AFL Draft 2020: Every pick your club has and who they should draft with them
Collingwood can go a long way to calming a restless supporter base by choosing wisely at the national draft. Check out the club-by-club guide here.
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The AFL Draft starts on Wednesday, December 9, and there will be plenty of nervous recruits and recruiting managers alike as the day draws ever closer.
While some clubs – like the Western Bulldogs – have a clear draft path laid out already, others are set to be thrown last minute curveballs that they’ll need to hit out of the park in order for their draft to be considered a success.
So who should your club pick, what draft picks do they have, and what are the list holes they need to fill?
Check out our club-by-club guide here.
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ADELAIDE
DRAFT PICKS: 1, 9, 22, 23, 40, 80
The Crows have the No.1 pick for the first time in their history and they are expected to find the key forward they need with the first pick – possibly local Riley Thilthorpe or West Aussie Logan McDonald. The Crows should be able to find a good midfielder with their next pick, which could slide into the teens once the bids for Next Generation Academy players come in. Will be plenty of names off the board by then but could look to Nathan O’Driscoll, Finlay Macrae, or Tom Powell. Adelaide itself has some NGA prospects that could fill a need on the Crows list.
– Simeon Thomas-Wilson
BRISBANE
DRAFT PICKS: 25, 53, 58, 68, 69, 94
The Lions all but confirmed they won’t be a major player in this year’s draft when they traded their first two picks, 18 and 19, to Melbourne in exchange for 25, 68, 69 and Melbourne’s future first-rounder. It’s understood the Lions will use their later picks to bid for academy prospect Blake Coleman who is the brother of current player Keidean.
– Reece Homfray
CARLTON
DRAFT PICKS: 31, 38, 78
After enjoying a successful trade period headlined by the addition of former Giant Zac Williams and Adam Saad from the Bombers, the Blues will now hope to find a diamond in the rough with their picks at 31, 38 and 78 in the national draft. The Blues appear well stocked up forward and in defence, but could look to add more midfield depth – whether that be an extractor or outside dash. A goal kicking small forward who could help replace Eddie Betts when he eventually calls time could also be on the agenda.
– Rebecca Williams
COLLINGWOOD
DRAFT PICKS: 14, 16, 65, 70, 75, 92
Make no mistake of it, Collingwood needs to nail picks 14 and 16. After a disastrous trade period in which it lost Adam Treloar, Jaidyn Stephenson, Tom Phillips and Atu Bosenavulagi, only a strong return from its two first-rounders will soothe the anger of Magpie supporters. The Pies have first dibs on NGA recruit Reef McInnes, who is well and truly on the radar of AFL clubs after he recently peeled off the fastest 20m sprint time of any player across Australia. Would absolutely love to get him for cheap, but expect an early bid on the 193cm inside mid. Will the Pies match it?
– Nick Smart
ESSENDON
DRAFT PICKS: 6, 7, 8, 44, 77, 85, 87
The Bombers farewelled top defender Adam Saad to Carton, but in doing so secured an enviable draft hand with three consecutive picks inside the coveted top 10. Speculation is rife that Essendon could package them and move closer to No.1 and make a play for tall forward Logan McDonald. But if they stick with their hand, they’ll have plenty to pick from, including key defender Zach Reid, or midfielder Tanner Bruhn.
– Liz Walsh
FREMANTLE
DRAFT PICKS: 12, 32, 55, 56, 63
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has identified outside run and a developing ruckman and key forward as potential targets in this year’s national draft. The decision to part ways with wayward key forward Jesse Hogan has left a hole in attack for the Dockers to fill, although Matt Taberner and Rory Lobb were strong contested marks up forward this season.
Longmuir said building “outside run” and finding players around the square to “break the game open” would be a focus in the draft.
“It’s something that’s been a little bit stagnant for us this year and we’ve probably lacked a little bit of creativity and speed on the outside,” Longmuir said.
– Rebecca Williams
GEELONG
DRAFT PICKS: 51, 96
The Cats will be very minor players in this year’s draft after moving on their first three picks for Jeremy Cameron and a second-rounder for Shaun Higgins. As part of the Cameron exchange, the Cats nabbed two future second-rounders to bolster their position in next year’s lottery when there is more exposure and knowledge about the top Victorian talent. It means their first pick in this year’s draft is slotted in at No.51 but that will shuffle out further after all the academy picks.
What’s left? The Cats lost two young midfielders in the trade period so expect list boss Stephen Wells to target a prime midfielder with their first selection in this year’s draft. They have plenty of young small forwards coming through. But next year is when the Cats will make some more key selections in preparing for life after Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins and co.
– Jay Clark
GOLD COAST
DRAFT PICKS: 5, 27, 76, 84
The Suns are expected to have just one active pick in this year’s draft. Gold Coast will happily use pick No.5 on the best available before diving into its Academy kids. And they appear to have jagged some gold. The Suns will snap up Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey, who are both considered first-round prospects. There is a chance they’ll also take a third Academy player to add to the already strong list of young talent emerging on the Coast. Exciting times.
– Nick Smart
GWS
DRAFT PICKS: 10, 13, 15, 20, 26, 74, 88
The bounty the Giants received for Cameron ensures they are in a strong position going into the draft and can rebuild on the run. Zac Williams’ departure has opened up a spot for a running defender, and there’s enough players to add something different to the Giants forward line, like Geelong Falcons forward Oliver Henry. If GWS wants to strengthen its already strong midfield there are some quality on-ballers in the pool, with the likes of Finlay Macrae and Bailey Laurie both potentially still on the board.
