The best current rookie draft selection at your club

The Rookie List has been a happy hunting ground for many AFL clubs across the journey.

Many premiership lists have been littered with players taken in rookie drafts and plenty of rookie selections have gone on to be excellent players at the elite level.

On the weekend, triple Hawthorn premiership player Luke Breust played his 293rd game which broke Matthew Boyd’s record for most games by a player drafted as a rookie.

So we felt it was a good time to pay tribute to all the rookies out there who didn’t have the same pathway as some of the game’s stars but have still become quality players in their own right.

We’ve taken a look at the best rookie selection currently at your club which includes Category B rookies, SSP rookie selections and mid-season rookie draft selections, as well as the regular rookie draft of course. (We have left out players who were taken as rookies at their initial club before making their way to another club by another mean).

See our rookies below:

Rory Laird

This is an easy answer for the Crows.

Diminutive midfielder Rory Laird has had a remarkable career at the elite level having been selected in the 2011 rookie draft.

Once a prolific half-back, the now 30-year-old is a three-0time Malcolm Blight Medallist and two-time All-Australian.

Laird has played 242 games (to date) and has averaged 27 disposals, topping the 500-disposal mark in eight season (which is abut to be nine).

Reilly O’Brien, who won the 2020 best and fairest, was also taken as a rookie in 2014 while Mitch Hinge started his career at the Brisbane Lions after being picked up in the 2017 rookie draft, but was recruited by the Crows as a delisted free agent.

Andrew Slevison

Oscar McInerney

Oscar McInerney is without a doubt the best rookie pick made by Brisbane.

The ruckman was taken at pick No. 37 in the 2016 Rookie Draft out of Casey in the VFL and he’s since gone on to play 143 games since making his debut in 2018 and hasn’t played fewer than 16 games in any of those seasons.

While he made his AFL debut at age 23, McInerney could easily pass 200 games by the time his career is up.

The other rookie that’s a standout on Brisbane’s list is clearly Charlie Cameron, the two-time All-Australian was taken at pick No. 7 in the 2023 Rookie Draft, although that was by Adelaide.

Lachlan Geleit

Matt Owies

Carlton’s list has predominantly been built through the top-end of the National Draft and the trade table, but they have had some success elsewhere as well.

Matt Owies was an excellent find as a Category B Rookie and has turned into a genuine goal kicker and maybe Carlton’s third most reliable forward behind the tall pillars.

They’ve also found decent role players outside of the draft in Jordan Boyd, Matt Cottrell and Alex Cincotta.

Of course, Adam Saad, Zac Williams and Nic Newman all started on rookie lists, but at other clubs.

Nic Negrepontis

Brody Mihocek

Collingwood had a few key contributors in their 2023 premiership team that were originally drafted as rookies.

The standout of that group that was picked by the Magpies themselves is Brody Mihocek. Since being taken with pick No. 22 in the 2018 Rookie Draft, Mihocek has gone on to play 137 games, kicking 231 goals.

Mihocek has been a model of consistency across those seven seasons and has won the club’s leading goalkicker in five of them.

Mason Cox is also another option here with the American playing 124 games including some huge finals performances after being plucked at pick No. 60 in the 2014 Rookie Draft. Two-time best and fairest winner Jack Crisp is also an original rookie pick from 2011, although that selection was made by Brisbane.

Lachlan Geleit

Sam Draper

Sam Draper was an inspired pick by a team that has excelled at picking up players outside of the National Draft.

They found the star ruckman in the 2017 AFL Rookie Draft and he has emerged as one of the game’s more influential rucks at his best.

Draper has played 11 games in 2024 and formed an intriguing partnership with veteran Todd Goldstein.

The Dons have found numerous key players outside of the National Draft, including the likes of Sam Durham and Jye Menzie – even Massimo D’Ambrosio, who departed for Hawthorn, and previously Will Snelling.

Nic Negrepontis

Josh Treacy

Fremantle’s standout rookie pick is no doubt Josh Treacy.

The 21-year-old forward was originally taken with pick No. 7 in the 2020 Rookie Draft and has really begun to emerge in his fourth AFL season.

So far in 2024, Treacy has kicked 39 goals from 18 games, ranking sixth in the Coleman Medal race.

With so much of his career ahead of him, Treacy could just be scratching the surface of his potential of what he could become in the next decade.

