AFL draft: Recap all the action from 2024’s opening round
The AFL draft is upon us!
See who goes No.1 and who West Coast and Freo select as we take you through the pick-by-pick action.
Follow the latest developments below, with the first selection to be made just after 4pm WA time.
Pick 10 (St Kilda)
A key defender is off the board with the Saints taking Alix Tauru.
Maybe this is their like-for-like Battle replacement.
He has been called a high-flyer, earning the nickname ‘flying-Viking’.
Intercept marking will be one of his roles.
He also played alongside Tobie Travaglia so that will help the pair hit the ground running.
F-Bomb!
Leo Lombard was so excited to be interviewed and be in the AFL he drops the F-bomb on air.
Also, his Dad Hector was a UFC fighter!
Pick 9 (Gold Coast)
The Saints used their second pick in a row to select Leonardo Lombard but he is a Suns academy player.
They place a bid on the young midfielder, and he is headed to the Sunshine Coast.
Lombardo loves physicality and can spend some time forward.
He gets the jumper from mate Jake Rogers.
Lombard won the Allies MVP award and has great speed.
He has also been compared to Eagle Tim Kelly.
Pick 8 (St Kilda)
Tobie Travaglia is a Saint.
It will come as a surprise to no one Ross Lyon has added to his defensive stocks.
After losing Josh Battle to Hawthorn young Tobie could make a nice replacement.
He is more versatile and can also be a runner from half-back.
He is known as a competitor as well, and teams like his kicking.
Pick 7 (Richmond)
Richmond’s second pick is Josh Smillie.
There were reports he could be a draft slider but the Tigers have seen something they like.
He models himself on Patrick Cripps and has done work with the Brownlow medallist.
He can be a swingman as well as run through the middle with power.
Pick 6 (Melbourne)
Harvey Langford is a Demon.
He is another big-bodied midfielder who will add a physical presence at 191cm.
He is also left-footed.
He was named the Vic Country MVP and came out of the gate strong this season to shoot up the draft board.
A great pick for the Demons.
Pick 5 (Brisbane)
Melbourne had pick five but they selected Levi Ashcroft.
It prompts the Lions to make their father-son selection with a fleet of picks.
Ashcroft is rated the top prospect tonight and is the younger brother of premiership star Will.
He is another one expected to not be far off the first team straight away.
Pick 4 (Adelaide)
The Crows have picked the local lad in Sid Draper.
He played for South Adelaide and will get to stay in his home state.
Many teams were hopeful he’d slip down the order but the Crows have pounced.
He has speed and power to burn and is every chance to crack Adelaide’s midfield for round one.
He did miss a chunk of this season with shin splints, however.
Pick 3 (Carlton)
The pick that could have been West Coast’s is used on Jagga Smith.
Smith has already gained quite a following from fans and the Blues will still be stoked with their selection.
He averaged 31 disposals this year including in five senior VFL matches.
Has been compared to Power star Zak Butters and was named captain of the Under 18s All-Australian squad.
Pick 2 (North Melbourne)
Finn O’Sullivan is the next man off the board.
Carlton worked the deal with West Coast to try and get their hands on this young man, but North Melbourne has got in first.
Draft guru Kevin Sheehan refers to him as a “Rolls Royce” while Marcus Bontempelli’s name has come up a few times.
He can do a lot of damage going forward from the midfield and is a great kick.
