The 2024 AFL Draft has concluded, with dreams fulfilled and clubs charting courses for the future. But in the wake of the league’s annual selection meeting, questions loom: Who struck gold with savvy selections? Which promising prospects slid further than expected? And did some teams potentially reach for needs over the best talent available?
Richmond Reloads with Strong Draft Haul
Few clubs had more to gain from the 2024 AFL Draft than the Richmond Tigers. Armed with a staggering eight selections, including four in the first round alone, the Tigers were primed to reload on the fly around their aging core.
Early returns suggest mission accomplished for Richmond, starting with pick 1 selection Sam Lalor. The powerful midfielder profiles as a future cornerstone piece to build around. But the Tigers didn’t stop there, adding Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton, and a trio of promising key forwards in Jonty Faull, Harry Armstrong, and Thomas Sims.
“We feel like we’ve added an exciting mix of ready-made talent and high-upside potential,” said a source close to Richmond’s draft war room. “Sam [Lalor] was our guy all along, but to come away with the quality and depth we did, it’s a massive win for the club.”
With four picks inside the top 15, the Tigers are banking on an injection of blue-chip talent to seamlessly transition from their veteran stars. If Lalor and company hit, Richmond may have reloaded for the next decade of contention.
West Coast Bolsters Midfield and Forward Line
After claiming a prized selection in a trade, the Eagles made the most of their limited draft capital. West Coast came away with two of the draft’s biggest sliders in WA standout midfielder Bo Allen and key forward Jobe Shanahan, tremendous value for where each was selected.
Allen profiles as a ready-made midfielder from day one, with the physicality and ball-winning ability to contribute early. Shanahan, meanwhile, could end up the biggest steal of the draft if he reaches his immense potential. Some clubs viewed the 194cm prospect as a future swingman, capable of impacting games at either end of the ground.
Assessing St Kilda’s Strategy
The Saints opted for upside with their pair of top 10 picks, nabbing offensive-minded defenders Tobie Travaglia and Alix Tauru. While both boast exciting upside, questions linger about the duo’s readiness to contribute immediately.
“St Kilda had a real chance to accelerate their rebuild, but they may have gotten too cute with these selections,” an industry source explained. “Travaglia and Tauru could develop into weapons off halfback, but you typically want more certainty in the top 10.”
With a third defender following at pick 32 in James Barrat, the Saints seem confident in building from their backline out. But without adding any midfield or forward firepower early, they may have missed an opportunity to find more ready-made producers.
Surprises and Steals Abound on Days 1 and 2
As always, the draft’s later stages produced some eyebrow-raising picks and plummeting prospects. Port Adelaide nabbed slider Jack Whitlock at pick 33, while highly touted forward Hamish Davis fell all the way to West Coast at 65.
The Eagles will be thrilled to add Davis, who flashed tantalizing upside throughout his draft year. With his unique blend of aerial prowess, speed, and scoreboard impact, the 190cm forward could massively outperform his third-round selection.
Final Thoughts on the 2024 AFL Draft
While it will take years to render a verdict on the 2024 AFL Draft class, some clubs emerged as early winners and losers. Richmond’s haul of elite talent and West Coast snagging multiple sliders highlight the big victors, while St Kilda’s defense-heavy approach raised some questions.
Ultimately, the true measure of this draft will come down to player development. Can Sam Lalor blossom into a franchise pillar for the Tigers? Will the Eagles’ sliders make other clubs regret passing on their potential?
Time will tell, but one thing is certain: The future of the AFL just got a massive injection of young talent. In a few short years, the stars of the 2024 draft class will be making their marks on the league and shaping the landscape for the next generation.
