2024 AFL draft

[one-eyed]

The AFL draft is just weeks away. Here’s where the top-40 prospects could land

Marc McGowan
The Age
November 2, 2024

The AFL draft is less than three weeks away, and the 2024 class has recruiters excited with its depth of talent and variety, after originally being all about midfielders.

We have spoken to recruiters at 14 of the 18 clubs to get the lowdown on this year’s top 40 prospects and which clubs they might end up at. Father-son and academy bids will alter the order and that has been factored into our phantom draft.

Our rankings in August were based on a consensus across AFL club recruiters who spoke to this masthead, whereas the October edition began to place prospects – particularly in the top 10 – according to which clubs were likely to select them. That is also the process for these latest rankings.

1. Sam Lalor (Richmond)
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Midfielder/forward, 188cm, 30/8/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 23 disposals, 6.3 clearances, 6 inside 50s
The Age’s August top 30: 5 October top 30: 1
Agility test: N/A 20m sprint: N/A 2km time trial: N/A

There is only one Dustin Martin, but the Tigers could anoint a teenager with many of the same characteristics as the triple Norm Smith medallist with this year’s No.1 pick. Recruiting sources believe Richmond are deciding between Lalor and Finn O’Sullivan, with Jagga Smith another possibility. Lalor, who was also a talented cricketer before focusing on football, was unable to put his best foot forward in 2024 because of a series of injuries, but the consensus is he will thrive, and improve his running, once he is in an AFL system. He is powerful, skilful, tough, equally impactful as a midfielder and forward, and overflowing with tantalising upside.

2. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions match North Melbourne’s bid)
3. Alix Tauru (North Melbourne)
4. Finn O’Sullivan (Carlton)
5. Harvey Langford (Adelaide)
6. Jagga Smith (Melbourne)

7. Josh Smillie (Richmond)
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 195cm, 17/5/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 25.5 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, 4.8 clearances
The Age’s August top 30: 4 October top 30: 8
Agility test: 8.391 secs 20m sprint: 3.09 secs 2km time trial: 6:38 mins

Smillie was once a pick one contender, but an up-and-down season left him a polarising prospect. His physical traits and playing style as a midfielder provoke comparisons to Carlton’s dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps. Smillie’s admirers rave about his stoppage work and how he can hang tough in a tackle before finding a teammate by hand, while he has also proven he can step up in crunch moments. Tigers list manager Blair Hartley and performance boss Tim Livingstone both have links to Smillie’s junior club Park Orchards. Whether that connection is being overblown will soon be known. Richmond could take a key forward here instead.


8. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast match St Kilda’s bid)
9. Isaac Kako (Essendon match St Kilda’s bid)
10. Sid Draper (St Kilda)
11. Xavier Lindsay (St Kilda)

12. Harry Armstrong (Melbourne)
Armstrong’s been linked with Richmond, St Kilda and Melbourne, and is viewed as the best key forward in the draft – a status he earned with a terrific under-18 championships.

13. Tobie Travaglia (Richmond)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Defender/midfielder, 187cm, 26/10/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 23.6 disposals, 11.6 contested possessions, 6.4 tackles
The Age’s August top 30: 13 October top 30: 12
Agility test: 8.261 secs 20m sprint: 3.19 secs 2km time trial: 6:13 mins

This might be too low for a player who is universally loved by recruiters and improved in leaps and bounds this year. Melbourne could even take him at the previous pick. There are talent scouts who rate Travaglia inside the top 10, but he is typically considered to be narrowly outside that company. Only Sydney academy prospect Joel Cochran ran a quicker 2km time trial at the combine. That endurance makes him an early candidate to fill a wing or play off half-back, but there is confidence he could develop into an inside midfielder. Travaglia is highly competitive, hates being beaten, dependable and one of the safer picks in the first round.

14. Jobe Shanahan (Richmond)
Bendigo Pioneers/Allies
Tall forward, 195cm, 2/8/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 12.9 disposals, 8.5 contested possessions, 2.1 goals
The Age’s August top 30: 21 October top 30: 17
Agility test: 8.77 secs 20m sprint: 3.1 secs 2km time trial: 6:39 mins

Shanahan just kept getting it done this year, from the Talent League to the under-18 championships then in the VFL for Essendon, where he kicked 11 goals in three appearances. He is an endurance athlete, an excellent field and set-shot kick, constantly presents in the right areas (including being a smart judge of aerial balls) and makes good decisions. Many recruiters believe there is little between Shanahan and Harry Armstrong, and the former has the added appeal of proving he can play at the other end of the ground.


15. Bo Allan (West Coast)

16. Jack Whitlock (Port Adelaide)
There is a scenario where the taller of the Whitlock twins is a Saint, Demon or Tiger and already off the board.

