who they will target at the mid-season draft
Stuck on the bottom of the ladder, Carlton is desperate for two things – class and goals. And in a lightning-quick small forward from Coburg, the Blues might be about to take care of both areas in the mid-season draft. FULL CLUB BY CLUB GUIDE
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It is the chance for clubs to strike gold and top up their list for a premiership assault. Or, for a struggling group to take a chance on the next Tim Kelly or Kane Lambert.
The question is — how will your club attack the AFL’s mid-season draft?
With just under two weeks until the big night, check out the SuperFooty team’s ultimate guide to where every club stands, what they need and who they will target.
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ADELAIDE
One spot available (Tom Doedee, ACL)
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: A key, athletic, rebounding defender who was runner-up in last year’s AFL Rising Star award. Doedee — so important to the club’s structure — went down in round one against Hawthorn and will miss the entire season.
WHAT THEY NEED: The emergence of former first-class cricketer Alex Keath has taken some of the pressure off the Crows defensive group after coach Don Pyke initially indicated he would be seeking another key defender in the mid-season draft. Keath has been terrific in the back half, with his intercept marking being a highlight. Adelaide could still look to beef up this area of the ground or add some midfield speed.
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WHO THEY TARGET: If it’s in defence, Williamstown’s Sam McLarty, the Murray Bushrangers’ Ben Kelly and Coburg’s Harry Nolan could be viable options while Sturt key position prospect Hugo Munn will be looked at. If it’s in the midfield or added pace that Pyke covets, then former Magpie and Saint Nathan Freeman, ex-Cat Cory Gregson, now at SANFL club Glenelg, and dual Sandover Medallist, ex-Collingwood on-baller Jye Bolton, will be worth a discussion.
— ANDREW CAPEL
BRISBANE
The Lions have no plans to partake in the mid-season draft.
CARLTON
Could have the first pick in the mid-season draft and is certain to use it.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Sam Docherty’s knee reconstruction was a huge blow and speedster Jarrod Pickett is also out for the year with a knee problem.
WHAT THEY NEED: One of those speedy small forwards who can apply pressure and help trap the ball inside 50m. These players have become so important in the modern game and Carlton could do with another one to complement their key forward riches.
WHO THEY TARGET: Sam Lowson is the man. The lightning-quick small forward from Coburg has already interviewed at Carlton and would be a perfect fit.
— JAY CLARK
COLLINGWOOD
The Pies currently have one spot available after Lynden Dunn went down with another ACL injury.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Have enviable depth in the midfield and one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition, but do they need more key defensive cover?
WHO THEY TARGET: Recruit Jordan Roughead has certainly done nothing wrong, but they might think they need insurance in this area. Is Williamstown’s Sam McLarty (197cm, 95kg), delisted by the Pies at the end of last year, back on the radar?
— SAM EDMUND
ESSENDON
Essendon lost young ruckman Sam Draper to an ACL rupture last week so has the option of taking a player in the mid-season draft.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Clearly ruck strength. Draper is gone with an ACL, Zac Clarke is a tryer but has weaknesses and Tom Bellchambers is getting older and continues to battle with a sore ankle. It means the ruck issue is their most pressing as they attempt to push for finals. Joe Daniher is battling, Shaun McKernan is out with a hamstring tendon injury and James Stewart is also battling groin issues.
WHAT THEY NEED: Ruck strength. Their midfield core is reasonably fit and it’s hard to secure star forwards that will make an instant impact despite the lack of midfield-forward connectivity so that’s their issue.
WHO THEY TARGET: South Adelaide’s Michael Knoll was best-afield in a SANFL v WAFL clash over the weekend and would seem a likely prospect who can make an instant impact. At 26 years of age and 204cm he should get a chance somewhere. East Perth’s Ajang Ajang has also made a bright start this year and is one of the only two ruckmen getting a medical from clubs for the mid-season draft.
-JON RALPH
FREMANTLE
The Dockers do not currently have a list spot and turned down Aaron Sandilands’ offer to retire, which would have opened up a vacancy.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Ruckman Aaron Sandilands and midfielder Harley Bennell continue to be sidelined with calf complaints.
WHAT THEY NEED: If they created a spot, maybe another small forward to replace injury-plagued veteran Hayden Ballantyne. Michael Walters has also pushed into the midfield.
WHO THEY TARGET: Again, Lowson would be great.
-JAY CLARK
GEELONG
As it stands, the Cats don’t have a spot available.
Jordan Cunico had surgery on an ankle injury last month after suffering a “severe fracture” in the VFL.
