Midseason Rookie Draft

At the beginning of June, the AFL held the midseason rookie draft. For some clubs, it was a chance to find replacements for players who have been injured and face extended periods on the sidelines. For others just a chance to bolster their lists for the future. Below are the selections. Clubs had to have a roster spot open to participate in the draft. As with the national draft, it is by club, selection number, player, club of origin, age, height, weight and position.

ADELAIDE

4. Brett Turner (Glenelg, SANFL), 25, 185cm (5'9"), 88kg (193 lbs), midfielder
Ready-made for AFL and is a ball winner who can play wing or forward.

19 - Pass

CARLTON

13. Sam Durdin (North Melbourne), 25, 199 (6'4"), 98 (215), defender
Drafted by North in 2014, he played 22 games before being delisted at the end of 2020. Has performed well for Glenelg in the SANFL.

22. Will Hayes (Carlton VFL), 26, 181 (5'8"), 77 (169), midfielder
Ball winner originally drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2018 and played 11 games before being delisted at the end of 2021. Was a member of the 2016 VFL premiership team and has been impressive in the VFL with his footy smarts and ball winning ability. Good tackler and can kick goals.

COLLINGWOOD

9. Josh Carmichael (West Adelaide), 22, 189 (6'), 88 (193), midfielder
Strong ball winner who attracted interest from a number of clubs.

21. Pass

ESSENDON

3. Massimo D;Ambrosio (Richmond VFL), 18, 178 (*5'7"), 80 (176), defender
Gets his chance after being overlooked in the 2021 draft. Played midfield as a junior but moved to defense where he can use his speed, elite kicking, strength in the air and decision making to good effect. Starred for the Young Guns junior team recently and was a standout for Richmond against Essendon in a recent VFL match.

18. Jye Menzie (South Adelaide, SANFL), 19, 181 (5'8"), 79 (174), small forward
Relocated to SA from Tasmania this year and was impressive, kicking 10 goals in two games with a total tally of 20. Has football smarts to set up teammates and has the aerobic capacity to use his speed to push up the ground. Very competitive and enjoys a scrap.

FREMANTLE

15. Sebit Kuet (East Perth, WAFL), 21, 195 (6'2"), 73 (160), tall forward
Of Sudanese descent, has starred for East Perth with 16 goals in five games. Was a member of West Coast's Next Generation Academy but joined East Perth in 2018.

23 - Pass

GEELONG

12. Zane Williams (Woodville-West Torrens, SANFL), 20, 183 (5'8"), 71 (156), forward
15 goals in eight games, including a haul of five against Glenelg this year, caught the attention of AFL recruiters. Smart user of the ball to help create chances for teammates. Came through Woodville's junior program so so has been there for awhile. Ironically, his senior chance came with Woodville when Tyson Stengle joined the Cats last season.

GOLD COAST

7. Oskar Faulkhead (Bendigo Pioneers)TAC Cup), 19, 182 (5'8"), 76 (167), midfielder
Hard running ballwinner who also played for Geelong's VFL side. Impressed playing for the Young Guns against Vic Metro and Vic Country. Gold Coast was keen on him to help bolster the midfield stocks.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

5. Wade Derksen (Peel Thunder), 21, 197 (6'3"), 90 (198), forward
Had an injury-riddled and COVID affected stint during his time in Essendon's VFL program. Returned to the Northern Territory before signing with Peel this year. Played just three games but caught the eye of recruiters when he kicked four goals against West Coast.

HAWTHORN

6. Max Ramsden (Sandringham Dragons, TAC Cup), 19, 202 (6'5"), 86 (189), ruckman
Athletic and very mobile at ground level for his size. Ran a recent 2km (1.24 miles) in just over six minutes. Played for the Young Guns junior team recently and was impressive as he was with Sandringham - which is what caught the eye of recruiters.

20. James Blanck (Box Hill Hawks, VFL), 21, 195 (6'2"), 85 (187), defender
The Hawks were hoping to select Blanck in the preseason SSP but he was not eligible as he had not nominated for the 2021 draft but he gained an AFL exemption to qualify for this draft. Contests well and has made rapid progress with Box Hill.

NORTH MELBOURNE

2. Kallan Dawson (Williamstown, VFL), 23, 194 (6'2"), 78 (171), defender
Rebounding defender who has speed and can peel off his opponent to take a good defensive mark (catch of the ball).

17. Pass

The recent retirement of forward Tom Lynch opened up a spot on North's list. Originally drafted by St Kilda in 2008, Lynch was traded to Adelaide at the end of 2011. He was delisted at the end of last year and joined North via the SSP in March. North's plan was that he would mentor and support the younger players in the VFL. He never got a call-up to the seniors this year. According to GM Brady Rawlings, Lynch made the unselfish call to retire to give another player an opportunity. Lynch will remain with the club in an off-field role with the other coaches at VFL level for the remainder of the year. His tally is 164 games and 203 goals.

PORT ADELAIDE

8. Brynn Teakle (East Fremantle, WAFL), 22, 203 (6'5"), 97 (213), ruckman
Highly skilled and has been developing well in the WAFL. Can push forward where he can use his size and physicality to advantage. Ready-made AFL player with plenty of upside with more growth in his game to come.

RICHMOND

10. Jacob Bauer (North Adelaide, SAMFL), 19, 191 (6'1"), 80 (176), forward
A member of Sydney's Academy program but was overlooked in the 2021 draft. Crossed to North Adelaide and had an immediate impact with his athleticism and strong aerial skills. Kicked 13 goals in his first three games which caught the eye of recruiters. Still young, has plenty of room for further development.

ST KILDA

14 - Pass

SYDNEY

11. Hugo Hall-Kahan (Sandringham Dragons), 18, 188 (6'), 80 (176), medium forward
Has plenty of tricks up forward with the ability toi create something from nothing and is good in the air. Kicked five goals in Round two and four in Round Four. Another who starred for the Young Guns against Vic Country.

WEST COAST

1. Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays), 19, 193 (6'2"), 87 (191), midfield/forward
Overlooked in last year's draft but shone in the midfield for Dandenong. Starred for the Young Guns with four goals against Vic Metro. Tackles well and is good at clearances, is athletic and has speed and power.

16 - Pass

Sources: Club Media Releases - Alexandra Stewart (Essendon), Loretta Johns (Sydney), Carla Monforte (Geelong), Josh Cheadle (Gold Coast), Stacey Oates (North Melbourne), Ashley Stewart (GWS), afl.com.au