The dust has well and truly settled on the 2022 AFL National Draft which took place on November 28 and 29.
59 players were chosen with Aaron Cadman going to the GWS Giants at pick 1, followed by Will Ashcroft (Brisbane), Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw (both North Melbourne), and Elijah Tsatas (Essendon), making up the top five.
For all the feel-good stories within a draft, there are always plenty of hard-luck tales as draft expert Mick Ablett pointed out.
Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country midfielder Mitch Szybkowski was tipped by all and sundry to be taken by an AFL club but missed out.
“Mitch Szybkowski is a young man who played in Vic Country’s midfield. He was sort of the one-two punch with Jhye Clark who we saw go to the Cats with their first selection,” Ablett said on SEN Mornings.
“I was very surprised he didn’t make his way onto an AFL list, whether it was through the National Draft or even though a rookie list.
“I certainly felt for him but I think he’ll bounce back. From all reports he’s an outstanding young man and has got very good character.
“His opportunity might take a little bit longer to come.”
Another player who was deemed unlucky not to have their named called out on draft night was Ethan Phillips.
The 23-year-old Port Melbourne defender won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s best young player this year but was overlooked late last month, much to Ablett’s surprise.
“The other one I was surprised not to see get on a list was Ethan Phillips,” he added.
“A mature-aged player who was the most promising VFL player for the year.
“I just thought he may have found himself on an AFL list bering a ready-made key defender that could have stepped in and filled a hole if the need arose, particularly for those clubs around the mark.”
Prior to Phillips, the previous 15 winners of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal had made their way onto an AFL list, the latest being Charlie Dean who was picked up by Collingwood in late 2021.