AFL draft 2020: Why players who miss out should remain hopeful

Ahead of a draft where only 40-50 live picks are expected, fringe prospects have been told they might have to remain patient in order to achieve their AFL dream.

Draft hopefuls have been urged not to give up on their AFL dream if they are overlooked in a draft expected to be dominated by academy and zone selections.

It has been forecast as few as 40-50 live picks could be used in next Tuesday’s national draft, while many clubs have committed to retaining delisted players as rookies.

AFL talent boss Kevin Sheehan said some Victorians would be “very unlucky” to miss out after being robbed of their NAB League seasons.

Victoria’s under-18 competition — which accounts for more than 50 per cent of the draft class each year — was postponed and then suspended the second wave of COVID-19 escalated in Victoria.

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It robbed late developers – or those who missed out on NAB League selection last season – of the chance to press their draft claims.

Giants livewire Toby Greene (taken at pick 11 in the 2011 National Draft) and Bulldogs midfield stars Marcus Bontempelli (pick No. 4 in 2014) and Jack Macrae (pick No. 6 in 2012) rocketed up draft boards in the later stages of their draft year after modest returns as bottom-agers.

Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver (pick No. 4 in 2015) is another example of an AFL star who only blossomed in his last year of underage football.

The NAB League and the national championships — which pits the best young talent from each state against each other — will both be under-19s competitions in 2021.

Clayton Oliver rose up the draft board in his final year at Murray Bushrangers.

Marcus Bontempelli rose into first-round contention with a stellar under-18 season.

“It’s the same as every other year in the respect that it’s the first time you’re up, not the only time you’re up,” Sheehan told the Herald Sun.

“Some will be very unlucky, they will have needed this 18th year to show their wares.

“We will have under-19 national championships, under-19 NAB League here in Victoria giving those boys the chance — if they need it –— to stay down or they can push up to state league level and play some senior footy as well.”

The top prospects from Vic Country and Vic Metro – including No. 1 draft fancies Elijah Hollands and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – trained in Melbourne on Wednesday in front of recruiters.

“Obviously we hope that everyone gets drafted but the reality is that’s not to happen for some,” AFL academy head coach Tarkyn Lockyer said.

“That’s OK as well. The under-19s competition next year will be another good opportunity people to show their wares and we hope that it’s another pathway to still get back into the draft.”

CHECK OUT THE ACTION FROM DRAFTEE TRAINING DAY BELOW

Pictures: Michael Klein/Getty.

Top draft prospect Jamarra-Ugle Hagan handballs during the draft session.

Carlton star Sam Walsh watches his brother Henry take part.

Gippsland Power’s Ryan Angwin takes possession.

Josh Treacy from Bendigo Pioneers listens intently.

Geelong Falcons draft prospect Cameron Fleeton works.

Blake Reid of the Geelong Falcons and Jack Ginnivan of the Bendigo Pioneers jostle for position.

GWV Rebels Harry Sharp has eyes only for the footy.

Players were worked over in front of recruiters from AFL clubs.