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by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL preseason draft and rookie draft were held on December 11. Geelong and St Kilda were the only two clubs who did not participate. Player age, height, weight, draft selection and previous club are in parentheses.

ADELAIDE
Nick Joyce (selection 10, preseason draft): midfielder who was working in the club's development office on a trainee program, Joyce was drafted by the Crows in 2011. He has yet to play a senior game. The Crows were forced to delist him when a trade deal with Sydney fell through and the details of the "Tippett deal" came to light. The Crows made it known that they had every intention of redrafting Joyce.

Kyle Hartigan (rookie draft, 22, 6'3", 196): mature-age defender who has been biding his time with Werribee in the VFL for the past three seasons. He is a graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy and represented Vic Metro in the 2009 TAC Cup tournament. He had been overlooked in previous drafts. He was one of the best in Werribee's last two finals.

Jack Osborn (rookie draft, 22, 6'7", 224): played junior footy but turned his attentions to basketball, playing for Tasmania. Also recently returned from the USA where he spent four years playing college basketball.

Tim Klaosen (preseason draft, 22): another basketballer who played junior football. He was playing basketball for Sturt in South Australia.

BRISBANE LIONS
Nick Hayes (rookie, 18, 6'2", 180, Woodville-West Torrens): clever and strong marking forward with potential to go into midfield. Member of Woodville's 2012 premiership team.

Callum Bartlett (rookie): midfielder originally drafted in 2009, yet to play any senior games due to two knee reconstructions as many years. The Lions delisted him at the end of the season but have been impressed with his commitment and rehabilitation and are giving him another chance. At just 20, Bartlett has time on his side. He was a member of the reserves Premiership team in 2012.

Jordon Bourke (rookie, 18, 6'3", 183, Morningside QLD): son of former Cat Damian (also played 22 games with Brisbane) whom Geelong opted not to select under the father-son rule. Quick, agile and athletic forward who can take a strong mark. Ranked in the top 10 in the agility and sprint at the draft testing, represented Queensland at the 2012 Under-18 tournament and won the Alan McLean Medal as best Division Two player.

CARLTON
Jaryd Cachia (No.9, rookie, Norwood): originally selected as a rookie by the Blues in 2010 and spent two seasons developing with the Northern Bullants (now Northern Blues) in the VFL. Delisted at the end of 2011 and joined Norwood in the SANFL. The Blues watched his progress throughout the 2012 season in which the tough midfielder was consistently one of Norwood's best and played a key role in Norwood's premiership win. He finished top five in the Magarey Medal (SANFL Brownlow equivalent).

Andrew Collins (rookie): originally drafted by Richmond in 2006 but struggled early due to a bout of ostitis pubus. Played 25 games for the Tigers before being traded to Carlton in 2010. A versatile and hardworking forward whose 2011 season was hampered by injury. He showed promise in his nine games in 2012. Has great endurance and foot skills and the club is hopeful of improvement with a solid preseason.

COLLINGWOOD
Kyle Martin (rookie, 22, 5'9", 178, Frankston): strong marking midfielder who won Frankston's best and fairest award.

Sam Dwyer (rookie, 26): held little hope this year after being overlooked in numerous previous drafts. Joined VFL side Port Melbourne in 2005 and has been highly rated ever since. Described by Port Coach Gary Ayres as a smart and skilled midfielder who knows how to find space, is good in "heavy traffic" and dangerous near goals. Has consistently improved every year with an already burgeoning trophy cabinet - reserve grade best and fairest (2006), to VFL reserves best and fairest (2007), senior club champion (2009), premiership player (2011) and state representative (2012).

Adam Oxley (rookie, 20, Redland QLD): another VFL player overlooked in several drafts. Can play midfield, forward or defense but the Pies believe he could be best suited to a wing or across half-back.

Jack Frost (rookie, 20, 6'3", 180, Williamstown): despite hip surgery at the end of 2011, had a strong 2012 as a dashing defender. Fine athlete and competitor.

Ben Hudson (rookie, Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane): joined the club as an assistant coach after announcing his retirement from Brisbane. Began training with the team and comes out of retirement to be a backup to veteran ruck Darren Jolly. Will continue his role in helping develop the side's younger rucks.

