Draft
Dreams realised amid the battles beyond footy: A week in the lives of top AFL prospects
It was an eventful week for the three AFL prospects The Age is following as part of our Draft Dreams series. There is father-son news, scan results, and some reflection on the national under-18 championships.
- by Marc McGowan
Latest
Updated
AFL 2024
All-Australian on Carlton’s radar; High-performance boss to depart
Carlton have met with a veteran Greater Western Sydney defender, who is out of contract and likely to leave the Giants.
- by Jake Niall, Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan
Money Talks
AFL 2024
Money Talks: Where this Eagle lands could unlock future trades
A low-profile Eagles key defender could be the unlikely key to unlocking some of the biggest deals in this year’s AFL trade period, while the race to be this year’s No.1 draft pick is heating up.
- by Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
Analysis
AFL 2024
Courageous, clean and consistent: How Smith jagged No.1 ranking for this year’s AFL draft
He might not be the standout No.1 pick like Harley Reid 12 months ago, but this midfield rubberman from the Oakleigh Chargers has emerged as the probable top selection at year’s AFL national draft.
- by Marc McGowan
Analysis
AFL 2024
How the Saints can lose this Battle, but win the war
St Kilda could net early first-round compensation if Josh Battle leaves, so it may just be in the Saints’ best interests to let him walk.
- by Jake Niall
‘A-grade forward’: The signs pointing to Caddy as a future star
The 193-centimetre 18-year-old showed the signs last weekend against Collingwood of what’s to come, according to Essendon legend and former star key forward Matthew Lloyd.
- by Marnie Vinall
The proposal that could overhaul AFL’s free agency compensation system
Greater transparency and the radical idea of tying compensation to the draft value index rather than the ladder position of the team that loses a key player are among submissions clubs have made to the AFL on the contentious free agency compensation system.
- by Peter Ryan
Draper poised to return; AFLW to adopt ‘wholly national draft’; Charlie McCartin bound for the VFL
Essendon are set to be significantly bolstered as they start their assault on the second half of the season, poised to welcome back guns including Sam Draper. Meanwhile, the AFLW will adopt a fully national draft model, to take effect for the 2025 season.
- by Marnie Vinall, Michael Gleeson and Scott Spits
A 50-disposal gun, an almost flawless prospect and Cripps 2.0: AFL draft hopefuls to watch
We spoke to AFL club recruiters to find out which of this year’s prospects are at the top of their boards at the midway point of the season as the national under-18 championships take centre stage.
- by Marc McGowan
Every player picked in the 2024 AFL mid-season draft
Tasmanian teenager and new North Melbourne player Geordie Payne was crowned the No.1 pick of the mid-season draft as one of 19 young men who found AFL homes on Wednesday night.
- by Marc McGowan, Roy Ward and Luke DAnello
Who is your club likely to pick in the mid-season draft?
The AFL’s annual mid-season rookie draft will be held on Wednesday night, with an in-form Tasmanian teenager rocketing into pole position to be the first player taken.
- by Marc McGowan