List Mgmt. 2024 Draft - Post Trade Period Edition

[gunnagunnagunna]

I doubt that very much, won't get past GWS picks at 15/16

I'd be surprised! Fully expecting an overeaction from every club because of concussion issues. Time will tell.

On SM-S906E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[G String]

You have Melbourne twice.
Jagga won’t go one.

fixed now

 

[G String]

You have Melbourne twice.
Jagga won’t go one.

to me he is the logical choice - dominated the year, consistent, performed well at vfl. I feel the knocks on him are that he's too small and just an accumulator - but then I hear the comparisons with Butters and I get excited. I feel he is exactly what we need - wins the ball, good decision maker, creative user, leadership qualities

 

[Mr Magic]

We take a look at Luke Trainor, is he worth taking a risking on?

we might be able to get him at 18.

some suggest he might drift into the twenties.

not a expert on the concussion issue but that appears to be the bugbear

 

[KrispyKreme]

to me he is the logical choice - dominated the year, consistent, performed well at vfl. I feel the knocks on him are that he's too small and just an accumulator - but then I hear the comparisons with Butters and I get excited. I feel he is exactly what we need - wins the ball, good decision maker, creative user, leadership qualities

So then you’d rather butters than, Cripps - Petracca - Heeney - Dawson?
That who Lalor, Finn, smilie and Langford have been compared to. They all have comparisons but Jagga is very one dimensional. Perfect to pick up at 6 but not worth pick one in my opinion. The more I see the top 7 the more I like them. Ideally you can’t go wrong and there probably isn’t a right and wrong answer.

 

[captain cotch 9]

Sam Lalor is a red-hot contender to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s AFL Draft, and he hasn’t even been able to showcase his best footy.
The boy from Bacchus Marsh has been cruelled by injury for the past year and hasn’t played at more than 80 per cent fitness in 2024, but he has still managed to wow recruiters.
Lalor was underdone entering his draft year – although he has never had a fully fledged footy pre-season growing up due to his high level cricket commitments.
A hyperextended knee impacted his pre-season and then the big bodied midfielder sustained a hip injury playing school cricket for Geelong Grammar.
Then came an ankle blow in May that left him in a moon boot, followed by a quad niggle.

Sam Lalor in action for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sam Lalor flies high for Vic Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos
“Every time I come back for a couple of games and had another so it has been pretty frustrating,” Lalor said.
“It has been pretty frustrating having so many injuries and missing out on some good games like finals for the Rebels and fair bit of school footy and an academy game. But at the end of the day it’s out of my control and I can just try get my rehab done and get myself right.
“Early I was probably 50 per cent (fitness), the highest I’ve been this year is probably 80 per cent, so I think next year if I end up at a club then I can get a good base in and show a bit of fitness and really improve.”
And just when he got his body right towards the end of the year with the GWV Rebels, he suffered a serious hamstring injury that kept him out of combine testing.
But, somehow, he kept playing.
“Yeah, stupidly,” Lalor said with a smile.
“I didn’t want to lose, so I said to my coach, ‘I’m not coming off until I know we’re winning’.
“It does show my probably loyalty to my teammates as well and my competitiveness.”
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
That cursed injury run also proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The first game he played for the year – where he was at around 50 per cent with only two or three sessions under his belt – came in round one of the APS season for Geelong Grammar.
He was gassed after a first half in the midfield against Wesley College and Geelong Grammar head of football Troy Selwood

Troy Selwood

Age

40

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.5

3star

K

7.7

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.2

3star

No current season stats available

D

7.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.2

5star

and coach Andy Allthorpe made the call to move him forward – a role that was relatively new to him at that point.
“When it came to halftime he was already cramping, I remember Andy and I had a chat and I was like, ‘look, it’s probably no surprise here but let’s get him one out inside 30 and see if we can get the ball into him’,” Selwood said.
“And he took hold of the game after that.”
The 188 centimetre bull kicked a bag of six in the second half to finish with seven for the match.
“We like to take the credit, but it was probably Sam’s body where we had no other option,” Selwood said with a laugh.

