Every AFL club’s draft graded, with four big winners… and two who confused everyone: Report Card

The 2024 AFL national draft is over, with 71 players finding their way onto an AFL list for the 2025 season.

F1 LAS VEGAS SUNDAY 5PM AEDT | Who will cash in, in Sin City? Watch every lap LIVE in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

The Tigers and Eagles were the big winners of the meet, while the Swans and Roos’ decision-making will be questioned in the aftermath.

Foxfooty.com.au runs through every team’s picks at the 2024 AFL Draft and gives an early grade on their haul in our Report Card!

FULL WRAP: Everything that went down on night two

DRAFT TRACKER: Every pick, trade and bid made over two nights

RD 1 TALKING POINTS: Lions, Eagles cash in as Roos’ trade gamble boosts Tigers haul, Saints ignore star’s plea

ADELAIDE CROWS

Picks (at the start of the draft): 4, 64

Selections: Sid Draper (4), Tyler Welsh (59)

The big call Adelaide made was picking South Australian ball-winner Sid Draper over Victorian onballer Harvey Langford at No. 4. There probably wasn’t a wrong answer for the Crows, but it seemed the safer option nabbing the local product over someone who could eventually desire a move back to his home state. Draper is a ready-made footballer who could make his debut in round one, adding another dimension to the Crows’ midfield. The Crows landed father-son prospect Tyler Welsh with their second pick of the night. The young forward is the son of former Crows star Scott, who played 129 games for the Crows. Welsh has played for Adelaide’s SANFL side this season and is a lead up forward who loves to kick big bags of goals. The Crows should be happy with how their draft unfolded.

Grade: B+

BRISBANE LIONS

Picks (at the start of the draft): 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 58

Selections: Levi Ashcroft (5), Sam Marshall (25), Ty Gallop (42)

Brisbane became the latest to get its man for a bargain price. After pre-draft discussion about whether Richmond would force its hand at No. 1, a contending bid for Levi Ashcroft didn’t come until Melbourne at No. 5. It meant the Lions only had to surrender Picks 40, 42, 43 and 46 to match, gaining 68, 94 and 97 in return. They earlier finalised a trade with the Bulldogs to ensure their points position, acquiring Picks 35 and 48 for 27. It reminded of the Nick Daicos situation a few years back, when the father-son gem slid to Pick 4 and the Pies nabbed him for cheaper than expected. The Lions also matched Sydney’s bid for Academy graduate Sam Marshall late in the first round, before adding another Academy talent on night two in Ty Gallop — arguably the biggest bolter of the draft. Brisbane also armed itself with a bevy of future picks, which will assist in matching a bid on Academy prospect Daniel Annable; a possible top 10 pick in 2025.

Grade: A

CARLTON

Picks (at the start of the draft): 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 71

Selections: Jagga Smith (3), Harry O’Farrell (40), Ben Camporeale (43), Lucas Camporeale (54)

The Blues’ draft could be considered a success because of the Jagga Smith selection alone. The wiry Oakleigh Chargers accumulator has drawn apt comparisons to Zak Butters and adds an element of variance to an engine room already equipped with hard-nosed contested bulls. Then, on night two, Carlton got its hands on the Camporeale twins — first matching Geelong’s bid for Ben at No. 43. Before that however, they managed to land Calder Cannons key defender Harry O’Farrell, the son of Carlton tribunal lawyer Peter O’Farrell, who famously managed to get Patrick Cripps off at a Tribunal hearing back in 2022. Ben’s twin brother, Lucas, also realised his AFL dream when the Blues matched a bid at pick 54. A successful couple of nights for the Blues.

Grade: B+

COLLINGWOOD

Picks (at the start of the draft): 52, 55, 60, 66

Selections: Joel Cochran (47), Charlie West (50), Will Hayes (56)

The Magpies were one of just three clubs to not make a selection until night two, having done the brunt of their off-season work during the trade period — eventually picking Joel Cochran at No. 47. Sydney elected not to match Collingwood’s bid for the Swans Academy graduate — a developmental key defender to help fill a long-term need. The Pies rounded out their draft haul by selecting South Australian Charlie West and Claremont’s Will Hayes. It is hard to hand the Pies a grade better or worse than this given they didn’t get involved until late on, but positively they went about filling needs.

