David King has named who he believes were the surprise bolters of last night’s AFL National Draft.
The first 20 picks of the draft were made on Wednesday night, with the rest to follow on Thursday.
Three players in particular caught King’s eye, but the North Melbourne premiership defender adds that given the COVID interrupted seasons, there was always going to be disparity.
“The biggest surprise, Leek Aleer probably shifted things at pick 15,” King told SEN Breakfast.
“Angus Sheldrick was well ahead of the projections and Kai Lohmann going to Brisbane, we expected that to be Sam Butler, that pick.
“They jumped right up, but that’s the beauty of not having much footy the last couple of years. It’s really what you’ve seen in a given quarter or a given moment or from under 16 carnival games.
“There’s so much variety and variance amongst the clubs.”
King also discussed those still available who he expected to be selected inside the top 20.
“To see a few still left on the board … I reckon there’s five or six (I’m surprised to see till on the board),” he said.
“Matthew Johnson, everyone was telling me he was going to go top 10.
“Josh Goater, he was supposed to be in the top dozen, Matthew Roberts the same, Butler I had in my top dozen, but he was supposed to go somewhere between 15 and 20.
“Tyler Sonsie, those sorts of guys, they’re everywhere. This is why tonight if you don’t like seeing live trades and being held up pick to pick, it’s not for you tonight.
“Record it and fast forward to the live selections.”
Fremantle holds the first pick of the second round tonight, with North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Geelong to follow.
Richmond holds picks 26, 27 and 28, while Geelong and Carlton will make their first selections at 22 and 25 respectively.
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