Key posts
Scenes from Marvel Stadium
Friends and family gather outside the stadium.Credit: AFL Photos
Isaac Kako of the Calder Cannons, pictured with a family member.Credit: AFL Photos
Draft prospect Jack Whitlock.Credit: AFL Photos
Early openers: Next year’s flag
A boyhood dream to join Richmond
Richmond’s draft bounty
These are Richmond’s picks at the draft. It’s an extraordinary draft bounty.
1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24
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What’s it like to be a hopeful?
By Marc McGowan
The Age followed prospective AFL draftees Levi Ashcroft, Noah Mraz and Nathaniel Sulzberger throughout the 2024 season for our Draft Dreams series, as they bid to join the big time.
In March, we met the running machine from Tassie (Sulzberger), an ex-basketballer now chasing a football career (Mraz), and a blue-chip prospect with the genes to match (Ashcroft).
The draft has finally arrived – the first round will be held on Wednesday night – and we checked in with the boys to find out how they are feeling, where they might get picked and which clubs are showing the most interest in them.
Levi Ashcroft will hear his name read out early in the first round.Credit: Simon Schluter
Some of the top prospects
The potential No.1 pick:
The gun player of the draft:
Essendon next-generation academy prospect
The latest draft mail
By Marc McGowan
Rival recruiters believe North Melbourne will prioritise the best-available talent rather than pick for need in a key decision that will shake up the rest of the top 10 in the AFL draft.
Richmond are strongly tipped to anoint GWV Rebels powerhouse and Dustin Martin clone Sam Lalor as the dux of the 2024 draft class on Wednesday night before the Kangaroos make their draft-shaping decision.
Intercept defender Alix Tauru was linked to North in recent months, given their midfield riches and need to upgrade their key-position stocks at either end, but hard-running onballer Finn O’Sullivan is now the popular choice at No.2.
If The Age’s predictions ring true, Sam Lalor (left), Alix Tauru and Jagga Smith will be the first three players selected in the AFL draft.Credit: Artwork by Steve Kiprillis
Good evening
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 AFL draft.
It’s close to two months since the Brisbane Lions famously won the premiership in convincing style against Sydney. Tonight, however, all eyes are on the future as the latest batch of draftees join the biggest competition in the country.
