St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has returned from the club's China training camp marvelling once again at the ability of his recruiting manager, John Beveridge, to pluck an unknown youngster from way outs ...
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Draft Lists
The first national draft was held in 1986 before Brisbane and the West Coast Eagles joined the competition the following year. Brisbane Lion Alastair Lynch was the only remaining playing until the end of season 2004 who was both drafted that year and still playing in the AFL. Lynch, who was drafted by Fitzroy, moved to Brisbane in 1994 and played in a premiership team with the Lions in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The concept of the draft, which currently includes national, pre-season and rookie versions, featured a mid-season version between 1990 and 1993. But the draft remains the biggest off-season event in footy. Clubs can set themselves up for the next 10 years if they get a quality long-term player with a good selection.
Players must be 18 on or before April 30 the year following a National Draft. Players who are not 18 before December 31 of a draft year (17 and a half) must be contracted for a minimum of two years.
Phantom
Afl.com.au's draft guru, Matt Burgan, makes his 'phantom draft' predictions.
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Afl.com.au's draft guru, Matt Burgan, makes his 'phantom draft' predictions.