Sam Lalor kicked seven goals against Wesley. Picture: Alan Barber
Fast forward six months later and his marking threat and ability to impact up forward is regarded as one of Lalor’s biggest points of difference.
Lalor broke a game open up forward with the strength and power of his idols Jordan De Goey

2

Jordan De Goey

Age

28

Ht

188cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.7

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.1

5star

CL

2.3

4star

D

15.8

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.7

3star

CL

2.3

4star

D

11.6

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

and Dustin Martin at the national championships against the Allies with three goals, including the sealer.
In his next game for Vic Country he took a towering grab and another contested mark at the death.
And in both those games he laid bonecrunching tackles that showed his fierce defensive intent.

SAM LALOR. REMEMBER THE NAME.#AFLDraft | @FOXFOOTYpic.twitter.com/QM1dB7643m
— bear 🧸 (@beartorius) July 14, 2024

“I’d hardly played any forward, but it’s opened a new door. I’m happy I did go forward that day (against Wesley), but I think I’m just pretty competitive and pretty confident when I go forward,” Lalor said.
A season of injuries has also helped Lalor improve his professionalism.
Lalor has managed to dominate both cricket and footy despite limited preparation thanks to his immense talent, so it wasn’t something that came naturally to him.
Selwood had his champion younger brother Joel to draw on.
Joel famously had a draft year of injury misfortune in 2006 before winning a premiership in his very first season at Geelong.
“We spoke a lot about Joel’s journey in relation to getting ready to be an AFL player well and truly before the national draft hits,” Selwood said.
“Just as things were unfolding for Sam, I was like, ‘hey mate, I want you to know as frustrating and as lonely as it feels right now, there have been boys in your situation’.
“Some have thrived like my younger brother did, and others went backwards and didn’t see the opportunities that were in front of them.
“Hopefully Sam was able to pick up some of that along the way – and I do I feel like he did and it’s helped him become, not only the best footballer he can be but the best leader, the best teammate.”

Joel Selwood in his draft year.

Lalor at the draft combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
DUAL SPORTSMAN
Until he made the call to pursue footy, Lalor’s main sporting love was cricket.
Lalor represented Vic Country at under-17 level and played representative junior cricket with Northcote, where he hit 111 off 65 balls in one blistering knock.
He hit four half centuries from eight digs in the most recent APS season for Geelong Grammar, all of those at more than a run a ball.
“It used to be my true love until probably halfway through last year. I still love cricket and I would love to play again sometime soon, but I definitely love footy more,” Lalor said.
A powerful batter who can hit a big ball – he put one on the roof at Geelong Grammar one day – Lalor helped his school to back-to-back cricket premiership alongside another junior sporting star.
Lalor and U19 Cricket World Cup winner Ollie Peake wreaked havoc in their final game together ear, Lalor finishing with 79 from 54 as Peake made a lazy 154.

Geelong Grammar won the 2023/24 APS cricket premiership. Picture: Geelong Grammar
“It was pretty emotional, actually,” Lalor recalls.
“We were just out there just having a laugh, having a good time. That was so good.”
“Me and ‘Peakey’ have been mates for a while now and we’re really close friends, he’s one of my best mates.
“We’ve played cricket together and footy together, so to kind of ride this experience of hopefully ending up as professional athletes is pretty cool to have someone that close with me and my family as well, it’s pretty special.”
Peake, 18, is fresh off two centuries in India for Australia’s U19 side and he may well join Lalor on the MCG in the future.
“He’ll be out there on the MCG on Boxing Day pretty soon I reckon, he is a superstar” Lalor said.
Could Lalor make the switch to cricket in the future?
“If footy doesn’t work out I may have a go at the Big Bash or something, we’ll see how I go. I’m not sure I’m that good though,” Lalor joked.
ALL OVER THE PLACE
Coming from Bacchus Marsh, boarding in Geelong and playing in the elite talent pathway in Ballarat has had its challenges.
Selwood sat down with Lalor at one stage and worked out that he had around 40 people supporting him along his journey: people from his various football programs, family, close friends and more.
That’s a lot for one 18-year-old kid to take in
“It is pretty overwhelming and pretty hard to navigate all the programs that I’m in with the (AFL) Academy, Vic Country, Rebels, school,” Lalor said.
“And then finding time just to hang out with my friends and everything, so I think you’ve just got to find a couple people you can talk to so you don’t have too many voices sitting in the back of your head.”
For Lalor, those main voices were Selwood at Geelong Grammar, Rebels midfield coach Eamon Gill and Geelong Grammar physio Trav McComb.
A player with Brisbane and recruiter with Geelong in the past, Lalor has gained valuable experience from him.

