We all love the draft to see which talent is stepping into our club, and while the 2022 AFL draft is still months away, it’s never too early to see what kind of talent teams could have, right?
This draft will feature North Melbourne having Pick 19 as a priority pick and will preference what clubs need, not necessarily the best talent available.
1. North Melbourne Kangaroos
Jedd Busslinger, East Perth
If Jason Horne-Francis is at the club in 2023, North cannot have another midfielder alongside him, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Will Phillips, Jy Simpkin, Tarryn Thomas and Jed Anderson. Busslinger, alongside Ben McKay down back, is a huge tick, and he won’t need to play on monsters early in his career. He’s the best key back in the draft and is of great need to the Roos.
2. Brisbane Lions
Will Ashcroft, Sandringham Dragons (father-son)
When you’ve got a kid who’s averaging more SuperCoach points than Nick Daicos did in the NAB League, you’ve got someone special. He has a special two-way ability to find the ball on the inside and spread to the outside of the contest. He’s had 51 touches in a game, but his consistency is what stands out.
3. West Coast Eagles
Elijah Hewett, Swan Districts
Local talent is uber important to interstate teams, but Hewett is the real deal. He’s another two-way gun with a love of the bull-ness style of the inside. Along with an ability to win the ball on the outside and his ability to play well in all levels of WAFL footy, they’ve got a winner. He’s a good leader too, as proven when he gave a spray to some WA teammates after Vic Metro kicked eight straight in a quarter.
4. Essendon Bombers
Harry Sheezel, Sandringham Dragons
On raw talent, there mightn’t be any better. A genuine midfielder/forward with X factor, Sheezel has had 70 disposals in his last two games as a permanent midfielder. Up forward he oozes class and can win games off his own boot, and he would fit in really well at the Hangar.
5. Adelaide Crows
George Wardlaw, Oakleigh Chargers
The Crows could be getting the best talent in the draft at Pick 5, which is exciting, but he has what the Adelaide midfield is lacking severely: weapons. His overhead marking and foot skills for his age are exceptional, and he has no qualms about putting his head over the ball. If the Roos take Wardlaw, which they absolutely could, the Crows would take Busslinger.
6. Hawthorn Hawks
Elijah Tsatas, Oakleigh Chargers
Speaking of adding something to a boring midfield, Tsatas provides the Hawks with some outside class they lack so badly. He has had some injury concerns this year, which is far from ideal, but with a tank and disposal rate as elite as his, the Hawks would be silly to pass him up if he’s on the board.
7. Greater Western Sydney Giants
Aaron Cadman, Greater Western Victoria Rebels
The Giants could be saying goodbye to Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto in the off-season, but they’ve still got good midfield depth. Here they go for a tall forward to help Harry Himmelberg be a full-time defender and help Jesse Hogan. With comparisons to Jye Amiss, Cadman has elite hands, is great on the lead and can fill a much-needed spot, as the Giants can attack midfield depth in the later rounds.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
8. Port Adelaide Power
Mattaes Phillipou, Woodville-West Torrens
The Power need some quality in the midfield, and the 191-centimetre local lad with huge upside looks the smart pick here. With Josh Sinn attacking the halfback and wing positions in the future, a big-bodied Phillipou joining Ollie Wines, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters is a tantalising prospect. He hits the scoreboard as well, so he can accompany Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall as forward threats too.
9. Gold Coast Suns
Jhye Clark, Geelong Falcons
Gold Coast will get a jack-of-all-trades midfielder who runs all day, has good overhead marking for his size (181 centimetres) and kicks off both feet really well. With Noah Anderson becoming a full-time midfielder with Matt Rowell and Touk Miller, Clark can be an ultra-consistent winger and serve his apprenticeship before being in the midfield mix.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
10. Western Bulldogs
Brayden George, Murray Bushrangers
Dear Footscray list management team: do not send Aaron Naughton back. Leave him forward with Josh Bruce and develop Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Don’t go after Rory Lobb. and give Sam Darcy some games down back. The draft isn’t going to solve your key position problems, so go get some real X factor who can be alongside Cody Weightman and give some headaches to opposition coaches.