Peter Yagmoor, rookie, 20, 5'9", 185): originally a pre-listed zone selection for Gold Coast in 2011 but was traded to Collingwood. Played two games in 2012 and was delisted from the seniors. The defender gets a second chance as a rookie.

Ben Richmond (rookie, 19, 6'3"): an AIS graduate but in basketball. Played high school football before switching to basketball. Has a huge vertical leap and excellent aerobic capacity. The Pies see him as a key forward or defender.

ESSENDON
Will Hams (preseason, 18, 5'9", 154, Gippsland): courageous and competitive small midfielder/defender who attacks man and ball. Represented Vic Country at the 2012 U-18's.

Ariel Steinberg (rookie, 20, 6'2", 191): medium forward drafted by Essendon in 2010 but has spent his time developing with Bendigo in the VFL. Has good hands, excellent awareness and is a reliable kick. Delisted at the end of 2012 but gets another chance as a rookie.

FREMANTLE
Jack Hannath (preseason, 20, 6'5", 187, SANFL Central Districts): shouldered most of the ruck work for Central in 2012, has good skills and running ability for a player his size. Will still need time to develop.

Jesse Crichton (preseason, 21, 6', 174): versatile midfielder drafted by the Dockers in 2009. Has played 17 games since his debut in 2010. Has good defensive skills and has worked on his attacking skills. Delisted and redrafted.

Matthew Taberner (rookie, 19, Murray Bushrangers & Myrtleford in Ovens & Murray league): athletic forward with good endurance and running. He trained with the Dockers ahead of the drafts.

Alex Howson (rookie, 18, 6'3", 198, WAFL East Fremantle): mobile tall forward who is a very good set shot for goal. Led the goalkicking for East Fremantle at league and colts' level. Can also play in defense.

Craig Moller (rookie, 18, 6'5", 196, Sydney University): a NSW Scholarship holder since 2009, he is a developing ruckman.

GOLD COAST SUNS
Leigh Osborne (rookie, 22, 6'1", 185, Frankston): speedy halfback with a nice kick. Represented Victoria in a VFL state game against Tasmania.

Andrew Boston (rookie, 18, 6', 176, Broadbeach QLD zone selection): smart and skilled midfielder/winger who has also played forward. Not overly quick but reads the play well and a good decision maker. Will need to build endurance.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Bret Thornton (preseason, Carlton, free agent): rookie-listed by the Blues in 2001, debuted in 2002 and played 188 games. Can play forward and defense, is a good mark and uses the ball well.

Dean Brogan (preseason, Port Adelaide, GWS): rookie listed by Port in 2000, he played 174 games with Power. The premiership ruckman was traded to GWS in 2011 but played just nine games in 2012. He was delisted by the Giants to make room for the potential selection of Kurt Tippett. When the club decided to take Tippett, they redrafted Brogan.

Jack Redfern (rookie, 18, 6'1", 187, NSW Sydney Hills): versatile utility who has been on a scholarship with the Giants for the past year. A member of the Giants Academy and played with the NEAFL as well as representing NSW/ACT at the U-18's tournament. Hails from Wagga Wagga, NSW which is also the hometown of AFL greats Wayne Carey and former Swans captain Paul Kelly.

Zachary Williams (rookie, 18, 6', 183, NSW Narrandera): skilled, speedy, agile midfielder who is a good ball winner and very good at clearances. Played in the NEAFL and represented NSW as well as being a member of the Giants Academy in 2012.

HAWTHORN
Jonathon Ceglar (rookie, 21, 6'5", 198, Collingwood): ruckman/forward originally destined for Gold Coast in 2011 but Gold Coast traded the selection to Collingwood. Never played a senior game with the Pies but showed promise in the VFL. Will need to build up a bit to prevent being pushed off by larger opponents.

Ciaran Kilkenny (international rookie, 19): comes from a Gaelic football background. Kilkenney has been training with the Hawks since November after the club committed to selecting him. The club committed to him after he tested well at a February Combine. He and his father later visited the club and Kilkenny impressed those he met with his knowledge of the game, his attitude and adaptability. He was also recently voted as the best Under-21 Gaelic Football player in Ireland. He also played for Dublin in the All-Ireland Senior semi-final.

