AFL 2020 mock draft: See who your club could pick on draft night

Nailing draft picks in the top 30 has never been more important. Who is your club watching this year? Check out the potential first round.

Welcome to mock draft night.

The the 2020 AFL national draft is just over two weeks away and on Tuesday talent watchers Dan Batten and Jordan Pinto played the role of club recruiters in a top-30 mock draft.

These selections are an evaluation of the top talent available and the players best suited for each club – who Dan and Jordan would take with your club’s picks - rather than a prediction of who your side will take on draft night.

Watch a replay of our live mock draft in the video player above

A raft of young talents at the top-end are tied to clubs through Next Generation Academies and northern zones, like Western Bulldogs NGA marvel Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, with draft bids able to be matched by those clubs at a 20 per cent discount.

In the instances where a bid is matched, the club with the unsuccessful bid will take the next selection.

The order of this mock draft has been scrambled as a result, with the first round stretched from 21 selections to 27 – something that remains a genuine possibility in the actual event.

Check out who landed at your club in the mock draft.

1. Western Bulldogs - Jamarra Ugle Hagan (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country)

Forward, 195cm, 90kg, Western Bulldogs match Adelaide Next Generation Academy bid 

Dan says: Adelaide kept the Bulldogs honest with a pick 1 bid, but the opportunity to secure arguably the top prospect of the 2020 draft pool at a discount must be taken. An athletic key forward with blistering speed and fantastic hands overhead who will be a nightmare match-up in the future.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been compared to a young Lance Franklin.

2. Adelaide Riley Thilthorpe (West Adelaide/South Australia)

Ruck/forward, 201cm, 100kg

Jordan says: It had to be a tall here. They don’t come around often – not this good anyway. Unlike McDonald, there’s some concern over Thilthorpe’s best position but his ceiling, as a goalkicking Brodie Grundy, make the local boy too hard to overlook.

3. North Melbourne - Logan McDonald (Perth/Western Australia)

Forward, 196cm, 86kg

Dan says: Was hoping Adelaide would go for the homegrown talent over McDonald – sure enough, they did. The gut-running tall forward finished second in the WAFL seniors goalkicking, proving he can match it against senior bodies from the get-go.

SEE FULL PROFILES OF ALL THE TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS HERE

4. Sydney - Denver Grainger-Barras (Swan Districts/Western Australia)

Defender, 195cm, 78kg

Jordan says: With Academy prospects Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden to come, it’s the next best tall for the Swans at this spot. And after Aliir Aliir’s move to the Power, the pool’s best key-defender, who boasts WAFL experience, is the perfect fit.

5. Hawthorn - Elijah Hollands (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country) 

Midfielder, 190cm, 84kg

Dan says: Hawthorn lacks players who can turn a game on its head and that is what Hollands provides as a midfielder/forward. The talented talls would have been difficult to resist if they slid through, but Hollands is a pick 1 contender in his own right.

Elijah Hollands would inject excitement into the Hawthorn midfield.

6. Gold Coast – Will Phillips (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)

Midfielder, 180cm, 80kg

Jordan says: Despite the Suns’ depth of young midfield talent, I can’t pass up Phillips, who is strong at the contest and damaging away from it, particularly forward of centre. He starred in last year’s NAB League grand final in the shadow of teammate Matt Rowell.

7. Essendon – Zach Reid (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)

Defender, 202cm, 83kg

Dan says: Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker are both over the age of 30 and by the time they retire, this unique talent will be hitting his straps. A key defender who can play forward, Reid has a kicking weapon at 202cm and may be the best tall outside the big four.

8. Sydney – Braeden Campbell (Allies/Swans Academy)

Midfielder, 180cm, 73kg, Sydney matches Essendon Next Generation Academy bid

Jordan says: No hesitation matching an early bid for Campbell – this could even be considered late, given his talent. The skilful, goalkicking midfielder starred at every level he played through a standout junior career and was best-on-ground in the U17 All Stars game last year.