Lalor celebrates a goal with Geelong Grammar. Picture: Alan Barber
“He’s been awesome for me, he’s got a wealth of knowledge, so I’m grateful,” Lalor said.
His boarding experience means he is ready for a move interstate — although that seems unlikely, with interest coming as early as Richmond who holds the very first pick.
“I’ve already moved away from home being at boarding school. But yeah, I’d love to go anywhere and I’ve got really no idea where it’s going to end up, so it’s going to take until the night I think,” Lalor said.
Lalor has spent most of the year sidelined or playing through injury, but if anything absence has made the heart grow fonder for clubs.
“I think they can see the potential and impact I have, it’s just probably just working on getting the ball more in my hands and probably the endurance side, the running. I think if I can get a base like that, then it’ll improve,” Lalor said.
“I think when I have the ball in my hands, I do something pretty special.”

 

[Coach_Required]

Looking at the rankings and the needs of the teams - Melbourne should be right into trading up to pick 2 with nth. The way it stands - pick 5 will be either Lalor or Smillie - 2 players that they prob arent targeting. They'd be wanting a pure mid like FOS, jagga, langford, draper who will prob all be gone by pick 5.

If melb did trade up to 2 and north have 5 - it would likely go ....
Rich - Jagga
Melb - FOS
Carl - Draper
Adel - Langford
norf - Tauru
Rich - choice of Lalor or Smillie

Can't see Melbourne wanting pick 2, just to move up 3 spots. They would have to give something else, and they only have pick 9 this year and pick 23 next year (before compromised picks).

 

[tigerfan1961]

Sam Lalor is a red-hot contender to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s AFL Draft, and he hasn’t even been able to showcase his best footy.
The boy from Bacchus Marsh has been cruelled by injury for the past year and hasn’t played at more than 80 per cent fitness in 2024, but he has still managed to wow recruiters.
Lalor was underdone entering his draft year – although he has never had a fully fledged footy pre-season growing up due to his high level cricket commitments.
A hyperextended knee impacted his pre-season and then the big bodied midfielder sustained a hip injury playing school cricket for Geelong Grammar.
Then came an ankle blow in May that left him in a moon boot, followed by a quad niggle.

Sam Lalor in action for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sam Lalor flies high for Vic Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos
“Every time I come back for a couple of games and had another so it has been pretty frustrating,” Lalor said.
“It has been pretty frustrating having so many injuries and missing out on some good games like finals for the Rebels and fair bit of school footy and an academy game. But at the end of the day it’s out of my control and I can just try get my rehab done and get myself right.
“Early I was probably 50 per cent (fitness), the highest I’ve been this year is probably 80 per cent, so I think next year if I end up at a club then I can get a good base in and show a bit of fitness and really improve.”
And just when he got his body right towards the end of the year with the GWV Rebels, he suffered a serious hamstring injury that kept him out of combine testing.
But, somehow, he kept playing.
“Yeah, stupidly,” Lalor said with a smile.
“I didn’t want to lose, so I said to my coach, ‘I’m not coming off until I know we’re winning’.
“It does show my probably loyalty to my teammates as well and my competitiveness.”
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
That cursed injury run also proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The first game he played for the year – where he was at around 50 per cent with only two or three sessions under his belt – came in round one of the APS season for Geelong Grammar.
He was gassed after a first half in the midfield against Wesley College and Geelong Grammar head of football Troy Selwood and coach Andy Allthorpe made the call to move him forward – a role that was relatively new to him at that point.
“When it came to halftime he was already cramping, I remember Andy and I had a chat and I was like, ‘look, it’s probably no surprise here but let’s get him one out inside 30 and see if we can get the ball into him’,” Selwood said.
“And he took hold of the game after that.”
The 188 centimetre bull kicked a bag of six in the second half to finish with seven for the match.
“We like to take the credit, but it was probably Sam’s body where we had no other option,” Selwood said with a laugh.

Sam Lalor kicked seven goals against Wesley. Picture: Alan Barber
Fast forward six months later and his marking threat and ability to impact up forward is regarded as one of Lalor’s biggest points of difference.
Lalor broke a game open up forward with the strength and power of his idols Jordan De Goey and Dustin Martin at the national championships against the Allies with three goals, including the sealer.
In his next game for Vic Country he took a towering grab and another contested mark at the death.
And in both those games he laid bonecrunching tackles that showed his fierce defensive intent.



“I’d hardly played any forward, but it’s opened a new door. I’m happy I did go forward that day (against Wesley), but I think I’m just pretty competitive and pretty confident when I go forward,” Lalor said.
A season of injuries has also helped Lalor improve his professionalism.
Lalor has managed to dominate both cricket and footy despite limited preparation thanks to his immense talent, so it wasn’t something that came naturally to him.
Selwood had his champion younger brother Joel to draw on.
Joel famously had a draft year of injury misfortune in 2006 before winning a premiership in his very first season at Geelong.
“We spoke a lot about Joel’s journey in relation to getting ready to be an AFL player well and truly before the national draft hits,” Selwood said.
“Just as things were unfolding for Sam, I was like, ‘hey mate, I want you to know as frustrating and as lonely as it feels right now, there have been boys in your situation’.
“Some have thrived like my younger brother did, and others went backwards and didn’t see the opportunities that were in front of them.
“Hopefully Sam was able to pick up some of that along the way – and I do I feel like he did and it’s helped him become, not only the best footballer he can be but the best leader, the best teammate.”

Joel Selwood in his draft year.

Lalor at the draft combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
DUAL SPORTSMAN
Until he made the call to pursue footy, Lalor’s main sporting love was cricket.
Lalor represented Vic Country at under-17 level and played representative junior cricket with Northcote, where he hit 111 off 65 balls in one blistering knock.
He hit four half centuries from eight digs in the most recent APS season for Geelong Grammar, all of those at more than a run a ball.
“It used to be my true love until probably halfway through last year. I still love cricket and I would love to play again sometime soon, but I definitely love footy more,” Lalor said.
A powerful batter who can hit a big ball – he put one on the roof at Geelong Grammar one day – Lalor helped his school to back-to-back cricket premiership alongside another junior sporting star.
Lalor and U19 Cricket World Cup winner Ollie Peake wreaked havoc in their final game together ear, Lalor finishing with 79 from 54 as Peake made a lazy 154.

