The AFL Draft star every club should take with its first pick to fix list void

The 2024 national draft is less than a fortnight away, with clubs continuing to assess their plans of attack with their first selections.

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Foxfooty.com.au decides on the draft gem every club should pick with its first 2024 selection to help fix a flaw.

ADELAIDE CROWS

Sid Draper (MID; South Adelaide)

In his own words, Draper is “fast, powerful, agile, clean and competitive” and would add a dynamic element to an Adelaide midfield in need of variance — and one that ranked 14th in the AFL this year for clearance differential. Despite managing injury this year, Draper averaged 22.2 disposals, 6.2 tackles and 4.7 clearances across six games for South Adelaide in the SANFL. And after quashing rumours of doubts he had about prospectively playing at West Lakes, Adelaide would surely be thrilled to acquire his services. The Crows will certainly welcome Tyler Welsh as a father-son selection later in proceedings, having officially nominated to select the key forward prospect at November’s national draft.

BRISBANE LIONS

Levi Ashcroft (MID; Sandringham Dragons)

I know. Shocker. Unsurprisingly, Brisbane’s incoming father-son star is the marquee difference-maker it will add ahead of its premiership defence next season. And it certainly has nothing to do with fixing list flaws, but rather with bolstering an established strength. The Lions manoeuvred during the trade period to accumulate the requisite draft points to match a rival bid at the top of the order on November 20, but they will hope it doesn’t come right at No. 1, considering they will also need points to match a potentially-first-round rival bid for running machine and Academy graduate Sam Marshall. As for Ashcroft, the younger brother of Norm Smith medallist Will embodies the desired modern-day midfielder — an impeccable contested ball-winner who hits the scoreboard. Levi earned All-Australian honours for the second consecutive season after averaging 25.5 disposals, 3.5 inside 50s and 3.2 clearances for Vic Metro.

CARLTON

Finn O’Sullivan (MID; Oakleigh Chargers)

As has been constantly mentioned, prolific ball-getter O’Sullivan just happens to be the second-cousin of Carlton star Sam Walsh. Partnering the pair is a tantalising prospect for the Blues’ recruiting unit and fanbase, particularly considering what the youngster offers. Pacy and powerful in possession, O’Sullivan brings an element of electricity not felt in the Princes Park midfield in recent years. This is not to call the Blues’ engine room a weakness, but rather to say that a genuine difference-maker might be incoming. O’Sullivan was affected by injury this year — managing just four Coates Talent League games — but he was influential when healthy, posting 17.2 disposals, 3.0 clearances and 1.2 goals per game. However, as much as the navy blue might be infatuated with the youngster that has drawn Marcus Bontempelli comparisons, there is a possibility the Oakleigh Chargers product won’t be on the board by the time Carlton is up at No. 3. In that case that he isn’t available, Jagga Smith, Harvey Langford and Sid Draper could be among the alternative considerations for Mick Agresta and Co. on November 20. The Blues will also officially welcome the Camporeale boys later in proceedings.

COLLINGWOOD

Harry O’Farrell (KEY DEF; Calder Cannons)

Collingwood isn’t scheduled to make a selection until No. 52, which will come on November 21 — but when it finally does, there could be a few diamonds in the rough waiting for an opportunity. Defending and in particular key-position depth were sore spots for the Magpies this year as they struggled to offset a Nathan Murphy-sized void, and while a first-year draftee — a third-rounder at that — is unlikely to make an instant impact, it is worth investing in the position given the premium price paid for All-Australian flanker Dan Houston in the trade period. O’Farrell, who this year represented the AFL Academy against Coburg, is flexible in terms of the size of the opponents he is capable of playing on — and for the Pies, who are hoping for more support for Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe in 2025, that is an obvious plus. The versatile Maribyrnong Park product also has the ability to swing forward. The question will be whether he is still on the board when Collingwood finally picks.

ESSENDON

Isaac Kako (GEN FWD; Calder Cannons)

Another non-surprise here, but the Bombers are excitedly anticipating the arrival of this year’s best pure small forward prospect. The Cannons goal-threat was superb at the national championships for Vic Metro, averaging 14.5 disposals, 2.0 goals and a competition-high 8.0 score involvements per game. Kako projects to slot in seamlessly in Essendon’s forward-line and improve the quality of its small forward unit, with the Dons having flagged it as an area worth upgrading — remember, they had eyes on Geelong’s Tyson Stengle while he was still unsigned. And while Essendon will hope a contending bid for its Next Generation Academy star comes later in the first round, a rival club could force its hand in the early teens.