17. Joe Berry (Fremantle)
18. Taj Hotton (GWS Giants)
19. Ollie Hannaford (GWS Giants)
20. Murphy Reid (Western Bulldogs)

21. Luke Trainor (Richmond)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Tall defender, 194cm, 10/4/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 19.8 disposals, 2.4 intercept marks, 6 intercept possessions
The Age’s August top 30: 7 October top 30: 14
Agility test: N/A 20m sprint: N/A 2km time trial: N/A

Trainor was once considered a potential top-five pick after a fast start to the season, but fellow intercept defender Alix Tauru went up, whereas he has tumbled, including not being invited to the first night of the draft. Recruiters would have liked to see him play on an opponent more and believe he can be shaky deep in defence, while there are also concerns about his concussions. But it is easy to forget all the positives Trainor would bring to an AFL team, from his strong hands to his aggressive kicking out of defence and ability to play at both ends.


22. Sam Marshall (Brisbane Lions match Sydney’s bid)
23. Jesse Dattoli (Sydney)

24. Jasper Alger (Richmond)
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
Forward, 183cm, 17/12/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 10.8 disposals, 2.7 tackles, 1.3 goals
The Age’s August top 30: N/A October top 30: N/A
Agility test: 8.141 secs 20m sprint: 2.931 secs 2km time trial: 6:28 mins

The newest draft bolter, and could even sneak inside the top 20. The Giants, Tigers and maybe even the Dogs could fight it out for him. Alger tested very well at the national combine and is a good athlete who performs well aerially for his height and in one-on-one situations. The zippy small forward from Warragul makes quick and smart decisions under pressure, presents well and with a purpose on the lead, and is typically a sound set shot. Alger has played various roles, but his future looks to be in attack.


25. Jonty Faull (GWS Giants)
26. Matt Whitlock (Sydney)

27. Alex Dodson (Richmond)
Sturt/South Australia
Ruckman, 201cm, 15/6/2006
SANFL U18 stats (avg): 20.8 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 7.4 hit-outs-to-advantage
The Age’s August top 30: 20 October top 30: 24
Agility test: 9.08 secs 20m sprint: 3.25 secs 2km time trial: 7:06 mins

The first ruckman drafted is certain to be Dodson, a basketball convert who represented Australia at underage level and could have accepted a development spot with NBL club Adelaide 36ers. Now fully invested in becoming an AFL footballer, the teenager has great upside and plays like an extra midfielder once the ball hits the ground, but recruiters would like to see his marking develop. Most recruiters expect the Tigers to take the plunge on Dodson.

28. Cooper Hynes (Richmond)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Metro
Midfielder/forward, 190cm, 28/2/2006
Talent League stats (avg): 23.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 1.5 goals
The Age’s August top 30: N/A October top 30: 27
Agility test: N/A 20m sprint: N/A 2km time trial: N/A

This might be far too low for Hynes, who could go as high as Melbourne’s second pick, with West Coast and Port Adelaide among his admirers. The common retort about the powerful Stingrays product is that he has the widest draft range of any player. Formed a great one-two punch with Harvey Langford, and they often switched between the forward line and midfield. There are some lofty AFL comparisons for him, from Cam Zurhaar to even Clayton Oliver. Hynes’ endurance needs to improve, but his forward and clearance craft are rated highly.


29. Tom Gross (Western Bulldogs)
30. Noah Mraz (West Coast)
31. James Barrat (Port Adelaide)
32. Hamish Davis (Fremantle)
33. Ben Camporeale (Carlton match St Kilda’s bid)
34. Thomas Sims (St Kilda)
35. Charlie West (Essendon)
36. Harrison Oliver (Hawthorn)
37. Christian Moraes (Western Bulldogs)
38. Angus Clarke (Port Adelaide)
39. Rhys Unwin (GWS Giants)
40. Charlie Nicholls (Sydney)

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-draft-is-just-weeks-away-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-top-40-prospects-20241024-p5kl0v.html

[one-eyed]

Murphy Reid credits his dad, Marcus, as a key influence at the beginning of his footy journey.

“I was bred into a Tigers family. Dad goes for them, so I was a Tigers man in a Tigers jumper from a very young age. I wouldn’t change it for anything, we got to experience a lot of success,” Reid said.

“I loved the 2017 grand final and that prelim that year against GWS. I was lucky enough to go, dad was all over it. It had been such a long time, 30 years or something since the last flag. It was awesome to sit there with him and my two brothers as well. To be there for that, it was just ridiculous. There were so many Richmond people there, so up and about. When Dusty kicked that banana…”

The Tigers have a suite of top end draft picks as it stands, currently holding selections 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 23 and 24.

And diehard fan Reid is right in the mix to head to Punt Road and help lead forward their new era under coach Adem Yze.