Geelong Grammar won the 2023/24 APS cricket premiership. Picture: Geelong Grammar
“It was pretty emotional, actually,” Lalor recalls.
“We were just out there just having a laugh, having a good time. That was so good.”
“Me and ‘Peakey’ have been mates for a while now and we’re really close friends, he’s one of my best mates.
“We’ve played cricket together and footy together, so to kind of ride this experience of hopefully ending up as professional athletes is pretty cool to have someone that close with me and my family as well, it’s pretty special.”
Peake, 18, is fresh off two centuries in India for Australia’s U19 side and he may well join Lalor on the MCG in the future.
“He’ll be out there on the MCG on Boxing Day pretty soon I reckon, he is a superstar” Lalor said.
Could Lalor make the switch to cricket in the future?
“If footy doesn’t work out I may have a go at the Big Bash or something, we’ll see how I go. I’m not sure I’m that good though,” Lalor joked.
ALL OVER THE PLACE
Coming from Bacchus Marsh, boarding in Geelong and playing in the elite talent pathway in Ballarat has had its challenges.
Selwood sat down with Lalor at one stage and worked out that he had around 40 people supporting him along his journey: people from his various football programs, family, close friends and more.
That’s a lot for one 18-year-old kid to take in
“It is pretty overwhelming and pretty hard to navigate all the programs that I’m in with the (AFL) Academy, Vic Country, Rebels, school,” Lalor said.
“And then finding time just to hang out with my friends and everything, so I think you’ve just got to find a couple people you can talk to so you don’t have too many voices sitting in the back of your head.”
For Lalor, those main voices were Selwood at Geelong Grammar, Rebels midfield coach Eamon Gill and Geelong Grammar physio Trav McComb.
A player with Brisbane and recruiter with Geelong in the past, Lalor has gained valuable experience from him.

Lalor celebrates a goal with Geelong Grammar. Picture: Alan Barber
“He’s been awesome for me, he’s got a wealth of knowledge, so I’m grateful,” Lalor said.
His boarding experience means he is ready for a move interstate — although that seems unlikely, with interest coming as early as Richmond who holds the very first pick.
“I’ve already moved away from home being at boarding school. But yeah, I’d love to go anywhere and I’ve got really no idea where it’s going to end up, so it’s going to take until the night I think,” Lalor said.
Lalor has spent most of the year sidelined or playing through injury, but if anything absence has made the heart grow fonder for clubs.
“I think they can see the potential and impact I have, it’s just probably just working on getting the ball more in my hands and probably the endurance side, the running. I think if I can get a base like that, then it’ll improve,” Lalor said.
“I think when I have the ball in my hands, I do something pretty special.”

Pick 1 please Blair. This kid just has confidence in his own abilities like our great man Dusty had. And he has the power and skills to be a real player. Can only imagine how good he will be after having an AFL pre-season or 2.

 

[Noidnadroj]

There's an Age article that basically says we won't involve pick 6 in any trade for 2 so Nornth have cracked the sads

North have pick 2 and 62. The top half dozen prospects are mids, but there’s half a dozen outstanding KPP’s ranked anywhere from 7-30. 100% North will trade 2, whether before the 8th or live on the night.

North are going nowhere if they don’t beef up their KPP stocks with elite talent and they know it…. and Blair knows it. It’ll be 2 and F1 for 6 and 11, or 2 & F3 for 10 & 11.

Trading 25 for a 28yo dwarf remains one of the strangest list mgt decisions I’ve ever seen given there’ll be a handful of great KPP prospects in the 20’s. And North have Fisher, McKercher and Scheezel who can rack it up at half back.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[G String]

Can't see Melbourne wanting pick 2, just to move up 3 spots. They would have to give something else, and they only have pick 9 this year and pick 23 next year (before compromised picks).

could be something like 5+9 >> 2+ F1

 

[richoatthedisco]

Armstrong probably doesn't make it past the Dees' second pick.

Says you.

If Jagga falls to us at 6 I’ll do a backflip off the roof of Swinburne Center

What will you do for an encore when he falls to 7?

 

[Coach_Required]

could be something like 5+9 >> 2+ F1

Not sure Melbourne would be willing to swap pick 9 for a F1 and only taking 1 pick into this years draft.

North is having a very hard time getting pick 2 split.

 

[M0557]

could be something like 5+9 >> 2+ F1

Dees should close shop if they take that.... i'd be taking 5 + 9 over 2 and F1 any day, especially this draft.

