2024 Draft Watch

[The Doctor]

AFL Academy details

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1064708/2024-afl-national-academy-squads-announced

Bo Allan - WA Peel Thunder

Levi Ashcroft - VIC M Sandringham Dragons

Ben Camporeale - SA Glenelg

Lucas Camporeale - SA Glenelg

Malakai Champion - WA Subiaco

Joel Cochran - NSW/ACT Sydney Swans Academy

Archer Day-Wicks - VIC C Bendigo Pioneers

Oliver Dean - TAS Tasmania Devils North Launceston

Sid Draper - SA South Adelaide

Jonty Faull - VIC C GWV Rebels

Tom Gross - VIC M Oakleigh Chargers

Sam Lalor - VIC C GWV Rebels

Harvey Langford - VIC C Dandenong Stingrays

Xavier Lindsay - VIC C Gippsland Power

Leonardo Lombard - QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy

Sam Marshall - QLD Brisbane Lions Academy Sandringham Dragons

Ricky Mentha - NT Northern Territory Academy Gippsland Power

Christian Moraes - VIC M Eastern Ranges

Noah Mraz - VIC C Dandenong Stingrays

Harry O?Farrell - VIC M Calder Cannons

Finn O?Sullivan - VIC C Oakleigh Chargers

Jobe Shanahan - NSW/ACT Bendigo Pioneers

Josh Smillie - VIC M Eastern Ranges

Jagga Smith - VIC M Oakleigh Chargers

Luke Trainor - VIC M Sandringham Dragons

Tyler Welsh - SA Woodville West Torrens

[The Doctor]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

2024 Leading Prospects. Lots of small midfielders

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1059777/eye-on-the-future-10-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-2024

Levi Ashcroft
Midfielder
179cm/75kg
18/12/06
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Ashcroft couldn't have had a better bottom-aged season, claiming under-18 All-Australian honours after starring for Vic Metro at the national carnival, helping Sandringham Dragons to a premiership in the Coates Talent League and also winning the Dragons' best and fairest. The midfielder and younger brother of Lion Will is a similar player in his inside/outside onball mix, while also being a regular goalkicker. The Brisbane father-son prospect averaged 27 disposals and more than a goal in 11 Dragons game this year and will be a contender for the No.1 pick next year.


Sid Draper
Midfielder
180cm/72kg
5/7/06
South Adelaide/South Australia

A super season for Draper saw him named South Australia's MVP at the under-18 carnival, be picked as a part of the All-Australian team, win the best afield medal for South Adelaide's under-18 Grand Final victory and then be given the AFL life members scholarship. The hard-at-it midfielder looks to Brisbane gun Lachie Neale as his footy idol, hoping to use his clean hands and smart play to get his side going. He also experienced the senior level with South Adelaide in the SANFL and impressed, with his consistency a key factor in his game. The younger brother of Arlo Draper, who was delisted by the Magpies this year.


Tom Gross
Midfielder/forward
181cm/70kg
15/9/06
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

With a tenacious and tough approach, there is a bit of Rory Sloane in the way Gross attacks his game. He spent this season with the Chargers as a forward/midfielder, kicking nearly a goal a game, including a couple of big games late in the Coates Talent League campaign. He has a bit of a rugged nature to his play that sees him throw himself into contests and come out the other side with the ball.


Kade Herbert
Midfielder
183cm/76kg
3/4/06
Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia

Herbert was able to get some good experiences under his belt through 2023, including getting a taste of senior football at the Eagles. For his state he played in the midfield for the under-18s side, with his versatility to roll through the wing, midfield and forward line among his strengths.


Sam Lalor
Midfielder
187cm/88kg
30/8/06
Greater Western Victoria Rebels/Vic Country

Lalor is a talented cricketer and footballer, with his football traits on display in recent years for the Rebels and also in the Vic Country program. The stronger-bodied prospect is a bit taller than some of his midfield contemporaries and he can also go through the forward line. He has some power to get out of stoppages and get the ball out to his teammates. Lalor has been a part of Cricket Victoria's elite junior programs as well to claim All-Australian honours.


Christian Moraes
Midfielder
182cm/74kg
8/11/06
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Moraes just kept on playing well and getting better in 2023. The Eastern Ranges product played 16 games this season and showed his smooth-moving capabilities through the middle, averaging 26 disposals a game. His classy skills were on show right through the Ranges' finals series, with Moraes averaging 27 disposals in four finals games and having 24 touches and a goal in the Grand Final defeat. Looks among the best midfield candidates to start 2024.


