With this year's draft to be the first ever virtual draft, every club was able to see each other's list manager in the meeting.<\/p>\n
Whether or not the magnets were intentionally left on the board in plain sight of rival clubs is not clear, but either way, the Bombers have the potential to shape the top of the draft with picks six, seven and eight. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ahead of what shapes as an exciting and unprecedented draft night, here is everything you need to know.<\/p>\n
WHEN IS THE 2020 AFL DRAFT?<\/h3>\n
The 2020 national draft will be held on Wednesday, December 9 with the picks to get underway from 7pm onwards.<\/p>\n
WHERE CAN YOU WATCH THE AFL DRAFT? <\/h3>\n
The draft will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, while fans can also stream the draft live on Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n
HOW ARE THE DRAFT PICKS ORDERED?<\/h3>\n
Each of the 18 clubs earn draft picks which are based on the reverse ladder order from the most recently completed AFL season. <\/p>\n
Picks can be traded up to a year in advance of the draft, while teams are also available to trade picks with each other during the draft. Picks are also given out as compensation by the AFL for clubs who lose players to free agency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
HOW DOES THE BIDDING SYSTEM WORK?<\/h3>\n
Clubs who have the first-choice of academy players as well as father-son players have to 'pay' draft picks in order to secure them. <\/p>\n
Rival clubs reserve the right to bid on any player at any point in the time, whereby the player's nominated club can choice to match the bid in order to draft the player. <\/p>\n
If the bid is not matched, then academy or father-son prospects can be snapped up by rival clubs. <\/p>\n
2020 DRAFT FIRST-ROUND ORDER<\/h3>\n
1. Adelaide Crows, 2. North Melbourne, 3. Sydney Swans, 4. Hawthorn, 5. Gold Coast Suns, 6. Essendon, 7. Essendon, 8. Essendon, 9. Adelaide Crows, 10. GWS Giants, 11. North Melbourne, 12. Fremantle, 13. GWS Giants, 14. Collingwood, 15. GWS Giants, 16. Collingwood, 17. Richmond, 18. Melbourne, 19. Melbourne, 20. GWS Giants, 21. St Kilda<\/p>\n
PROSPECTIVE TOP 10 DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/h3>\n
1. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Oakleigh Chargers) Ugle-Hagan is one of the most exciting draft prospects to come through in recent years and has earned comparisons to future Hall-of-Famer Lance Franklin. He possesses the same level of freakish athleticism that Franklin brings to the table and is a star in the making. He is a member of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy.<\/p>\n 2. Riley Thilthorpe (West Adelaide) Clubs view Thilthorpe as the prototypical modern day big man who can play almost anywhere on the ground given his size and athleticism. Thilthorpe has struggled with his groins in the past and clubs have requested his full medical checks. He could potentially be a perfect hometown pick for the Adelaide Crows.<\/p>\n 3. Logan McDonald (Perth) McDonald has earned comparisons to St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt due to his incredible work rate and ability to get to contests high up the ground. Enjoyed a sensational season playing for Perth in the WAFL this season where he kicked 21 goals and showed himself to be a reliable and consistent shot at goal.<\/p>\n 4. Elijah Hollands (Murray Bushrangers) Hollands projects as the prototypical big midfielder who can damage teams going forward in the mould of Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli. Would have been in contention for the top pick if not for an ACL injury he suffered while training at the local level and will likely miss the start of his first season.<\/p>\n 5. Denver Grainger-Barras (Swan Districts) Grainger-Barras is the best defensive prospect in this draft class, with some clubs even of the belief that he is the best player period. He is able to play the shutdown role while also showing the ability to be the intercept defender that every AFL club is looking for nowadays. Can also be pinch hit up forward when needed ala Cale Hooker.<\/p>\n 6. Will Phillips (Oakleigh Chargers) Phillips is one of the best midfield prospects in this draft and while undersized, has shown himself to be a prolific extractor of the ball. He is the type of player that clubs can pick and be confident in playing from Round 1 next season. Also possesses the ability to push forward and kick goals which is valued among AFL clubs nowadays.