With Nakia Cockatoo (knee), he remains the only major injury on the Geelong list, but hasn’t been put on the long-term injury list.
Unless Cunico has a setback, it’s unlikely he’ll be pushed to the side given he’s slated to return in the second half of the season.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Lost? It’s only gains at the top-of-the ladder Cattery. Cockatoo would be some nice icing on the cake given his midfield X-factor.
WHO THEY TARGET: Given Stephen Wells’ track record, perhaps they play the long game and go for future talent here, if anything.
-SAM EDMUND
GOLD COAST
The Suns took Sam Fletcher before the start of the season which used their one remaining spot. However, they could put Rory Thompson or Harrison Wigg onto the inactive list to create space.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: A key defender in Thompson to go with the off-season departure of Steven May but they recruited and drafted Sam Collins, Jack Hombsch, Chris Burgess, Ben King and Caleb Graham plus Sam Day has played defence many times. They also lost Tom Lynch but added forwards Jack Lukosius and Josh Corbett.
WHAT THEY NEED: Their ruck stocks are thin if captain Jarrod Witts gets injured and they lack speed through the midfield.
WHO THEY TARGET: Gold Coast met this week to formulate their plan. Do they create a position and if they do are they after a ready to go player, preferably an ex-AFL player, who can slot into the side in case of an injury or look for someone they can develop into a long term player?
South Fremantle’s Marlion Pickett was one player they tracked closely last season. Kyle Dunkley, son of Swans star Andrew and brother of Bulldog Josh is another linked to the club. Claremont’s 21-year-old ruckman Jeremy Goddard or former Sun McKenzie Willis could be also in the frame.
-ANDREW HAMILTON
GWS
The Giants have one list spot open which could become two if they put Callan Ward on the long-term injury list. But it seems highly unlikely they utilise it at this stage unless injury strikes before deadline. GWS didn’t use all their rookie picks last November and have a healthy list
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Midfielder and captain Ward to a season-ending knee injury.
WHAT THEY NEED: At 5-3 and sitting inside the top four, their list it pretty settled.
WHO THEY TARGET : The Giants are unlikely to target anyone.
-BEN HORNE
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn has one spot available after Tim Mohr not only dislocated his knee in a horrific pre-season clash, he also tore his ACL and PCL. His career is in jeopardy because of it after being taken as a rookie after his career at GWS.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: The Hawks don’t need a specific positional type despite the loss of Tom Mitchell given an even spread of young kids coming through and mature-aged talent. It’s pretty hard to find 800-possession Brownlow Medal winners.
WHAT THEY NEED: Young talent. A club that has had to trade away most of its early picks in recent years should play the long game and take a risk on a player who might be a bust but has some chance of turning into a 100-gamer player.
WHO THEY TARGET: The club had a good look at Box Hill’s Luke Meadows over the pre-season, with Meadows good but not great in his five games in the VFL so far. Nathan Mullenger-McHugh has crossed to the club from the Dogs in the hope he could be picked up but hasn’t had a game over 61 ranking points this year. Another Box Hill player Damian Mascitti has been linked to the Hawks and averaged 71 ranking points in five VFL games. A young player like Coburg’s Sam Lowson would suit them well given his pressure and goal power but probably won’t get to the Hawks given early interest in them.
-JON RALPH
MELBOURNE
Melbourne has a list spot open after midfielder Aaron Nietschke went down with a season-ending knee injury. The club is weighing up whether it will use it in the midseason draft.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Steven May’s absence has been costly as he recovers from a serious groin problem. Jumping jack Joel Smith has also been out with a groin problem.
WHAT THEY NEED: Outside running midfielder with nice kicking skills to help their midfield-forward connection.
WHO THEY TARGET: Mitch Hibberd is a 190cm versatile playmaker who could fill multiple roles.
-JAY CLARK
NORTH MELBOURNE
With Ed Vickers-Willis gone for the year with an ACL, the Roos have an empty seat at the table at Arden Street.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: With Majak Daw still working his way back and Jarrad Waite retired, do the Roos go big?
WHO THEY TARGET: Former Pie Corey Gault, a 199cm ruck-forward, has had some eye-catching games for Swan Districts in the WAFL this season. Then again, former VFL goal machine Nick Larkey has played the last two games and Mason Wood is back up and going, so perhaps — if anything — they just take the best player available. The Roos also added Tom Campbell earlier in the year.
-SAM EDMUND
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power have one spot available following Jake Patmore’s ACL injury.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: A talented but untried midfielder whose development was more about the future than this year. The 20-year-old was injured in a SANFL trial match against South Adelaide in March and has been ruled out for the season.
