Collingwood mid-season draftee John Noble signs new contract
Marlion Pickett is a premiership player and Collingwood’s John Noble has learned his fate. But not all the mid-season draft selections enjoyed a fairytale finish. Get the latest on the AFL’s 13 newest recruits.
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The fairytale run of Collingwood’s mid-season draftee John Noble will continue for at least another two seasons.
Noble has joined Isaac Quaynor, the Magpies’ top draft pick last season, in signing a two-year contract extension.
He is the last mid-season draftee to confirm his fate for 2020.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHERE ALL THE MID-SEASON DRAFTEES ARE NOW
Noble played five AFL matches, including Collingwood’s two finals, after starting the season with West Adelaide in the SANFL.
“John’s story is unlike many others in the league, and we look forward to seeing it continue with the Pies,” Collingwood list manager Ned Guy said.
“To be able to come in and have an impact in some of the club’s bigger games at the back end of the year is quite remarkable. He’ll be even better prepared for 2020 with a pre-season under his belt and his experience in 2019.”
Guy said Quaynor, who played four games in his debut season, had impressed coaches with his physicality and ability to run and carry the ball.
“Since arriving at the club, Isaac’s professionalism in his approach to training, preparing and playing has been beyond his years,” Guy said.
AFL 2019 MID-SEASON DRAFT: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Pick 1: Carlton — Josh Deluca (Subiaco)
Came into the Blues’ line-up in Round 18 and played every game for the rest of the season, averaging 12 disposals and kicking four goals. Was perhaps unlucky to be delisted but is training with Carlton in the hope of another chance. “It was quite disappointing,” De Luca said on SEN. “The writing was on the wall a bit ... I really want to be at the club and I loved my time there.”
Pick 2: Gold Coast Suns — Mitchell Riordan (Dandenong)
The 19-year-old from the Dandenong Stingrays caught the eye with 17 possessions, 12 tackles and 90 ranking points in his first game for Gold Coast’s NEAFL team. He had 26 and 20 disposals in two more reserves games before hurting his ankle. Has signed a one-year contract extension.
Pick 3: Melbourne — Kyle Dunkley (Gippsland)
Showed glimpses of his ability in five senior games — including a two-goal effort against Richmond — and has earned another year on the Demons’ rookie list. They’re keen to see what the brother of Bulldog Josh Dunkley can do after a full AFL pre-season.
Pick 4: Sydney Swans — Michael Knoll (South Adelaide)
The former US college basketballer and South Adelaide ruckman played out the season for the Swans reserves, putting up mostly modest numbers. The highlight was a 25-disposal game against Aspley. Has been re-signed for 2020 and the departure of Darcy Cameron for Collingwood might help his chances of getting an AFL game.
Pick 5: North Melbourne — Lachlan Hosie (Glenelg)
Ex-Glenelg forward has earned another year on the Kangaroos list after what he described as a “crazy” 2019. Showed some exciting signs in the VFL and says Rhyce Shaw wants him to build a bigger tank so he can play further up the ground. Hopefully we get to see his goal celebrations on the big stage next season — he said in an interview on SEN that he cops it from his teammates for going over the top, admitting “I might look like a bit of a knob sometimes”.
Pick 6: Western Bulldogs — Ryan Gardner (Footscray)
A rollercoaster ride for the former Geelong VFL swingman. He was the first of the mature-agers from the mid-season draft to debut at AFL level, kicking a goal in each of his two games. But after being dropped he injured his knee in the VFL and missed the rest of the year. Was re-signed on a one-year rookie contract but the arrival of Alex Keath and Josh Bruce might make it tough to add to his two AFL games.
Pick 7: Essendon — Will Snelling (West Adelaide)
One of the success stories of the draft, playing four games including the elimination final, kicking five goals and applying a ton of pressure in his second AFL chance (he played one game for Port Adelaide in 2016). Also averaged 26 disposals and eight tackles in six VFL games — enough to earn a rookie contract for 2020.
Pick 8: St Kilda — Jack Mayo (Subiaco)
The 194cm Kalgoorlie teenager played out the season in the VFL and signed a one-year contract extension along with Doultan Langlands and Jonathon Marsh in September. “We’re really happy to have been able to secure Jack’s services prior to this year’s national draft,” Saints List Manager James Gallagher said. “He’s already improved a lot across his time in the VFL and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can produce next season after a full pre-season.”
Pick 9: Port Adelaide — Cam Sutcliffe (Port Adelaide SANFL)
The 27-year-old former Docker played five games for the Power, with the highlight a 17-disposal effort against Essendon. Was one of a group of six Port players to re-sign in October that also included veteran Justin Westhoff, Darcy Byrne-Jones and former Sun Trent McKenzie.
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Pick 10: Hawthorn — PASS
Pick 11: Fremantle — Dillon O’Reilly (East Fremantle)
Key-position project player didn’t set the world on fire in the WAFL, collecting double-figure disposals in four of his seven games. But will remain on the rookie list in 2020.
Pick 12: Adelaide Crows — PASS
Pick 13: Richmond — Marlion Pickett (South Fremantle)
The poster boy for the mid-season draft idea, Pickett was selected by Richmond even though he had just suffered a serious finger injury. He made his comeback in the VFL, helped Richmond to a flag, then played in the AFL Grand Final a week later - finishing third in Norm Smith Medal voting, winning a premiership medal and life membership. No surprise he has a contract for 2020.
Pick 14: Collingwood — John Noble (West Adelaide)
Made his debut at age 22 in the Magpies’ one-point win against West Coast in Round 17 and played four more games, including the qualifying and preliminary finals. Signed a two-year contract extension today.
Pick 15: Gold Coast Suns — PASS
Pick 16: Sydney Swans — Cody Hirst (Eastern Ranges)
If Pickett is the positive sell for the mid-season draft, Hirst represents the other side of the coin. The young midfielder was a strong chance to be taken in the November draft — and earn a guaranteed two-year contract — after impressing for Eastern Ranges early in the season. Now he is taking his chances after moving north to Sydney, playing mostly as a forward for the Swans reserves and being delisted at the end of the season without playing an AFL game. Asked on SEN if he would nominate again if he had his time over, Hirst said: “Of course I would. The cards didn’t fall my way, but that’s how it goes.”