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Jake Michaels, senior writer
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- Jake Michaels is a sportswriter from Melbourne. He has been with ESPN since 2013, covering everything from AFL to Formula 1, basketball to boxing and tennis, both in Australia and around the world.
The first round of the 2024 AFL Draft has been completed at Marvel Stadium. Here’s what the top 10 selections had to say immediately after learning which clubs they would be joining:
The first night of the draft is over and more than 25 young men have found a new home in the AFL. Here’s what the top 10 had to say about taking the lead in the AFL.
Choice 1 – Sam Lalor (Richmond)
“Amazing feeling. It’s quite emotional. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Celebrating with all my family and friends in the room was quite special. We had eight boys come along, so I’m sure that will help me and I will do it too.” help them too. I don’t think I play too much like (Dustin Martin), it’s quite difficult to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are similar to him and I would like to play The body feels reasonable Good. I can’t wait to get in there, work hard and get in there.”
Choice 2: Finn O’Sullivan (North Melbourne)
“I’m excited. It’s quite a surreal moment for me and my family. It probably started a little bit when Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw came over and said g’day. It’s a huge thrill. I was lucky enough to spend a week to get with them last year, so I already know a few guys, which is great and that always helps and makes it a lot easier. There’s a lot of young talent coming through (on the roster) and I can’t wait to be one part of it. Hopefully I’ll play everywhere, put my best foot forward and see what happens.”
Pick 3: Jagga Smith (Carlton)
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“Carlton was never really in the picture for me. Even at the combine they didn’t meet with me because they didn’t have that choice yet. If Carlton wants to put their trust in me, he obviously has to upgrade the order… It’s a difficult midfield to crack, and to be honest I haven’t really thought about it The difference for me is my quick feet and my ability to come from inside to outside and find the ball Sam Walsh is the player from the group in midfield what I look at the most. He’s the same size as me and Sam is also the one I watched closely during my junior journey and I can’t wait to learn from him when I get in there.”
Pick 4: Sid Draper (Adelaide)
“Joy. Excitement. I spent a week with the Crows earlier this year and (Jordan Dawson) was someone I looked up to. He’s such a professional and a champion of the game. I think my speed is a bit of an appeal does on (the Crows). That and my character. I know Matthew Nicks is great at making a connection with the team and the players and I think I’m very good at that, It will help me habits of seasoned bodies and it will serve you well.”
Pick 5: Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane)
“I’ve obviously known for so long that I was going to the Brisbane Lions… not really nervous… but so excited. It’s been a long time coming. I’m so excited to be a Brisbane Lion. You want to be the best and you want to be recognized as the best and I proved that this year as one of the best, if not the best. Hopefully I can continue to prove that next year. I think I’m going to learn a lot next year with all those guys is an exciting time for the It’s going to be fun to be with Will and hopefully build a bit of a dynasty, as you might say, or some good years with the Lions.”
Choice 6 – Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
“To be picked by the Dees is quite special. It’s so great. In two days I’m going on track with Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn, all those big names will be special. Hopefully I’ll develop my game. Hopefully I can me coming in, having respect for all those players and just working as hard as I can. It’s a sigh of relief to hear Sid Draper’s name called and to hear my name… it’s special.”
Pick 7 – Josh Smillie (Richmond)
“I was lucky enough to meet Richmond twice throughout the year… I can’t wait to play with Sammy! It’s great to be traveling at Tigerland. I think I’m close to the people around me Staying there and just worrying about what they have to say has helped me all year long. Wherever I have to play, I’ll play.”
Choice 8 – Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda)
“I feel that, maybe not right away, in a few years I could fill that role (in midfield). For me, I would like to be a player like Will Day. I have the same management group. Like Will (he has told me to do that) enjoy the grind and make that a positive thing. I feel like the drive for me is to first give respect to players and understand where they are trying to go and what their main goal is as if I bring a lot of speed and a point of difference to the line breaking.”
Pick 9 – Leo Lombard (Gold Coast)
“It’s so good to stay on the Gold Coast, stay home with family and friends and help them out. I trained with the AFL boys for six weeks this season. It was quite surreal. Sitting back and watching.” In 2025, I can bring my competitiveness and aggression, and also back myself with confidence.”
Pick 10 – Alix Tauru (St Kilda)
“It’s pretty easy to get in if you have no expectations. I didn’t think I’d be drafted for much of my life…until the middle of this year. Here I am. I guess I always have done.” Obviously there were a lot of bumps in the journey because of the injuries, but I found my position, the coaches trusted me to play with confidence and play where I wanted to play, and that just allowed me to shine and show. my real talent. I think I can play anywhere as long as I put in the work and get the right treatment from the coaches, and I’m sure that will happen. You just have to get respect from your teammates and then they will see how much you put into the club.”