Mid-season draft: WA midfielder Deluca in Blues’ sights

Recruiters believe Carlton will choose between ex-Fremantle midfielder Josh Deluca and Gippsland Power midfielder Kyle Dunkley, brother of Bulldog Josh, with the first overall selection.

Dunkley has starred since making the move to a different NAB League club, with Sydney overlooking him in the draft and now unable to secure him as a mid-year father-son despite father Andrew’s career at the Swans.

Gold Coast has dropped to the second overall pick, and has been consistently scouting 24-year-old Coburg running defender Lochie Dickson.

They were at Coburg’s contest on Saturday to watch 190cm running defender Dickson recruited by the VFL side to replace Luke Ryan when Fremantle drafted him two years ago.

HOW TO WATCH:

Fox Footy will telecast the draft at 6.30pm, with two recruiting representatives from each club to attend an AFL House event expected to last about 30 minutes.

WHO WILL BE THERE?

No players will attend the event given the uncertainty about their selection, with about 16 picks likely to be taken. Players selected will then be available at a media event the next day and will be eligible to play for their new teams the next week.

FIRST ROUND

Pick 1: Carlton

Pick 2: Gold Coast

Pick 3: Melbourne

Pick 4: Sydney

Pick 5: North Melbourne

Pick 6: St Kilda

Pick 7: Western Bulldogs

Pick 8: Essendon

Pick 9: Fremantle

Pick 10: Port Adelaide

Pick 11: Hawthorn

Pick 12: Adelaide

Pick 13: Richmond

Pick 14: GWS Giants

Pick 15: Collingwood

FAMILIAR FAMILY NAMES TO WATCH

Aaron Heppell (Essendon VFL)

It is a Heppell family leadership double at the Bombers, with Dyson’s brother Aaron taking charge of the VFL side for the first time this season. Across his last 25 VFL matches, the half back has been named in Essendon’s best players 15 times.

Harry Marsh (Subiaco)

Delisted by the Swans after 25 games at the end of last season, Marsh was in the mix for the 2018 national and rookie drafts before being overlooked. This family knows a thing or two about getting back in the system, with younger brother and former Magpie Jonathon snapped up by St Kilda after two years in the WAFL.

Jacob Atley (Essendon VFL)

The younger brother of Shaun (North Melbourne) and Joe (Port Adelaide), Jacob was snapped up by Essendon’s VFL side after last year’s rookie draft. A versatile midfielder-defender, Atley has also been playing as an over-age player for the Bendigo Pioneers. At 191cms, he is at interesting prospect.

Oskar Manton (Williamstown CYMS)

The son of former Blue and Bomber Glenn Manton, Oskar was a member of the Western Jets NAB League squad last year. After being overlooked in the draft, Manton has been playing with VAFA club Williamstown CYMS.

Jaylon Thorpe (Williamstown)

A dasher from Williamstown and the son of Alan Thorpe, Jaylon has done plenty right as he eyes a crack at the next level. The 24-year-old has played as a half back this year and would be a low risk, high upside selection.

Jackson Merrett (Peel Thunder)

The brother of Essendon star Zach, Jackson made the move to WAFL club Peel Thunder after he was delisted by the Bombers at the end of last season. He is averaging 18.6 disposals and a goal a game across the opening five weeks of the season.

Tyler Roos (Southport)

The son of AFL great Paul Roos, Tyler helped deliver Southport the NEAFL flag in 2018 and has stuck with the club despite relocating to Melbourne this year. He has made the move from the midfield to half back in the past 12 months.