George makes you respect him in the air, where he has a great ability, but he will make you look silly on the ground, as he is silky smooth and has some Josh Rachele about him.
Yours sincerely (and I’m happy to come on board as a full-time recruiter),
Daz
11. St Kilda Saints
Harry Lemmey, West Adelaide
Max King needs help, full stop. Tim Membrey has taken a step backwards, Paddy Ryder won’t play forever and Rowan Marshall needs to be the No. 1 man in the ruck. Lemmey has experience in the seniors, and while some are comparing him to Nick Riewoldt (no pressure), he is a roaming centre half-forward, and Max King can sit in the front 30 and dominate. The Saints don’t need smalls, and they are still liking Oscar Adams down back, even with him being a silly boy. Makes a lot of sense, this one.
12. Richmond Tigers
Matthew Jefferson, Oakleigh Chargers
The Tigers have got plenty of depth in their smalls, but if Noah Balta is going to be a defender, who do the Tigers have after Jack Riewoldt? How about a kid who’s kicked seven in a representative game and has some of the cleanest hands in this draft? He still needs to add to his frame, but he doesn’t need to play straight away, so it’s a win-win at Punt Road.
13. Essendon Bombers
Alwyn Davey Jr, Oakleigh Chargers (father/son)
Father/sons can be a lottery at times, but position for position, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti for Davey Jr is absolutely beautiful. Averaging over 20 touches and a goal in both games of school footy, his skills and decision-making will be a sight to behold. He’ll don the sash with pride.
14. Sydney Swans
Cam MacKenzie, Sandringham Dragons
The Swans swung a surprise with Angus Sheldrick in the first round last year, but they should go a more conservative path with the Saints NGA member. A genuinely clean player who has speed post stoppage, MacKenzie will add to a throng of classy Swans in the next generation and can start his career on a flank and make his opponents look silly. He’s also elite with his disposal.
15. Collingwood Magpies
Isaac Keeler, North Adelaide
AFL marking contest. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
This pick is unlikely to be at Collingwood if they want Tim Taranto, but if they keep it, whether Brodie Grundy is there or not, Keeler is the correct decision. At 198 centimetres tall, he turns games with his ability as a tall forward, and his versatility, athleticism and natural gifts will be elite at the Holden Centre. He can play the ruck as well, so if Grundy goes, he can chop out Darcy Cameron as well.
16. Carlton Blues
Henry Hustwaite, Dandenong Stingrays
The Blues aren’t really lacking a lot, so to get a 194-centimetre hybrid midfield/defender looks a winner. He has a really nice left foot, oozes class and would add a dynamic edge to a side that’s already terrific to begin with. What else do the Blues even need?
17. Brisbane Lions
Mitch Szybkowski, Dandenong Stingrays
The Lions need midfield depth, as the current midfield looks like Lachie Neale or bust at the moment. Deven Robertson hasn’t proved anything yet, Jarryd Lyons has taken a step backwards and Rhys Mathieson and Ely Smith aren’t getting games at all. He has a balance to him in the midfield and will punish you if given space, but his strength is the inside of the contest. He can be a sidekick under Lachie Neale and learn from one of the best.
18. Fremantle Dockers
Lewis Hayes, Eastern Ranges
Alex Pearce has a bad injury history, Joel Hamling doesn’t look like he’ll be around in the long term, so Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue are the key backs now – and Logue is no guarantee to stick around either. Hayes mightn’t be the sexiest key back, but he stops his opponents first and foremost, which is more important than intercepting given the quality of tall forwards in the league.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
19. Melbourne Demons
Kobe Ryan, West Adelaide
Andrew Gaff looks like a possible Demon trade target in the off-season, but to partner James Jordan and Ed Langdon on the wings is a pure wingman with plenty of tricks. Ryan is tearing it up at Colts level and does his best work on the outside of the contest, so he won’t get in the way of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney.
