Ex-North Melbourne midfielder Declan Mountford among a host of Great Southern AFL draft hopefuls

Former North Melbourne midfielder and North Albany product Declan Mountford is among a host of locals hoping to earn an AFL lifeline after nominating for tomorrow’s national draft.

Mountford is one of eight Great Southern products nominated for the national draft.

For the first time the national draft will be held in a virtual format, starting at 4pm WA time and broadcast live on Fox Footy, Kayo and the official AFL live app.

A superb season as a hard-running ball winner for Claremont’s league team is why Mountford looms as an option for AFL clubs wanting to draft an experienced midfielder.

The 23-year-old played nine games in the 2020 season and averaged more than 20 disposals and just under seven tackles a game as he helped the Tigers reach the grand final, which they lost to South Fremantle.

Mountford was selected with pick 60 in the 2015 national draft and played 12 games in three seasons with the Kangaroos before being delisted at the end of 2018.

Mountford has finished in their top four for the Tigers’ fairest and best count since he was cut by the Kangaroos.

Towering ruckman Kalin Lane, also at Claremont, looms as the Great Southern’s best chance of finding an AFL home.

Lane was part of the State 18s program, playing in two WA draft All-Stars games, and he was part of the national draft combine.

To be invited to the national combine, at least three AFL clubs must show interest in the player.

Borden’s Anthony Davis, ex-Royal and Jerramungup player Tom Baldwin, Royals and Albany junior Tyron Smallwood, Railways’ Jacob Blight, Albany key-position prospect Kieran Gowdie and former North Albany player Corey Hitchcock have also nominated.

On Thursday, the AFL pre-season and rookie drafts will be held as a final chance for players to be picked up by clubs ahead of the 2021 season.

Great Southern Draft Nominations

Kalin Lane

Declan Mountford

Anthony Davis

Tom Baldwin

Tyron Smallwood

Jacob Blight

Kieran Gowdie

Corey Hitchcock