The AFL Draft is less than a fortnight away but teams have spent months figuring out their top targets among the country’s most talented kids.
For many it’ll be a case of just picking the best one on the board, but others have very specific needs or types of players they’ll be after.
Foxfooty.com.au looks at the top needs of each club heading into the 2022 national draft.
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ADELAIDE CROWS
The Crows need some more midfield depth and a bit more size. Izak Rankine will help bolster the forward line and the back six looks well settled, but more grunt and burst in the middle is needed. Mattaes Phillipou would be the perfect option for them to help add some more dare to the midfield mix. His South Australian pedigree helps bolster the case even more and could be the difference between picking either him or Geelong Falcons co-captain Jhye Clark. Another option is Oliver Hollands, who is a Vic Country prospect who can do damage by foot. In any case, midfield spark is likely the order for the Crows as they look to continue their rebuild.
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions are in the unique position of having the best player in the draft already locked and loaded. Will Ashcroft will come in and could well slot straight into the senior side given his pedigree, which will see him combine with big recruit Josh Dunkley to add a whole new layer of depth to the midfield, which is where the side has been lacking in recent seasons compared to other sides’ depth. Another midfielder will come in on top of that, with Ashcroft’s fellow father-son prospect Jaspa Fletcher. It could hardly be set up any better for the Lions at this draft given the talent coming in and the needs they’ll address. More defensive depth would be ideal, but this draft looks set to address the midfield.
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CARLTON
The Blues secured some more outside run and wing strength via a trade with Fremantle for Blake Acres. Elsewhere, they would do well to get some more key defensive depth. With a pick towards the end of the first round, their options may gradually be whittled away. Still, there are some fine prospects in defence. Lewis Hayes has impressed for Eastern Ranges. Oakleigh Chargers prospect Luke Teal has shown an ability to play on mid-sized forwards as well as smalls. Jakob Ryan is another who boasts versatility in defence and is on the taller end. It may well be a case of taking the best-available option for the Blues.
COLLINGWOOD
The Pies have looked to address a lot of their needs via trade and free agency, with the additions of Daniel McStay, Tom Mitchell and Bobby Hill. McStay can act as a utility but the Pies would still be well-served looking for more key defensive depth given the retirement of Jordan Roughead and age of Jeremy Howe. Given their first pick is No.16, the Pies may well be holding their breath in the hope their preference still remains. Jedd Busslinger has size and intercepting ability that could fit right in should he slide that far down in the order. Lewis Hayes should have some interest from arch-rivals Carlton and also offers intercepting capabilities along with the likes of Vic Country’s James Van Es and WA’s Hugh Davies.
ESSENDON
The Bombers hold pick No.4 and with it a golden opportunity to secure a player based on needs rather than whoever is left. Some more height are dare through the middle of the ground will do them wonders, even though they’ve already gone and recruited Will Setterfield from Carlton to try add depth through there. Harry Sheezel might not be there by pick No.4 but the Bombers have already added to their forward pressure with the return of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Elijah Tsatas is a tantalising prospect that has to be considered by the Bombers given the burst and class he can add to a midfield that looks to have a resurgent Dylan Shiel. Alwyn Davey Jnr is an obvious appeal given he’s a father-son prospect, but is more offensively-minded than other options.
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FREMANTLE
More dare is needed in the Dockers lineup to help transition scoring improve. The issue for the Dockers is that trading for Luke Jackson has left them with pick No.30 as their first in the draft. Kaleb Smith could be considered after posting promising numbers at the West Australian draft combine, with the fact he’s a WA local fitting in with the club’s tendency to lean towards home-grown prospects. Ultimately, they won’t have much sway in the draft to address their needs given their meagre draft capital.
GEELONG CATS
The reigning premiers are a tough one to consider given they’ve already brought in three former top 20 draft picks via the trade. Pick No.7 is their highest pick since Joel Selwood, who is the idol of draft gun Jhye Clark. Clark looms as a great midfielder of the future and it looms as the key need for the Cats, who have lost Selwood and will likely lose Patrick Dangerfield within the next few years. Some more grunt in the middle is required and Clark fits the bill. He should be their key target, but if not then they will have a plethora of midfield options to consider given the pick they wield.
GOLD COAST SUNS
The Suns need some more class heading inside 50. That need has only grown with the departure of Izak Rankine, who helped generate so many scores with his possessions. Elijah Tsatas is a great option but his preference to stay in Melbourne if possible might scare the Suns off. Bailey Humphrey is a promising midfield-forward and could be the perfect addition to the side, forming a formidable inside combination with Matt Rowell but also offering goalkicking ability where needed to add some more danger to the Suns’ midfield mix.
