Football fans, get excited—it’s time for the 2024 AFL Draft! In the lead-up to the big event, speculation is at fever pitch. Who will go no. 1? Which clubs are primed to bolster their lists? Will we see any surprise live trades? ESPN has you covered with our final Phantom Draft, boldly projecting how all 71 picks could unfold across 7 rounds, factoring in father-son & academy bids plus forecast pick swaps.
Sam Lalor Leads Richmond’s Reload
The no. 1 pick is all but locked in, with Richmond set to pounce on powerful Bacchus Marsh midfielder Sam Lalor. Drawing comparisons to Dustin Martin with his explosiveness and scoreboard impact, Lalor is the centerpiece of the Tigers’ aggressive list refresh. ESPN understands Martin will do the honors, personally handing Lalor his new no. 4 guernsey on stage.
Top 10 Intrigue: O’Sullivan, Draper Jockey For Position
But from pick 2, the draft order is far from settled. North Melbourne continues to field offers to trade down, with rivals circling midfield jets Finn O’Sullivan and Alix Tauru. The Roos’ decision shapes the rest of the top 10, where Carlton and Adelaide are weighing up SA excitement machine Sid Draper against big-bodied ball-winner Jagga Smith.
Father-Son, Academy Guns Attract Fierce Bidding
Several clubs face nervous waits to match bids for highly coveted father-son & academy talents:
- Brisbane – Ashcroft adds to Lions’ famous dynasty
- Gold Coast – Speedster Lombard a steal for Suns
- Essendon – Magician small Kako worth going early for
- Brisbane – Running machine Sam Marshall completing QLD raid
This draft runs deeper than many expect. Clubs are scrambling to get their hands on picks inside the top 25, but no one is budging. It could set the scene for a wild night of live trading.
– AFL Recruiter
Mature-Age Smokeys Spice Up Second Round
While early picks are dominated by NAB League stars, some mature-age prospects are demanding attention in the second round:
- Riley Bice – VFL premiership Tiger reinvented as a dashing halfback
- Sam Davidson – All the tools to be a dangerous medium forward
- Will Hoare – Category B rookie Bomber might get a senior gig
ESPN’s Final Phantom Draft
Without further ado, here is ESPN‘s complete 2024 AFL Phantom Draft, projecting all 71 picks factoring in predicted bids & live trading:
Round 1 1. Richmond – Sam Lalor 2. North Melbourne – Finn O’Sullivan 3. Carlton – Sid Draper 4. Adelaide – Jagga Smith 5. Brisbane Father-Son Bid – Levi Ashcroft 6. Melbourne – Harvey Langford 7. Richmond – Josh Smillie 8. Gold Coast Academy Bid – Leo Lombard 9. St Kilda – Tobie Travaglia 10. GWS TRADE – Alix Tauru
Round 2 11. Melbourne – Bo Allan 12. Richmond – Jobe Shanahan 13. Essendon NGA Bid – Isaac Kako 14. Richmond – Xavier Lindsay 15. West Coast – Taj Hotton 16. Port Adelaide – Jack Whitlock 17. Fremantle – Joe Berry 18. St Kilda TRADE – Murphy Reid 19. St Kilda TRADE – Harry Armstrong 20. Western Bulldogs – Cooper Hynes
Later Picks & Rookie Steals Our phantom draft covers all 71 picks. Read on for Rounds 3-7, plus ESPN’s predictions for hidden gems including: – Jasper Algier (Richmond) – High-flying small with big tricks – Lachie Voss (Geelong) – Monster key back Lachie might get chance at Cattery – Charlie and Ben Camporeale (Carlton F/S) – Blues keep amazing family tradition alive – Will Hoare (Collingwood) – Rookie-listed Bomber will be on rival radars – Cody Angove (Western Bulldogs) – High football IQ small a perfect fit for Bevo’s Dogs
An Epic Draft Day Awaits
The stage is set for a pivotal 2024 AFL Draft as clubs aim to unearth the next generation of stars. From the no-brainer top pick Sam Lalor to speculative later selections, ESPN will have you covered with extensive analysis on all 71 selections and how they fit their new AFL homes. It promises to be a defining draft—one not to be missed!
