Most draftees won’t get a look in when it comes to Round 1 selection in 2019, but some clubs will be looking to unleash their prized new recruits as soon as possible.

The Giants have a whopping five players they could unearth very early in the season, while Collingwood has a ready-made defender and the Suns have a forward who could’ve been playing AFL-level footy as a 17-year-old.

Foxfooty.com.au assesses every club’s draft haul and predicts the players most likely to debut in Round 1.

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP NOW!

Finals Week 1

ADELAIDE

Hard to split the Crows’ two first-round selections in Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry, who could both push for senior selection early with great pre-seasons. After an excellent Under 18 Championships campaign for the Allies — he averaged 21.5 disposals and 6.8 tackles per game — Jones returned to Tasmania and starred in his senior TSL games for Launceston, named either first or second-best in six of his seven games. That may put him slightly ahead of tackling machine McHenry, although the latter was part of the Geelong Falcons’ best 22 for almost two seasons. Other national draft picks Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl will take some time, but over-age rookie selection Jordon Butts might be a sneaky chance for early games.

Ned McHenry and Chayce Jones were picked up by Adelaide. Source: AAP

BRISBANE LIONS

Unlike previous years, it’s hard to see the Lions’ crop of draftees playing within the first few months of next season, let alone Round 1. Perhaps the best chance might be over-ager Noah Answerth, who missed most of 2017 due to a serious back injury but bounced back to have an outstanding 2018 season playing mainly as a lockdown defender with attacking traits. Don’t expect early games for top pick Ely Smith, who was one of the draft’s biggest bolters, while Tom Berry, Tom Joyce and Connor McFadyen all begin their pre-season campaigns coming off injuries.

CARLTON

Not only are Sam Walsh and Liam Stocker the most likely new Blues to play Round 1, they want to play Round 1. Walsh, the No. 1 pick after a standout and consistent 2018 campaign across all levels, declared to the media on Monday: “I want to play Round 1, that’s the goal. I’ll train hard and hopefully I can try and achieve that.” Barring any hiccups during the pre-season, Walsh is a near certainty to face Richmond. And Stocker, the 2018 Morrish medallist whose body already seems AFL-ready, would also be a strong chance. Rookie pick Tom Bugg was on the fringe of Melbourne’s best 22 all season. After already impressing coach Brendon Bolton at training, he’s a huge Round 1 show. But Blues fans, be patient with Ben Silvagni, who’ll need a lot of time in the VFL.

COLLINGWOOD

With ample dash, a ready-made body and haircut that will quickly capture the imagination of Pies fans, gun academy recruit Isaac Quaynor will be a very strong Round 1 chance, even though he’s coming into a club that made the grand final last year. Quaynor’s one-on-one-strength, as well as his ability to provide drive out of defence, should prove immediately beneficial for the Pies. Father-son pick and key-position defender Will Kelly is probably a fair way behind Quaynor in terms of early game chances, but expect him to get a gig at some stage in 2019. Atu Bosenavulagi will be eased in via the VFL.

ESSENDON

The buzz — and puns — around Irving Mosquito will continue all summer. But considering the mosquito squad already established at the Bombers and Mosquito’s size, it’s hard to see him playing an early game. In fact the only Bombers prospect that looms as an early-season chance is Tom Jok, who excelled with Collingwood’s VFL team this year and trained impressively with St Kilda during November. Finding a spot for Jok in the team, however, might be coach John Worsfold’s biggest headache.

FREMANTLE

The Dockers have made a habit of bringing in ready-made bodies via the drafts in recent seasons — and 2018 is no exception. Luke Valente, an inside midfielder who captained South Australia to Under 18 Championships glory and won his side’s MVP award, looms as a genuine Round 1 prospect. If he catches coach Ross Lyon’s eye during the summer, he’s a huge chance for an early debut. As would be Brett Bewley, who was finally given an AFL lifeline after several excellent seasons for Williamstown in the VFL. Bewley has the body to win inside ball and the tank to run hard and win ample uncontested possessions — a crucial trait to have on the hard, fast Optus Stadium surface. Top pick Sam Sturt probably sits just behind Valente and Bewley at this stage, while Lachlan Schultz will most likely be blooded via the WAFL for at least the first few months.

