AFL Draft 2024: Richmond Tigers select Sam Lalor with pick one, club great Trent Cotchin presents jumper

Samantha Rogers & Shayne Hope

The West Australian

4 Min Read

3 hours ago

Richmond have selected Victorian midfield gun Sam Lalor with the first pick in the 2024 AFL Draft, with his jumper presented by triple premiership captain Trent Cotchin.

The Tigers opted not to bid on highly-touted midfielder Levi Ashcroft, who later went to Brisbane as a father-son selection, with Lalor’s name the first called out by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Wednesday night.

The 18-year-old revealed the club told him they would select him with the first selection on Monday but admitted he was still nervous ahead of the draft.

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“It’s a pretty special moment, I’m pretty happy I get to spend it (the night) with my family and friends in the room,” Lalor told Fox Footy.

The GWV Rebels midfielder-forward had drawn comparisons to club great Dustin Martin, as well as Collingwood star Jordan De Goey, but had been limited by injuries in his draft year.

Lalor acknowledged there would be “a lot of pressure” on him as the No.1 pick but he was delighted to be in the yellow and black.

“Getting into a really good club like Richmond, it’s going to be so good and I can’t wait,” he said.

Sam Lalor. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

In a touching moment, the son of the Tigers’ late national recruiting manager Chris Toce was on hand to put Lalor’s nomination number into the system.

“I hope he knows what he’s doing, he’s backed me in. That was awesome, I really enjoyed it,” Lalor said.

Lalor put his hand up for Martin’s famous No.4 jumper and took early comparisons to the retired Richmond legend in his stride.

“It’s pretty hard to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him,” Lalor said of comparisons to Martin.

“He’s someone I’ve watched growing up, so I’d love to play like him.

“For me, I don’t look into it too much. I just can’t wait to get in there, chip away and work hard.”

Martin wore the No.4 jumper in all but the first of his 15 seasons at the top level, before retiring in August as one of the greatest players in AFL history.

Richmond officials are yet to confirm whether they will honour Martin’s legendary career by shelving the iconic jumper for a period or hand it to one of their new draftees straight away.

“I’d definitely like it,” Lalor said.

“I wear No.4 throughout the year and it’s my favourite number, so if I did get it, I’d snatch it up.”

Lalor was joined by Josh Smillie (pick seven), Taj Hotton (12), Jonty Faull (14), Luke Trainor (21) and Harry Armstrong (23) in Richmond’s first-round haul.

The Tigers traded pick 27 to North Melbourne, who pounced on key forward Matt Whitlock, but also have the first pick - No.28 overall - in Thursday’s second round.

Lalor, who missed chunks of the 2024 season through injury and revealed he will be put straight into a rehabilitation program for a few weeks, is happy to share the spotlight with his fellow Tiger cubs.

The Bacchus Marsh junior was drafted from Talent League club Greater Western Victoria Rebels, and shapes as a future Richmond leader after captaining both the Rebels and Vic Country.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of that (group) and hoping lead it as well,” Lalor said.

“Richmond having so many picks in the top few will help. Not all the spotlight’s on me ... I’m sure they’ll help me along the way and I’ll help them as well.”

Lalor was Richmond’s first No.1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.

North Melbourne selected Finn O’Sullivan at pick two and Carlton took Jagga Smith at three, with Victorian ball magnets proving popular early.

“I go for the Pies but I’m off ‘em now,” Smith quipped after his selection.

Adelaide picked South Australian product Sid Draper at pick four and reigning premiers Brisbane matched Melbourne’s bid on father-son selection Levi Ashcroft at five.