Other quality rookie picks made by Freo include Bailey Banfield (pick No. 5, 2017 Rookie Draft) and Matthew Taberner (pick No. 11, 2012 Rookie Draft).

Lachlan Geleit

Mark Blicavs

Geelong have found plenty of gems through unique pathways and that’s the same with their rookie draft picks.

In their best side at the moment, all of Tom Atkins, Oliver Dempsey, Brad Close, Jack Henry and Zach Guthrie were brought to the club via the rookie draft, but none of those picks are better than Mark Blicavs.

Blicavs joined the Cats at pick No. 54 in the 2011 Rookie Draft after crossing over from athletics and it’s turned out to be an inspired pick-up.

Across 263 games, Blicavs has won a premiership, two best and fairests (2015 and 2018) and has even picked up an All-Australian blazer (2022).

He’s also been named in the AA squad of 40 on three other occasions in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

One of the great draft gems of all time.

Lachlan Geleit

Sam Clohesy & Bodhi Uwland

Recruited after showing strong VFL form, former Suns Academy prospect Sam Clohesy was drafted by Gold Coast with Pick 4 in the 2023 Rookie draft.

After winning the VFL Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal for being the most promising young talent in 2023, the exciting wingman has established himself in the Suns’ lineup playing 15 games in his debut AFL season.

With plenty of room for development, the 21-year-old rookie has showed promising signs this season and will hope to be a key part of Gold Coast’s future.

Bodhi Uwland also came through the Suns Academy and played solid VFL footy before he was picked up via the 2022 rookie draft.

The 20-year-old has broken out in defence in 2024 and picked up a Rising Star nomination in Round 12 for his troubles.

Malcolm Rosas (Academy selection), Darcy Macpherson (2016 rookie) and Ned Moyle (2021 mid-season) were also initially picked up as rookies.

Tom Williams

Jack Buckley

Jack Buckley was selected by the Giants as a Category B Rookie ahead of the 2018 season to play as a key forward.

The 26-year-old defender spent his first few seasons struggling to break into the senior team at GWS until debuting in Round 17, 2020 as a wingman.

The following season, an opportunity to play in the backline arose which ultimately allowed Buckley to quickly emerge as an impressive key defender.

Despite an ACL injury in 2021, Buckley has established himself as one of the top defenders in the league in 59 games for the Giants whilst building a fine partnership with star Sam Taylor.

Tom Williams

Luke Breust

We have to include the inspiration for the article!

Luke Breust was selected by Hawthorn in the 2009 rookie draft out of New South Wales before debuting in 2011.

From humble beginnings, Breust has gone on to win three premierships with the Hawks while playing 293 games (so far) and kicking 541 goals.

His current games tally is ninth all-time at the Hawks and his career goal tally sits seventh for the brown and gold.

Twice he has been an All-Australian, on five occasions he has been Hawthorn’s leading goal kicker and he has kicked 30 or more goals in 10 of his 12 seasons to date.

Breust remains the poster boy for rookie selections.

Andrew Slevison

Judd McVee

McVee’s sudden rise to one of Melbourne’s most reliable defenders in recent time has been a pleasant surprise for all Demons fans.

The West Australian was surprisingly overlooked by numerous clubs in the 2021 national draft, which saw the Demons swoop to select him at pick 16 of that rookie draft.

Since debuting in 2023, McVee hasn’t missed a game and has cemented his spot as a small lock down defender who can play off half back when needed.

In 2024 alone, he's averaged 6.1 intercept possessions a game which has improved from 5.4 in his rookie season.

Zac Sharpe

Cam Zurhaar

North Melbourne has had a heap of premium draft picks at their disposal and hasn’t had a need to be particularly successful in the rookie draft.

However, Cam Zurhaar in the 2016 Rookie Draft has proven an excellent pick-up.

Zurhaar has played 116 career games for the Roos, kicking 159 goals and playing predominantly as a marking key forward – though he made a name for himself as a tackling machine early in his career.

The 26-year-old has a big call to make this year with his contract as he is a free agent this year.

Nic Negrepontis

Dan Houston

Port Adelaide hit the jackpot in the 2015 Rookie Draft, picking Dan Houston with pick No. 45.

