Why McGuane non-selection proves father-sons don't have a leg up

- Every pick of the 2025 AFL National Draft

Rejection can often create the best careers.

That’s the message for any AFL Draft hopefuls that were not picked this week.

Speaking on SEN the morning after the second round of picks was made, draft guru Mick Ablett said he was left shattered for Ollie Greeves and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves who were not selected despite significant hype.

Greeves, who dominated Vic Metro this season and claimed the side's MVP honours at the U18s National Championships, was perhaps the biggest shock story from this year’s draft given he has been spoken about as a potential top 10 pick for much of the build-up.

“I say this genuinely I am gutted for Ollie Greeves,” Ablett said on SEN. “To be on draft boards and phantoms drafts for months now, you have to feel for him. I am gutted.

“They will be hurting for a couple of days but I have no doubt they will find an opportunity.

“Hawthorn tried to get Greeves through the NGA program and applied to get him in through indigenous heritage but they weren’t successful. There will be no better person to reach out to Olli today than Sam Mitchell.

“If you look at a guy that had his doubters and a similar type of player, he had to do it the hard way.”

Ablett urged any young hopefuls to take comfort from stories like 240-gamer Matt Priddis who was rejected in three drafts before finally being picked up by West Coast at No 31 in 2006.

“Priddis went through 3 draft combines before he found a home,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what me or anyone says, he will be absolutely shattered this morning I just hope he can pick himself up and get good people around him. We will all watch his career with great interest going forward.

“These stories are built on resilience and hard knocks. Down the track they can be some of the best stories down the track.

“It must be so challenging to have to sit back and watch this unfold.“

Another surprise story from this year was Collingwood’s decision not to pick Tom McGuane, son of AFL great Mick, after the Magpies informed the Western Jets product that they wouldn't match a a bid on him in the lead-up to the draft.

“It’s always sad,” Ablett said. “People think father-sons have a leg up but they don’t.

“The pressure is big enough never mind following in the footsteps of someone like Mick.

“Resilience is huge in draft. Tom will bounce back. He has a lot to offer. Don’t be surprised if he pops up on a rookie list. He has a great football brain.”

Greeves and McGuane will hope to find a spot on an AFL list during Friday's Rookie Draft.