 

[Charlie Pannam]

We take a look at Luke Trainor, is he worth taking a risking on?

Multiple Concussion's are a terrible thing, I feel for the kid.
We could do with that type of player given Grimes retirement , Gibcus injuries and Broads age BUT the risk v reward is just too high imo.

you’ve got talented kids like James Barrat who is not unlike Trainor, and we could snag him with one of our latter picks if we decide we need that type of player.

 

[Calcium Man]

could be something like 5+9 >> 2+ F1

Dees are very open they have philosophy of bringing in multiple high picks together. They won’t do that trade.

 

[Mr Magic]

Multiple Concussion's are a terrible thing, I feel for the kid.
We could do with that type of player given Grimes retirement , Gibcus injuries and Broads age BUT the risk v reward is just too high imo.

you’ve got talented kids like James Barrat who is not unlike Trainor, and we could snag him with one of our latter picks if we decide we need that type of player.

yeah I think he will drift back, because how long before concussions another issue raises its head??

i am no expert on the subject to talk about the condition honestly

 

[Rocco sifreddi]

Why would assume there mates. Think about who his mates with and who has shown great interest in him and also where he played VFL that’s where he’ll go if he decides to leave. Or the saints. Just my two cents.

I made the mates bit up , we've got every chance of getting him like any other club

 

[guruisatiger]

We won't have it. Will be pick 7 after the Ashcroft bid.

I know

 

[G String]

North have pick 2 and 62. The top half dozen prospects are mids, but there’s half a dozen outstanding KPP’s ranked anywhere from 7-30. 100% North will trade 2, whether before the 8th or live on the night.

North are going nowhere if they don’t beef up their KPP stocks with elite talent and they know it…. and Blair knows it. It’ll be 2 and F1 for 6 and 11, or 2 & F3 for 10 & 11.

Trading 25 for a 28yo dwarf remains one of the strangest list mgt decisions I’ve ever seen given there’ll be a handful of great KPP prospects in the 20’s. And North have Fisher, McKercher and Scheezel who can rack it up at half back.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

its gunna have to be the saints then - tigers, blues, crows and demons are apparently not going to give up their picks inside the top 6. Saints may be willing to give up 7 + something for a top line midfielder at 2 - which they wont get at 7.

Potential trade 2 > 7+F1 - thats a win-win in my eyes. Saints still get 2 first rounders (including a gun mid at 2) this year and one next year. North still get their man at 7 but get a bonus of a high round draft pick next year.

 

[_RT_]

It's a good list and think we should just take 4 of them. Replace the 4 that bailed.

Our list has more holes than Swiss Cheese, so just take best available with the first four, then target needs with the late picks.

Worry about targeting specific players once the core of the list is there.

 

[Finn9]

Sam Lalor is a red-hot contender to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s AFL Draft, and he hasn’t even been able to showcase his best footy.
The boy from Bacchus Marsh has been cruelled by injury for the past year and hasn’t played at more than 80 per cent fitness in 2024, but he has still managed to wow recruiters.
Lalor was underdone entering his draft year – although he has never had a fully fledged footy pre-season growing up due to his high level cricket commitments.
A hyperextended knee impacted his pre-season and then the big bodied midfielder sustained a hip injury playing school cricket for Geelong Grammar.
Then came an ankle blow in May that left him in a moon boot, followed by a quad niggle.

