Breaking down every club’s selections in the 2024 AFL Draft

Months of build-up have finally paid off with the AFL Draft and Rookie Draft wrapping up late last week.

Richmond walked away with their next generation of potential stars, whilst the Roos went risky in their approach, trading a future first-round pick.

In this piece, we’re going to break down each club’s selections across both the AFL Draft and Rookie Draft, analysing what they potentially got right and wrong, whether they met list needs, the value of each talent, and where there could be some question marks.

The analysis will not consider players re-listed in the Rookie Draft, only new additions that were not part of the 2024 squad.

• Selected in the Rookie Draft ** Category B Rookie

Selections: Sid Draper (4), Tyler Welsh (59)

The Crows had one job on the night given Welsh was a certainty; secure a solid player with pick 4, which they secured by taking Sid Draper. The local talent provides an additional element of speed and dash to the midfield group that has seen a better spark from the likes of Izak Rankine and Jake Soligo.

Tyler Welsh comes into the side with a wealth of knowledge of the Crows system having played for the SANFL side, his question mark is his four-quarter consistency because he certainly packs a punch when he gets going.

Selections: Levi Ashcroft (5), Sam Marshall (25), Ty Gallop (42), Sam Day *

Almost impossible for the Lions to get this wrong. They walk away with two players in the top 30 that in reality, should be heading to struggling sides in the bottom four. Ashcroft and Marshall were backbones of the Sandringham Dragons side in 2024, and both players possess weapons that are transferrable at AFL level, with Ashcroft the more likely of the two to walk into the side for Opening Round.

Ty Gallop enters from the Lions Academy with the potential to add to the Lions key forward ruck depth, especially with the recent exit of Joe Daniher. Adding Sam Day from the Suns feels like a steady replacement the Lions can roll with for one or two years, a handy addition.

Selections: Jagga Smith (3), Harry O’Farrell (40), Ben Camporeale (43), Lucas Camporeale (54), Harry Charleson *

The question marks were around what the Blues would do with pick 3, and Nick Austin and his team were very content when they landed Jagga Smith. Whether it be Smith or Draper, Smith provides some class with his ball handling in transition, known for his cleanliness that the Blues have often struggled with at times moving forward.

The addition of Harry O’Farrell was a desperate need for the Blues to help re-establish their defensive stocks and look ahead for the future without Jacob Weitering. The AFL Academy prospect was one of the most balanced defenders across the season, although battled injuries.

The Camporeale twins have been in and around the Blues system for a while now, so they’ll feel comfortable within the four walls.

Harry Charleson is another interesting choice for the Blues, as the dashing half-back with great field vision doesn’t necessarily meet a list need, but rather provides depth and security across the halfback line.

Selections: Joel Cochran (47), Charlie West (50), Will Hayes (56)

Such low picks make draft night a long wait, and the Pies were still able to secure some talent that met their needs. The Swans didn’t match the bid for Joel Cochran, which looked to have shocked the Pies recruiting staff, however, Cochran provides great bounce and athleticism off half back the Pies were after, having previous interest in Asher Eastham and Riak Andrew who provide similar traits.

The desired key forward came through Charlie West who proved his worth at SANFL level with his contested marking and speed for a tall, a nice project player for the Pies to work with. Will Hayes’ adds some well-needed two-way running to the Pies midfield, known for his endurance as a wingman.

Selections: Isaac Kako (13), Kayle Gerreyn (37), Angus Clarke (39), Rhys Unwin (61), Zak Johnson (70), Archer Day-Wicks *, Jayden Nguyen **

Kako coming into the mix will certainly liven up the forward line, with his ability to pounce on loose balls, but also be unselfish with his assisting ability inside 50. Kayle Gerryen has shown his explosiveness and power to use his frame offensively, however, it’s unsure whether he meets a list need.

Angus Clarke was a great pickup at 39, with a great read of the play behind the ball, plus good aerial and groundball capabilities that provide some calmness in transition. Rhys Unwin also slipped down the draft board and will add some good connectivity between the centre square and inside 50 with his creativity.

Selections: Murphy Reid (17), Charlie Nicholls (34), Jaren Carr (63), Aiden Riddle *

The Dockers have copped a lot of slack for their draft night selections, and it does stack up somewhat. Murphy Reid at 17 is terrific for the value of talent, a classy midfielder who can slow down time with his ball use, but he wouldn’t be a player the Dockers need in their midfield right now. Using him as a high half-forward doesn’t suit his game as well if that’s what the Dockers were looking for, so adding midfield depth may have been their target.

Charlie Nicholls fits the bill for some added key position flexibility, as Nicholls proved he can play up forward and down back. Jaren Carr comes in to add some forward depth, while the addition of Aiden Riddle in the Rookie Draft is a great developmental key back the Dockers can work with.