Geelong draftee Oscar Brownless is unlikely to play AFL games early in 2019. Source: Getty Images

GEELONG

The great thing about top WA prospects is they are often exposed to senior footy before being draft eligible. And that will put hard-running half-back Jordan Clark in great stead in terms of pushing for an early debut. Although an ill-timed recent bout of tonsillitis and glandular fever may delay his push for a Round 1 debut. The other sneaky chance could be former Cats VFL captain Tom Atkins, who was picked up via the rookie draft. Atkins is tackling machine and a contested ball animal. Should he be called upon, 25-year-old ruckman Darcy Fort would be ready to go too. But Cats fans, hold your horses on father-son pick Oscar Brownless, who’ll build his touch and confidence in the VFL to start with.

GOLD COAST SUNS

The Suns had one of the best hauls of the draft — and they simply had to, considering they had three picks in the top six then traded up to have the first selection of the second round. Of those picks, Izak Rankine looms as the most likely prospect to be picked for Round 1. In fact, many believed Rankine — who made his SANFL league debut at 16 and was named in the Under 18 All-Australian team at 17 — could’ve been playing AFL-level footy in 2017, such has been his rapid and impressive rise. Of the two big boys, Jack Lukosius would be a more likely Round 1 chance than Ben King. But the fact Gold Coast plays St Kilda in Round 1 might make King that touch more motivated to push for Round 1 now that identical twin Max is at the Saints. Don’t rule out an early debut either for rebounding defender Jez McLennen, who finished his 2018 campaign in Central District’s SANFL league side.

GWS GIANTS

Of all club draft hauls, the Giants seem to have recruited the most players who are Round 1-ready. And considering the talent they lost during the trade period, these recruits are likely to come in handy sooner rather than later. Of the three midfielders the Giants took in the first round, South Australia’s Jackson Hately seems the most likely to play straight away. Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson told Fox Footy on draft night that Hately — one of the draft class’ premier inside midfielders — would be a great replacement for Dylan Shiel. And from a positional perspective, explosive midfielder Xavier O’Halloran could take Tom Scully’s spot, while Jye Caldwell could slot into the chasm left by the retired Ryan Griffen. And after losing Rory Lobb to Fremantle, academy ruck recruit Kieren Briggs is a well-timed inclusion — although the Giants are unlikely to unleash him in Round 1. And then there’s exciting small forward Ian Hill, who the Giants really like — so much so they traded up the draft order to snare him — and could hand an early debut to, despite his size.

HAWTHORN

Like previous seasons, the Hawks predominantly had late draft selections, decreasing the likelihood they’ll have Round 1 chances. Axed Giant Tim Mohr, who was picked up by the Hawks as a rookie, might be an outside chance depending on the health of the Hawks’ key defensive stocks come March 2019. Or they could opt for Jacob Koschitzke — the cousin of former Saint Justin — to hold down a spot in the backline. Otherwise, expect their Round 1 fresh faces to be exclusively big-name trade acquisitions like Chad Wingard and Tom Scully.

MELBOURNE

The Dees have a list that’s in the premiership window sweet spot. However, like Bayley Fritsch and Charlie Spargo proved this year, room can be found for new draftees early. That could be the case in 2019 for exciting rebounding defender Marty Hore, who could slot into the Demons’ backline and combine superbly with Michael Hibberd. The other option could be the Dees’ first draft selection in Tom Sparrow, who showed off his ability as an inside ball-winner for South Australia at the 2018 national carnival by averaging 21.9 disposals.

Number 8 draft pick Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos. Source: AAP

NORTH MELBOURNE

An influx of October trade acquisitions might delay a few AFL debuts. But the most likely to get an early gig would be either Bailey Scott or Tarryn Thomas. As he was also linked to the Gold Coast Suns’ academy, Scott gained invaluable NEAFL experience throughout 2018 while also captaining the Allies at the Under 18 championships to earn All-Australian honours. He might be slightly ahead of fellow midfielder and academy selection Thomas, who won the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best player during the academy series carnival. Former AFL national talent football manager Mick Ablett told Fox Footy that Thomas was one of the best wet-weather junior players he’d ever seen. Another option could be mature-age forward Tom Wilkinson, but expect Curtis Taylor to play predominantly VFL footy early in 2019.