“I’d embrace going anywhere really, I’d just love an opportunity. If a team is prepared to put the time and resources in to picking me, then I’d be so grateful for that and would do everything to try and make it work out. I’m happy to go anywhere,” he said.

“It would be ideal to go to the Tigers given I’m a Richmond supporter, but I’d be happy to go anywhere. I’ve been wanting to be an AFL player for a long time, it’s been my dream.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/gone-hollywood-on-me-inside-top-draft-prospects-close-bond-with-hawthorn-star/news-story/91e8ab2bbff273f8329b9d3dd7b61225

[one-eyed]

Matty Lloyd discussing the top draftees who come from the APS schools.

WATCH HERE: https://x.com/3AWisfootball/status/1852863792612290871

----

The slider who Matthew Lloyd believes could be the best player in the draft

Matthew Lloyd believes one draft slider could land up being the best player out of this year’s crop.

Sandringham Dragons’ mid-forward Taj Hotton tore his ACL earlier in the year, which is expected to see him slide down the order.

But Lloyd says Hotton, who he coaches at Haileybury, could be the best player out of this year’s draft.

“One to watch is Taj Hotton,” Lloyd said on Wide World of Sports.

“He is from Haileybury and did his ACL mid-season, but I think he’s a top five draft pick.

“Whoever selects him could may well get the best player in the draft.”

https://www.3aw.com.au/the-slider-who-matthew-lloyd-believes-could-be-the-best-player-in-the-draft/

[Diocletian]

Death, taxes & Lloyd talking up kids he's coached....

[OneEyedRichmond]

https://x.com/cameronhicks__/status/1853300889718538303?s=46&t=7da_RTBaGiPwKBo1aKmuVg

 

[WilliamPowell]

Snip 

Keep your pathetic childish feud off the forum. Sane goes for the clear trolling and baiting

[one-eyed]

Richmond's 2024 AFL Draft Targets Just Got Revealed!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I83LY_tjEcE

[one-eyed]

Why Roos and Tigers must do Pick 2 deal — and the trade scenarios that could get it done

Jack Jovanovski with Will Faulkner
Fox Sports
November 5th, 2024

It is the pick-trade partnership too obvious to ignore as the 2024 national draft edges closer.

A win-win agreement between North Melbourne and Richmond for Pick 2 is on the horizon, and there are multiple ways an exchange can come to fruition before the count begins on November 20.

The Tigers possess a gargantuan draft hand that has continually been compared to those of the expansion Suns and Giants in the early 2010s, while the Roos are looking to bridge a glaring gap in theirs.

Richmond currently holds selections 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23 and 24, equating to an eye-watering 10,972 draft points — easily the most in the AFL.

A multitude of options present for Tigers list guru Blair Hartley, including trading for another early selection such as North’s No. 2, or trading out of one of their own later selections in order to stack future picks — or both.

Richmond has plenty of list holes to fill come the end of the month — it is now just a matter of how many selections it ends up using, and it could well trade two for one if it means picking at No. 1 and No. 2.

The possibilities are near endless, but there is no trade partner more feasible than North Melbourne, who, at present, won’t pick again after No. 2 until No. 62.

The Roos are looking to bridge that gap, and Richmond’s slew of later first-rounders — think 18, 20 and 23 — will tempt Brady Rawlings and his list management colleagues at Arden Street.

“There (are) options with (pick) two,” Rawlings said in October.

“There (are) options with our future hand. We’ve got future one, two, three and four still up our sleeves.”

To say the Roos must continue to inject youth may read a little strange, given their well-documented lack of experienced personnel in recent years.

In fact, they only had two players over the age of 30 at the start of the 2024 season, with both — Liam Shiels and Hugh Greenwood — now retired.

The acquisitions of ex-Sydney ball-winner Luke Parker, former Bulldogs rebounder Caleb Daniel and veteran key forward Jack Darling will no doubt assist in guiding the club’s current crop of burgeoning youngsters.

In saying that, given its general lack of drafting success before the selections of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher, the Roos shouldn’t rest on their laurels — particularly as a slew of future stars prepare to enter the competition.

North is thought to be extremely interested in Gippsland Power interceptor Alix Tauru with its first selection, and even if it trades out of the No. 2 slot, the blonde-haired stopper is likely to still be available at No. 6.

Foxfooty.com.au explores four hypothetical trade scenarios between Richmond and North Melbourne centred on Pick 2.

POTENTIAL PACKAGES

— North Melbourne gives Pick 2 and a future second-rounder; Richmond gives Picks 6 and 11.

If not for the addition of the future second-round choice in this situation, the Tigers would be drastically overpaying — even if for a premium selection in a high-quality draft — and it is surely the least likely scenario of the bunch.

That is because Picks 6 and 10 are worth a cumulative 3,146 points on the draft value index, whereas North’s No. 2 choice is worth just 2,517 points.