Sam Lalor in action for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sam Lalor flies high for Vic Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos
“Every time I come back for a couple of games and had another so it has been pretty frustrating,” Lalor said.
“It has been pretty frustrating having so many injuries and missing out on some good games like finals for the Rebels and fair bit of school footy and an academy game. But at the end of the day it’s out of my control and I can just try get my rehab done and get myself right.
“Early I was probably 50 per cent (fitness), the highest I’ve been this year is probably 80 per cent, so I think next year if I end up at a club then I can get a good base in and show a bit of fitness and really improve.”
And just when he got his body right towards the end of the year with the GWV Rebels, he suffered a serious hamstring injury that kept him out of combine testing.
But, somehow, he kept playing.
“Yeah, stupidly,” Lalor said with a smile.
“I didn’t want to lose, so I said to my coach, ‘I’m not coming off until I know we’re winning’.
“It does show my probably loyalty to my teammates as well and my competitiveness.”
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
That cursed injury run also proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The first game he played for the year – where he was at around 50 per cent with only two or three sessions under his belt – came in round one of the APS season for Geelong Grammar.
He was gassed after a first half in the midfield against Wesley College and Geelong Grammar head of football Troy Selwood and coach Andy Allthorpe made the call to move him forward – a role that was relatively new to him at that point.
“When it came to halftime he was already cramping, I remember Andy and I had a chat and I was like, ‘look, it’s probably no surprise here but let’s get him one out inside 30 and see if we can get the ball into him’,” Selwood said.
“And he took hold of the game after that.”
The 188 centimetre bull kicked a bag of six in the second half to finish with seven for the match.
“We like to take the credit, but it was probably Sam’s body where we had no other option,” Selwood said with a laugh.

Sam Lalor kicked seven goals against Wesley. Picture: Alan Barber
Fast forward six months later and his marking threat and ability to impact up forward is regarded as one of Lalor’s biggest points of difference.
Lalor broke a game open up forward with the strength and power of his idols Jordan De Goey and Dustin Martin at the national championships against the Allies with three goals, including the sealer.
In his next game for Vic Country he took a towering grab and another contested mark at the death.
And in both those games he laid bonecrunching tackles that showed his fierce defensive intent.



“I’d hardly played any forward, but it’s opened a new door. I’m happy I did go forward that day (against Wesley), but I think I’m just pretty competitive and pretty confident when I go forward,” Lalor said.
A season of injuries has also helped Lalor improve his professionalism.
Lalor has managed to dominate both cricket and footy despite limited preparation thanks to his immense talent, so it wasn’t something that came naturally to him.
Selwood had his champion younger brother Joel to draw on.
Joel famously had a draft year of injury misfortune in 2006 before winning a premiership in his very first season at Geelong.
“We spoke a lot about Joel’s journey in relation to getting ready to be an AFL player well and truly before the national draft hits,” Selwood said.
“Just as things were unfolding for Sam, I was like, ‘hey mate, I want you to know as frustrating and as lonely as it feels right now, there have been boys in your situation’.
“Some have thrived like my younger brother did, and others went backwards and didn’t see the opportunities that were in front of them.
“Hopefully Sam was able to pick up some of that along the way – and I do I feel like he did and it’s helped him become, not only the best footballer he can be but the best leader, the best teammate.”

Joel Selwood in his draft year.

Lalor at the draft combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
DUAL SPORTSMAN
Until he made the call to pursue footy, Lalor’s main sporting love was cricket.
Lalor represented Vic Country at under-17 level and played representative junior cricket with Northcote, where he hit 111 off 65 balls in one blistering knock.
He hit four half centuries from eight digs in the most recent APS season for Geelong Grammar, all of those at more than a run a ball.
“It used to be my true love until probably halfway through last year. I still love cricket and I would love to play again sometime soon, but I definitely love footy more,” Lalor said.
A powerful batter who can hit a big ball – he put one on the roof at Geelong Grammar one day – Lalor helped his school to back-to-back cricket premiership alongside another junior sporting star.
Lalor and U19 Cricket World Cup winner Ollie Peake wreaked havoc in their final game together ear, Lalor finishing with 79 from 54 as Peake made a lazy 154.