MELBOURNE
Nathan Stark (rookie, 18, 5'8", 154, SANFL Glenelg): strong, competitive, a willingness to learn and good preparation. Midfielder/forward who played at reserves level with Glenelg. Could also be a "tagger" (a run with player) with his strength and tackling.

Mitchell Clisby (rookie, 22, 5'9", 165, SANFL North Adelaide): quick, rebounding halfback who can also play on a wing and is a good kick. Had a very good finals series and ran fourth in the club's best and fairest.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Tim McGenniss (rookie, 18, 5'9", 167, Dandenong): tough, hard and skilled midfielder, excellent at winning the contested ball and at clearances. Works hard at training and at his preparation. Won Dandenong's 2012 best and fairest award.

Ben Speight (rookie, North Melbourne): rookie selection in 2009, elevated to the seniors in 2010 and has played 10 games as a wingman/forward. Delisted and redrafted to the rookie list.

Cameron Richardson (rookie, North Melbourne): prelisted by Gold Coast in 2010 but traded to North. A running halfback who finished in the top 10 Liston Trophy (VFL Brownlow equivalent) in 2011. Prior to his AFL drafting, he was an integral member of North Ballarat's hat-trick of premierships. Was also named in the VFL's 2010 Team of The Year. Played eight games in 2011 but could not break into the senior side in 2012.

PORT ADELAIDE
Sam Colquhoun (preseason, 18, 5'8", 158, Central Districts): a former junior state cricketer who took up footy just a year ago. Can play wing, half-forward or defense and has good skills. Extremely fit but may need work on his speed. Grew up a Port supporter and trained with both Port and Essendon in the weeks leading up to the drafts.

Kane Mitchell (rookie, 23, 5'7", 165, WAFL Claremont): midfielder with huge work rate, can kick goals and win the ball well. Was a member of Claremont's premiership sides in 2011 and 2012 as well as the WAFL grand final team in 2010. Reigning Sandover Medalist (WAFL Brownlow equivalent).

Justin Hoskin (rookie, 21, 6', 174, SANFL Port Adelaide): solid rebounding defender who has been with the SA club since his junior days.

There was great speculation that Port would select former Demon livewire Liam Jurrah after he walked out on the Demons earlier this year. Port allowed him to train with them under very strict guidelines but decided not to select him. According to a media release by the club, Jurrah has injury and fitness issues. There are also the well-documented off-field issues facing Jurrah, including a court hearing in March, stemming from his arrest earlier in 2012 for attacking another man as part of tribal family feud. Once these issues are settled, the club believes Jurrah could have a fine AFL career. To this end, the club is committed to helping him in all areas. The plan includes recruiting Jurrah to play in the SANFL in 2013 and an opportunity to work with the Port's community development program. The club will also work with the AFL and AFLPA to provide support for Jurrah as he deals with the off-field issues, including the court hearing and his injury rehabilitation. The club will later assess Jurrah's suitability for drafting for the 2014 season. Jurrah has expressed a desire to continue his AFL career.

RICHMOND
Ricky Petterd (rookie, Melbourne): drafted by the Demons in 2006, Petterd has had an injury-plagued career (including a punctured lung and shoulder dislocation which required surgery). His best return was 18 games in 2009 for a total of 54. When fit, can be a force up forward and can also take a turn in the midfield.

Sam Lonergan (rookie, Essendon): drafted by the Bombers in 2005, he played 79 games as a midfielder and forward. Played 14 games in 2012 and was delisted.

Orren Stephenson (rookie, Geelong): 29 year old mature-age ruckman recruited by the Cats, he played just eight games in his first and only season at AFL level after starring in the VFL for a number of years.

Cadeyn Williams (rookie, 18, 6'1", 187, Murray Bushrangers): hard-working utility player who missed out on representing Vic Country due to a bad shoulder injury which required surgery.