20. Geelong Cats
Lachlan Cowan, Tasmania Devils
He’s got the mullet and a brilliant long boot and is as tough as nails. Geelong could use some more dash from halfback in a post-Joel Selwood/Patrick Dangerfield world as Brandan Parfitt, Tom Atkins, Mitch Knevitt and Cooper Stephens take over the middle. He’s a really good leader as well, which is never a bad thing.
Chris M
Guest
I also saw that article. I believe Sydney made an offer to Tom Barrass (197cm & 96kg) last year but he preferred to stay with West Coast. Griffin Logue is about 194cm and 98 kg. This is a similar to the two McCartin brothers, Paddy (195cm & 95kg) and Tom (193cm & 97kg). With a lot of key forwards that have been drafted recently now over 2 metres tall, I would be on the search for a taller defender, but the only key position backup is really Melican, unless you send Reid down there. However, Fremantle may not be able to be in a bargaining position to ask for high draft picks if they have to get rid of players like Logue and Wilson purely to bring in Luke Jackson. It depends how desperate the buyer is and how much competition they have against other clubs for the player. If he is good enough, Gould could eventually replace Rampe, but if he returns to Adelaide, he could be a good option for the Crows.
Chris M
Guest
What you say is true, but it is with the understanding that Geelong is currently challenging for the premiership and have been perennial players in finals series for much of this century. It is attractive for players to come 'home,' especially if their current club is interstate and/or not going places. If for any reason Geelong does fall out of contention for a period of time in the future, and the players are at premiership-contending clubs, especially Victorian clubs clsoe to 'home,' it may not be quite as attractive for very good former Geelong Falcons players to return during free agency.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Rampe being ahead of Gould makes things tough for the young fella. I like Gould as a 3rd large defender because he can defend big and little. No idea what the SUns are thinking, but read today that Swans are interested in Griffin Logue, which suggests that Gould is on the outer, while the Suns are linked to Nathan Wilson.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
I know you are taking the piss, but they are going back in free agency. That's 26 for most players. It is a pattern over a long period of time.
Chris M
Guest
The ex-Geelong Falcons only qualify to go back to Geelong after they turn 30.
Brett
Guest
No way the crows would pick a defender when our midfield is so bad. If wardlaw was off the board we'd pick tsatas.
Chris M
Guest
Good that you've found a time in your obviously busier 2022 to make a comment. Suns' have picks 7 & 25 (2400 draft points) against Sydney's picks 13 & 17 (2234 draft points). I have no idea about the relative levels of draft talent in this year's pool within the top- middle- and back-ends of the first round to know whether it is worth Sydney trading up or not. It also depends upon which clubs may need to trade down to bank draft points. With Brisbane currently holding pick 16, Gold Coast's raft of 2nd round picks holds it in good stead to trade up the draft board. I'm not sure which other clubs may benefit by trading down for two first rounders. Will Ashcroft is thought by many to be the likely No 1 pick but he sounds uncertain about whether he wants to nominate as a Brisbane father-son. He may want to stay in Victoria but heading to the successful contending Lions sounds better to me than heading to North Melbourne in its current uncertain state. If West Coast finishes bottom and the choice is one interstate club or the other, I think he may opt to nominate as a Brisbane father-son. If North nabs Alistair Clarkson as coach and North wins the wooden spoon, maybe he will decide to place himself in the open draft. Purely my own speculation. If Gold Coast needs experience, maybe another Tiger (Dusty) fleeing the Melbourne spotlight? You have always had a liking for Will Gould but do the powers-that-be at Gold Coast? He's an awkward in-between size, bulky but not quite tall enough for a key position defender. He is only a little taller than Dane Rampe but heavier. He is out-of-contract at year's end, hasn't yet debuted but, having been named as an emergency a couple of times, is on the cusp of selection when an opportunity arises. He may decide he can find a better opportunity elsewhere next season, but it would be a shame because the Swans have developed him to the point of being more consistent and having greater endurance. Being a South Australian, if he is good enough, he should be able to make the Crows team. Is a player of his size and type what Gold Coast needs?