But add in what is likely to be an early second-rounder, and things appear slightly more even — for reference, the first pick of the second round is worth 785 points, and the sixth pick of the second round is worth 653.

In any case, given Richmond may not be as desperate to move up as North might be to move down — seeing as the Tigers might still be able to get their desired second-best prospect at No. 6 — it would surely push for more if it is giving up 6 and 11.


— North Melbourne gives Pick 2 and a future first-rounder; Richmond gives Picks 6 and 11.

The Herald Sun reported in late October that the Roos were ‘open’ to doing this deal — and it sure seems like it favours Richmond.

Even if North Melbourne sees an improvement in ladder position next year, its first-round selection next year is still more likely than not to come in the top six or eight.


It would be a terrific result if the Tigers were able to land such a selection in addition to No. 2, and the fact the Kangaroos are thought to be open to this idea suggests they are more than willing to get a deal over the line.


— North Melbourne gives Pick 2; Richmond gives Picks 6 and 18.

At face value, this hypothetical deal seems like the fairest scenario for both parties, with Richmond parting with 2,736 points and North with 2,517.

The Tigers still overpay with regards to the index, but it is a more plausible discrepancy given the margin is just 219 points and Pick 2 is objectively worth more this year than most others.

It also doesn’t see the Roos part with a future selection, and it leaves them with two first-round talents as opposed to one before picking again at No. 62 — which is surely Rawlings’ end goal in all of this.


— North Melbourne gives Pick 2; Richmond gives Picks 6 and 23.

Picks 6 and 23 are worth a combined 2,566 points, with No. 2 worth 2,517 — representing the closest match in terms of the index.

However, as previously alluded to, this November’s draft isn’t like the others, meaning the Tigers may have to pay a bigger price if they really want Pick 2.

But again, the comparative levels of desperation of these clubs needs to be accounted for. If North Melbourne really wants to trade out of No. 2 and gain another first-rounder, it might have to bite the bullet on a price like this — or that of the second scenario.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2024-richmond-tigers-hypothetical-trade-scenarios-with-north-melbourne-kangaroos-for-pick-2-analysis-brady-rawlings-comments-latest-news/news-story/97176208af4a64c232b2a251488a1315

[Tiger Khosh]

Would rip their arm off for the second proposed offer. Would consider the fourth proposed offer. Hard no on the 1st especially and the third too.

[Diocletian]

Richmond's 2024 AFL Draft Targets Just Got Revealed!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I83LY_tjEcE

Grown man who collects funko pops - opinion discarded.....

[one-eyed]

Sent this one before, but my friend worked at Emmanuel in Warrnambool. Said Finn O is the same build his oldest brother Jack was at 18. Jack, after he left school, has become a seriously big unit. Bodes well for FOS, he has the genetics for that sort of development

Also there was a rumour that Finn’s family were told Richmond were gonna trade for pick 2 and take him. That’s not true, nothing like that has come from Richmond. He reckons he’s a chance at number 1 still.

Got it from a good source we haven’t said anything about taking him at 2, nor given any indication of what we want to do. He’s getting told from other teams via his manager about what seems likely, but nothing from us. Absolutely nothing from us besides regular interest in the form of interviews and conversations at the combine, and ongoing dialogue through his manager/team (not sure of that dynamic).

But there is noise from other teams that we want to trade for 2 and take him, and he’s getting told that

Source: BF

[one-eyed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikaPvgGKBrc

[Loui Tufga]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikaPvgGKBrc

Interesting, this guy has Smile sliding out to still be available at pick 13 (our original pick 10)
With Essendon making a play offering their two first round picks next year for pick 13.
He also has us doing the deal with north of pick 6 and 11 for pick 2 and their future first. This will leave us with 6 picks inside the top 25 this year and 4 first round picks next year.
If we already have Laylor and FOS under our belts I’d nearly take that and run!

[Andyy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikaPvgGKBrc

Interesting, this guy has Smile sliding out to still be available at pick 13 (our original pick 10)
With Essendon making a play offering their two first round picks next year for pick 13.
He also has us doing the deal with north of pick 6 and 11 for pick 2 and their future first. This will leave us with 6 picks inside the top 25 this year and 4 first round picks next year.
If we already have Laylor and FOS under our belts I’d nearly take that and run!

Agreed, spread the haul over the last two uncompromised drafts.

[Tiger Khosh]

Kangas one agree - take it and run.

The bombers one I’d say depends who is still on the board and how highly we rate them. Bombers have their own and Melbournes 1sts for next season. I think both of them will finish in the 8-12 range. If that ends up right we’d be trading 1 pick in the early teens this year for 2 picks in the early teens next year. Seems good in principle but yeah I wouldn’t be making that deal any time before our pick is live on draft night.