<\/p>\n 7. Tanner Bruhn (Geelong Falcons) Another member of the Geelong Falcons football factory, Bruhn may have found himself higher in this year's draft if he had not missed out on playing time due to a knee injury last year. A classy midfielder who impressed teams during last week's training run in Victoria. <\/p>\n 8. Zach Reid (Gippsland Power) Another defensive prospect who like Grainger-Barrass projects as a modern day big defender. His blend of size and athleticism allows him to be the rebounding defender that clubs are crying out for, but he has also impressed teams with his cool demeanour and composure under pressure in the back 50.<\/p>\n 9. Braeden Campbell (Sydney Swans Academy) Campbell will be snapped up by the Swans after spending time at the club as well as in the NEAFL. An explosive athlete as shown by his 2.9 second time in the 20m sprint at the draft combine. Campbell is able to make teams pay when playing up forward and he is a terrific left-footed kick.<\/p>\n 10. Oliver Henry (Geelong Falcons) Henry projects as a dangerous second or third forward on a good AFL team that can damage teams with his freakish ability. He possesses tremendous athleticism and is capable of taking spectacular pack marks. He is the younger brother of Geelong defender Jack Henry. <\/p>\n 1. Western Bulldogs (matching Adelaide Crows bid) 2. Adelaide Crows 3. North Melbourne 4. Sydney Swans 5. Hawthorn 6. Gold Coast Suns 7. Essendon 8. Essendon 9. Essendon 10. Essendon
<\/strong>Position: Key Forward, Height: 195cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 04\/04\/02<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Ruck\/Forward, Height: 201cm, Weight: 100kg, DOB: 07\/07\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Key Forward, Height: 196cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 04\/04\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Midfielder\/Forward, Height: 189cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 25\/04\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Key Defender, Height: 195cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 17\/04\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Midfielder, Height: 180cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 22\/05\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Midfielder, Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 27\/05\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Key Defender, Height: 202cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 02\/03\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Midfielder\/Forward, Height: 181cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 04\/02\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Position: Medium Forward, 188cm, Height: 77kg, DOB: 29\/07\/02<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
WHAT ARE THE DRAFT EXPERTS PREDICTING?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>Cal Twomey (AFL.com.au<\/em>): Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Matt Balmer (Fox Footy<\/em>): Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Daniel Cherny (The Age<\/em>): Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Chris Doerre (ESPN): <\/em>Jamarra Ugle-Hagan<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Riley Thilthorpe
Balmer: Logan McDonald
Cherny: Riley Thilthorpe
Doerre: Riley Thilthorpe<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Elijah Hollands
Balmer: Elijah Hollands
Cherny: Elijah Hollands
Doerre: Logan McDonald<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Denver Grainger-Barras
Balmer: Denver Grainger-Barras
Cherny: Denver Grainger-Barras
Doerre: Denver Grainger-Barras<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Logan McDonald
Balmer: Riley Thilthorpe
Cherny: Logan McDonald
Doerre: Braeden Campbell (bid matched by Sydney Swans)<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Will Phillips
Balmer: Will Phillips
Cherny: Will Phillips
Doerre: Elijah Hollands (pick made by Hawthorn after Swans match)<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Tanner Bruhn
Balmer: Archie Perkins
Cherny: Tanner Bruhn
Doerre: Lachlan Jones (Gold Coast bid matched by Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Zach Reid
Balmer: Nik Cox
Cherny: Zach Reid
Doerre: Will Phillips (pick to be made by Gold Coast after academy bids)<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Braeden Campbell (bid matched by Sydney Swans)
Balmer: Braeden Campbell (bid matched by Sydney Swans)
Cherny: Braeden Campbell (bid matched by Sydney Swans)
Doerre: Tanner Bruhn<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Twomey: Oliver Henry
Balmer: Tanner Bruhn
Cherny: Oliver Henry
Doerre: Zach Reid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"