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
The Suns are one of the few clubs who just don't recruit from Geelong Falcons. The go home factor is massive. Even Gaz went home after being the biggest recruit ever. They may have brought in Tsitas in the SSP and Faulkhead in the MSRD, but they are rookies, not top 10 draft picks. I applaud your effort though. Great list, plenty of food for thought and some interesting players to watch. You just hit on one of my bugbears. Falcons always want to fly home. Charlie Curnow will go back. The McCartins will go back. Ex-Geelong juniors are always on the Cats radar. If I'm the Suns picking 7 - 10th, I would have Jedd Busslinger at the top of my board and hope the other clubs are into mids and forwards. If he is gone, Henry Hustwaite or Lewis Hayes, but trade back to late first round and get get future pick.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
The Suns have first and second round picks at around the value of Sydney's pair of late firsts. Although to be honest there are a handful of teams with similar trading ability. The thing is the Suns may not be looking at top 10 talent this year with needs for a mature player worth a late first and a key defender. Throw in Will Gould and the Suns would offer a 2nd rounder. Don't forget, Will came up with Izak Rankine, Charlie Ballard, Jez McLennan and Jack Lukosius.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Will Ashcroft was born on the Gold Coast and spent 5 years in the Suns Academy. But his old man, is was also a product of the Gold Coast junior football system, took him to Victoria. There is no guarantee that he will nominate Brisbane, a la Marc Murphy. But he definitely won't be at the Suns, which is yet another stuff up by the AFL who should have allowed the Suns to keep ties with him.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Good points!
Boo
Guest
Maybe Rowdy a combination of both say the bottom six nominate prospective players prior to the draft .If a player is nominated he has choice of six clubs .Have a signing on fee with the team finishing last having the most money encouraging prospective father sons to play for other teams .Father son bidding could stay .I think in America the bottom five raffle the first pick .I have always felt it is counter productive that teams can't always recruit what they need .
Isaac Timms
Roar Rookie
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah but I doubt the Roos take him as they really don’t need another inside midfielder. I mean they should to make brisbane pay the maximum price and then take Fletcher with their second pick out of spite but wherever a bir comes for Ashcroft brisbane will match
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Our player development hasn’t ever been too bad the issue lays with injury management and boggling off field selection like the Duddster and Campbell
Chris M
Guest
I have no idea about the evenness of the upcoming draft or when the quality starts to drop away. Whether a pick swap of 4 or 5 for two late first rounders would be worthwhile from Sydney's perspective depends upon how even the quality of players is between the early pick and the late first round and whether there is a player with particular set of skills or a key position player that the Swans want to target. It's easier to strike gold at least once with two first round picks if the standard is even and maybe you can even strike gold twice. From Essendon's perspective, it depends upon how early the bid for a tied player is likely to come, where the two first round picks actually end up falling, how they can use the remainder of their draft hand to exchange for the required points and what combination of picks will get the best draft outcome.
Waddster
Roar Rookie
Until the Fons fix the off field and player development they will struggle.
Billy Mumphrey
Roar Rookie
Plus if the Lions do match the Ashcroft bid they won't have the pick 17 as listed above. Fletcher could be anywhere from 15-40 in this draft as this group hasn't played much footy over the last 2 years and the recruiters don't have much data. Ashcroft the clear #1 at the moment too
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Not in the first round though. There’s a reason rucks very rarely go in the first round unless they’re a prodigious talent like Luke Jackson.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I’m licking my lips at this years draft as the bombers will be able to fix a lot of the shortfalls of their list through their NGA and father son selections. They should also look either at a big bodied midfielder or a key forward with their first selection. I also have a sneaking suspicion that Parish will attempt to force his way out of the club