Who is your club likely to pick in the mid-season draft? (2024)

Tasmanian youngster Geordie Payne is the popular pick among AFL recruiters to be the first name called out in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday night – but there is less certainty after that.

Payne was rated a decent chance to find an AFL home in last year’s national draft after winning Tasmania’s best and fairest award but instead missed out altogether.

That will change this week; the 18-year-old’s strong form for the Devils this year makes him a surefire selection, almost certainly at No.1 to North Melbourne.

Payne has kicked 12 goals in five games in the Coates Talent League this season, on top of averaging 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine score involvements and six tackles while bouncing between the forward line and midfield.

His absence from the Allies’ national under-18 championships clash with South Australia on Sunday was a strong sign a club had already promised him he would be selected.

This masthead spoke to recruiters from multiple clubs on the condition of anonymity ahead of the draft.

Payne nominated for an 18-month contract rather than six months. Ex-Power ruckman Brynn Teakle, who has interest from multiple clubs including Richmond, and Box Hill Hawks midfielder Max Hall have also asked for a longer deal.

The Tigers just lost Sam Naismith to a fourth ACL rupture after trading Ivan Soldo to Port Adelaide last year, with Samson Ryan backing up captain Toby Nankervis in the ruck at the weekend.

They are also keeping an eye on Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy big man Iliro Smit, who has interest from St Kilda as well. West Perth key forward Jasper Scaife is the other player linked to the Roos, but is more likely to slide down the order, with Richmond tipped to pick Peel Thunder intercept defender Jacob Blight or Collingwood VFL forward Jack Hutchinson.

Woodville-West Torrens rebounding defender Luke Beecken is in West Coast’s sights, although they are expected to prioritise Hutchinson, if he makes it past the Tigers.

Hall looks bound for the Saints, who opted not to pick Old Brighton defender Max Benier for Sandringham at the weekend, meaning he is ineligible to be selected in the mid-season draft after playing only two VFL games.

Ex-Giant Daniel Lloyd is in the same situation as Benier despite the Brisbane Lions, where he is a development coach, being keen to draft him. An AFL spokesperson said there would not be any exemptions to the three-match state league qualification.

Scaife, Blight, Beecken, 196-centimetre Eastern Ranges forward Remy Maclean – who is also on the Box Hill list – Smit and Geelong Falcons forward Will McLachlan are among the possibilities at Hawthorn’s No.5 pick.

Maclean has kicked 12 goals in seven matches this year, and is another who nominated for an 18-month contract.

The Lions, who are set to make at least three picks, have interviewed 181-centimetre McLachlan, who leads the Talent League goalkicking with 26 in six games, as they survey their options to replace ACL victim Linc McCarthy.

Toby Murray, a 200-centimetre ruck-forward, is poised to join his brother Nick at Adelaide, while Beecken is another possibility here. Geelong Falcons ruckman Joe Pike may be in the mix if the Crows make multiple selections. Former Magpie Trent Bianco has been linked to the Western Bulldogs’ selection, but there is late mail linking them to McLachlan and Footscray on-baller Cooper Craig-Peters, while rival recruiters believe Coburg key forward Caleb Ernst is among the players Fremantle are weighing up.

Ex-Swan Matt Ling, who is averaging 20 disposals and two intercept marks as a defender for Norwood in the SANFL, could also be an option for the Dockers.

Former AFL players Riley Collier-Dawkins, Liam McMahon and Jack Peris have been raised as chances at Carlton’s pick, along with Williamstown key forward Corey Ellison.

Collingwood or Melbourne could take a punt on Northern Bullants dasher Saad El-Hawli, with the Demons’ link the strongest, although they select after the Magpies.

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Collingwood may give ex-Saint Daniel McKenzie or Teakle a career lifeline, while Melbourne have also done work on South Adelaide key forward Noah Howes, who kicked two goals in South Australia’s win over the Allies at the under-18 championships on Sunday. Adelaide have spoken to Howes, too. Lachie Voss, a 200-centimetre defender for Sandringham, is another player the Dees have monitored.

Logan Evans is in the mix to be Port Adelaide’s choice after spending this season playing for the club’s SANFL team, including amassing 26 disposals and nine rebound 50s in his most-recent appearance. Essendon could bring in one of their VFL players, Cam Nyko, who would add to their outside runners.

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