The 2022 AFL National Draft is almost here, with anticipation building ahead of a fascinating first round.
The SEN.com.au team has held its own phantom draft of the first round, looking to fill the needs of each team.
These are the picks we believe clubs should make, not what we expect to happen on draft night.
See all of our picks below:
Pick 1
Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Matching GWS’ bid
We know the Giants are keen on tall forward Aaron Cadman, but Will Ashcroft has long been considered the best player in this draft crop.
A prolific midfielder that looks destined to become one of the competition’s elite, GWS would be mad to not make Brisbane pay up full price for their father-son prospect.
Ashcroft will be a Lion, and as the best player in the draft, should go at pick one.
Lachlan Geleit
Pick 2
Aaron Cadman (GWS Giants)
This one is no real secret. The Giants traded up the draft order to select Aaron Cadman, who they clearly deem to be a key forward worth going all-in on.
The talented GWV Rebels player has been likened to Jeremy Cameron with his ability to play on the wing, win ball up the ground and still be an imposing forward threat.
He makes perfect sense for GWS, who need a star key forward.
Nic Negrepontis
Pick 3
Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
The Kangaroos need class and Harry Sheezel is just that.
He possesses poise and balance as a midfielder/forward and has the ability to just make things happen inside forward 50.
The Sandringham Dragons talent is a proven goalkicker at junior level and the Roos will be eager to bring his firepower to Arden Street.
Essendon and Hawthorn have both been keen but it would be a major surprise if he didn’t end up in royal blue and white.
Andrew Slevison
Pick 4
George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
George Wardlaw may have endured an injury-interrupted 2022 season, but his highlights package would have Roos fans salivating.
With North Melbourne hopeful of building a list that can contend in years to come under Alastair Clarkson, the club needs a more consistent performance out of the middle.
Wardlaw is a strong, powerful midfielder who would be expected to start in the Roos’ midfield next year and have an immediate impact.
The club also can’t afford another draft error, and Wardlaw – a local Melburnian – appears one of the best chances to become an AFL star.
Seb Mottram
Pick 5
Mattaes Phillipou (Essendon)
The South Australian may have the highest upside of this crop, and that’s what Essendon should be aiming for with this pick.
While the likes of Elijah Tsatas, Bailey Humphrey and Jhye Clark are still on the board, the Bombers have long possessed average-to-small-sized midfielders and Phillipou could offer them that bigger body.
With an ability to hit the scoreboard as well, the 190cm Phillipou could be the game-breaker the Bombers desire.
He’s not lacking in confidence and as he’ll still be 17 by the time he’s drafted, could have considerable improvement in him.
Lachlan Geleit
Pick 6
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
Bailey Humphrey could be a great final piece of the puzzle for Gold Coast as an impact player inside 50 and through the midfield.
He could slot comfortably into the half-forward line for the Suns next year and give them a dynamic option to replace the x-factor lost by the departing Izak Rankine.
If the Suns are picking only on best available talent, Humphrey is a great option here at pick six.
Nic Negrepontis
Pick 7: Jhye Clark (Hawthorn)
The Geelong Falcons and Vic Country skipper is exactly the type of player that Hawthorn could plug into its midfield for the next decade or so.
He is an in-and-under player who runs both offensively and defensively, possesses plenty of courage and wins his own ball.
Clark has been heavily linked with hometown club Geelong, especially given his ties to retired premiership captain Joel Selwood and the similarities in which they play.
The Cats would love to take Clark but the Hawks could scupper their plans and snap him up the pick prior, ironically at number 7 where Selwood was drafted in 2006.
Andrew Slevison
Pick 8
Elijah Tsatas (Geelong)
If Elijah Tsatas gets as far as pick 8, Geelong would be over the moon.
Tsatas was a top-five prospect in many phantom drafts given his attributes inside and outside the contest. He’s also a hard-at-it midfielder with the ability to run and carry the footy, a rare mix of skills for a youngster.
The Cats have few deficiencies on their list and if they miss out on Jhye Clark, will likely look to take the best player available, in this case, Tsatas.
Seb Mottram
Pick 9
Reuben Ginbey (West Coast)
The highest-rated Western Australian in this year’s draft, many think Reuben Ginbey was the reason behind West Coast dropping back in the order from pick two.
If the big-bodied midfielder is available, West Coast will surely snap him up, particularly as their on-ball stocks begin to age.
Was a standout at the draft combine and the Eagles would be thrilled to pick up a player that won’t be affected by the ‘go home’ factor.
Lachlan Geleit
Pick 10
Cameron Mackenzie (St Kilda)
This would be a great situation for the Saints, landing their own Academy player despite not being able to match a bid on him since those rules changed.
Mackenzie has developed into a damaging midfielder who can win the ball and use speed and agility on the outside to do some damage.
St Kilda has consistently sought after match-winning talent and an elite kicking outside midfielder already familiar with the club would be a perfect outcome.
Nic Negrepontis
Pick 11
Oliver Hollands (Carlton)
Carlton could do with a player like Oliver Hollands.
