By Connor Stewart
It is that time of the year again where all the work that the 18 clubs have done in the last 12 months getting recruiters traveling around the country to find young top end talent and find a future star and superstar that can build your club for the future. The AFL draft is what these kids have waited for most of lives ever since they touched a footy. So many kids will hear their name called by an AFL Club and get to feel the emotion in their eyes when they hug their parents knowing they have made the first step of what they have dreamt about.
Adelaide Crows (Picks 4,64,78)
The Adelaide Crows time to fly starts now because if they fail with the 4th pick of the draft and get a slow start to the 2025 AFL season then there will be mid-season changes in the playing and coaching group. Adelaide have such a dynamic forward line with Rankine, Walker, and Fogarty and they had a tremendous offseason with player movement by getting Issac Cunning and James Peatling from GWS and Alex Neal Bullen from Melbourne. Adelaide need is a midfielder that generates clearance as Adelaide was ranked 15th in centre clearances.
(Left) Former Crows Player Nathan Van Berlo Presenting Number 4 pick Sid Draper his Guernsey in the 2024 AFL Draft (Right) .
Brisbane Lions (Picks 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 58)
The reigning premiers draft is mostly on the father son pick of Levi Ashcroft and the brother of the 2024 Norm Smith Medal Will Ashcroft, However during the off season the retirement of Joe Daniher. Brisbane number 1 need is a key forward because to replace Daniher and to create a potential dynasty with the young talent they have.
(Left) Levi Ashcrofy getting his jumper presented by Chris Johnson (Right) after Brisbane Selected him at Pick 5 of the 2024 Draft.
Carlton Blues (Picks 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 71)
Carlton traded future 1st round picks for the number 3 pick in the draft, however the Blues made the decision to trade Matt Owies and delist Jack Martin, and with that being said The Blues need to select a small forward in this year’s draft, because the stats in finals say small forwards are the difference makers and the 2024 finals series really proved that stat correct.
Jagga Smith Embracing the emotion with friends and family after hearing his name called at Pick 3 of the Draft by the Carlton Football Club.
Collingwood Magpies (Picks 52, 55, 60, 66, 82)
If there is a club that does not have a top 20-25 pick but desperately needs one, it is Collingwood they were hampered with injury this year and they have an aging list with some key players potentially set to retire at the end of the 2025 season. One of Magpies late round picks needs to be a defender that can read the ball and take intercept marks because with the retirement of Nathan Murphy ,as Collingwood lacked the physical presence down back.
Harry DeMattia getting selcted at Pick 25 for the Collingwood Football Club In last's years draft.
Essendon Bombers (Picks 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65)
Essendon draft picks are mostly going to get used in the bidding for Issac Kako who is a sneaky small forward from there next gen academy, however Bombers in the late rounds of the draft need to get a half back to that can get in the face of the opposition or potentially a key defender because Ben McKay lost 40% 1 on 1 contests during this season.
Issac Kako get pictures taken after getting selceted by the Bombers at pick 13 of the 2024 Draft.
Fremantle Dockers (Picks 14, 30, 67, 81, 89)
Fremantle had a trade trade period with the arrival of Shai Bolton and getting pick 14 in exchange for the trade of Bolton, but the Dockers need to make finals this year or there going to have to make some big calls around the coach. Freo do not have that many positions available because of how good their current list, but if there was a position of need it is a wingman to help generate exiting ball movement.
Murphy Reid (Left) gets his jumper presented by Fremantle Coach Justin Longmuir (Right).
Geelong Cats (Picks 45, 57, 74, 84)
Geelong did most of their movement in the free agency and trade period by getting delisted free agent Jack Martin from Carlton and traded for Bailey Smith from the Western Bulldogs. Cats great Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy announced their retirements during the 2024 season. The Cats were 2 goals away from making it to another grand final. The Cats need more midfield depth because that was lacking during the season and cost them the preliminary final against Brisbane.