Grade: C+

ESSENDON

Picks (at the start of the draft): 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65

Selections: Isaac Kako (13), Kayle Gerreyn (37), Angus Clarke (39), Rhys Unwin (61), Zak Johnson (70)

The big point of discourse surrounding the Bombers was focussed on their pivotal trade call in October to deal the No. 9 selection in anticipation of a rival bid for Kako coming earlier than that slot. However, on Wednesday night, it didn’t come until Richmond made the Dons cough up at No. 14. This is where things get a bit sticky. Criticism has been heaped at the feet of Essendon for its pre-emptive choice to offload the pick, but the argument can be made that if the Bombers retained the pick, a rival club would in that case be more likely to log a bid at the slot before — e.g. St Kilda at No. 8. With Essendon moving out of the No. 9 slot, there was arguably less incentive for rivals to bid on Kako before the teens, thus justifying Matt Rosa’s call. West Australian tall Kayle Gerreyn fills a list need, while dashing defender Angus Clarke at pick 39 is a nice get. The Bombers landed on a pair of Victorian prospects in Rhys Unwin and Zak Johnson to round out their night. Matt Rosa has been very vocal in highlighting how this is a multi-year draft plan.

Grade: B

FREMANTLE

Picks (at the start of the draft): 14, 30, 67

Selections: Murphy Reid (17), Charlie Nicholls (34), Jaren Carr (63)

The Dockers were understood to have had serious interest in selecting Joe Berry with their first-round selection, before Port Adelaide convinced West Coast to move down — with the Power getting their hands on the best small forward in the open pool. Fremantle instead settled on Murphy Reid at No. 17, which is a great selection. The Sandringham Dragons midfielder is a classy and composed operator who will add even more polish to what is already an exciting midfield. South Australian Charlie Nicholls had plenty of fans and is a great pick, while father-son prospect Jaren Carr, son of Matthew, rounded out their night. The Dockers will be relatively happy with how things panned out.

Grade: B-

GEELONG

Picks (at the start of the draft): 45, 57, 74

Selections: Jay Polkinghorne (44), Jacob Molier (52), Lennox Hofmann (66), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (69)

The Cats were one of just three clubs to not make a selection until night two, having traded their first-rounder during the trade period — eventually picking Jay Polkinghorne at No. 44. Eight picks later, despite Alex Dodson still being available at both of Geelong’s selections, the Cats instead pounced on Dodson’s Sturt teammate Molier. Geelong also got its hands on St Kilda NGA product Lennox Hofmann, whom the Saints neglected to match the bid. The Cats have a knack for finding diamonds in the rough — see: Lawson Humphries at Pick 63 last year — so don’t be shocked if one or two of these guys end up becoming household names.

Grade: C+

GOLD COAST SUNS

Picks (at the start of the draft): 39, 41, 51, 61

Selections: Leonardo Lombard (9), Cooper Bell (49)

The Suns came in and did what they had to do, matching the Saints’ Leo Lombard bid at No. 9 — roughly where one had been predicted to fall. Gold Coast used Picks 40, 41, 48 and 58 to match, gaining 58, 89 and 94 in return. The Suns didn’t next pick until No. 49, pouncing on GWS Giants Academy swingman Cooper Bell — a relatively perplexing selection. The Suns will welcome another top Academy prospect next year in Zeke Uwland, the younger brother of Bodhi, as a possible top-10 pick — and with draft value index changes coming, they’ll need all the future picks they can get their hands on.

Grade: B

GWS GIANTS

Picks (at the start of the draft): 15, 16, 21, 37, 56, 73

Selections: Ollie Hannaford (18), Harrison Oliver (19), Cody Angove (24), Jack Ough (36), Logan Smith (71)

From Leek Aleer to Phoenix Gothard, the Giants have a knack for first-round draft bolters — and the Giants targeted West Australian talent Cody Angove this time around. Angove is a speedy half-forward who is impressive by foot, but sources believed he was likely to find a home on the second night of the draft, rather than the first. The Giants nabbed GWV Rebels jet Ollie Hannaford and Sandringham Dragons tough nut Harrison Oliver as well on night one, who well and truly fit their list profile. On night two, the Giants selected tall midfielder Jack Ough and Academy ruck Logan Smith. They might have looked a little bit off Broadway, but the Giants’ recruiting team will be pleased with how proceedings went.