Finn O'Sullivan
Midfielder
182cm/70kg
30/5/06
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country

Another midfielder who will start next year in contention for the No.1 pick. O'Sullivan is a gun – he is tough, consistent, can mark overhead strongly for his size and has a nice blend to his game. O'Sullivan is a second cousin of Carlton star Sam Walsh and plays in a similar manner to the star Blue, regularly dominating games and standing up at key moments. O'Sullivan boards at Xavier College in Melbourne but plays for Vic Country, where he featured this year at under-18 level.


Josh Smillie
Midfielder
194cm/92kg
17/5/06
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

The tall midfielder of the top end of the draft. Smillie is a contested, big-bodied midfielder from the Ranges who also featured for Vic Metro at the under-18 carnival. The 17-year-old looms as a top-five pick candidate given his size and dominance around the ball, having averaged 26 disposals for the Ranges this season before injury cut short his campaign. He had three games of 30 or more disposals for Eastern and should be a dominant player next year.


Jagga Smith
Midfielder
181cm/70kg
28/1/06
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

Smith is a ball magnet – he has shown that at every level he's played and he continues to do the same. The midfielder just knows where to be to get it in his hands and he averaged 30 disposals for the Chargers this season in 10 games. He was a standout against the Eastern Ranges in the Chargers' elimination final with 26 disposals and a goal and five inside-50s and was also consistent for Vic Metro at the carnival. The moves of Jagga make him hard to catch, regularly twisting and turning past opponents with the ball in his hands.


Tyler Welsh
Forward
191cm/83kg
15/8/06
Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia

Welsh kicked five goals for South Australia in his first appearance for the under-18 side during the mid-year carnival. He showed his power and forward craft, banging in goals from different means. He had been injured earlier in the year and was made to work for his spot in the side, with the son of former Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne forward Scott Welsh eligible to join the Crows as a father-son next year. He shapes as a medium/tall forward given his height but clearly knows his way around goal.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

A few more articles

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/bold-richmond-sliders-plot-explained-as-suite-of-fatherson-guns-to-swing-2024-draft/news-story/938d1c085d8ebe443483df29f9d454a9

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/11/22/24-in-2024-a-look-ahead-to-next-years-top-prospects/

https://houseoffooty.com.au/afl-draft-2024-top-50-victorian-tasmanian-prospects/

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I see ONE draftable from WA next year.

So...don't ask me for any player profiles...2006 = s&^* Show.

[MrMahatma]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I see ONE draftable from WA next year.

So...don't ask me for any player profiles...2006 = s&^* Show.

What happened? There’ll be more drafted from the GC again than WA?

[ledge]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Do we have any father/sons or NGA of any talent coming through next year ?
We have done brilliantly the last few years in this regard.
Maybe a break year next year .

[Bulldog4life]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Do we have any father/sons or NGA of any talent coming through next year ?
We have done brilliantly the last few years in this regard.
Maybe a break year next year .

The only one I could see is Harry Cameron son of Leon. Know nothing about him.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Let's trade up and get Smillie.

Can we just keep trading future firsts xD (I'm sure there's a rule).

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Let's trade up and get Smillie.

Can we just keep trading future firsts xD (I'm sure there's a rule).

Yes. For the next two years we can trade F1’s for the best available pick we can get.

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

What happened? There’ll be more drafted from the GC again than WA?

100%.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

IIRC Oakleigh were rolling with underagers in the middle each week?

Seems a solid top 10 next year for mids - Smillie, Smith, Ashcroft would have all gone high if available this year.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Do we have any father/sons or NGA of any talent coming through next year ?
We have done brilliantly the last few years in this regard.
Maybe a break year next year .

It's all about 2025 for us on the FS front.
Every chance we try and trade our 2025 first rounder into 2024.

[LifeLongBulldog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

What father sons are available in 2025. I know that that Levi West and Jaxon Cooney should be coming along soon, but not totally sure what their ages are like?

[Bulldog4life]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

What father sons are available in 2025. I know that that Levi West and Jaxon Cooney should be coming along soon, but not totally sure what their ages are like?

I think I might have already answered this elsewhere but looking it up it is Harry Cameron son of Leon.

[ledge]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I think I might have already answered this elsewhere but looking it up it is Harry Cameron son of Leon.

Is that 2024 or 2025 ?