WHAT THEY NEED: Patmore’s loss doesn’t hurt Port too badly because the 20-year-old had not been expected to be a major contributor this season. Of more concern is the long-term leg injuries to key forward Charlie Dixon and utility Jack Watts, who started the season well in defence. Dixon, who hasn’t played this year, could be back soon after the mid-season bye but Watts might not play again this season. This could prompt the Power to look for another tall forward.
WHO THEY TARGET: If it’s a key forward Port wants then it will look at Jack Hayes from Woodville-West Torrens, who is understood to have been on its recruiting radar before. Jake Riccardi from Werribee is also worth considering, along with Sturt’s Hugo Munn. But the Power might join some other AFL clubs in simply taking a talented kid it can take a close look at with an eye to drafting him in the future.
-ANDREW CAPEL
RICHMOND
Following Shaun Grigg’s retirement, the Tigers have one list spot available. Meanwhile, Alex Rance’s determination to get back after his ACL rupture means he won’t be going onto the long term injury list.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: The Tigers would love another star ruckman but it probably won’t happen this year. Toby Nankervis is out for 6-8 weeks with a groin strain, but will be replaced by Ivan Soldo.
WHAT THEY NEED: Richmond’s list is evenly balanced, with a host of fast kids, some key position back-up in Callum Moore and Ryan Garthwaite and some flankers like Patrick Naish pushing for a game.
WHO THEY TARGET: The Tigers have interviewed Coburg’s Sam Lowson, a talented goalsneak. So they must be considering whether to put another player on their list. You would think the Tigers don’t need another small forward but they just want players with talent, then turn them into the player they need. Their recruiting of Sydney Stack, a talented mid/half forward, who they threw into a half back role shows how they do business.
-JON RALPH
ST KILDA
The Saints do not currently have a list spot open, but could create one.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: A bit of everything. Forward Paddy McCartin (concussion), defender Jake Carlisle (back), Daniel Hannebery (legs), Jack Steven (mental health) and Dylan Roberton (heart) are all sidelined.
WHAT THEY NEED: The Saints could do with some outside midfield class to complement the hard nuts they have.
WHO THEY TARGET: Do they take the gamble on Marlion Pickett, an excitement machine from the WAFL? He’s been dubbed the next Tim Kelly.
-JAY CLARK
SYDNEY
The club has created a list spot by getting former star Kurt Tippett to sign an official retirement form. The Swans are examining all options but yet to make a final decision on if they will enter.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Sydney have a mountain of injuries in their backline with Heath Grundy, Nick Smith and Jarrad McVeigh all sidelined for lengthy stints. None have been ruled out for the season.
WHAT THEY NEED: Sydney desperately needs ruck depth but big men don’t grow on trees. Injured ruckman Sam Naismith should return in the second half of the year.
WHO THEY TARGET: Sydney’s recruitment team are still working through their homework.
-BEN HORNE
WEST COAST
The Eagles currently don’t have a spot available and as is the case with most premiers and it’s hard to see what they need if they did. They already added Oscar Allen and Jack Petruccelle to last year’s flag side.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: Tom Barrass to a long-term foot injury and in the ruck, Scott Lycett to Port Adelaide as the two most notables. Nathan Vardy hasn’t been great, but Nic Naitanui is nearing the return.
WHO THEY TARGET: If we think the ruck is sound if Nic Nat can stay on the park, would they look at adding defensive depth for the likes of elder statesmen Shannon Hurn and Will Schofield?
-SAM EDMUND
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The retirement of Liam Picken opens up a list spot for the Dogs. He is the only player out injured for longer than six weeks, with Dale Morris trying to get back after the bye.
WHAT THEY’VE LOST: You can’t replace Liam Picken, and the Dogs have unearthed plenty of young talent of late in Ed Richards, Bailey Smith, Tim English and more. But every club needs more elite talent and the Dogs could do with more key position cover given Josh Schache is battling away in the VFL.
WHAT THEY NEED: The Dogs likely need more intercepting key defenders given Easton Wood is 29 and Dale Morris 36. Aaron Naughton was recruited as a key defender but pushed forward so the Dogs might consider a key defender.
WHO THEY TARGET: The Dogs have mined the VFL plenty of times before, but most of the players undergoing medicals from the VFL are midfielders or small forwards. Aaron Black and Sam McLarty have been on AFL lists and are playing VFL but aren’t at the head of the queue in the mid-season draft. Ryan Gardner has kicked eight goals from four games in the VFL for the Dogs’ side this year, so maybe they grab another one from their own affiliate?
-JON RALPH
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