Way too early verdict on AFL’s ‘super draft’ class… and why there’s already a winner

Yes, it’s a minuscule sample size. But it was an almighty encouraging one for the 2024 ‘Super Draft’ believers.

For the AFL world across Round 1 got an exciting glimpse of why there was so much hype around last year’s draft class.

Many club recruiters and talent watchers ahead of the 2024 draft were comfortable to declare the class would be the next ‘Super Draft’, following the epic 2001 (think Hodge, Judd, Bartel and Ablett), and arguably the best crop since in 2018 (with Walsh, Rankine, Rozee and Butters).

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It’s why rebuilding Richmond was determined to enter November’s draft with eight selections across the first 24 picks – and hold most of those picks on the night, despite trade offers from an array of rival clubs. It’s why North Melbourne tried desperately to trade back in and get another first-round pick – and they had to wait until the final selection of night one to get one.

Of the 71 players taken in last year’s national draft, 16 debuted in Round 1. And several of them made an immediate impact.

“To see the influence that these kids had in their very first game, not just in regards to playing well, but actually influencing the result of a game – I think that’s very, very rare to have so many in their first games,” dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna told foxfooty.com.au.

“I don’t know where it ranks, but it would be as good a Round 1 weekend we’ve seen from debutants in recent memory.”

TIGERS SEAL INSANE 4TH QUARTER COMEBACK! | 01:28

Richmond’s Sam Lalor (Pick 1)had a debut to remember.

Weeks after a nasty knock to his jaw in match sim against West Coast, Lalor racked up 18 touches, eight score involvements and two goals, including the one that put Richmond’s noses back in front in the final quarter.

Lalor had been compared to Richmond legend Dustin Martin all the way throughout his draft year. As he helped turn the game in the Tigers’ favour with skill, forward-half craft and confidence beyond his years, the Martin traits were on display.

He’s born to perform for the bright MCG lights.

“That’s why he’s a No.1. He’s a talented kid, and he’ll just get better,” Tigers coach Adem Yze said post-match.

“But that’s what he does. When the ball’s in his area, he knows how to play and he knows how to win and he knows how to fight.

“Who would’ve thought a few weeks ago he was getting surgery on his jaw and now he’s having a win on the MCG.”

Montagna said Tigers supporters would feel “very, very confident he (Lalor) will end up a superstar”.

“That was pretty impressive, how clean he was and composed, the influence that he had,” he said.

“He’s shown in a tiny, small sample size what every Richmond fan is hoping for.”

Richmond debutants Harry Armstrong, Sam Lalor and Luke Trainor. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Lalor debuted alongside fellow 2024 draftees Harry Armstrong (Pick 23) and Luke Trainor (Pick 21), while Carlton father-son gun Lucas Camporeale (Pick 54) also played his first game in Round 1. If you’d told many club recruiters last year that Camporeale would line up in the Blues’ season-opener, they would’ve raised an eyebrow.

Of the aforementioned trio, Trainor was the standout. He finished with 15 disposals and five marks, but it was his ability to stand up in big moments that impressed Yze the most, especially when he put pressure on Zac Williams then smothered a Patrick Cripps snap at goal as the Blues threw down the challenge

“Luke is a star. He had some big moments late in the game. He’s a great kid and great decision-maker,” Yze said.

The next night, Essendon fans got their first official look at NGA graduate Isaac Kako (Pick 13). And Bombers supporters are in for an entertaining ride.

As Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley noted in commentary, Kako was “a cult hero before he even played a league game” after impressing in pre-season hit-outs against the Bulldogs and Cats.

After a rather sloppy start by both Essendon and Hawthorn on Friday night, Kako inserted himself into the match with a classy finish with his very first kick. Aware Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass would wrap him up if he took possession of the ball, Kako volleyed it off the ground towards goal.

The clever finish put the Hawks on notice as he was swarmed whenever he went near the football for the remainder of the night.

“It was great to see Isaac out there. He did some really good things,” Bombers coach Brad Scott said post-match.

Kako kicks a DREAM debut AFL goal! | 00:39

“I like the way he pressured. He gives us energy that we haven’t had in the forward half in the last couple of years. And that’s only the beginning for Isaac.

“I think we’re going to see him only get better from here.”

On Saturday, the new Reid in the west arrived in the most spectacular fashion, producing perhaps the best seven-minute blitz ever seen by a modern-day AFL debutant.

Murphy Reid (Pick 17), the first player the Dockers picked in last year’s national draft, completely flipped the script of his side’s clash against Geelong, booting four consecutive goals late in the third term to inspire an unlikely Fremantle challenge and give the visitors a chance.

A classy midfielder for Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro, Reid showed his mercurial wares as a small forward as the Dockers cut Geelong’s lead from 60 points down just before half-time to 21 at the final change.

“I’ve never seen anything like this on debut … He’s turned the game!” triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy after Reid’s fourth goal.

Reid’s first AFL major was one he’ll never forget.

