The top of tonight’s mid-season draft is seemingly starting to take shape, with Carlton reportedly set to take WAFL midfielder Josh Deluca.
Deluca, who was previously delisted by Fremantle, starred for Subiaco in the 2018 WAFL Grand Final.
At 23, he provides a ready-made option for the Blues who are looking for midfield help.
The Suns hold pick two and are expected to take 19-year-old Kyle Dunkley.
Kyle is the younger brother of Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley and was father-son eligible for Sydney in last year’s draft.
The big-bodied midfielder impressed VFL commentator Campbell Brown who told SEN that whoever takes the punt on Dunkley will receive “a really good footballer for the next decade”.
Coburg small forward Sam Lowson was continually linked to Carlton at the top of this draft, but reports emerged that the Blues were not particularly interested in a small forward.
He is expected to be taken by Melbourne, who have spent a lot of time with the VFL star in recent weeks.
Lowson however suffered knee and ankle injuries and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Given Melbourne’s existing injury issues, it’s unknown if this would dissuade them.
At pick four, Sydney is expected to select either Cody Hirst or Lochie Dickson, assuming that Lowson is off the table.
Hirst, the most likely target of the Swans, has impressed for the Eastern Ranges, playing on the wing this season.
He was overlooked in the draft after multiple injuries set him back.
Rounding out the top five is North Melbourne, who are the hardest to predict given Brad Scott’s departure and the changes going on at Arden Street.
They have been linked to Lowson, but also Adam Tipungwuti, who is related to Essendon small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
The draft takes place at 6:30pm tonight.
FIRST ROUND
Pick 1: Carlton
Pick 2: Gold Coast
Pick 3: Melbourne
Pick 4: Sydney
Pick 5: North Melbourne
Pick 6: St Kilda
Pick 7: Western Bulldogs
Pick 8: Essendon
Pick 9: Fremantle
Pick 10: Port Adelaide
Pick 11: Hawthorn
Pick 12: Adelaide
Pick 13: Richmond
Pick 14: GWS Giants
Pick 15: Collingwood