The AFL will hold its sixth mid-season draft on Wednesday night, with around a dozen prospects set to realise their dreams and join lists.
The majority are expected to be fresh faces in the AFL system, while a few delisted players could receive lifelines.
Teams have until the end of Tuesday to officially move players to their inactive list for the season and open up spots in the draft.
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Archer May and Dermott Brereton. Getty
Collingwood did so on Tuesday, moving both Reef McInnes and Harvey Harrison, giving themselves two draft picks.
They have been heavily linked to 20-year-old key forward Archer May, whose step father is Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton.
“Obviously it’s a lot of hard work and sacrifices that go into the journey. I think it’s about proving the people close to me right,” May told 9News Melbourne on Monday.
“Dermott has been massive in my development. Especially in the last few years as I took football more seriously.”
Nine’s chief AFL reporter Tom Morris has reported that West Coast, who holds the No.1 pick on Wednesday night, has locked in on Richmond VFL star Tom McCarthy.
It’s a big leap for McCarthy, who was playing local footy for Highett only two years ago.
The 24-year-old is an attacking half back flanker who has enjoyed a great season for the Tigers to date.
Tom McCarthy of the Tigers VFL side. via Getty Images
Not every club will feature in the draft, with some not having list spots available. Richmond, Melbourne, St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney are not expected to feature. Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle and GWS are also yet to create list spots.
This means North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Carlton will hold the next picks after the Eagles, based on ladder order.
Despite using two supplementary selection period picks on small forwards, the Blues are expected to go to the well again in the mid-season draft, and have interest in Norwood’s Jacob Newton.
Essendon is a team to watch closely, as they could take up to four players, given the season-ending injuries suffered by Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Tom Edwards and Lewis Hayes.
Their key position stocks are so battered, coach Brad Scott hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a MSD pick-up debuting the next night at the Gabba against Brisbane.
The Western Bulldogs will also have multiple picks, having moved small forward Cody Weightman to the inactive list on Tuesday.
Premiership Cat Brandon Parfitt has put his hat in the ring. Getty
Many former AFL players will be hoping they receive a fresh start, including premiership Geelong midfielder Brandon Parfitt.
Other familiar names include Jack Bytel (Collingwood, St Kilda), Lachlan Gollant (Adelaide), Nathan Kreuger (Collingwood, Geelong), Charlie Lazzaro (North Melbourne) and Luke Parks (Carlton).
Projecting how the first round of the draft could play out:
1. West Coast: Tom McCarthy (Richmond, VFL)
2. North Melbourne: Archer May (Subiaco)
3. Port Adelaide: Harrison Ramm (Glenelg, SANFL)
4. Carlton: Jacob Newton (Norwood, SANFL)
5. Essendon: Lachlan Blakiston (East Fremantle, WAFL)
6. Bulldogs: Ewan Mackinlay (North Adelaide, SANFL)
7. Gold Coast: Caleb Lewis (Casey, VFL)
8. Collingwood: Joshua Browne (Collingwood, VFL)
Teams with multiple picks (at this stage): Essendon, North Melbourne, Gold Coast, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs
