The 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft unfolded with notable selections and opportunities for young and experienced players alike. Leading the draft, Tasmania Devils forward Geordie Payne was the top pick, scooped up by North Melbourne. Payne, a standout performer in the Coates Talent League Boys, has shown remarkable prowess on the field this season, averaging 22 disposals and scoring 12 goals across five matches. His impressive performance, which included a four-goal haul from 29 disposals in his last game, helped his team clinch a victory against Eastern Ranges.
Payne’s journey to the AFL is backed by a solid foundation in Tasmanian football, having played junior football with Burnie and senior football for Wynyard. He also had stints at North Launceston in the Tasmanian State League, adding depth to his experience and showcasing his readiness for the big league.
The draft also marked a second chance for two former AFL players. Brynn Teakle, previously with Port Adelaide, was picked by North Melbourne, aiming to revitalize his AFL career as a ruck. Similarly, Ned Long, a former Hawthorn midfielder, was taken by Collingwood after proving his mettle in the Magpies’ VFL program this season. These selections highlight the draft’s role not just in discovering new talent but also in providing redemption arcs for seasoned players.
A historical milestone was achieved with the selection of Saad El-Hawli by Essendon. El-Hawli, a utility player from the Northern Bullants, became the first graduate of the Bachar Houli Academy to be drafted into the AFL. His inclusion is a testament to the growing diversity and inclusivity in the league, reflecting a broader range of pathways and backgrounds now contributing to the sport’s rich tapestry.
The 2024 Mid-Season Rookie Draft thus not only introduced fresh talent to the AFL but also reinforced the league’s commitment to nurturing and rediscovering players, enriching the competition with new stories and potential comeback narratives.
Below are all the selections from the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
# CLUB PLAYER STATE LEAGUE CLUB COMMUNITY CLUB 1 North Melbourne Geordie Payne Tasmania Devils (CTL) North Launceston 2 Richmond Jacob Blight Peel Thunder (WAFL) Raiways 3 West Coast Eagles Jack Hutchinson Collingwood (VFL) Wonthaggi 4 St Kilda Max Hall Box Hill Hawks (VFL) Montrose 5 Hawthorn Jasper Scaife West Perth (WAFL) Quinns Thunder 6 Brisbane Lions Will McLachlan Geelong Falcons (CTL) Colac 7 Adelaide Crows Toby Murray Adelaide Crows (SANFL) Henty 8 Western Bulldogs Kelsey Rypstra North Adelaide (SANFL) Gaza 9 Carlton Cooper Lord Sandringham Dragons (CTL)
North Melbourne (VFL)Kew 10 Collingwood Iliro Smit Eastern Ranges (CTL) Montrose 11 Melbourne Luker Kentfield Subiaco (WAFL) Carine 12 Port Adelaide Logan Evans Port Adelaide (SANFL) Hectorville 13 Essendon Saad El-Hawli Northern Bullants (VFL) Altona 14 Sydney Swans Tom Hanily Gippsland Power (CTL) Leongatha 15 North Melbourne Brynn Teakle East Fremantle (WAFL) Northampton 16 Richmond Campbell Gray Essendon (VFL) Keilor 17 Brisbane Lions Luke Beecken Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) Smosh West Lakes 18 Adelaide Crows Pass – – 19 Collingwood Ned Long Collingwood (VFL) Fitzroy 20 Richmond Pass – – 21 Brisbane Lions Darcy Craven East Perth (WAFL) Bridgetown 22 Adelaide Crows Pass – – 23 Brisbane Lions Pass – –