PORT ADELAIDE

After playing 12 SANFL league games with North Adelaide this season — including the premiership victory — Pick 5 Connor Rozee seems destined for an early-season debut, possibly as early as Round 1. The great thing about Rozee is that he has great footy versatility, meaning coach Ken Hinkley could play him back, forward or in the midfield. Fellow first-round pick Xavier Duursma is an outside chance but needs to add muscle to his light frame over the off-season, while the Power are likely to start conservatively with Zak Butters, who missed the back-half of the 2018 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The sneaky Round 1 chance — and likely very popular SuperCoach selection — will be Boyd Woodcock. He racked up ridiculous numbers at SANFL Under 18 level before slotting into North Adelaide’s league side as a small forward with aplomb, booting 16 goals — including three in the grand final — from nine games.

New Port Adelaide recruit Connor Rozee has already got to work. Source: AAP

RICHMOND

The Tigers may have taken tall midfielder Riley Collier-Dawkins with their first pick, but even at Under 18 level this season he appeared raw, so don’t expect a Round 1 debut. Perhaps the most likely early debutant is inside midfielder Jack Ross, who already has a strong body and an excellent contested-ball game. He’s probably just ahead of fellow midfielder Luke English and genuine wingman Fraser Turner, who were both sensational for their respective sides during the Under 18 carnival but will need time in the VFL to develop and adjust.

ST KILDA

Top pick Max King, who ruptured his ACL in April, said he would be fit for selection by Round 1, but it’s highly unlikely the Saints will pick him without having a look at him at VFL level first. Perhaps the most likely Round 1 option of the new recruits is Nick Hind, who looms as a key cog in St Kilda’s best 22 with his explosive speed and kicking ability. Fellow mature-age prospect Matthew Parker, who kicked 27 WAFL goals from 20 games this year for South Fremantle playing as a hybrid forward, is also an outside chance to be injected into the Saints’ forward set-up within the first few rounds.

SYDNEY SWANS

It’ll be fascinating to see how early the Swans unleash top pick Nick Blakey, who’s already familiar with the club’s playing list after his long association with the Sydney academy. The issue is Blakey has barely played over the past two years due to injury and illness, yet the games he did play were at an impressively high standard. Blakey’s lead-up to his first AFL season is reminiscent of Callum Mills, who also struggled with injury during his 17th and 18th years — yet he went on to play all but one home and away game in 2016 before taking out the AFL Rising Star award. Elsewhere, Sydney’s Pick 25 James Rowbottom — the nephew of Coleman medallist and renowned AFL commentator Brian Taylor — maybe a sneaky chance, but needs to add some muscle to his frame.

Nick Blakey has already joined in Sydney Swans pre-season training. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

WEST COAST EAGLES

Considering the strength of the reigning premiers’ line-up, it’s hard to see too many of their new recruits pushing for an early AFL debut. Over-age midfielder Luke Foley is perhaps the best chance after an excellent Under 18 carnival for Western Australia, yet only played colts at WAFL level this season. Xavier O’Neill, who was the Eagles’ top pick, already has a great frame and good speed, but is unlikely to be unleashed early. Small forward Jarrod Cameron is a darn exciting prospect but still incredibly raw, meaning the Eagles will play him in the WAFL side for most of the season.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Barring any pre-season slip-ups, expect top pick Bailey Smith to be in the Bulldogs’ Round 1 side next year. The prolific midfielder is one of the hardest-working draftees to ever come through the system — and has the ability and size to go with that work ethic. Smith will fit right in to that Bulldogs on-ball brigade. Mature-age recruits Will Hayes and Ben Cavarra, who both excelled at VFL level, would also be strong Round 1 chances, especially Hayes after claiming Footscray’s best and fairest award this year. Father-son gun Rhylee West might have to spend some time in the VFL to start with, but has a good frame and excellent ball-winning ability, so he shouldn’t have to wait too long for a debut.