Joel Selwood (Left) Presnting Geelong first Rounder Connor O'sullivan his jersey from the 2023 AFL Draft.
Gold Coast Suns (Picks 39, 41, 51, 61)
Gold Coast are in a prime position to make finals next year, but the suns do need to deliver with their footy list, as it continually gets stacked with their next gen academy being undoubtable the best in the AFL. Gold coast got Daniel Rioli and John Noble, and they have enough points to bid on gun kid Leo Lombard who will be in the midfield with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. If Gold coast had a late round pick, they should use it on a defender to develop that player.
Leo Lombard Celebrating after getting drafted by the Gold Coast Suns.
GWS Giants (Picks 15, 16, 21, 37, 56, 73)
GWS had a tremulous offseason with losing 3 players in the offseason with Harry Perryman signing with Collingwood and James Peatling and Issac Cunning joining the Crows. However, that was not the only news GWS was in as the players had a dress up party and some players were caught to have behaved inappropriately with some of their outfits that they believed was meant for a good laugh. GWS biggest need in this year draft is a midfielder because other than Tom Green the Giants have an aging midfield list the Giants need to find a player that can dominate possession, so the load is off Tom Green in key situations.
Oliver Hannaford getting drafted at Pick 18 for GWS Giants in the 2024 Draft.
Hawthorn Hawks (Picks 33, 70, 75)
Hawthorn was the biggest story in the 2024 season after being 0-5 and bottom of the ladder ending up playing finals and also winning a final. Hawthorn made their splash in the off season by trading for West Coast defender Tom Barrass and signing free agent Josh Battle from St. Kilda. Hawthorn will not be picking until the 2nd round of this years draft, but in order for hawthorn to build on their 2024 season success they need to get a key midfielder because they had some injuries and even with their youth getting an extra midfielder could decide if they win or lose a premiership in 2025.
Nick Watson celebrating getting drafted by Hawthron with his parents in Last's Years AFL Draft.
Melbourne Demons (Picks 5, 9, 79)
2024 has been disastrous for the Melbourne Football Club on and off the field. The biggest storyline was the trade rumours of Clayton Oliver going to the Geelong Cats and the Christan Petracca injury to his spline and stayed out 10-15 minutes after the injury which should have never happened and let’s not get started on all the drama surrounding their board. In 2025 Melbourne need to fix up their “Culture” if they want to contend for the premiership again.
Melbourne is fortunate in this years draft by having 2 top 10 picks, but can they hit on their selections. Melbourne biggest need is a midfielder and a Key forward. The reason behind a midfielder is in the 2025 season does not go to plan there is a possibility Oliver and Petracca could request trades and drafting a midfielder would make sense and ease the pain a little bit. Melbourne also need a key forward ever since the 2021 premiership they have lacked a goalkicker and big presence that could allow their small forwards becoming more effective.
Xavier Lindsay (Left) and Harvey Langford (Right) with coach Simon Goodwin (Middle) after getting selected by the Demons.
North Melbourne (Picks 2, 62, 76, 86)
North Melbourne is in all sorts with the amount of losing and bottom 4 finishes in the last 5 years they have had, however will all the losing they have seemed to really fumble the bag when it comes to the draft and selecting players that do not fit their style and system. This off-season North decided to get experience players and leaders to help the young players find a winning mentality, so north ended up getting Jack Darling, Caleb Daniel and Luke Parker. North Melbourne biggest need is a midfielder because north had a few close games this season and the difference on winning the games and losing was 1 or 2 centre and stoppage clearances.
Finn O'Sullivan excited after being drafted pick number 2 by the North Melbourne Football Club.
Port Adelaide (Picks 13, 29, 36, 50)
This is potentially Ken Hinkley final season coaching the power in 2025, so they want to make it count and try and win a premiership after failing expectations in finals the last several years. Port got dealt with a big blow in the trade period with Dan Houston getting traded to Collingwood. Port’s biggest need in the draft is a key forward because we don’t know who port trust up forward, is it Dixon, Lord, Marshall because it does not seem to work in finals for them and if they select a future full forward with the squad port has could be a danger to the other 17 clubs.
