Four AFL players have moved to new clubs via the 2017 AFL Rookie Draft, with Lindsay Thomas, Stewart Crameri, Matt Shaw and Dylan Buckley all finding new homes.
A number of AFL players could join new clubs in today’s AFL rookie draft, the last step in finalising clubs’ AFL lists ahead of the 2018 AFL season. Join The Roar for a live blog of very pick and every player, starting from 5pm AEDT.
AFL clubs are set to finalise their lists for season 2018 today. The pre-season ‘draft’ is up first – but it will be only a single pick, taken by Carlton.
After that comes the rookie draft and, after some changes to the CBA that will take effect next year, there’s very little difference between being a rookie and being a senior player.
The big change is that Category A rookies (those taken in this draft) are eligible to play at AFL level immediately, rather than needing to wait for an elevation or a long-term injury.
This means there is ostensibly no difference between a rookie and a senior-listed player except when it comes to balancing the chequebook – as rookies are given only a single-year contract, and have a lower minimum wage than senior players.
The change seems set to strengthen the trend of the rookie list becoming a place where clubs stockpile ready-to-go depth players, rather than being a home for raw project players as it was designed to be.
In some cases this will mean clubs retaining players they would have otherwise delisted, as is set to be the case for a few like Claye Beams and Cam Ellis-Yolmen this afternoon, but in other cases it means looking at other teams’ offcuts.
Lindsay Thomas for one seems certain to get a second chance at Port Adelaide, while Cam O’Shea, Stewart Crameri, Sam Collins, Tom Lamb and Zac Clarke are all in the mix to find new AFL clubs.
Join The Roar for a live blog of every pick and every player at the 2017 AFL Rookie Draft, starting from 5pm AEDT.
Hungry Jack
Guest
Not up to it! Would be a waste and a list clogger.
Cat
Roar Guru
That didn't work out for us lol. Seems to almost be a gentlemen's agreement that lets clubs get whomever they've targeted. Clubs certainly seem more open about it than the national draft.
Josh
Expert
Can only think of one off the top of my head, which was North planning to re-draft Cam Delaney and him being pinched by none other than the Geelong Cats. Not sure there have been any others.
Macca
Guest
I am a little surprised Boekhorst didn't get another chance - when your last 2 games of AFL are a 26 possession, 8 mark and 4 tackle effort in a close win against the Hawks and a 19 possession, 8 mark and 3 goal (out of a team total of 8) effort in a massive loss to the Swans you cold have been forgiven for thinking you would get another year at AFL level.
13th Man
Guest
Surprised Haiden Schloithe didn't get picked up? Would've been a good get for West Coast.
Cat
Roar Guru
Hard to get too excited about the rookie draft but I think the Cats were wise throwing a lifeline to Crameri. He certainly sound motivated to work and prove people wrong. Probably going to compete with Buzza for a spot next to Hawkins.
Josh
Expert
That's a wrap on the rookie draft folks. The big news is - Lindsay Thomas to Port Adelaide, Stewart Crameri to Geelong, and surprisingly, Dylan Buckley to GWS, Matt Shaw to Carlton.
Josh
Expert
Pick 41 - GWS Giants - PASS
Josh
Expert
Pick 41 - Adelaide Crows - Jackson Edwards
Josh
Expert
Pick 40 - GWS Giants - PASS
Josh
Expert
Pick 39 - Gold Coast Suns - PASS
Macca
Guest
Great to see Buckley get another chance - had some bad luck with timing of injuries this year, has some potential just couldn't quite get it all together regularly enough.
Josh
Expert
Pick 38 - Adelaide Crows - Lachlan Murphy
Josh
Expert
Pick 37 - GWS Giants - PASS
Josh
Expert
Pick 36 - Sydney Swans - Alex Johnson
Josh
Expert
Pick 35 - West Coast Eagles - Callan England
Josh
Expert
Pick 34 - Hawthorn Hawks - Dallas Willsmore
Josh
Expert
Pick 33 - Collingwood Magpies - Adam Oxley
Josh
Expert
Pick 32 - Gold Coast Suns - Mackenzie Wills
Josh
Expert
Pick 31 - Adelaide Crows - Cam Ellis Yolmen