AFL Media draft expert Callum Twomey has offered an insight into each player taken in Wednesday night’s mid-season draft.
14 players found AFL homes in the draft after playing in underage or state-league footy throughout the first half of the season.
With young guns earning their first chances and familiar faces returning to the top level after previously being delisted, Twomey detailed what fans can expect from their club’s new list additions.
GWS held picks five and 14 but passed on picking players on both occasions.
Pick 1 - West Coast - Ryan Maric
“He's a Bayley Fritsch type of goal kicker,” Twomey told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s that type of player and he's done some really good things at Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League this year.
“Also his last couple of weeks for the Box Hill Hawks playing in the VFL basically locked him to number one and I think most clubs would have had him at the number one pick in their own orders.”
Pick 2 - North Melbourne - Robert Hansen Jr
“He's a small forward from Subiaco, he’s 19 years old and he'll be coming across in the next couple of days.
“I like him, he’s got some speed but I think there's a little bit of a way to go (until he plays seniors).
“He's more of a long term than some of the other guys.”
Pick 3 - Hawthorn - Clay Tucker
“He's a 204 centimetre ruckman that’s turning 19 this year.
“So we won't see him I don't think at AFL level this season, but he played over the weekend for Box Hill.
“He has been training with the Hawks, he’s pretty familiar with their program and averaged 20 hit outs through the under 18 competition this year.
“He’s really improved after being overlooked this year and I think we'll see him more as a long term prospect as well.”
Pick 4 - Richmond - Matt Coulthard
“He kick four goals on the weekend for Glenelg, he's a small forward.
“He's got the Tyson Stengles about him, that’s the type of player I'd call him.
“He's more of a chance to be playing soon because he is 22 years old.
“He’s 176 centimetres and really crafty at ground level.”
Pick 6 - Sydney - Harry Arnold
“This is more of an immediate need selection.
“He’s a 24 year old key defender from the Brisbane VFL program.
“He's formerly also from the Gold Coast Academy and really improved since last year.
“The Swans have been eyeing him off for probably about 12 months or so.
“So he'll be ready to come in and play … I think we'll see him this year.”
Pick 7 - Geelong - Mitch Hardie
“Mitch Hardie is a ready to go player.
“Geelong have gone for a mature-age prospect, he’s 25, a midfielder from Woodville-West Torrens and he has averaged 26 touches and a goal with two clearances this year in the SANFL.
“He's ready to go.”
Pick 8 - Fremantle - Ethan Stanley
“Ethan Stanley is a bit of a different type.
“He’s a wingman and played really well in the Young Guns game a couple of weeks ago, he had some flash and there in that game.
“So he’ll be more of a long term prospect.”
Pick 9 - Essendon - Jaiden Hunter
“He’s a 196 centimetre tall forward.
“He kicked five goals on the weekend, Essendon were over there (in WA) for that game.
“They watched him do that (for Perth) and timing is everything in the midseason draft.
“So he'll come over after being overlooked a couple of years ago, he was actually first eligible in 2020 (to be drafted).
“Not sure if we see him this season or next, but he’ll add some more depth to their tall forwards.”
Pick 10 - Western Bulldogs - Caleb Poulter
“He is a player that they've picked up knowing that he can come in straight away.
“He's come from their Footscray VFL program, so he’s been under their nose there.
“He played 12 games for the Magpies, 11 in his first year and then was cut last year.
“He’s a wingman, a left footer, uses the ball pretty well and that Footscray program has been pretty productive for them.”
Pick 11 - Port Adelaide - Quinton Narkle
“I love this from Port.
“He's 25, adds to their midfield depth and they're in the (premiership) window and this is where the mid-season draft can be really handy.
“He adds some extra polish and helps a midfield unit that's already very, very strong, but you never know what's gonna happen at the end of the season.
“So he's ready to step in.”
Pick 12 - Hawthorn - Brandon Ryan
“He's an interesting one, he’s 25 years old.
“He's the cousin of Freo's Luke Ryan but he’s a very different player though.
“He’s 200 centimetres, a bit of a bean pole, 90kg, but he's kicked a lot of goals this year - 18 goals for the Bullants in the VFL.
“Even though he is 25 I still don't think we'll probably see him this year because he needs to sort of have a bit more time in the gym.
“But, longer term, he might be worth a look.”
Pick 13 - Richmond - James Trezise
“Defender James Trezise played for Tooradin last year in the Gippsland league and won a premiership there alongside former Magpie Brent McCaffer.
“He’s pretty versatile, we’ve seen clubs do this and grab players out of their VFL.
“Richmond’s VFL program has been strong too in the last three years (for the mid-season draft).”
Pick 15 - Sydney - Jack Buller
“He's a mountain of a kid, 199 centimetres, 100 kg.
“The Swans pick him thinking that he can play in the second half of this season.
“He’s a forward/ruck and kicked some goals across the start of this season in the WAFL competition.
“He moulds himself a little bit on Charlie Dixon, so I think we'll see him at some point this year.”