AFL draft: Gippsland Power finishes with five players taken in draft

Gippsland has produced the most draftees of regional under-18 Talent League clubs. See the breakdown.

More than 25 per cent of players joining AFL clubs in this year’s national draft started their careers at a country club.

Sixteen of the 64 players taken in the draft played the bulk of this year for a country-based under-18 Talent League club, headed by Gippsland Power with five players chosen, including Inverloch-Kongwak’s Archer Reid (West Coast), Morwell’s Tew Jiath (Collingwood) and Warragul’s Lachlan Smith (Western Bulldogs) on Tuesday night.

Morwell’s Tew Jiath trains in the lead-up to the national draft. Picture: Michael Klein

Greater Western Victoria had four players taken, all on the second night.

They were South Warrnambool duo Luamon Lual (Essendon) and George Stevens (Geelong), East Point’s Lachlan Charleson (Port Adelaide) and Horsham Saints’ Joel Freijah (Hawthorn).

The Geelong Falcons had two players taken; Geelong West Giants’ Angus Hastie (St Kilda) and Newtown & Chilwell’s Thomas Anastasopoulos (Port Adelaide).

South Warrnambool’s Luamon Lual played for Vic Country this year. Picture: Morgan Hancock

In addition to the Talent League players, Oliver Wiltshire was drafted from Barwon Heads to Geelong and mature-age selection Shaun Mannagh began his career at Ovens and Murray club Lavington before joining VFL team Werribee.

Barwon Heads player Oliver Wiltshire was taken by Geelong in the national draft. Picture: Mark Wilson

Bendigo’s sole pick was No. 1 draftee Harley Reid and the Murray Bushrangers had four players chosen in the first round including Albury duo Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong) and Phoenix Gothard (Greater Western Sydney).

FIRST ROUND COVERAGE

Tongala’s Harley Reid headlined another bumper crop of Victorian country players to be snapped up in the AFL national draft.

Reid, who has carried the mantle of the likely No. 1 pick since his starring role at the national championships as a bottom-age player last year, predictably was taken by the West Coast Eagles with the first selection.

Tongala’s Harley Reid pictured with West Coast Eagles champion Nic Naitanui at the AFL national draft. Picture: Daniel Pockett

At the same time he was presented with his new jumper by Eagles star Nic Naitanui, a big crowd gathered to watch the draft in Reid’s hometown where he also squeezed in a game for the Murray league club this year.

“It’s a big relief,” Reid said.

“I’m super grateful to be in the position I am.

“I’ve got a great team of supporters back home so they’ve helped me just as much as myself.”

His selection set off a rush of country players picked on the opening night.

Zane Duursma celebrates with family and friends after being selected in the AFL national draft by North Melbourne. Picture: Dylan Burns

Next to go was Foster’s Zane Duursma, who joined North Melbourne with the fourth pick.

Duursma dominated the second half of the season for Gippsland Power and joined brother Xavier on an AFL list with the latter traded to Essendon from Port Adelaide last month.

Albury had the rare honour of producing back-to-back first round draft selections.

Key defender Connor O’Sullivan went to Geelong which plans to use him as cover for Esava Ratugolea, who went to Port Adelaide in the trade period.

Best mates from Albury, Phoenix Gothard and Connor O’Sullivan, were drafted by Greater Western Sydney and Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

O’Sullivan was taken at pick 11 after Essendon jumped ahead one spot to grab key forward Nate Caddy.

Moments later O’Sullivan’s best mate, Phoenix Gothard, produced the first shock when Greater Western Sydney used its first selection on him.

Gothard, who also played with O’Sullivan at the Murray Bushrangers and for the Allies in the national titles, was not expected to be drafted until the 30s.

St Kilda draftee Darcy Wilson is congratulated by grandfather Chas Wilson on Monday night. Picture: Dylan Burns

The Bushrangers had another player taken soon after in Darcy Wilson from Wangaratta Rovers where his father Mick played in four flags in a 300-match career that also saw him represent and captain the Ovens and Murray at interleague level in the 1990s.

Sorry Joel, brb 🏃‍♂️⏰ The moment Connor heard his best mate be selected with the pick after his! #OneInHoops | @PepperstoneFXpic.twitter.com/eqR7lcbqKo

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) November 20, 2023

Darcy joined St Kilda with the 18th pick.

O’Sullivan, Gothard and Wilson all played in this year’s O & M finals series.

The Bushrangers had a fourth player chosen, Shepparton United’s Oscar Ryan, who is off to the Adelaide Crows where he will be joined by Sandhurst’s Charlie Edwards, who was taken with the 21st selection.

Ryan also went earlier than expected, taken with pick 27 by the Crows.

North Melbourne used the 22nd selection on another Gippslander, 201cm key defensive prospect Will Dawson from Leongatha.

Dawson also played three matches at senior level for Leongatha this year including a final.