AFL Draft

The SEVEN best AFL Draft prospects still available and the clubs that could select them

A handful of top-rated teenagers were overlooked last night but could fetch picks early into Thursday’s proceedings.

Published by
Mitch Keating

The first round and opening night of the 2024 AFL Draft saw a total of 27 picks made, headlined by the selection of Sam Lalor at first overall by Richmond.

On top of the acquisition of Lalor, Richmond also came away from Wednesday's intake with five more of the best prospects on offer from this year's class of teenagers.

The Tigers are set to open night two of the National Draft, with the Punt Road club not short on highly-valued options to pick from with the 28th overall selection.

Rival clubs might make a trade play for the Tigers' pick to get ahead of the queue for a player who was overlooked on night one, while the Western Bulldogs and West Coast could fetch external interest as they too hold top picks for the second round of the draft.

Here we've named seven of the best 2024 AFL Draft prospects still up for grabs and the clubs that could select them early into night two.

Alex Dodson

Position: Ruck
Height: 
201cm
State: South Australia
Club: Payneham

Seen by most as the leading ruck prospect in this year's draft class, with Dodson enjoying a stone year with Sturt and South Australia.

He could be the first picked on night two as the Tigers potentially look further at the key position market and plan for life after Toby Nankervis.

Geelong have been linked to Dodson and could be prepared to place their future-first-round selection on the table to get him.

Potential Landing Spots: Richmond, Geelong

Alex Dodson of South Australia during the 2024 Marsh AFL Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Western Australia at Alberton Oval on June 16, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

Jack Whitlock

Position: Key Forward
Height: 
200cm
State: Victoria
Club: Shepparton

The Murray Bushrangers tall was one of the unfortunate stories of night one, sliding out of contention while being in attendance at Marvel Stadium.

The promising key forward can take some joy in twin brother Matt being picked up by North Melbourne at Pick 27, with a selection to come shortly after in the queue for Jack.

Richmond are less likely given the acquisitions of Jonty Faull and Harry Armstrong already, with West Coast, St Kilda and Port Adelaide among those potentially circling.

Potential Landing Spots: Port Adelaide, St Kilda, West Coast

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Jack Whitlock of Vic Country handpasses the ball during the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and South Australia at IKON Park on June 09, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

Jobe Shanahan

Position: Key Forward
Height: 
195cm
State: 
New South Wales
Club: 
Moama

Another tall forward who slid from potential top 15 calculations to be arguably the best prospect still up for grabs.

Shanahan will have similar suitors to Whitlock and could fetch a pick soon after the Tigers deal with Pick 28. Shanahan is viewed by some as a strong defensive option, opening up his options for further suitors.

Potential Landing Spots: Port Adelaide, West Coast, St Kilda, Hawthorn

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: (L-R) Harvey Langford, Leonardo Lombard and Jobe Shanahan of the AFL Academy celebrate during the 2024 AFL Academy match between the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys and Coburg Lions at Ikon Park on April 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hamish Davis

Position: Forward-Midfielder
Height: 
190cm
State: Western Australia
Club: Claremont

The Western Australian will have several suitors early into Thursday night after stunning onlookers with his forward craft and ball-winning ability at the WAFL level.

Sydney were a club that would've looked at Davis in the first round and could make a play for the 190cm attacker, with other second-round pick holders in Carlton, Essendon, West Coast and Port Adelaide other potential suitors.

Potential Landing Spots: Port Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney, Carlton, Essendon

Hamish Davis of the Claremont Tigers during the 2024 WAFL season (Image via Claremont FC, mobby_pix)

Christian Moraes

Position: Midfielder
Height: 
183cm
State: Victoria
Club: Knox

An inside-outside midfield prospect, Moraes is among the top ball winners for the next bracket of this year's talent pool.

The Western Bulldogs are a likely landing spot two picks into Thursday night, while the Saints are sure to have a look at the Vic Metro talent after swooping on a pair of defenders on night one.

Hawthorn will also be hopeful Moraes is available to them with their second-round selection.

Potential Landing Spots:

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OTOBER 06: Christian Moraes in action during the 2024 AFL National Draft Combine at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on October 06, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Image: AFL Photos)

Kayle Gerreyn

Position: Forward-Ruck
Height: 
199cm
State: Western Australia
Club: Joondalup Kinross

A powerful ruck-forward, Gerreyn will be attractive for clubs looking to add some firepower and size to their attacking third, while he can also pinch-hit in the ruck.

There are better key forwards and ruck available, but Gerreyn can combine the two positions like few others.

Unlikely West Coast look at the local product with their next pick, but Hawthorn and St Kilda could be live options.

Potential Landing Spots: Hawthorn, St Kilda, Port Adelaide

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Kayle Gerreyn of Western Australia in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Western Australia and Victoria Metro at Optus Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Tom Gross

Position: Midfield-Forward
Height: 
181cm
State: Victoria
Club: Kew Rovers

The Vic Metro livewire is a high-impact player who is sure to have some interest quickly into night two.

Gross was seen as a potential top 10 pick early into this year and managed to put forward a solid draft campaign, potentially probing to be a bargain recruit for a second or third-round selection.

After taking Cooper Hynes, the Bulldogs may no longer be an option for Gross, who should have suitors in the form of West Coast, Carlton and Collingwood

Potential Landing Spots: Collingwood, Carlton, West Coast

Tom Gross of Vic Metro at the 2024 U18s National Championships (Image by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)
Published by
Mitch Keating