SYDNEY
Kurt Tippett (preseason, Adelaide): the talk of the post-season with salary and draft breaches. The tall forward, who can take the occasional turn in the ruck, is looking forward to earning the trust of his new teammates and settling in with the Swans. Many experts believe the Swans have made a mistake in taking the disgruntled ex-Crow. However, with the club's policy of instilling the "Bloods" culture in any new player walking through the door, and with an excellent track record of revitalizing recycled players, there is every reason to believe both player and club will make a success of it. Tippett, who has to sit out the first 11 weeks of 2013, will have plenty of time to observe and learn the team's "all for one, one for all" ethos.

Jake Lloyd (rookie, 19, 5'9", 158, North Ballarat): midfielder with great endurance, work rate, running capacity and leadership qualities.

Xavier Richards (rookie, 19, 6'3", 185, Sandringham): tall, athletic defender in the same mold as older brother Ted who has starred with the Swans since crossing from Essendon.

Dane Rampe (rookie, 22, 6'2"): hard-running midfielder who has been playing with AFL Sydney in the Sydney Football League as well as UNSW/Eastern Suburbs. He trained with the Swans for several weeks ahead of the draft and was impressive.

Won several awards in 2012: Phelan Medal as AFL Sydney’s best and fairest and the Howarth Trophy for representative player of the year. Spent a stint with Williamstown in the VFL before returning to Sydney this year.

Daniel Robinson (rookie, 18, 6', 185, Mosman Swans): Swans scholarship holder, midfielder but can play a variety of positions. A good ball winner who can read the play well and represented NSW/ACT at the U-18's.

Brandon Jack (rookie, 18, 5'9", 165, NSW Pennant Hills): younger brother of gun Swan Kieren. Quick midfielder who is a neat kick. Was a member of the newly established Sydney Academy headed by former Swans coach Paul Roos.

Sam Naismith (rookie, 18, 6'7", 229, North Shore Bombers): moved to Sydney from his home in northern NSW after getting a call from Paul Roos inviting him to join the Sydney Academy. Can dominate at center bounces and around the ground. So much so that he had the better of former Swan star Troy Luff, 42, in a mid-season game in the Sydney reserves. His side won the game by one point and it was only after the game that he learned who Luff was. That performance earned him a Rising Star nomination. In playing with the Swans reserves, he has had the opportunity to train with senior ruckmen Shane Mumford, Mike Pyke and Mark Seaby.

WEST COAST
Callum Sinclair (rookie, 23, 6'5", 209, rookie, Subiaco): considered a strong chance to be drafted from VFL side Port Melbourne in 2010, he was overlooked, then had knee problems in 2011. He crossed to the WAFL in 2012. The Eagles have watched his progress since 2010. Talented and versatile, he can play ruck and forward. Will develop alongside fellow young ruckman Scott Lycett and is looking forward to working with classy Eagles' ruck duo Cox and Naitanui.

Jamie Bennell (rookie, Melbourne): speedy, agile midfielder who can push forward or back. Has clean hands and good vision. Played 57 games with the Demons but gets a second chance in his home state.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brett Goodes (rookie, 26, 6', 205, Williamstown, North Ballarat): younger brother of Sydney star Adam, Brett played 111 games with North Ballarat including their 2008 and 2009 Premierships. In 2008, he was named in the VFL Team of the Year and narrowly missed out on the Liston Trophy. He played for the NT Thunder in 2010 and was runner up in the club's best and fairest that year despite a slow start to the season due to hip surgery. While playing with the NT, Goodes worked as an AFLNT indigenous employment manager and regional development manager. The Bulldogs then recruited him as their club welfare officer and he split his time in that role and playing with VFL club Williamstown. He is a speedy midfielder with good defensive skills. He will continue to work with the younger players to some degree. Delisted Bomber Brent Prismall was also training with the club, but the Bulldogs opted for Goodes instead, leaving Prismall out in the proverbial cold.

Source: theage.com.au, heraldsun.com.au, theaustralian.com.au, news.com.au, northshoretimes.com.au, westcoasteagles.com.au, Inside Football, AFL Record Season Guides; club media releases - Kate Stevens (Brisbane), Michelle Trewartha (Carlton*), Leah Mirabella (Hawthorn), Jessica Ries (GWS), Andrew Rutter (PA)

*Long-time Carlton  communications manager Ian Coutts recently announced his departure from the club

Article last changed on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - 4:31 PM EDT


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