Geelong Grammar won the 2023/24 APS cricket premiership. Picture: Geelong Grammar
“It was pretty emotional, actually,” Lalor recalls.
“We were just out there just having a laugh, having a good time. That was so good.”
“Me and ‘Peakey’ have been mates for a while now and we’re really close friends, he’s one of my best mates.
“We’ve played cricket together and footy together, so to kind of ride this experience of hopefully ending up as professional athletes is pretty cool to have someone that close with me and my family as well, it’s pretty special.”
Peake, 18, is fresh off two centuries in India for Australia’s U19 side and he may well join Lalor on the MCG in the future.
“He’ll be out there on the MCG on Boxing Day pretty soon I reckon, he is a superstar” Lalor said.
Could Lalor make the switch to cricket in the future?
“If footy doesn’t work out I may have a go at the Big Bash or something, we’ll see how I go. I’m not sure I’m that good though,” Lalor joked.
ALL OVER THE PLACE
Coming from Bacchus Marsh, boarding in Geelong and playing in the elite talent pathway in Ballarat has had its challenges.
Selwood sat down with Lalor at one stage and worked out that he had around 40 people supporting him along his journey: people from his various football programs, family, close friends and more.
That’s a lot for one 18-year-old kid to take in
“It is pretty overwhelming and pretty hard to navigate all the programs that I’m in with the (AFL) Academy, Vic Country, Rebels, school,” Lalor said.
“And then finding time just to hang out with my friends and everything, so I think you’ve just got to find a couple people you can talk to so you don’t have too many voices sitting in the back of your head.”
For Lalor, those main voices were Selwood at Geelong Grammar, Rebels midfield coach Eamon Gill and Geelong Grammar physio Trav McComb.
A player with Brisbane and recruiter with Geelong in the past, Lalor has gained valuable experience from him.

Lalor celebrates a goal with Geelong Grammar. Picture: Alan Barber
“He’s been awesome for me, he’s got a wealth of knowledge, so I’m grateful,” Lalor said.
His boarding experience means he is ready for a move interstate — although that seems unlikely, with interest coming as early as Richmond who holds the very first pick.
“I’ve already moved away from home being at boarding school. But yeah, I’d love to go anywhere and I’ve got really no idea where it’s going to end up, so it’s going to take until the night I think,” Lalor said.
Lalor has spent most of the year sidelined or playing through injury, but if anything absence has made the heart grow fonder for clubs.
“I think they can see the potential and impact I have, it’s just probably just working on getting the ball more in my hands and probably the endurance side, the running. I think if I can get a base like that, then it’ll improve,” Lalor said.
“I think when I have the ball in my hands, I do something pretty special.”

Great article.

The fact they threw him forward so recently and he's become so good so quickly is a great gauge of his talent. And an elite dual athlete. Sounds like one of those annoying blokes who is good at everything he picks up.

Injuries are absolutely a concern, knee, hip, ankle, quad, and the fact our club will now be in charge of that is scary.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Craft of the Draft Top 10 Mock Draft


1 Sam Lalor - Richmond
2 Alix Tauru - North
3 Levi Ashcroft - Bribane
4 Finn O'Sullivan - Carlton
5 Sid Draper - Adelaide
6 Leo Lombard - Gold Coast
7 Josh Smillie - Melbourne
8 Jagga Smith - Richmond
9 Murphy Reid - StKilda
10 Harvey Langford - StKilda
11 Jobe Shanahan - Melbourne
12 Luke Trainor - Richmond
13 Tobie Travaglia - Richmond

Swap Trainor for Hotton and I am in love

 

[Mr Magic]

Swap Trainor for Hotton and I am in love

small forwards are the pieces you add at the back of a build though

 

[KrispyKreme]

I made the mates bit up , we've got every chance of getting him like any other club

my bad bro! Yeah I like Allan

 

[Dr Tigris]

small forwards are the pieces you add at the back of a build though

Hotton is more than a small forward. Crazy athleticism, and can play midfield. Incredibly high ceiling, and agreta potential addition to our future midfield.

Taj Hotton Draft Profile

While an ACL tear cut his season short, Sandringham Dragons midfielder-forward Taj Hotton showcased his enormous talent and athletic upside.

central.rookieme.com