Selections: Jay Polkinghorne (44), Jacob Molier (52), Lennox Hofmann (66), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (69), Xavier Ivisic *, Patrick Retschko *, Joe Pike *

The Cats love throwing curve balls come draft night, and they know exactly what they wanted yet again. Polkinghorne flew under the radar at SANFL level, featuring for Norwood in the Reserves Grand Final, a likely replacement for Gary Rohan with his aerial ability and marking capacity. The same could be said for Matofai-Forbes, a powerful medium forward with a booming kick.

Molier enters the frame as a well-built ruckman with great craft that can develop well over the next few years, a strong choice over the available Alex Dodson at the time. St Kilda didn’t match the bid for Lennox Hoffman, and it’s arguably one of the late steals given how raw he is and how flexible he can be as a medium defender.

The Cats jumped on the best available talent in the rookie draft, taking local boy Xavier Ivisic who is a speed machine, and Patrick Retschko, the specialised wingman who runs two kilometres before every game, fun fact. Joe Pike is a top-age ruck who has played through the Cats VFL, with good follow-up efforts around the ground.

Time will tell with most Cats drafts, but their unique approach always seems well-calculated.

Selections: Leonardo Lombard (9), Cooper Bell (49), Max Knobel *, Asher Eastham *, Lachlan Gulbin **

Securing Leo Lombard was the number one priority, and the gun midfielder possesses power and competitiveness like no other in the draft class. Lombard is well established in the Suns system, already accustomed to the game plan and style, likely to suit up for Opening Round. Fellow Suns Academy member, Lachlan Gulbin, also joined Lombard as a Category B Rookie the Suns can work with.

The Suns added a lot of height through their final selections, picking up Cooper Bell and Asher Eastham as versatile swingman with great aerial capacities, while Max Knobel was a shock selection, snatching the delisted Docker.

Selections: Ollie Hannaford (18), Harrison Oliver (19), Cody Angove (24), Jack Ough (36), Logan Smith (71), Josaia Delana **

Making players their own is something the Giants have prided themselves on, and they’ve gone and done that again. Ollie Hannaford’s end-of-year form saw him as a must-have for the Giants at 18 with his manic pressure and versatility. Harrison Oliver adds such class off half-back the Giants needed, with the Sandringham Dragon known for his precision kicking.

Cody Angove and Jack Ough were two of the specialist wingman in the draft crop the Giants took a chance on, with different traits. Angove compliments a fast-running game on the outside with his light frame, whilst Ough has inside midfielder traits, which he proved at the back end of 2024.

Selections: Noah Mraz (35), Cody Anderson (64)

Noah Mraz was hurt for a good portion of the year, but proved his intercepting ability and aerial bounce is potent to any side he’s added to, which adds great depth to a Hawks backline that specialises in intercepting and transition.

NGA prospect, Cody Anderson, is an unassuming speedy midfielder with some of the best tackling you’ll ever witness, pure intensity, and will at every contest. His kicking efficiency has been questioned, however.

Selections: Harvey Langford (6), Xavier Lindsay (11), Aidan Johnson (68), Ricky Mentha **

The Dees had a healthy draft hand to work with and they nailed it when it came to value of draft talent. Harvey Langford will add great midfield depth in the long term but has the ability to play as a high half-forward with a great vertical leap and contested mark. Xavier Lindsay is one of the best footy brains in the draft class, and no matter where they play him, off half-back or through the midfield, he’ll capitalise on every opportunity.

Aidan Johnson meets a list need, but for only the medium term, compared to a fresh 18-year-old with a full career ahead. Ricky Mentha has X-Factor about him as a sneaky small forward, but didn’t show it enough this year, so one for the Dees to develop.

Selections: Finn O’Sullivan (2), Matt Whitlock (27), Luke Urquhart (57), River Stevens (67)

The biggest trade shock of the night, the Roos went bold and gave away a future first for Matt Whitlock, high-risk, high reward.

Starting at pick 2, Finn O’Sullivan was a great pick for value of talent, but yet again raises questions of why another midfielder? Luke Urquhart at pick 57 makes a bit more sense given the Roos need for a bigger-bodied midfielder, but O’Sullivan’s justification may be seen through his capacity to fill a hole that Tarryn Thomas left in the forward half, as O’Sullivan has some of the best forward half creativity.

Matt Whitlock is a great pickup, terrific for his swingman versatility, potent at both ends with a lot of untapped potential. It was a lot to give up, but it shows proactiveness on North’s end, that they’re ready to get better, not waiting on development.

A very divisive draft from the Roos, and most supporters will be biting their nails waiting to see how this one pans out.

Selections: Joe Berry (15), Jack Whitlock (33), Christian Moraes (38), Tom Cochrane *, Benny Barrett **

This was one of the best draft hauls based on value of talent and the Power met their list needs in the process. Trading up for Joe Berry was a safe option, a player who models his game on Robbie Gray, Berry enters as a great small forward with a tank to get him up the ground and work his way around stoppages.