After shanking first attempt at goal from a similar position early in the third term, Reid made amends minutes later. Lining up for a set-shot just inside the 50m arc, Reid confidently sold candy to baulk Gryan Miers on the mark, step around the Cats star and nail a classy running goal, sparking wild celebrations.

After a more conventional set-shot for his second goal, Reid then produced two special snaps for his third and fourth majors.

STAR debutant bags FOUR in a flash! | 00:42

“Oh the kid! He’s putting on one of the best 10 minutes of footy you will see on debut,” Montagna said in the Fox Footy commentary box.

“There is a new Reid in town in Western Australia – and he may just be on the back page of the paper.”

Vic Metro’s MVP and an All-Australian in his draft year, Reid was one of the shrewdest and most composed players in last year’s draft class, while he was renowned for his ability to perform in big games. He’d also shown off improved forward craft as the season progressed.

Yet amid doubts over his size and speed, he slid into the middle stages of the first round – and the Dockers were delighted to pick him up at Pick 17.

On Saturday, we got a glimpse of why the Dockers didn’t hesitate selecting him.

“He’s just a naturally good footballer. I think Fremantle are confident that wherever he played, he’d be able to equip himself,” Montagna told foxfooty.com.au.

“He’s probably going to have to bide his time a bit more as a half-forward and pinch hit in the midfield due to the depth of the Freo midfield. But to be able to have the confidence and the ability to try and swing a result in one quarter, it’s a pretty special start.”

At the SCG, Brisbane father-son gun Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5) lived up to all the pre-draft and pre-season hype against Sydney.

Ashcroft was expected to feature in his first game as the sub, before a pre-game calf injury to star Charlie Cameron opened the door for Ashcroft to debut as part of the starting 22.

Levi Ashcroft of the Lions. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

And Ashcroft delivered, finishing the encounter with 25 disposals, six score involvements and four clearances. He had 10 of those disposals in the fourth term, with a crucial toe forward in the final minute helping the Lions keep the ball away from Sydney’s forward 50.

“It’s a hot game to come in and play your first game, he contributed really well, he’ll learn a lot from that opportunity,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said post-match.

“It’s not a surprise that he went well but it’s good that he did. He helped us win the game.”

On Saturday night, North Melbourne unleashed Finn O’Sullivan (Pick 2) and Port Adelaide played Joe Berry (Pick 15), while the Western Bulldogs wasted no time injecting Josh Dolan (Pick 26) and Sam Davidson (Pick 51) into their AFL line-up.

O’Sullivan was the pick of the quartet, finishing with 16 disposals, four intercepts and four score involvements while going at 70 per cent by foot against the Western Bulldogs. Like fellow high draft picks Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher before him, O’Sullivan will start his career outside the centre square before getting more midfield time. The Age reporter Peter Ryan wrote on X: “Finn O’Sullivan is a gun. It’s a group one Rising Star field assembled for 2025.”

On a shocking night for his team, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley post-game pointed out Berry as a positive from the loss to Collingwood, finishing with nine touches and six marks. Berry, who was in high-demand during last year’s drafts as clubs tried hard to move up the order to take him, had a ripping pre-season for the Power.

The only slight disappointment for jubilant Adelaide fans in the impressive win over St Kilda was that they didn’t get to see prized selection Sid Draper (Pick 4) in action until late in the third quarter after he was the sub in his AFL debut.

Debutant, Sid Draper of the Crows. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

A buzz of excitement went around the ground when Draper warmed up late in the third term and fans erupted into wild applause when he entered the game in the 21st minute to replace Taylor Walker, who was rested.

His first touch, a mark, was greeted like it was a goal, before the teen star showed promising signs, starting at a few centre bounces, finishing his AFL debut with eight possessions.

“Ultimately, we’re here to win as a team, we’re not here for individuals, we’re here to do it as a team,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said post-hame. “I don’t think it’s something to worry about.

“I think Sid had a fantastic impact on the game in the role that he was playing.

“We were really keen to get him on the ball, I think that’s where you’re going to see some of his best footy over time.

“Who knows where he develops and what player he becomes, but I think it was a really positive step for him and our footy club.”

For the first time since 1966, Melbourne fielded six club debutants – five of which were playing their first AFL game, three came from the national draft – against the Giants. And Demons fans have plenty of reason to be excited about the future.

Xavier Lindsay of the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Xavier Lindsay (Pick 9) enjoyed a dream start to his AFL career, racking up 22 disposals and six tackles, while going at 75 per cent by foot as he distributed the ball beautifully off half-back. Montagna said Lindsay “played with great composure in tough conditions first up at the MCG”.

Harvey Langford (Pick 6) came on as the sub, but Aidan Johnson (Pick 68) had ample responsibility, booting 1.2 while also pinch-hitting in the ruck.

And that was just in one round.

And with the likes of Jagga Smith, Josh Smillie, Tobie Travaglia, Leo Lombard, Taj Hotton and Bo Allan all still to come.

— with NCA NewsWire

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