The nominations are in for Wednesday’s mid-season rookie draft.
The full list of 338 players who’ve thrown their hat into the ring includes a host of 18-year-olds playing in the Coates Talent League, ranging up to 32-year-old Sam Darley, who plays for the Melton South Panthers in the Riddell District Football League.
Versatile midfielder Tom McCarthy, currently playing in the VFL for Richmond, is expected to be snapped up by West Coast as the first player chosen in the draft.
But the most interest is likely to centre on who Essendon take with their selections, as there is a real possibility the injury-hit Bombers might immediately deploy one or more of their recruits at senior level against the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night.
The Bombers have list vacancies to take up to four players at the draft, while Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs both have two openings, and West Coast, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Carlton all have one spot to fill.
Some valuable players have been picked up at previous mid-season drafts, including Hawthorn getting Jai Newcome in 2021, the same year Essendon picked up Sam Durham. The Bombers also got Massimo D’Ambrosio in 2022, while John Noble landed at Collingwood and James Peatling was recruited by Adelaide.
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