The long-kicking defender has developed into an All-Australian half-back across his 164 games for the club and he has played at least 17 games in every campaign since 2017 – proving his durability.

Another quality pick from the Power was that of Jed McEntee who was taken with pick No. 13 in the 2021 Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The small forward has played a variety of roles for the Power since making his debut in 2021 and has played 34 of the club’s last 40 games.

Lachlan Geleit

Liam Baker

Richmond has had some very handy rookie acquisitions in recent history.

The best player currently on the list from a rookie background is Liam Baker who has worked his way up to being a co-vice captain in 2024.

Baker is as tenacious as they come, as courageous as we’ve seen, supremely skilful and has the versatility that a coach loves. All those attributes have allowed him to become a two-time premiership player with the Tigers.

He has played as a small forward, a lockdown defender, a rebounding half-back and through the middle during his 125-game career to date.

Baker’s good mate Jayden Short (2014 rookie) won a best and fairest in a premiership season in 2020 and the storied 2018 mid-season draft selection of fellow dual premiership player Marlion Pickett must be noted.

Andrew Slevison

Tom Papley … as well as Jake Lloyd and Dane Rampe

Sydney has made a handful of amazing rookie draft selections in the last decade.

The three that stand out most are Tom Papley - who was taken at pick No. 14 in the 2015 Rookie Draft, Jake Lloyd – who was taken at pick No. 16 in the 2012 Rookie Draft and Dane Rampe – who was taken at pick No. 37 in the 2012 Rookie Draft.

Combined, these three players have played 668 games and they’re all still performing well in 2024.

Both Lloyd (2018 and 2020) and Rampe (2019) are best and fairest winners, while Rampe (2016) and Papley (2021) have been named All-Australians.

It’s incredible scouting from the Swans, who are lauded in this area and there’s no doubt all three would top the list for most clubs around the AFL.

Picking one, Papley might just stand above the rest as he has been at times a top few player in his position around the competition and at 27, still could have another level to go to.

Lachlan Geleit

Jack Sinclair

St Kilda’s rookie drafting is arguably better than their national drafting!

You could easily say that St Kilda’s three best players have come out of the rookie draft with Jack Sinclair, Rowan Marshall and Callum Wilkie all taken as rookies since 2014.

Sinclair is the pick of the three with the 29-year-old cementing himself as one of the best players in the competition by earning back-to-back All-Australian blazers.

Along with Sinclair’s AA honours, he’s also won the last two best and fairest at the Saints and is enjoying another strong season in red, white and black.

Sinclair was taken with Pick 1 in the 2014 Rookie Draft and has gone on to play 181 games for the one club.

Special mention to Marshall and Wilkie who have been ever-consistent since coming to St Kilda.

Wilkie is one of just nine players in the game’s history to play 100 VFL/AFL consecutive since making his debut and he’s no doubt one of the premier defenders in the competition.

As for Marshall, he’s gone to another level this season in solidifying his status as a top five ruckman in the game and he’s turned out to be a deadest steal with Pick 10 in the 2016 rookie draft.

Hugh Fitzpatrick

Jeremy McGovern

Snagging a four-time All-Australian with the 44th pick in the 2010 Rookie Draft is in contention for the best value of any player in this article.

After a slow start to his career, McGovern emerged as a star defender in 2015, being named to his first 40-man All-Australian squad, and from there he only continued to improve.

With 188 games under his belt at West Coast, the 32-year-old has established quite a resume, boasting a premiership medal, four All-Australian selections, and a tenure as vice-captain.

While injuries have limited the defender at certain points throughout his career, it’s safe to say Jeremy McGovern has absolutely shattered the Eagles’ expectations.

Jack Makeham

Jason Johannisen

Taken with pick 39 in the 2010 Rookie Draft, Jason Johannisen holds the special honour of being the only rookie selection in AFL history to have won the Norm Smith medal.

After an inconsistent role early in his career, Johannisen found his stride in the first year of Luke Beveridge’s tenure, becoming a regular fixture in the Bulldogs’ squad in 2015.

The speedster’s role then increased during the Bulldogs’ premiership run the following season, cementing himself as a stalwart down at Whitten Oval.

With 196 games in the red, white and blue under his belt, Johannisen continues to contribute for the Bulldogs, however injuries have put a halt to his momentum in 2024.

Jack Makeham