At least 10 of this year's top AFL draft prospects are understood to have been invited to the opening night of this year's National Draft, which will see the first round of selections taken.
The AFL will again hold the opening round of picks on one night - Monday, November 28, with round two onwards to be held the following evening.
Last year's opening draft night was scattered across the country due to the remaining restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Pick 1 Jason Horne-Francis seen pulling on a Roos jumper in South Australia while a bevy of other top prospects gathered in Richmond.
This year's count is set to return to a more centred structure, with interstate talent to be invited to attend Marvel Stadium for the first night of the draft.
According toย The West Australian, as many as 10 players have already received their invites for the draft's opening night, including the likes of potential Pick 1 selections Will Ashcroft and Aaron Cadman.
Ashcroft has nominated as a father-son selection for Brisbane, meaning the Giants are set to either force the Lions' hand atop the draft board or opt to select a player that will join their list, like a Cadman.
Among the reported 10 players invited, three are from other states, with East Perth pair Reuben Ginbey and Jedd Busslinger joining top South Australian prospect Mattaes Phillipou in being offered a spot at Docklands.
Ashcroft's Sandringham teammate Cameron Mackenize has also been invited, with the highly-rated onballer a member of St Kilda's Next Generation Academy - however is susceptible to joining another club following the AFL's alterations to Academy bidding.
The Saints currently hold Pick 9 at the draft, which sits in the window of where Mackenzie could fall.
Hawthorn (Pick 6), Geelong (Pick 7) and West Coast (Pick 8) are ahead of the Saints and could look Mackenzie's way.
The Eagles are likely to show strong interest in both Ginbey and Busslinger given their WA ties, with West Coast holding a pair of selections in the first round. The Suns are also said to be showing interest in Ginbey with their first selection at Pick 5.
Geelong will be hoping local talent Jhye Clark, who is also among the invitees, is still available come their first selection, with Hawthorn sure to consider the bullish onballer with their pick right before the Cats are on the clock.
It is likely further prospects will be invited for the opening night of the draft. Other interstate figures potentially landing in the first-round include WA duo Elijah Hewett and Ed Allan, SA pair Harry Barnett and Isaac Keeler, and Brisbane father-son prospect Jaspa Fletcher.
Reported first-round invitees for the 2022 AFL Draft (per The West Australian)ย
Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Jedd Busslinger (East Perth)
Aaron Cadman (GWV Rebels)
Jhye Clark (Geelong Falcons)
Reuben Ginbey (East Perth)
Ollie Hollands (Murray Bushrangers)
Bailey Humphrey (Gippsland Power)
Cameron Mackenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Mattaes Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens)
Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers)