He has a huge aerobic tank allowing him to run all game as a wingman who can push into other areas of the ground. His versatilty in that he can operate through the midfield and off half-back would no doubt be attractive to the Blues.
St Kilda is also keen on Hollands so if they opt to go with Cameron Mackenzie or someone else with their pick prior, then it leaves the door wide open for Carlton to pounce.
Hollands is the younger brother of talented Gold Coast youngster Elijah who was taken with pick 7 in 2020.
Andrew Slevison
Pick 12
Elijah Hewett (Western Bulldogs)
The Western Bulldogs haven’t taken a midfielder in the first round of the draft since 2018 and before that, Marcus Bontempelli in 2013.
The club no doubt has a packed on-ball unit, but with the need to refresh and continue preparing for the future, Hewett could be the best available at the time.
Hewett, out of Western Australia, has already proved he can match it with the bigger bodies when playing WAFL for Swan Districts and holding his own.
He’ll continue improving and the Dogs could look to develop him with the view of being one of the club’s leading midfielders in five years time.
Seb Mottram
Pick 13
Jedd Busslinger (West Coast)
Another West Australian prospect for the Eagles to select, Jedd Busslinger has been described as the best key defender in his draft group.
With Reuben Ginbey likely already selected by the Eagles by this stage, Busslinger is another local product that the club would love to get their hands on.
Standing at 196cm, Busslinger is assured defensively and has some genuine attacking tricks with lovely kicking skills and intercept ability.
A no-brainer as the last West Australian available that’s considered a first-round prospect.
Lachlan Geleit
Pick 14
Matthew Jefferson (Melbourne)
Melbourne needs a key forward and Matthew Jefferson will be the best one on the board at their draft spot – assuming they don’t trade up, as is rumoured.
Jefferson is a 195cm key forward who excels on the lead and could spend a year learning under the likes of Ben Brown and Tom McDonald before taking over long term.
The Demons can afford to look to the future with their draft pick and need to address key forward depth beyond 2023.
Nic Negrepontis
Pick 15
Lachie Cowan (Sydney)
The Swans certainly have one of the most balanced best 22s across the league and could go a number of different ways with their two early picks.
But Lachie Cowan suits the Swans. A big-bodied half-back with a booming left foot who also can push into the midfield, Cowan would slot in nicely with the Swans' quick style of play.
He was a joint winner of the Morrish Medal in the NAB League to suggest he’s got the talent to make an immediate impact and given he’s a Tasmanian, the Swans won’t have to worry too much about the go-home factor for at least a few seasons.
Seb Mottram
Pick 16
Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane)
Matching GWS’ bid
A definite top-15 pick in the eyes of many draft experts, it’s unlikely GWS would let Fletcher slide even further than pick 16.
Brisbane did plenty of work throughout the trade period to secure enough draft capital to feel comfortable matching bids for Fletcher and Will Ashcroft and both will become Lions.
Fletcher is a talented midfielder who has the versatility to feature in several roles and push forward to hit the scoreboard.
Seb Mottram
Pick 17
Alwyn Davey Jnr (Essendon)
Matching GWS’ bid
After losing Bobby Hill in the trade period, GWS would love to get their hands on the top-rated small forward of this draft crop in Alwyn Davey Jnr.
Unfortunately for them, Essendon has already committed to matching a bid for the father-son prospect and their bid sees the goalsneak join the Bombers inside the first round.
Davey will end up at the Bombers, it’s just a matter of when and this seems to be about his draft range.
Lachlan Geleit
Pick 18
Edward Allan (GWS)
A tall midfielder who excelled at the draft combine, Ed Allan is a player bolting up draft boards.
His size coupled with his speed and agility make him a tantalising prospect and the Giants could do worse than taking a flier on the West Australian.
With the Giants already adding a key forward, they should have a look at the high-upside midfielder.
Nic Negrepontis
Pick 19
Lewis Hayes (Collingwood)
Collingwood would love a promising key defender on their list and Lewis Hayes fits the bill.
He has plenty of defensive capabilities but is also adept at the intercept side of the game which has become so important in recent years.
The Magpies recruited Billy Frampton in the trade period as a potential quick fix in a key defensive post to play alongside Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy, with Hayes potentially seen as one for the future.
Hayes is the younger brother of Port Adelaide ruckman Sam.
Andrew Slevison
Pick 20
Harry Barnett (Sydney)
Could the Swans take a slight risk with their second pick and go with a ruckman?
Harry Barnett is considered by many to be the best ruck available in this year’s draft crop and the Swans have been showing interest.
There are similarities to Brodie Grundy who was taken with pick 18 in 2012.
The Swans could add a quality big man with scope to take over from Tom Hickey and Peter Ladhams in the coming years.
Andrew Slevison
Pick 21
Josh Weddle (GWS)
The athletic defender has been touted to go earlier in the piece and the Giants would be happy to see his name on the board at pick 21.
The Vic Metro product starred at the combine as he finished top 10 in the 20-metre sprint, 2km time trial, vertical jump and running vertical jump.
Combine that athleticism with strong defensive abilities and the Giants will be glad to pick up a player with an impressive upside.
Lachlan Geleit