Sydney might have to match a top-10 bid for Braeden Campbell.

9. Essendon (DB) - Tanner Bruhn (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)

Midfielder, 182cm, 75kg

Dan says: Phillips was the No.1 priority as a midfielder and following the bid on Campbell, Bruhn shapes as the next-best option. Oozes class as a balanced midfielder and while his exposure has been limited, there is no doubting his talent.

10. Essendon (DB) – Archie Perkins (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Country)

Midfielder/forward, 186cm, 77kg

Dan says: With three top-10 picks, selecting a prospect with genuine X-Factor should be a priority. A 188cm athletic beast who is capable of the spectacular as a forward/midfielder. May have the biggest upside of them all.

11. Port Adelaide – Lachie Jones (Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia)

Defender, 184cm, 87kg, Port Adelaide matches Adelaide Next Generation Academy bid

Dan says: The South Australian (Jordan) could not let Jones slide any longer – and fitting that it is Adelaide doing the bidding on the Power NGA prospect. A ready-made medium defender who can slot into a side who fell short of a Grand Final by a goal.

Lachie Jones could make an impact in 2021. Picture: Sarah Reed

12. Adelaide – Nathan O’Driscoll (Perth/Western Australia)

Midfielder, 187cm, 78kg

Jordan says: I was hoping for Bruhn or Perkins here, given Adelaide’s need for a game-breaking onballer. And Brayden Cook was in the frame. Some have him sliding but, given his combination of size, ball-winning ability, strength at the contest, elite speed-endurance mix and penetrating left-foot, I see O’Driscoll as close to the next-best all-round midfield prospect.

13. GWS Giants – Oliver Henry (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)

Forward, 187cm, 77kg

Jordan says: Despite being unable to build on his exciting bottom-age year, Henry’s terrific hands, versatility and athleticism would add another layer to the Giants’ group over the coming years – in attack or defence.

14. North Melbourne – Heath Chapman (West Perth/Western Australia)

Defender, 192cm, 81kg

Dan says: Key forward, check. Now, an attacking tall defender with North Melbourne’s second pick. Chapman is a fantastic interceptor who can hurt sides with his penetrating kick and endurance.

15. Fremantle – Nikolas Cox (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)

Utility, 200cm, 87kg

Jordan says: The Dockers are well stocked with talented young midfielders, which is why I have selected Cox, a versatile tall with remarkable running capabilities. Can play at both ends or on the wing at 200cm but will take some time to develop.

Nikolas Cox can play in almost any position.

16. GWS Giants – Brayden Cook (South Adelaide/South Australia)

Forward, 188cm, 74kg

Jordan says: One of this year’s bolters, Cook, boasts genuine x-factor, explosive speed and an exceptional vertical leap. And, like Henry, his versatility – Cook won plenty of ball in defence and on a wing this season - will appeal to the Giants.

17. Collingwood – Finlay Macrae (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)

Midfielder, 185cm, 78kg

Dan says: Plays with the same consistency and creativity of his half-brother, Bulldogs star Jack Macrae. A nice fit at the Pies as a midfielder/forward who can find the footy and use it well.

Finlay Macrae is the half-brother of Bulldog Jack Macrae.

18. GWS Giants – Jack Carroll (East Fremantle/WA)

Midfielder, 188cm, 79kg

Jordan says: Carroll progressed rapidly this season, showing a genuine ability to win his own footy. But given the Giants’ raft of inside-ball winners, it’s the 17-year-old’s class and skill on the outside which appeals with the club’s third pick in the first-round.

19. Collingwood – Tom Powell (Sturt/South Australia)

Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg

Dan says: Having lost Adam Treloar during the trade period, drafting this prolific ball-winner will help ease the midfield pain down the track. Tore the SANFL under-18s to shreds this year, averaging 31.6 disposals and 6.9 clearances. And still no bid for PNGA product Reef McInnes; a dream scenario for Magpies fans.