Grade: B-

HAWTHORN

Picks (at the start of the draft): 33, 70, 75

Selections: Noah Mraz (35), Cody Anderson (64)

Hawthorn was one of three clubs to not get on the clock until night two, having dealt its first-rounder during the trade period — eventually picking key defender Mraz at No. 35. It is hard to hand the Hawks a grade better or worse than this, given they didn’t get involved until the second evening. Mraz is somewhat of an unknown commodity after missing the majority of 2024 with a navicular injury. NGA graduate Cody Anderson, the ‘Beast from the East’, was their final pick of the night.

Grade: C

MELBOURNE

Picks (at the start of the draft): 5, 9

Selections: Harvey Langford (6), Xavier Lindsay (11), Aidan Johnson (68)

Melbourne’s midfield will receive a big boost with the acquisition of Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Harvey Langford and Gippsland Power midfielder Xavier Lindsay. Langford was a pillar of consistency across all levels this year as a bigger-bodied midfielder, while the classy Lindsay resembles Bombers star Zach Merrett. The duo adds much-needed depth to the engine room next year and also form a contingency plan for if one or both of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca unexpectedly departs in the future. They also added mature-aged Werribee VFL forward Aidan Johnson on night two. The Dees did the brunt of their work on night one, and they come away with two premium long-term players.

Grade: B

NORTH MELBOURNE

Picks (at the start of the draft): 2, 62

Selections: Finn O’Sullivan (2), Matt Whitlock (27), Luke Urquhart (57), River Stevens (67)

The Roos were the surprise packet at the end of the first night, trading their future first-round selection for Richmond’s Pick 27 and its future second. It’s an incredibly bold strategy and one that relies on North Melbourne bouncing quickly next year, otherwise they will have traded out a potential top five selection in 2025. North Melbourne fans should be buoyed by the selections they did make however, with Finn O’Sullivan set to add plenty to an extremely youthful and talented midfield group. Matt Whitlock is also an extremely exciting prospect, having shown an ability to dominate as a tall at either end of the ground — he is also a value selection given many touted him as a first-round pick. North added another midfielder in physically-imposing Western Australian Luke Urquhart with its third selection, before capping its haul with father-son prospect River Stevens. A lot of the talk, though, will centre on that blockbuster night one trade.

Grade: C-

PORT ADELAIDE

Picks (at the start of the draft): 13, 29, 36, 50

Selections: Joe Berry (15), Jack Whitlock (33), Christian Moraes (38)

The Power landed Murray Bushrangers livewire Joe Berry after using Pick 45 to get a pick ahead of West Coast in the first round, despite having been linked to a key-position type with their first selection. Berry is an exciting forward prospect who plays in a similar manner to Port Adelaide champion Joe Berry and is a chance to walk straight into Ken Hinkley’s best 23. Night two proved just as fruitful for the Power, snapping up slider Jack Whitlock at No. 33 — after it was understood they were surveying key forward options with their first selection. They made another value addition five picks later, calling the name of running machine Christian Moraes to supplement their midfield group.

Grade: A

RICHMOND

Picks (at the start of the draft): 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24

Selections: Sam Lalor (1), Josh Smillie (7), Taj Hotton (12), Jonty Faull (14), Luke Trainor (21), Harry Armstrong (23), Thomas Sims (28), Jasper Alger (58)

The Tigers more than capitalised on their generational draft arsenal, making six picks with the seven first-round selections they entered the night wielding. First, they made GWV Rebels game-breaker Sam Lalor the first overall pick, before adding two more promising midfielder types in big-bodied Eastern Ranges standout Josh Smillie and forward-of-centre hybrid Taj Hotton. They opted to hold fire on picking a key-position player until their fourth selection at No. 14, snapping up bolter Jonty Faull. And while the selection of Faull may have come as a surprise in itself, Richmond turned heads by snapping up another key-position goalkicker less than 10 picks later — a slider this time in Sandy spearhead Harry Armstrong at No. 23. The Tigers also shored up their key-defensive depth, calling the name of athletic interceptor Luke Trainor two picks earlier at No. 21. An already-successful evening then inconceivably became even better, with Richmond finding itself on the better end of a pick swap with North Melbourne — gaining the Roos’ future first-rounder in exchange for Pick 27 and its future second-rounder. The Tigers also fielded calls for their eighth choice — the first pick of the second round — but opted to snap up another forward-half key-position asset in Thomas Sims. In the aftermath, list boss Blair Hartley said Richmond “never really got super close to trading it (Pick 28)”. But while it seemed the Tigers were done and dusted for 2024, they traded a future fourth-rounder to Gold Coast to get back in at No. 58, jumping on massive slider Jasper Alger — a mid-sized forward compared to the likes of Ollie Henry. A tremendous haul all-round, with some terrific value at the back end.