– Simeon Thomas-Wilson
HAWTHORN
DRAFT PICKS: 4, 24, 45, 46, 49, 72
This draft offers a big opportunity here for the Hawks as they look to utilise their first top 5 pick in 15 years. National recruiting manager Mark McKenzie indicated Hawthorn will look to fix some of their midfield issues – they were No.18 for contested ball differential and No.17 for ground-ball differential – through the draft. The Hawks have an interest in their Next Generation Academy player Connor Downie, a defender/midfielder from Eastern Ranges. The Hawks are also keen to see if they can get a few project talls, too.
– Glenn McFarlane
MELBOURNE
DRAFT PICKS: 18, 19, 28, 50, 89
The Dees are trying to cash in on this year’s draft by jumping back into the first round via a pick swap with Brisbane, resulting in them landing picks 18 and 19 while giving away their first-rounder next year. They also did a swap with the Crows by securing pick 33 which they eventually swapped for 28 as part of the Ben Brown deal. Melbourne is predicted to bolster its midfield with some outside run with its top picks or look for players with versatility.
– Reece Homfray
NORTH MELBOURNE
DRAFT PICKS: 2, 11, 30, 39, 71, 81
The Roos had discussions weeks ago with clubs about the prospect of trading out pick No.2 for multiple high-end selections. On the last day of the trade period, they were close to a deal with Gold Coast about swapping pick No.2 for pick No.5 but things went in another direction late. If the Roos hold on to pick No.2 now as expected, there could be a wildcard move in store. If the draft murmurings are true, North Melbourne list boss Scott Clayton is a big fan of Archie Perkins. It may be a big call to take the powerful and explosive midfielder-forward at pick No.2, but the same may have been said of Marcus Bontempelli one or two months out from his draft class. Would Perkins still be there for their second selection at pick No.11? The Roos clearly need a long-term replacement for star centre half back Robbie Tarrant and departed spearhead Ben Brown. But after clearing out 14 players in the trade period it is fair to say the Roos need a bit of everything.
– Jay Clark
PORT ADELAIDE
DRAFT PICKS: 35, 47, 57, 59, 73, 95
Port Adelaide’s draft plans are unlikely to surprise. Even after trading pick 29 for Orazio Fantasia, the Power has enough points to match a bid for Next Generation Academy prospect Lachie Jones, whose name is expected to be called anywhere from seventh to 15 on draft night. Port Adelaide has also nominated father-son wingman Taj Schofield – the son of Power premiership player turned assistant coach Jarrad Schofield – and the club will be hoping does not get bid on at all so it can take him as a rookie. If that happens, it will potentially open the door to draft another player. Port is stocked with older inside midfielders may look to grab one with a late pick.
– Matt Turner
RICHMOND
DRAFT PICKS: 17, 36, 61, 79, 97
Imagine being the back-to-back reigning premiers and getting the opportunity to have Maurice Rioli Jr walk through the doors. Is it any wonder Richmond fans are buoyed by the club’s chances of a hat-trick next year? Rioli had the choice of three clubs – the Tigers and Fremantle under the father-son rule and Essendon via its Next Generation Academy. But the lure to play alongside his cousin Daniel has always been strong. Clubs can still bid on Rioli Jnr at the draft but Richmond has the option to match those bids. The Tigers could also look to speculative picks in order to seek long-range replacements for Bachar Houli and Jack Riewoldt in years to come.
– Glenn McFarlane
ST KILDA
DRAFT PICKS: 21, 64, 67, 74, 93
Not necessarily a big player in this year’s national draft after two years of serious trade period action, and will be a sideline player early with its first pick not coming until pick 21. Could potentially add another midfielder to develop under the likes of Bradley Hill, Brad Crouch and best and fairest winner Jack Steele. Flush for forwards, an extra young defender wouldn’t go astray.
– Lauren Wood
SYDNEY
DRAFT PICKS: 3, 34, 37, 43, 48, 60, 82
Most pundits have linked the Swans to West Australian key defender Denver Grainger-Barras with their first choice. Sydney has used early selections on midfielders or forwards in recent years so Grainger-Barras makes sense, given he is considered the draft’s best backman. Beatson said the Swans were not guaranteed to match rivals’ bids on both academy prospects, Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden. Pacy midfielder Campbell boasts a booming left-foot kick and is expected to have his name called within the first 12 picks. Pint-sized Gulden should cop a later bid and would be a crafty addition to Sydney’s small forward and on-ball stocks.
– Matt Turner
WEST COAST
DRAFT PICKS: 62, 86, 91
Not a lot to play with in this year’s draft for the Eagles after giving plenty away at the end of 2019 to secure Tim Kelly.An extra small forward would be handy and would cost little in realistic terms, while added defensive stocks would be welcomed.
– Lauren Wood
WESTERN BULLDOGS
DRAFT PICKS: 29, 33, 41, 42, 52, 54, 90
The Dogs are sitting pretty with their Warrnambool teen Jamar Ugle-Hagan, the best kid in the draft and linked to them through their next generation academy.
If Adelaide selects him with the No.1 pick (worth 3000 points) the Dogs would match and with a 20 per cent discount it would wipe out their first four picks which are worth 2099 points. The Dogs only need to take a single pick in the draft, so list manager Sam Power will be the happiest man on the planet come draft night.
– Jon Ralph
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Originally published as AFL Draft 2020: Every pick your club has and who they should draft with them
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