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
8. Pick 8 - St Kilda: Josh Smillie
Position:ย Midfielder
Height:ย 195cm
State:ย Victoria
Club:ย Park Orchards
There seems to be a near-clear top eight names atop this year's draft pool, meaning the Saints could be left to wait and see who of the octet is left for them to select. That in no way takes away from Smillie, who remains as good of a chance to go close to Pick 1.
The key-position-sized midfielder started the year like no other at the Talent League level for the Eastern Ranges and soon found a rich vein of form - including a run where he managed three games of 30+ disposals and multiple goals in three of four games.
His size and power in the middle of the ground are almost unmatched, drawing comparisons to Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps, while Smillie has proven to be a versatile asset over the past 18 months to hold roles at either end of the field.
