We’ve all heard of Will Ashcroft, but some of his Sandringham Dragons teammates are also likely to be picked up in this year’s National Draft.
While the Lions father-son is expected to land at pick no. 1, Dragons coach Wayne Cripps believes at least four of his teammates will also be snapped up by AFL clubs.
Joining AFL Trade Radio, Cripps named a few other Dragons to keep an eye on and he started with potential top-10 pick Harry Sheezel who he says has closed the gap on his highly-rated teammate.
“Definitely Harry Sheezel (will be drafted),” Cripps said on AFL Trade Radio.
“He’s probably had a really big year.
“I said from the start he’d start closing the gap on Will (Ashcroft) and I think he has.
“He has such x-factor, he’s a match-winner. He’s got some real bags of tricks as a forward.
“He’s definitely a first rounder.”
Fellow Dragons midfielder Cam McKenzie is another one Cripps expects to be picked early, much to the dismay of St Kilda fans who would like him to slip down the order to arrive at Moorabbin as an academy player.
“Cam McKenzie is another one who’s had a terrific year,” Cripps said.
“He won the APS with Brighton (Grammar), he won a premiership here with the Dragons and was part of the national championships with Vic Metro.
“He’s had a really good year from a team point of view but played a massive role in all of that, he’s a really explosive midfielder.
“He’s a Saints NGA (Next Generation Academy), but I’m tipping they’re not going to get a go at him, he’ll be a first-rounder as well.”
Another player with links to AFL clubs is Olli Hotton, whose father Trent played for both Collingwood and Carlton.
Unfortunately for the Magpies and Blues, Hotton isn’t eligible as a father-son pick as Trent never reached the required games played and Cripps expects him to be picked up as well as small forward Charlie Clarke.
“Olli Hotton, he’s had a pretty interrupted pre-season but was really stiff to miss out on the initial Vic Metro squad,” Cripps said.
“He only got a call up to Vic Metro because they needed some extra numbers for a trial game, but he came out and absolutely starred.
“He took the opportunity and ran with it, he ended up being one of the most important players for Vic Metro and he had a massive carnival with them and then played a really important role with us.
“He sort of shot up the draft board in the last few months, and the other one is Charlie Clarke.
“He’s a serious character, he’s got a really infectious personality and he left a really big impression on this group.
“His pressure and some of the high-speed stuff he does is really impressive, and I know clubs are excited by it.“
This first-round of year's draft will be held on Monday, November 28 with the remaining selections coming on Tuesday, November 29.
The pre-season and rookie drafts will then be held on Wednesday, November 30.