Grade: A+

ST KILDA

Picks (at the start of the draft): 7, 8, 32, 47

Selections: Tobie Travaglia (8), Alix Tauru (10), James Barrat (32), Hugh Boxshall (45), Alex Dodson (53), Patrick Said (60)

Fear not Saints fans, you’ve landed some gems in this draft. Despite many expecting St Kilda to target midfielders at the top end of the draft, it went after Bendigo Pioneers defender Tobie Travaglia and Gippsland Power high-flyer Alix Tauru. A hard-running defender, Travaglia is also strong in the air, while the athletic Tauru is an intercepting beast. Travaglia will complement the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair nicely, while Tauru will help to fill the hole left in the backline after Josh Battle’s departure. The Saints picked fifth in the second-round order, landing James Barrat, before capitalising on tremendous value in the form of sliding ruckman Alex Dodson. While the decision to overlook the midfield position early on is one that may leave heads scratching, the value selections of Dodson and Boxshall ensure this is more than a respectable haul for the Saints.

Grade: B+

SYDNEY SWANS

Picks (at the start of the draft): 19, 22, 44, 59

Selections: Jesse Dattoli (22), Ned Bowman (26), Riley Bice (41), Riak Andrew (55)

The Swans got their hands on two first-rounders this year in Vic Metro youngster Jesse Dattoli and South Australian excitement machine Ned Bowman. Dattoli is one of the hardest runners in this year’s pool and has the ability to play as a forward or through the midfield. Considered a bolter by some, Bowman will add speed, power and plenty of x-factor to the Swans’ forward half. Sydney had been tipped to snag a key-position forward given its recent shortcomings at the position. The Swans’ decision to overlook one with both of their first-rounders is questionable, but they did secure Riak Andrew — younger brother of Mac — with their final pick of the night. Werribee mature-ager Riley Bice also secured an opportunity after a strong state-league season. The Swans will be hoping to go one further in 2025, but it might take a couple of these guys a little bit of time to find their feet and strongly contribute.

Grade: C-

WEST COAST EAGLES

Picks (at the start of draft): 12, 26, 72

Selections: Bo Allan (16), Jobe Shanahan (30), Tom Gross (46), Lucca Grego (48), Hamish Davis (65)

The Eagles can be considered one of the biggest winners of the draft after landing top West Australian talent Bo Allan. The Peel Thunder product had top-10 interest this year but slid all the way down to the Eagles at Pick 16. West Coast managed to secure Pick 45 as well as a result of sliding back an extra selection, with the Power trading up to land Joe Berry instead. Bendigo Pioneers forward Jobe Shanahan was one of the biggest sliders of the draft and was a massive steal at Pick 30, while the Eagles continued their stellar draft by snagging All-Australian midfielder Tom Gross at Pick 46. Western Jets on-baller Lucca Grego also gets his chance, while local product Hamish Davis was a bargain at Pick 65, too. One of the biggest winners, if not the biggest winner, of the draft.

Grade: A+

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Picks (at the start of draft): 17, 25, 35, 48

Selections: Cooper Hynes (20), Lachie Jaques (29), Josh Dolan (31), Sam Davidson (51), Luke Kennedy (62)

The Bulldogs pounced on Bonbeach beast Cooper Hynes with their first selection. The Dandenong Stingrays co-captain plays similarly to Jake Stringer and could slot straight into Luke Beveridge’s forward line from Round 1. The Dogs made a trade with the Lions on night one, bundling up Picks 35 and 48 for 27. On night two, they snagged general defender Lachie Jaques and forward-half talent Josh Dolan with a pair of early selections. Highly regarded VFL star Sam Davidson was also added to their ranks, as was midfield workhorse Luke Kennedy. They didn’t get an out and out superstar, but that didn’t stop them from finding some really talented players.

Grade: C+