20. Fremantle – Brandon Walker (East Fremantle/Western Australia)

Defender, 184cm, 75kg, Fremantle matches Richmond Next Generation Academy bid

Dan says: A bit surprised by a bid this early for Walker but it’s difficult to pass on the NGA prospect after an excellent WAFL colts season. A running defender with nice skills and a touch of flare.

21. Richmond – Bailey Laurie (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)

Midfielder/forward, 180cm, 75kg

Jordan says: The early bid on Walker didn’t work but Laurie appears a great fit for the Tigers. He’s got speed, skill and an outstanding footy IQ. His ability to push through the midfield and have an impact forward of centre would be accelerated at Punt Rd.

22. Collingwood – Reef McInnes (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)

Defender/forward, 193cm, 86kg, Collingwood matches Melbourne Next Generation Academy bid

Jordan says: An easy decision to match a bid here. McInnes spent most of last year playing at either end of the ground, but it’s his projection as a tall inside-midfielder, with elite speed, which has him rated so highly.

23. Melbourne – Jake Bowey (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)

Sandringham/Vic Metro

Dan says: The Demons are crying out for a skillful wingman and Bowey has shades of Caleb Daniel with his poise and elite kicking on both sides, also possessing top-end speed and a great leap. May slide on draft night due to his 175cm height.

24. Hawthorn – Connor Downie (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)

Midfielder/defender, 186cm, 81kg, Hawthorn Matches Melbourne Next Academy bid

Jordan says: The outsider midfielder, who can also play across half-back, is a great kick and has some serious speed, addressing two areas of need in Hawthorn’s engine room.

Connor Downie was hoping to move into the midfield this year.

25. Melbourne – Seamus Mitchell (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)

Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

Dan says: Versatile forward Conor Stone was considered here, but Mitchell can inject electrifying pace into Melbourne’s front half. Has great forward craft and could be used off half-back or through the middle at AFL level.

26. GWS Giants – Kaine Baldwin (Glenelg/South Australia)

Forward, 194cm, 93kg

Jordan says: With some much young talent already, three first-round draftees joining the club before this pick, and Jeremy Cameron’s departure, it’s time to take a risk. And it’s a big one given Baldwin’s consecutive knee reconstructions. But his potential as a forward is bigger.

27. St Kilda – Zavier Maher (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country)

Midfielder, 184cm, 82kg

Dan says: After losing out to the Bombers for Jye Caldwell, Maher brings similar qualities to the engine room. A powerful midfielder with a burst of speed who can add something different to St Kilda’s midfield mix.

28. Adelaide – Caleb Poulter (Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia)

Midfielder, 191cm, 74kg

Jordan says: I’m happy to see another SA boy get to this pick. But that’s not why I’m taking him. Poulter is an attacking inside-midfielder, who is brilliant in traffic and boasts a damaging left-foot. His ability to kick goals and mark above his head also set him apart.

29. Adelaide – Eddie Ford (Western Jets/Vic Metro)

Forward, 189cm, 83kg

Jordan says: As I mentioned earlier, Adelaide needs a game-changer. And from what we’ve seen at NAB League level and on AFL grand final day last year, Ford could be it. There is plenty of Connor Rozee in the Victorian forward, who has been trying to model his game on Nat Fyfe.

30. Brisbane – Zac Dumesny (South Adelaide/South Australia)

Defender, 186cm, 80kg

Jordan says: I weighed up WA mid Zane Trew, but I’ve gone with the class of Dumesny. He’s clean, composed and deliverers precisely from half-back, with plenty of midfield potential. Interest has cooled slightly after his quiet finish but I’ve seen enough.

*On revision, Hawthorn’s original pick will be pushed back/absorbed by the club matching the bid for Downie in this exercise. Brisbane will move up.

MORE AFL DRAFT NEWS:

DRAFT GUIDE: STARS SET TO GO IN THE FIRST ROUND

THE TOP 30 PROSPECTS FROM THE NAB LEAGUE

TOP 30 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DRAFT PROSPECTS

Originally published as AFL 2020 mock draft: See who your club could pick on draft night