GWS GIANTS
The Giants could desperately use a genuine star key forward to partner with Toby Greene and they look set to address that need with Aaron Cadman. Trading for the first pick in the draft has allowed the Giants to take their pick of the draft pool and it looks very likely Cadman will be their selection. Losing Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper also creates a need in the middle of the ground and it’s one they could easily fill with the likes of George Wardlaw, Elijah Tsatas and Harry Sheezel, not to mention Jhye Clark too.
HAWTHORN
Outside of time, the Hawks could do with more consistency up forward and in the middle, particularly with the loss of so many veterans this off-season. Pick No.6 certainly helps and they could snatch Jhye Clark before Geelong gets a chance to. He and Cameron Mackenzie are solid choices, as is forward option Bailey Humphrey. The Hawks will also be hoping Elijah Tsatas’ desire to play in Melbourne scares off the Suns enough to slip through to the Hawks.
MELBOURNE
The Dees’ list is pretty well-settled. While they need another consistent key forward, they’re putting their faith in Jacob Van Rooyen as well as Max Gawn now that Brodie Grundy has arrived. Because of that, it’s likely a case of taking the best available player at pick No.13. Bailey Rogers is one who can deliver the ball cleanly inside 50. Cameron Mackenzie will be considered by many clubs. Elijah Hewett and Ollie Hollands are another two midfield options.
NORTH MELBOURNE
North Melbourne needs a lot from a talent perspective and they seem to have recognised that through trading the first pick in exchange for picks two and three. In the middle, they can go for Elijah Tsatas and George Wardlaw. Harry Sheezel could be great up forward and add a point of difference to the side’s forward line. Ben McKay should move back to defence full-time while Griffin Logue also joins the back six, so it may be a case of focusing on the mid-forwards, albeit with a tendency towards the latter.
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PORT ADELAIDE
There isn’t much Port Adelaide can do given the trade period haul has left them with just picks 33 and 60. From that point it’s hard to put too much of a positional target on the board, given there are so many possibilities over who could be available once they’re on the clock. A truly big key defender would help though you’re not going to get anyone fully developed in the draft; perhaps a midfielder would be the other priority. They’ve nominated Nathan Barkla as a NGA prospect so if he slides through the draft he’ll be considered.
RICHMOND
Like Port Adelaide, Richmond is going to have very little to do this draft period after a busy trade period. The Tigers hold picks 53 and 63 and are likely to use just the first of those.
ST KILDA
The Saints need to add some dare to their midfield and try get someone who can aid Jade Gresham in providing some spark. Jordan De Goey was the one they wanted but instead they will have to go to the draft. Cameron Mackenzie should be available to select, but they will have to pay a far higher price for him than they would’ve before the NGA rules were tweaked. Mattaes Phillipou fits the mould of a midfielder with the ability do damage forward. They’d be hoping Bailey Humphrey slips down the order a bit to take him, but it’s unlikely.
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SYDNEY SWANS
It’s a great sign for the Swans that they made the Grand Final and still have picks 14 and 17 to play with in this year’s draft. It’s a great hand to hold. Given the Swans are pretty well set, they could potentially go for the best available players with their picks rather than any pure needs-based player. Oliver Hollands could suit this bracket nicely given his versatility. They’ve also got an Academy project in Will Edwards, who shapes as a defender. Elijah Hewett may just be out of reach but if he’s available then he could be a great option to bolster the middle.
WEST COAST EAGLES
The Eagles need plenty of youth to come into the side and four picks inside the top 30 will give them good looks. Reuben Ginbey is a West Australian and turned heads at the draft combine. He’s a versatile midfielder with elite athleticism. The Eagles will be hoping he gets to pick No.8 and if he does they’ll likely take him. Ollie Hollands was a joint winner of the 2km time trial and that sort of running capability is what the Eagles need. If Jedd Busslinger is around too, he could add to the WA talent and provide relief in a back six that got overworked in 2022.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
It’s strange to say given how well-stocked they were, but the Dogs may well need some more midfield depth after the departures of Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter. Liam Jones comes in to fill a key defensive role and Sam Darcy looks like he could swing back there too, so it’s now a case of bolstering the core. Pick No.11 is their first and Ollie Hollands would be a great addition if he is still around, as would Cameron Mackenzie.
