AFL draft 2022: Victoria Country produces 18 players in national draft

Joe Richards and Caleb Mitchell were on opposing teams in the Ovens and Murray grand final this year. Find out where they’re playing next year.

Two players who went head-to-head in one of the last country league grand finals played this year have been snapped up in the AFL draft.

On another successful night of selections for Victorian Country players, Wangaratta’s Joe Richards’ meteoric rise from outside the traditional pathway of the NAB League under-18s was rewarded with Collingwood taking him with the 48th pick.

Wangaratta beat Yarrawonga in a thrilling Ovens and Murray league grand final and Caleb Mitchell played on the wing for Yarrawonga after spending most of the season on Murray Bushrangers and Victorian Country representative duties.

Bairnsdale’s Cooper Vickery is off to Sydney after representing Victorian Country this year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mitchell was taken by Sydney with pick No.40 and will be joined at the Swans by Bairnsdale’s Cooper Vickery (27th pick).

Also drafted from Victorian Country on Tuesday night were North Ballarat duo James Van Es and Hugh Bond, who are headed to St Kilda and Adelaide respectively.

James Es playing for St Patrick’s College tackles Whitefriars opponent Byron Parton. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Maffra also had two players drafted, Coby Burgiel (West Coast) and Max Knobel (Fremantle).

Echuca’s Noah Long is also headed to West Coast

Sandhurst’s Harvey Gallagher went to the Western Bulldogs and Kyneton’s Jack O’Sullivan is off to Hawthorn.

Echuca’s Noah Long represented Victorian Country this year. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Rosebud’s Henry Hustwaite was also drafted by the Hawks.

Port Fairy’s Toby McMullin is joining Greater Western Sydney and Brayden George, who initially played at Girgarre before moving to Wangaratta Rovers, is on his way to North Melbourne.

Joe Richards celebrates a goal for Wangaratta Magpies in this year’s Ovens and Murray grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine was in the crowd on O and M grand final day and saw enough from Richards to convince him he could handle the rise to the AFL level.

“He’s a player tagged week in, week out,” Hine said.

“When the game was in the balance in the last quarter he just took it apart.

“That was enough for me.”

Already looks terrific in black and white.

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) November 29, 2022

Wangaratta led by only five points at three-quarter time, but went 23 points up 10 minutes into the final term with Richards instrumental in the onslaught.

Caleb Mitchell playing for Murray Bushrangers. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

Mitchell returned to Yarrawonga this year from Mulwala where he won Murray league under-17s.

“Twelve months ago he was on no one’s radar,” former Yarrawonga coach Chris Kennedy said.

“But he’s obviously had some good conversations with the Murray Bushrangers and played a few senior games at Yarra.

“He put in the work and just got better and better.”

Victorian Country clubs have produced 18 draftees to date with more expected to be taken in Wednesday’s rookie draft.

FIRST ROUND COVERAGE

Darley’s Aaron Cadman has headlined a bumper crop Victorian Country draftees when he was chosen as the No. 1 pick by Greater Western Sydney.

Cadman, one of the standout players in the national championships, will be groomed by the Giants as a long-term key forward following the recent departure of Jeremy Cameron.

“Aaron had a really strong year this year,” GWS national recruiting manager Adrian Caruso said.

“He is a mobile key forward who can get up the ground as well as impact closer to goal.”

Greater Western Sydney No. 1 draft pick Aaron Cadman. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The left-footer kicked 34 goals in the NAB League under-18s for GWV Rebels.

The Victorian Country team that finished runner-up to Victorian Metro in the national titles this year had five players taken in the first round.

Also going inside the top 10 were Moe’s Bailey Humphrey and Queenscliff’s Jhye Clark.

Humphrey is joining another recent Gippsland draftee Sam Flanders on the Gold Coast.

“Bailey is a powerful player but also has extremely strong character and comes with great leadership qualities.” Suns national recruiting manager Kall Burns said.

Moe’s Bailey Humphrey with Gold Coast star Touk Miller. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Clark is going to Geelong which has been the frontrunner for his services since his string of starring roles in the Country midfield.

“He’s had an exceptional 12 months, leading both the Falcons and Vic Country, while also playing some terrific football himself,” Cats recruiting manager Stephen Wells said.

Oliver Hollands joined his brother Elijah on an AFL list when he was taken by Carlton with pick 11.

Their great grandfather Martin Cross also played for Carlton in the 1960s before becoming an official legend of the Ovens and Murray league with premierships as a coach at Myrtleford and North Albury.

Elijah was a top 10 pick for Gold Coast two years ago.

Drouin’s Jacob Konstanty was taken by Sydney with the 20th selection.

Victorian Country coach Paul Corrigan said: “It’s great to see five boys get an opportunity on an AFL list. It’s a really good reflection of the talent within the country regions.”

First round draft selections Bailey Humphrey of the Suns, Oliver Hollands of the Blues, Jaspa Fletcher of the Lions, Jhye Clark of the Cats, George Wardlaw of the Kangaroos, Will Ashcroft of the Lions, Aaron Cadman of the Giants, Harry Sheezel of the Kangaroos, Elijah Tsatas of the Bombers, Reuben Ginbey of the Eagles, Cameron Mackenzie of the Hawks, Jedd Busslinger of the Bulldogs and Mattaes Phillipou of the Saints. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images