The 2021 Mid-Season Rookie Draft is over, with plenty of players given another shot at their AFL dreams.
These are five players to look out for in the coming months, including the number one draft pick, several VFL players as well as a former Saint all finding their way onto respective lists.
Jacob Edwards (North Melbourne)
The 202cm Sandringham Dragons ruckman has landed at North Melbourne with pick one as expected and looms as one to watch in the coming months.
With Todd Goldstein entering the twilight of his career, both Edwards and Tristan Xerri are primed to become the club's key ruck posts in the coming years.
Many draft watchers believe that Edwards would be a top 10 draft pick if he opted to nominate for the National Draft this year, highlighting just how bright of a prospect he is.
Still in school, the Roos are likely to manage him through the rest of the year as they look to prepare him for future years.
Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn)
Where the talented Box Hill on-baller landed and the circumstances around it was one of the great fascinations heading in Wednesday night’s draft.
Newcombe has reportedly put a big price on his head in an attempt to make it easier for Hawthorn to pick him, which has caused plenty of intrigue.
The 20-year-old looks ready-made and has starred in the midfield at the VFL level, averaging 23 touches so far this season.
Look for him to be blooded straight away by the Hawks.
Alex Mirkov (Carlton)
The Blues have haven’t to go too far to find their new ruckman, with Alex Mirkov joining the club’s senior list from their VFL team.
The 210-centimetre ruckman was selected with pick six in Wednesday night's draft after impressing with the club’s reserves side and has signed an 18-month contract.
He’s unlikely to play this season, but how he’ll be used alongside Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning will be of interest, with the Blues now blessed with plenty of ruck options moving forward.
Sam Durham (Essendon)
The Richmond influence at the Bombers has continued, with the club selecting midfielder Sam Durham from the Tigers’ VFL side.
He’s been eligible for the draft since 2019 and has finally found his way onto an AFL list in what is a genuine good story out of the draft.
A versatile on-baller, Durham is a chance to see some senior game time in the second half of the season if he can keep impressing.
Matthew Parker (Richmond)
The 25-year-old is back on an AFL list after St Kilda delisted him at the end of last year.
Parker heads to Richmond after playing 19 games for the Saints in two years as he looks to reignite his career.
Having played for South Fremantle in the WAFL in 2021, Parker heads to the Tigers on the back of a best-on-ground performance last week.
It’s those type of games that he’ll be looking to replicate if he wants to break in Richmond’s star-studded side.
They’ll be plenty of interest in how he fares in the coming months.