Joe Berry getting drafted by Port Adelaide in the 2024 Draft.
Richmond Tigers (Picks 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24)
After winning 3 premierships in 4 years the dynasty is officially over, and it is time for the “Richmond Rebuild.” This off-season Richmond have lost so many players including the retirement of Dustin Martin and the players getting traded in Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli and Jack Graham leaving as a free agent to West Coast. The best thing for Richmond is the number of top 25 picks they have in 8 in this year’s draft. The biggest need for Richmond is a midfielder and a defender because they have lost so many players, they need to get their rebuild right because if not, it can having a long-term effect on the club for a decade. The Tigers should also trade a couple of their late first round picks to get future first round picks so they can evaluate after the 2025 season.
Number 1 Pick Sam Lalor (Left) getting his jumper presented by 3-time primership Captain Trent Cotchin (Right).
St. Kilda (Picks 7, 8, 32, 47, 80, 88)
The Saints have given their fans false hope in the last 10 years with starting the season well and finishing poorly or start the season on badly and going on run of wins after realising they are out of finals contention. The Saints lost Josh battle in free agency and delisted Tim Membrey who went to Collingwood, but they did however trade for Bulldogs star Jack Macrae to bolster the midfield depth. The saints has a few big needs in the draft; however, I believe that they need another key forward to help take the stress away from Max King and also Max King has missed a lot of games through injury since getting drafted by St. Kilda so it would be great for the club if Saints have 2 key forwards on their list.
Alix Tauru (Left) and Tobie Travaglia (Right) getting selcted by St. Kilda in the 1st round of the 2024 AFL Draft.
Sydney Swans (Picks 19, 22, 44, 59, 85, 91)
The minor premiers and the runners up of the 2024 Grand final in which the Swans fans and team will want to forget. the Sydney Swans have had a quiet off-season with their only loss being Luke Parker and Jacob Konstanty both traded to North Melbourne. The Swans have 2 top 25 picks in this year draft and their main priority on the draft needs to be a Key Forward. The 2nd half of the season proved Sydney needed a Key forward and it basically cost them not winning a flag this year for not being on que when Lance Franklin retired in the 2023 season.
Jesse Dattoli (Left) with assistand coach Dean Cox (Right) after Sydney selcting him at Pick 22.
West Coast Eagles (Picks 12, 26, 72, 77, 87, 92)
West Coast off-season was more off-field looking for a new head coach in which they decided to hire Andrew McQualter and got Richmond players Liam Baker and Jack Graham. West coast decided to split Pick number 3 and also got Matt owies from Calton in Exchange to boost the small forwards list and the eagles also got a future first round pick. The Eagles did trade Tom Barrass to Hawthorn. West Coast in the draft need to replace Barrass and find a key defender that can be key in crucial moments one on one when the game is on the line.
John Worsfold (Left) Presenting Pick 16 Bo Allan (Right) His jumper.
Western Bulldogs (Picks 17, 25, 35, 48, 83, 90)
The Western Bulldogs are a funny side because they can be the best team in the competition one week and the next have a massive drop from grace and lose to a team they are expected to win. The Bulldogs lost Bailey Smith (Geelong), Caleb Daniel (North), and Jack Macrae (Saints) this offseason but gained Matt Kennedy from Carlton. The Bulldogs need a key defender desperately they have the list to contend for a premiership but always seem to fail in expectations. Key defender will give the load off Liam Jones and have a decent back 6 that can hold their own under pressure. The Bulldogs know that if they fail expectations again Luke Beverage could get the boot because of how bad he has fumbled the list in recent years.
Cooper Hynes Selected Pick 20 in the 2024 AFL Draft.
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