Jack Whitlock slid down the order and works well for the Power who need a main man up forward with Charlie Dixon gone, which Whitlock will take a few years to develop into. Christian Moraes complements the Power’s midfield group with his speed and running patterns on the outside, with the capacity to play on the inside.

Local talents Tom Cochrane and Benny Barrett are both exciting, but still need quite a bit of polish to take their game to the next level. The Power lucked out with the way the selections fell, and this could be one of their best draft classes in the past five years.

Selections: Sam Lalor (1), Josh Smillie (7), Taj Hotton (12), Jonty Faull (14), Luke Trainor (21), Harry Armstrong (23), Thomas Sims (28), Jasper Alger (58)

A generational draft class we’ll look back on in years to come. The Tigers had an interesting strategy that brought in terrific talent but did leave some questions that might not be answered for a few more years.

Lalor and Smillie as a one-two combo in the midfield is brilliant drafting, and the more time goes on, Smillie will probably be the one that we’ll laugh at for going so low. The immediate question is on the speed in their midfield, but that will most likely be targeted in future drafts.

Taking three talls in Faull, Armstrong and Sims is an interesting choice, but Faull and Armstrong would be a great combination given their differences in strengths, with Faull able to push outside 50 and impact marking contests, whereas Armstrong doesn’t venture too far outside 50 and out-bodies inside 50 to take marks. Sims will only make sense if the Tigers see him as a predominant ruck, but he’s proven he can be a dangerous marking forward option.

Hotton and Trainor pose the biggest injury risk out of Richmond’s haul, with Hotton recovering from an ACL, which given his game style of athletic showings and high rises, is a slight concern, but still early days. Trainor has dealt with concussions throughout his junior career which will have to be managed carefully.

The Tigers trading for Alger was the best call of the night, with the marking small forward a great addition to a revamped forward line the Tigers will be building. Overall, it will be generational for good or worse, but if even four of these players come good, it’s a win.

Selections: Tobie Travaglia (8), Alix Tauru (10), James Barrat (32), Hugh Boxshall (45), Alex Dodson (53), Patrick Said (60)

This is another well-executed draft from the Saints, which could be considered in the top five this year. Their need for speed in the midfield was identified through Travaglia, who will be transitioned into the midfield at AFL level. Versatile swingman, Alix Tauru, will complement the Saints forward line if they choose to play him there with his high-flying nature.

James Barrat fills the hole of Josh Battle quite well with his smart read of the play and ability to lockdown forwards whilst remaining mobile. Alex Dodson sliding to pick 53 is a great developmental source for the Saints to bank on over the next few years.

Selections: Jesse Dattoli (22), Ned Bowman (26), Riley Bice (41), Riak Andrew (55), Blake Leidler *, Ben Paton *

Dattoli is most likely of their draftees to become a mainstay in the 22 next year.

Bowman comes across from South Australia, likely to mirror the work of a Will Hayward type around half forward but is still quite raw. The mature age prospect, Riley Bice, adds more depth for the Swans defensively and may have been added for short-term results rather than long-term.

Riak Andrew provides the dash and dare that the Swans love off half back, along with his intercepting, however, struggles with one-on-one defending, which improved but still needs development. Blake Leidler also adapts well to the Swans' run and gun game and is a good addition for the long term.

Selections: Bo Allan (16), Jobe Shanahan (30), Tom Gross (46), Lucca Grego (48), Hamish Davis (65), Malakai Champion **

Giving away pick 3 in the trade period was a risky move the Eagles would need to back up on draft night, and they arguably walked away even better with the prospects they took. They secured local talent, Bo Allan, all the way at pick 16, which adds another layer of depth to their evolving midfielder, but isn’t exactly the accumulator they were after.

Jobe Shanahan comes in as the perfect key forward replacement for Jack Darling, with performances at VFL level for Essendon this year that prove he can stack it at AFL level early in his career. Tom Gross sliding down to the 40s gives the Eagles some forward half punch, alongside Hamish Davis who was a shock slider, a big, bodied midfielder with strength.

Lucca Grego will fit the Eagles next generation with his calm ball use out of the defensive 50, and the addition of Malakai Champion with some conditioning over the next year could be electric. The Eagles have come out of this quite well.

Selections: Cooper Hynes (20), Lachie Jaques (29), Josh Dolan (31), Sam Davidson (51), Luke Kennedy (62)

Hynes is a potential A-grade star with his power and electricity that suits the Dogs’ needs for a connecting midfielder/forward hybrid, however, it can be said that Tom Gross on the board may have been the better fit.

Lachie Jaques has great untapped athleticism and bounce off half back and understands when to lockdown. Josh Dolan is the perfect half-forward hybrid the Dogs need, who will complement Hynes well, known for his elite running patterns and workrate in transition, similar to Luke Kennedy further down the order, but he specialises in his defensive running.

Sam Davidson gets his opportunity after terrific VFL form, and it may be what the Dogs are after for small forward depth after the delisting of Charlie Clarke. The Dogs have a lot of A-grade talent, and these draftees help to bind the missing pieces.