FREMANTLE

Taj Hotton (MID/FWD; Sandringham Dragons)

In 2025, Fremantle will be looking to do a better job at converting clearances to scores — accumulating the third-most clearances in 2024 but ranking just 13th for centre-bounce scoring — and while it already added a centre-forward star in Shai Bolton in the trade period, why not add a similar type to a squad already stacked with ball-winning and defensive talent? Hotton was widely regarded as a top-10 candidate before rupturing his ACL in May, having previously represented the AFL Academy — booting two goals from 18 disposals — and flashing his creativity in possession. The Dragons ball-winner has the attributes to become a full-time midfielder down the line, but the start of his AFL career should see him playing a half-forward role. The Dockers will consider local product Bo Allan — who trained with Fremantle this year and acclimated himself with senior players while playing for Peel — but after shifting from Pick 11 to 14 as part of its trade with Richmond for Bolton, the Eagles will have first dibs at picking the Western Australian under-18 skipper at No. 12 if they desire.

GEELONG

Lachie Jaques (GEN DEF; Geelong Falcons)

Geelong isn’t scheduled to make a selection until No. 45 after trading its first-round choice to the Western Bulldogs for Bailey Smith, but it could have a golden opportunity to snag yet another local product — and one that has drawn comparisons to a star Cats defender. Jaques, the Falcons’ co-captain, posted averages of 26.0 disposals and 7.7 intercepts in his first three Talent League matches this year, exhibiting a promising ability to diagnose the play — likened to Tom Stewart. Without heaping too many expectations on the 18-year-old, his defensive traits are evident and he could appeal to Stephen Wells’ Geelong recruiting fraternity.

GOLD COAST SUNS

Leo Lombard (MID; Gold Coast Suns Academy)

The Suns might have been busy trading selections for established talent during this year’s exchange window, but they have yet another promising Academy graduate on the way — for whom they will match a rival first-round bid, likely in the teens. Representing the Allies, the big-bodied Lombard averaged 26.2 disposals, 10.5 contested possessions, 6.0 inside 50s, 5.0 score involvements, 4.8 clearances, 4.5 tackles and 119.8 ranking points per game. The nightmare-to-tackle youngster also appeared in eight VFL games for the Suns, and while he is likely to begin his AFL career as a havoc-wreaking forward — like fellow Suns Academy product Jake Rogers — he will ultimately progress into the engine room.

GWS GIANTS

Xavier Lindsay (MID/DEF; Gippsland Power)

At present, GWS holds Picks 15, 16 and 21, but it shapes as one of the biggest first-round trade-up candidates come November 20. A surge up the order could see the Giants eye someone such as mid-sized interceptor Tobie Travaglia, but assuming their first choice comes at No. 15, Lindsay could be a tremendous fit. Given the off-season departures of Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming and Nick Haynes, there is suddenly a void in depth in the defensive half. Enter Lindsay, who was not only touted highly as a rebounding defender but has shown an apt ball-winning ability, having averaged 22.7 disposals, 4.3 clearances and 5.0 tackles across three matches for Vic Country.

HAWTHORN

Christian Moraes (UTILITY; Eastern Ranges)

Hawthorn isn’t slated to make a selection until No. 33 — which could be No. 37 after bids — after dealing its first-round selection in a line of moves that resulted in landing former West Coast interceptor Tom Barrass, but it could still land a long-term difference-maker in what is an incredibly deep draft. Moraes was a part of the Box Hill VFL program late this year, so the Hawks are no strangers to what the versatile youngster offers. Having been squeezed out of the midfield, the Ranges product played across the half-backline as well as in attack for Victoria Metro, averaging an equal-carnival-high 8.0 score involvements to go with 20.8 disposals, 5.8 marks and 4.5 inside 50s. In saying all this, there is a chance Moraes is off the board by the time Hawthorn is on the clock.

MELBOURNE

Harry Armstrong (KEY FWD; Sandringham Dragons)

A conundrum could face the Demons come November 20. Their biggest need is a long-term key forward to aid the developing Jacob van Rooyen and Daniel Turner, but they will also soon face a tough reality with regards to their ageing midfielders. But given how difficult it is to snag a highly-talented key forward — or in this case, the most talented of this year’s crop — it will be mighty hard for Jason Taylor and Co. to pass on Armstrong at No. 5 (No. 6 after a matched bid for Levi Ashcroft), who averaged three goals per game in this year’s championships. Melbourne also picks at No. 9 (No. 10), so it could hold fire until then to pull the trigger on Armstrong — but would Richmond (No. 6) or St Kilda (Nos. 7 and 8) swoop in before then to shore up their key-position stocks?

NORTH MELBOURNE

Alix Tauru (KEY DEF; Gippsland Power)

Of all the non-father-son or Academy scenarios, this seems the biggest no-brainer from a North Melbourne perspective. With a delectable ball-winning core of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher already in place, the Kangaroos are in position to fill one of their biggest voids. Whether it be at No. 2 or No. 6 — pending movement from Richmond on a potential trade-down — intercept merchant Tauru should be there for the taking. The quick-thinking stopper posted 14.5 disposals, 3.7 intercept marks and 7.3 intercept possessions per game in the Talent League this year and shapes as a long-term answer at a crucial position for the Roos.

