The top 27 AFL draftees poised to change the league next season
Updated . First published
The 20 players ready to change the AFL
Another AFL Draft class has been analysed to death by the 18 clubs lining up for their services, but even after the combine and the national carnival, it's still not clear who will be read out as pick one.
With a deep selection of big-bodied, ready-made midfielders just waiting for their shot, who will be the one to lead the pack?
Scroll on to see our picks for who will go in the top 20 of the 2024 AFL Draft.
Pick 1: Sam Lalor - Richmond
Sam Lalor has proven himself as one of the most versatile options to go in the top 10 of this year's draft.
With his ability to play through the midfield and rotate as a medium forward, his one-on-one ability means he can impact from multiple angles.
The Bacchus Marsh product, Lalor struggled with hamstring and quad injuries late in 2024, but Richmond is still keen on his services.
Pick 2: Finn O'Sullivan - North Melbourne
Finn O'Sullivan may not have reached his full potential due to injuries in 2024, but that hasn't deterred eager recruiters from keeping him on their radar.
Standing at 182cm as a ready-made midfielder, O'Sullivan has already made his VFL debut with Richmond.
He also collected 18 disposals and kicked three goals for the Chargers in the under-18s.
He has been forced to manage a thumb fracture and hip complaint but is known for his fast feet and quick decision-making.
Pick 3: Jagga Smith - Carlton
Jagga Smith is a football purist.
The 181cm midfielder has every aspect of his game down pat, from football smarts, quick decision making and agility around the footy. Couple that with his fearlessness to throw his head over the ball and it's no wonder he's expected to be picked up early.
Likened to Lachie Neale and Zak Butters, Smith heads to Carlton, where he will join the likes of Patrick Cripps in the middle.
Pick 4: Sid Draper - Adelaide
Sid Draper had a fair few clubs talking in the lead-up to the 2024 draft.
The South Australian midfielder, who stands at 182cm tall, is known for his impressively clean ball movement, while also utilising his speed out of the middle.
Recruiters had their eyes on him well before he was ready to be drafted, as he dominated for SA when he was just 16.
Adelaide, who Draper has supported since he was a child, landed him and could breathe easy, ensuring they keep their home grown talent.
Pick 5: Levi Ashcroft - Brisbane
The son-of-a-gun (and brother of a Norm Smith Medallist) headed to Brisbane after they matched Melbourne's pick at number five.
Ashcroft is an in-and-under midfielder, who has been likened to Lachie Neale, and is every chance of heading up the class of 2024.
He nominated Brisbane under the father-son rule, as his dad Marcus was part of their three flags between 2001 and 2003.
The youngster has already made his mark on the VFL in 2024.
On debut, he notched up a whopping 35 disposals and 11 clearances, while also managing to star in the talent league for the Sandringham Dragons.
It's not often you find a genuinely ready-made, big-bodied midfielder who could easily slide into a senior side, but Ashcroft is all that and more.
He'll join brother Will, who was the 2024 Norm Smith medallist, up north.
Pick 6: Harvey Langford - Melbourne
Harvey Langford stands tall at 190cm but has found a respected role in the midfield.
After a dominant draft season, he was crowned co-Larke medallist after performing for Vic Country, averaging 25.5 disposals and 6.2 clearances.
Apart from his height, which likens him to Patrick Cripps and Jordan Dawson, it's his booming left foot that can open up a side's forward line, that has every team interested.
Pick 7: Josh Smillie - Richmond
While the class of 2024 seems to be a midfield-dominant group, there's no denying Josh Smillie is ready to bring some excitement to Richmond.
The Eastern Rangers midfielder stands at an impressive 194cm tall, and while he wasn't picked in the under-18s All-Australian side, it's hard to ignore his raw ability.
His explosive running and target-hitting ability made him the perfect fit for the Tigers.
Pick 8: Tobie Travaglia - St Kilda
It's positive to see a defender going early in the draft, and Bendigo Pioneer Tobie Travaglia did exactly that.
Likened to Will Day, with elements of Tom Stewart's intercept marking ability, the 187cm player dominated in the under-18 carnival this year.
With an average of 6.2 marks a game, 3.5 of which were intercepts, Travaglia is ready-made to slot into a side's defensive six to offer some flare in the air and composure by foot.
Pick 9: Leo Lombard - Gold Coast
A Gold Coast Suns academy product, Leo Lombard is yet another midfielder who has shown an unusual and sought after skillset.
With an average of 26.2 disposals and 4.8 clearances in 2024, he was the co-winner of the Larke medal.
His power and decision-making have been praised, as well as his ability to efficiently carry the ball into the forward line, as he averaged six inside 50s a game this year.
The Saints bid for him, but as he is part of the Suns academy, they were able to match and bring their young star home.
