In every draft, there is a player who slides further than the experts expect. In recent years, Jack Higgins and Brodie Grundy come to mind as examples of this.
AFL development guru Michael Ablett believes North Melbourne father-son selection Bailey Scott was the slider of the 2018 draft.
“There was certainly a few guys that slipped down the order that surprised me,” Ablett told SEN Breakfast.
“The one that comes to mind is Bailey Scott.
“To get him at pick 49 was an absolute steal for the Kangaroos.”
Scott’s father Robert played over 100 games for both the Cats and Roos meaning his son was eligible for both clubs as well as Gold Coast’s academy.
He ended up nominating North Melbourne, but it was Geelong who made a play for him at pick 49, forcing the Roos to match the bid.
“He’d spent some time over the last few years training at both clubs (North and the Cats) as well as his time up on the Gold Coast with the Suns at their academy,” Ablett said.
“Geelong were certainly familiar with him and would’ve loved to get their hands on him.”