The 2024 AFL Draft is now less than a month away, so as it approaches we've begun to look at who each club could select in the first round of the count with our first Mock Draft of the year.
A total of 23 selections shared by a dozen different clubs currently make up this year's opening round of picks, while priority-tied prospects are likely to see the number of selections balloon out following matched bids.
Richmond currently hold seven first-round selections, including the prized Pick 1, while St Kilda, Melbourne, GWS and Sydney also have multiple spots in the queue early into the draft.
VIEW: CURRENT 2024 AFL DRAFT ORDER
We've looked at how each first-round selection might unfold and offer some insight into the top draft stars your club could recruit come November 20.
This exercise does not include predicted live trading, with the draft order to remain as it currently reads, with the exception being matched bids for father-son or Academy prospects.ย
Following Mock Drafts will be published closer to the AFL Draft, looking at alternative outcomes and will include live trades.ย
27. Pick 27 - Richmond: James Barrat
Position:ย Defender-Forward
Height:ย 194cm
State:ย Victoria
Club:ย Leitchville Gunbower
A pure swingman option, Barrat's marking ability on either side of possession is almost unmatched.
Much like Tasmanian breakout James Leake last year, Barrat proved to be a formidable versatile asset with roles at either end of the field in the both halves of the season.
He started the season with 18 goals in his first six games for the Bendigo Pioneers before being thrown into defence to flex his intercepting ability - averaging 6.2 intercept marks in a seven-game patch.
He would end the year with 16.5 disposals, 7.2 marks, 6.5 intercepts, 5.0 score involvements, 3.5 intercept marks and 1.7 goals per game to his name in the Talent League and would also show promise in a VFL debut for Essendon down back.
Statistics: News Corp, Talent League
