Most of the early picks from the 2021 AFL Draft have already re-signed with their clubs.
17 of the top 20 selections have now inked extensions - typically for two years – on top of their mandatory two-year deals that they signed initially to the end of the 2023 season once being selected.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey revealed that the three yet to sign on are St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (pick No. 11), Essendon’s Ben Hobbs (pick No. 13) and Brisbane’s Kai Lohmann (pick No. 20).
Twomey says clubs will start to monitor these players if they remain unsigned throughout the season.
“This is an interesting one, 17 of the top 20 picks from that year have already re-signed,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast.
“Finn Callaghan and Sam Darcy most recently added a couple of years to their deals, we know usually these deals are two-year extensions beyond that initial contract.
“The players who haven’t (re-signed) are Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera at St Kilda, Ben Hobbs at Essendon and Kai Lohmann at Brisbane.
“The Saints are keen to extend Wanganeen-Milera, of course he’s one of their best users of the footy.
“Hobbs hasn’t had a contract offer as of yet, he was in the VFL last week, so clubs are watching him where he fits into the Essendon midfield mix.”
With 2020 first rounders Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry departing GWS and Collingwood respectively after failing to extend beyond their initial two seasons, Twomey says clubs will be watching to see if any of the 2021 trio push for similar moves.
“Of course, we know last year Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry left after a couple of years at their respective clubs and ended up at Geelong,” Twomey said.
“I’m not saying these guys are necessarily going to happen like that.
“But clubs will be watching these guys if they do play this out a little bit longer and it plays out longer with their (current) clubs.”
The first round of the 2021 Draft has already proven to be packed with talent with Nick Daicos, Jason Horne-Francis, Josh Rachele, Sam Darcy and Finn Callaghan among the early picks.