A host of former AFL players hope for a second chance in Monday’s AFL rookie draft

A HOST of former AFL players are set to receive career lifelines in the AFL rookie draft with Geelong set to land former Bulldog Stewart Crameri and Carlton eyeing ex-Power defender Cam O’Shea.

Stewart Crameri runs the ball forward for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG looms as Stewart Crameri’s best chance to resurrect his stalled career next season.

The Cats are weighing up whether to offer Crameri or defender Tom Ruggles a lifeline among many other young hopefuls in Monday’s rookie draft.

And Carlton is expected to snare former Port Adelaide running backman Cam O’Shea.

LIVE BLOG: SEE EVERY ROOKIE DRAFT PICK HERE

PICK SWAPS: RECRUITERS BACK DRAFT LIVE TRADING

BUCKENARA: EXPERT ANALYSIS OF EVERY CLUB’S DRAFT

The 193cm defender had an outstanding VFL year winning the Northern Blues’ best-and-fairest and has been training at Carlton in recent weeks.

O’Shea, 25, played 81 matches for the Power between 2011-16 and could help replace departed senior players Bryce Gibbs, Denis Armfield, Rhys Palmer and Blaine Boekhorst.

Fremantle defender Sam Collins has been training with St Kilda in a bid to prove he’s worth the punt, as has young former West Coast forward Tom Lamb and delisted Kangaroo Will Fordham.

Geelong could pick up Stewart Crameri. Picture: Michael Klein

Cam O’Shea has been training with Carlton.

Collingwood’s Adam Oxley may also rejoin the Pies.

Crameri, 29, is desperate to extend his AFL career at the Cats next season, with not much interest coming from other clubs in recent weeks.

If selected, Crameri would play on a minimum wage plus match payments but, like all rookies, would be available to play for Geelong from Round 1.

The Cats want to bolster their scoring power next season as part of another genuine flag push but have made no guarantees to the former Bulldog and Bomber since he was delisted from the kennel.

The 99-gamer has played only two matches in the past two years and had surgery earlier this year to help fix a hip complaint

But he has continued to train in recent weeks in hope of getting another chance and is confident of regaining full fitness.

Adam Oxley could rejoin Collingwood as a rookie.

Former Eagle Tom Lamb is hoping for a second chance.

“I train by myself and do my own gym program and have a kick by myself,” Crameri said last month.

“I’m pretty fit at the moment, I’ve been in the system for over 10 years, and I know what to do.

“I’ve kept myself fit so I’m ready to go if anyone was interested in putting a test on me.”

The Cats also showed interest in mobile half forwards Jake Stringer and Jack Watts but could look to Crameri to provide another hard-running marking target.

Greater Western Sydney is expected to take key forward Jack Buckley, the son of North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley in the rookie draft from 5pm (EST).

Hawthorn will list Xavier College athletic forward Changkuoth Jiath, while Sydney Swans will welcome soccer convert and outside midfielder James Bell.

Adelaide has committed to father-son prospect Jackson Edwards, the son of Tyson Edwards, and is tipped to re-draft 14-gamer Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

Other leading rookie draft candidates include 185cm Sandringham midfielder Angus Styles, Geelong Falcons small forward David Handley and big midfielder Cassidy Parish.

Originally published as A host of former AFL players hope for a second chance in Monday’s AFL rookie draft