West Coast have given their rebuild a kick-start by snaring big-bodied midfielder Jai Culley with the No.1 pick at the AFL’s mid-season draft.
The 193cm Culley was in the frame to be a first or second-round selection in the national draft later this year after being overlooked in 2021.
But the last-placed Eagles got the early jump on the 19-year-old courtesy of their season from hell in which they have lost their past seven games by an average of 79.7 points.
Culley, who is working part-time at a takeaway chicken shop, admitted this week he didn’t know anything about the playing career of Eagles coach Adam Simpson, who notched 306 games for North Melbourne and also captained the club.
“I know his name, but I didn’t know he played for North Melbourne or anything,” Culley told the AFL website after being selected by West Coast on Wednesday night.
“I’m bloody stoked. I can’t wait to meet all the boys.”
Jai Culley in action during the 2022 NAB League. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
North Melbourne chose 23-year-old defender Kallan Dawson with their No.2 pick, while Essendon took defender Massimo D’Ambrosio with pick No.3.
Adelaide selected 25-year-old midfielder Brett Turner with pick No.4, while GWS rounded out the top five with the selection of athletic key forward Wade Derksen.
St Kilda had been linked to forward Hugo Hall-Kahan.
But when Sydney swooped with pick No.11, St Kilda passed when they finally had their turn at pick No.14.
A total of 17 players were picked up, with Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and St Kilda the only clubs not to select a player.
Sam Durdin, who played 22 games for North Melbourne after being pick No.16 in the 2014 national draft, got a second chance after Carlton swooped with pick No.13.
Durdin, who was delisted by the Kangaroos at the end of 2020, will help bolster Carlton’s injury-hit defence.
Carlton also gave former Western Bulldogs midfielder Will Hayes a lifeline when they selected the soon-to-be 27-year-old with pick No.22.
Hawthorn took ruckman Max Ramsden with pick six before double-dipping with James Blanck at pick 20.
Ramsden grew up supporting the Hawks and his former schoolmates Ned Long and Josh Ward are already at Hawthorn.
“I’m over the moon,” Ramsden said.
“I always hoped to go to the Hawks but I wasn’t too sure, there were lots of clubs talking.
“Last year I just nominated (for the national draft) because I hoped I would be a chance at this draft.
“A few of my friends said I had to do that (to be eligible for the mid-season draft).
“I was just playing school footy last year, so I didn’t think I was a chance last year. But it’s been a really good journey and I think I’ve improved a lot.”
Fremantle used pick No.15 to select in-form WAFL forward Sebit Kuek, who has booted 14 goals from his past four games for East Perth.
FULL MID-SEASON DRAFT
1 West Coast – Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 North Melbourne – Kallan Dawson (Williamstown)
3 Essendon – Massimo D’Ambrosio (Western Jets)
4 Adelaide – Brett Turner (Glenelg)
5 GWS – Wade Derksen (Peel Thunder)
6 Hawthorn – Max Ramsden (Sandringham Dragons)
7 Gold Coast – Oskar Faulkhead (Bendigo Pioneers)
8 Port Adelaide – Brynn Teakle (East Fremantle)
9 Collingwood – Joshua Carmichael (West Adelaide)
10 Richmond – Jacob Bauer (North Adelaide)
11 Sydney – Hugo Hall-Kahan (Sandringham Dragons)
12: Geelong – Zane Williams (Woodville-West Torrens)
13 Carlton – Sam Durdin (Glenelg)
14 St Kilda – Pass
15 Fremantle – Sebit Kuek (East Perth)
16 West Coast – Pass
17 North Melbourne – Pass
18 Essendon – Jye Menzie (South Adelaide)
19 Adelaide – Pass
20 Hawthorn – James Blanck (Box Hill)
21 Collingwood – Pass
22 Carlton – William Hayes (Carlton VFL)
23 Fremantle – Pass
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
There were a few over here who had Culley pencilled in for the Eagles. Stingrays are a good benchmark.
Tibor
Guest
I wish him well as he seems like an excellent kid and a great future player. Very sorry for him that he has to go to West Coast. Ill be praying he doesn't succumb to the alcohol and drugs that is part of West Coast's culture
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
But the thing about darling is his leading patterns and marking are all better than the midfielders while his tank is better than your average key forwards 2022 notwithstanding of course
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Weird, hey? Durham looks okay and might be a player. MD'A? Who knows? Would have thought he'd take time. I wish him all the best.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yes it is strange Durham, Mcdonagh and now D’Ambrossio all half backs all from ninthmonds vfl program
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
In my day, that was the tallest of all ruckmen.
nics
Roar Rookie
I look forward to seeing us play him on defensive wing in the Waterman position, to utilise his pace and athleticism (sarcasm). Or perhaps we can give him a bash in the ruck?
Chris M
Guest
Let's hope for West Coast's supporters that Jai Culley, their No 1 mid-season draft pick, is big and good midfielder rather than big and useless midfielder when he plays at AFL level. I'd hate to waste a No 1 draft pick, even if it's a pick on a mid-season rookie.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Culley is a good size for a modern day mid fielder (in my day, we'd call them ruck rovers) - 193cm and 87kgs. He'll probably put on a bit more muscle under the AFL system so I expect his weight will increase a little. If the AFL player's info is correct, there's a few handy midfielders around his size: Cripps 195cm and 93kgs Bontempeli 193cm and 93kgs Mundy 192cm and 93kgs Tom Green 192cm and 92kgs Jarrod Berry 192cm and 90kgs McCrae 192cm and 88kgs Fyfe 191cm and 94kgs Dunkley 191cm and 91kgs So, the blueprint is there - if he's got the talent and the desire, with a little luck he can have an impact. Interesting that Darling is 191cm and 95kgs and plays as a key forward and never been considered as anything else.
DTM
Roar Rookie
I like the idea of a mid season draft. Let's say you played 100 games of AFL over 8 seasons - you didn't really make it so was delisted and find yourself playing WAFL, VFL, SANFL etc. One of the AFL teams has a couple of major, early season injuries in your position and you get another opportunity through the mid season draft. You know the club sees you as a short term solution but you also know you will get a good shot at it if you perform as the key players are out injured. Alternatively, another team (like West Coast) has written off the season so they've been able to draft a young guy to play a few games before the end of the year and they will still get an early pick in the big draft.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Eagles might have done well here. Overlooked last year, now hes 19 years of age, one year stronger, a bit faster, had a year of playing against mature opponents. Lets get him suited up and get him out there ; ]
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
It seems when Essendon grow up they want to be like Richmond's VFL side. I wish Massimo all the best of luck. He'll be needing it.