The first night of the draft is officially in the books as clubs and hopeful prospects prepare for the second instalment on Tuesday.
Like any draft, there was a few twists and turns including some names that were unexpectedly left on the board.
Below foxfooty.com.au has ran through the best players who weren’t taken on night one who are likely to go early in the second round.
Watch the conclusion of the 2022 AFL Draft on Fox Footy and Kayo from 7pm EDT on Tuesday November 29. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
READ MORE
ROUND 1 : Swans chaos after bid frenzy, shock trade as Giants get their Cad-man
TRACKER: Every pick and trade so far – and the selections remaining
TOP 50 RANKINGS: Fox Footy’s ranking of the best AFL Draft prospects, 1-50
Brayden George
Perhaps the most surprising name to still be on the board, many predicted George would go in the mid teens and he’d even been linked to Melbourne’s Pick 15 before it took Matt Jefferson. And so it shouldn’t take long at all for the powerful midfielder/forward’s name to be read out – potentially even by the Giants with night two’s opening pick No. 22, having been linked to George. He had a wretched run with injury in 2022 including suffering an ACL rupture in the Bushrangers’ wildcard final against the Dragons, but recruiters had already seen enough from the talented youngster.
Jakob Ryan
A versatile defender who can also swing onto the wing and up forward, the South Australian Ryan was strongly linked to Collingwood with Pick 19, however the Magpies instead took Ed Allan. Collingwood’s next Pick is No. 28, and you wouldn’t think he’s still available by then. Rival clubs also believed the Crows were into him and would consider him if they could trade back into the early stages of the draft. He played eight SANFL Under 18 games in which he accumulated between 25 and 30 disposals in each one of them, including gathering 28 disposals and 10 marks in Glenelg’s grand final win over North Adelaide.
Lewis Hayes
The younger brother of Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes, he’s one of the most highly-rated key position players in this year’s draft. The Western Bulldogs, Carlton and Collingwood have interest in the defender, with the former in the box seat should he slide to Pick 24. He averaged 17 disposals (91 per cent efficiency) and six marks for Vic Metro to earn All-Australian honours, while he also averaged 21 disposals and five marks for Eastern in the NAB League.
Aaron Cadman goes at #1 | 02:22
Olli Hotton
The forward/midfielder is the son of former Magpie and Blue Trent Hotton – and he cold yet get to Collingwood with either of its second picks – while the Dogs are also keen and have Pick 24. Hotton overcame a slow start to 2022 hampered by injury, Covid and inconsistent form to eventually surge up draft boards by mid-season. But it was on the national stage when he really caught recruiters’ eyes, including a 17-disposal, two-goal game against the Allies before racking up 24 touches and three goals against South Australia.
Harry Barnett
Regarded as the best ruckman of the draft and the South Australian has been likened to Brodie Grundy, who slipped to Pick 18 in his crop due to clubs’ reluctance to take rucks early. The 202cm Barnett played 12 games for West Adelaide‘s Under-18s side this year, averaging 24.8 hit-outs per game. The Swans (Pick 27) and Magpies (Pick 28) and Dockers (Pick 33) are clubs to watch should he make it that far, while Adelaide and Melbourne could also be teams that explore trading up to get him.
Lachie Cowan
The top prospect out of Tasmania was considered a potential first-round bolter after an impressive season including getting named in the Under 18 All-Australian side after averaging 22 disposals and going at 70 per cent by foot in four games for the Allies. Collingwood, Sydney and GWS were clubs linked to the rebounding defender with their first picks, while the Bulldogs and North could also pounce in the second round.
Melbourne win AFLW Grand Final! | 03:28
Charlie Clarke
Likened to Tom Papley, the exciting forward another name that surged up draft boards over the course of the season, culminating in an impressive national championships. He booted 29 goals for the season for Sandingham including 10 majors from four finals – while averaging 18.6 disposals and 4.1 inside 50s per game to earn selection in the NAB League Team of the Year. The Giants have strong interest in Clarke and could take him with Pick 22, while Collingwood and the Bulldogs have also been linked.
Henry Hustwaite
One of the most fascinating prospects who went into the draft with wide range from as early as the first round all the way through to the back end of the second. A big-bodied inside midfielder at 194cm who can also play as a third tall defender, there’s also been criticism on the Dandenong Stingrays product including his lack of speed, inconsistent kicking efficiency and where his best position is. Where he lands is a tricky one to product. He has a connection to Collingwood – with his brother Campbell the club’s VFL c0-captain in recent years – while the Giants are another club to watch.
Alwyn Davey Jnr
A bid on Davey, who’s tied to Essendon as a father-son prospect, could yet come after the Bombers’ second Pick (25) in what would be a massive win for the club and allow it to use two picks in the open pool. Renowned for his speed, evasion, cleanliness at ground level and goalkicking nous, the exciting forward gives Essendon fans plenty to be excited about including a dazzling two-goal, 19-disposal performance for Vic Metro in the national Under 18 championships against Western Australia.
Coby Burgiel
The Maffra product put together a consistent Nab League campaign, averaging 21.6 disposals and booting 12.11 from nine games. Burgiel also impressed in the national championships for Vic Country, averaging 17 disposals per contest. There’s been talk West Coast is keen on the midfielder/forward, more likely with their latter second round pick (29), which is the range where he’s expected to be taken.