PORT ADELAIDE

Luke Trainor (KEY DEF; Sandringham Dragons)

Port Adelaide holds Pick 13 — a selection it received from Collingwood (via Gold Coast) as part of the Dan Houston trade — and could yet deal it before or on draft night, but if it holds firm and makes a selection, Trainor is a more-than-solid developmental prospect in the back half. The key-position stopper averaged 19.8 disposals, 5.8 marks and 4.5 intercepts in four championships games for Vic Metro, and he shapes as an ideal long-term pillar in the back half, particularly considering the ongoing scrutinisation of the club’s tall defenders. If mid-sized backman Tobie Travaglia was still available at this slot — which seems more unlikely than not — he would surely also be a consideration for a team that just lost a dual All-Australian rebounder.

RICHMOND

Sam Lalor (MID; Greater Western Victoria Rebels)

Richmond is considered more than a likely chance to select the Vic Country star with its first overall selection at the end of the month. A player touted as a forward-of-centre beast in the mould of Dustin Martin and Jordan De Goey, the Rebels product is already on a tantalising trajectory. In four Talent League games this year, Lalor posted averages of 23.0 disposals, 6.2 clearances and 5.8 marks per game, as well as 1.3 goals across three championships games for Country. He would fill a significant game-breaking void at Tigerland, given the departures of Martin and Shai Bolton in the off-season. Fellow x-factor ball-getters Jagga Smith and Finn O’Sullivan will also be in contention for Richmond at this spot.

ST KILDA

Josh Smillie (MID; Eastern Ranges)

The Saints have a golden opportunity to get their hands on a pair of game-changers in the draft’s top 10, and Smillie could be the pick of the bunch when they first get on the clock at No. 7 (No. 8 after Brisbane match a contending bid for Levi Ashcroft). The sizeable ball-winner didn’t dominate his draft year in the way some expected, meaning he should still be available when the Saints are first on the clock at No. 8 (following a bid for Levi Ashcroft). In four games for Victoria Metro, Smillie averaged 18.8 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions, 6.8 score involvements and 5.8 clearances but missed out on All-Australian selection. There is an outside chance fellow ball-getter Harvey Langford is still available at this pick — in which case he would also be a consideration — while Murphy Reid could also be among the possibilities for St Kilda. Later on in proceedings, Next Generation Academy key-defensive prospect Adrian Cole will become a Saint.

SYDNEY SWANS

Jack Whitlock (KEY FWD; Murray Bushrangers)

Currently holding Picks 19 and 22 in the first round, there remains a strong possibility that the Swans strike a trade-up. But if they stand pat on November 20, they should be looking to bolster their key-position stocks — with a specific emphasis on the forward-line considering the inconsistency of Sydney’s attacking tall timber. The 200-centimetre Whitlock shapes as a valuable key forward-rucking hybrid. Across the final six games of his Talent League season with the Bushrangers, Whitlock booted 15.11 and averaged 18.9 disposals and 5.0 marks.

WEST COAST EAGLES

Bo Allan (DEF/MID; Peel Thunder)

West Coast is surely eyeing the under-18 Western Australia skipper with its first selection at No. 12, despite his Dockers links. There remains the possibility of a Victorian club snaring Allan before 12 — with the Tigers among those thought to be intrigued — but after Fremantle moved from Pick 11 to 14 as part of its trade with Richmond for Shai Bolton, the Eagles are in position to snag Allan before the Dockers get a look-in. The defensive-minded hybrid averaged 20.0 disposals and 6.3 score involvements for WA at the championships. Later in proceedings, Next Generation Academy small forward prospect Malakai Champion is expected to wind up in West Coast colours by the end of the national draft, likely by way of a matched bid.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Jesse Dattoli (GEN FWD/MID; Northern Knights)

The Bulldogs will make their first selection at No. 17 — which is more likely to be No. 20 after matched bids for Ashcroft, Kako and Lombard — after acquiring that choice in their Bailey Smith trade with Geelong in October, and why not add another forward-half asset whose positional versatility is appealing. Dattoli kicked 12 goals and averaged 23.1 disposals, 6.1 score involvements and 3.9 clearances for the Knights, and he also showed his wares at the championships for Vic Metro. Joe Berry and Cooper Hynes are other forward-half weapons who could be among the considerations for the Bulldogs in this range. Otherwise, if he slips to their slot, key defender Luke Trainor’s name should be in discussions, as there is certainly scope for an upgrade in that area.