- Emotional scenes during the opening night of AFL
- North Melbourne landed towering Matt Whitlock
- His identical twin brother, Jack, was left in tears
The opening night of the AFL draft has ended in tears as North Melbourne attacked towering talent Matt Whitlock, leaving his identical twin brother Jack in tears after missing out on realizing his dream.
De Roos shocked viewers by trading a future first-round pick to the Tigers to secure the selection, in exchange for pick 27 and Richmond’s future second-round pick.
Just before the deal was completed, commentator Michael Ablett said: ‘The Kangaroos aren’t giving up on a future first, are they?
“You would imagine they would give up a second overall pick in the future, and it’s almost like-for-like… but I would be absolutely surprised if the Kangaroos gave up a first-round pick.”
But the bomb movement happened.
“That’s a brave move from the Kangas,” said Ablett. However, the drama was not over yet.
North Melbourne landed the towering Matt Whitlock (right) at the end of the first night of the draft.
Jack Whitlock (left) was in tears after his identical twin brother was chosen
‘Gosh whiz, if it’s one of the Whitlocks (that North is after), how’s the family going to feel, ’cause they’re the last choice of the night, and one of your sons goes (and the other one has to wait) ?
“You go to bed and wait 24 hours before you can do it all again.”
But that’s what happened when Matt Whitlock celebrated while his brother tried to put on a brave face.
Moments later, while Matt was being congratulated, Jack was in tears as his parents did their best to comfort him.
AFL top pick Sam Lalor was Richmond’s first No. 1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.
North Melbourne selected Finn O’Sullivan as choice two and Carlton took Jagga Smith third, with Victorian ball magnets proving popular early on.
“I’m going for the Pies, but I’m done with it now,” Smith joked after his selection.
Adelaide selected South Australian product Sid Draper fourth and reigning premier Brisbane matched Melbourne’s bid for father-son selection Levi Ashcroft at five.
Number one pick in the draft, Sam Lalor (left), was presented with his Richmond Guernsey by club legend Trent Cotchin (right)
Gold Coast, Essendon and the Lions all matched bids for academy products, picking up Leo Lombard (pick nine), Isaac Kako (pick 13) and Sam Marshall (25) respectively.
Gippsland Power key defender Alix Tauru was the draft bolter, taken at pick 10 by St Kilda, while Port Adelaide struck a deal with West Coast to move up the draft order and claim Murray Bushrangers forward Joe Berry.
Only six players from outside Victoria were drafted in the first round, including Claremont midfielder Cody Angove, who was a surprise selection by GWS at pick 24.
Sydney also pulled off a surprise by drafting Norwood forward Ned Bowman at pick 26.
AFL DRAFT – TOP TEN
1. Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels) – Richmond
2. Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) – North Melbourne
3. Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) – Carlton
4. Sid Draper (South Adelaide) – Adelaide
5. Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) – Brisbane Lions, father-son pick
6. Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) – Melbourne
7. Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) – Richmond
8. Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) – St Kilda
9. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast Suns academy) – Gold Coast, academy pick
10. Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power) – St Kilda