Hello and welcome to the 2022 Fox Footy AFL Phantom Draft!
The consensus among the talent industry is that the top 15 players are known, but the order in which they are taken is complicated. But it’s not as complicated as trying to figure out what happens after the Pick 16.
Foxfooty.com.au predicts how the first round of the draft will play out, including four offers from rival clubs, plus the inside word on which prospects your club could land on both nights of the two-day event.
Watch Round 1 of the 2022 AFL Draft on Fox Footy and Kayo from 7pm EDT on Monday 28 November. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
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Jeremy Cameron’s advice for Cadman | 01:47
FOX FOOTY 2022 AFL PHANTOM DRAFT…
PICK 1: GWS GIANTS – AARON CADMAN
Position: forward key
Size: 194 cm, 88 kg
Clubs: GWV Rebels/País Vic
AFL Player Comparison: Jeremy Cameron
In a draft class full of midfielders and hybrid types, Cadman is the top key position prospect, which is remarkable in itself considering he entered his draft year as a promising, athletic, tall winger with a long kick with the left foot and a strong tank. but without the genuine strength needed to be a dominant key forward. He now weighs 15kg more, but still has the same elite aerobic capacity, work rate and high jump, meaning he beats defenders in the air, one-on-one and on the run, at any stage of the game. Simply put, it’s a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. Cadman had a brilliant 2022 campaign, which included All-Australian honours, selection in the NAB League Team of the Year and the Rebels’ best and fairest award.
In the mix: There is still some conjecture as to whether the Giants will tender the Lions’ father-son weapon Will Ashcroft with the first pick, but most contending clubs believe Cadman’s name is more likely to be called at Pick 1. The mega four-way deal during last month’s trade period saw the Giants acquire the Pick 1, a selection they will use to select Jeremy Cameron. the Cadman clone, two years after losing Cameron to the Cats.
Aaron Cadman of the Rebels. Image: Jonathan DiMaggioSource: Getty Images
PICK 2: BRISBANE LIONS – WILL ASHCROFT (KANGAROOS FATHER-SON MATCHING OFFER)
Position: Midfielder
Size: 182 cm, 76 kg
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton Grammarians/Vic Metro
AFL Player Comparison: Sam Walsh
A recruiter said foxfooty.com.au by mid-year Ashcroft “could be playing AFL this week” as he was at a “different level” to his peers. The standout player in the draft class who oozes professionalism both on and off the field, Ashcroft is the all-round midfielder, as adept at bursting out for saves as he is winning the ball inside. He barely put a foot wrong in his draft year, winning almost every award possible: the Larke Medal, the first NAB League captain, the best in the NAB League grand final and the team captain of the year in the NAB League, and dominant at every level, incl. a couple of VFL games for Brisbane.
In the mix: As the son of three-time premiership Lion Marcus Ashcroft, the 18-year-old has already named Brisbane under the father-son rule and signed a four-year contract. He will officially become a Lion on Monday night, most likely when it’s the Kangaroos’ turn to pick first, as most expect the Giants to take Cadman at Pick 1. If for some reason the Roos don’t bid by Ashcroft on the Pick 2 and call George Wardlaw or Harry Sheazel first, someone call the police, because the lions will commit a robbery if they take him out of the first two.
Will Ashcroft of the Sandringham Dragons. Image: Daniel PockettSource: Getty Images
SELECTION 3: NORTH MELBOURNE – GEORGE WARDLAW
Position: Midfielder
Size: 182 cm, 82 kg
Clubs: Oakleigh Chargers/St Peter’s/Vic Metro
AFL Player Comparison: Clayton Oliver
Powerful, competitive and combative, Wardlaw is the quintessential inside midfielder. He thrives in the contest, is regularly first to the ball and, importantly, makes smart decisions in congestion. Wardlaw’s 2022 campaign was hampered by injury but his NAB League form was brilliant and he won the Australian Academy best on ground medal with 18 disposals and eight tackles against VFL side Collingwood .
In the mix: There is a chance that the kangaroos will take a small lead Harry Sheazel before Wardlaw. If that happens, Wardlaw should land North with his next pick.
George Wardlaw of Oakleigh Chargers. Image: Daniel PockettSource: Getty Images
SELECTION 4: NORTH MELBOURNE – HARRY SHEEZEL
Position: small forward
Size: 184 cm, 77 kg
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
AFL Player Comparison: Toby Greene
He is emerging as a huge fan favorite at AFL level. Sheezel is the best pure hybrid prospect. He is such a damaging centre-forward, whether scoring goals himself or putting teammates in a better position to score. Sheezel was named in the Australian Under-18 squad and also finished with the most goals in the NAB League this season (36), including five sacks of four majors or more. North Melbourne want a player with a high level of skill, speed, agility and cleanliness and Sheezel ticks all those boxes.
In the mix: If the Kangaroos take Sheezel with their previous pick, George Wardlaw would probably be selected next. Oakleigh Chargers explosive on the ball Elijah Tsatas He had been linked with the Kangaroos for a while last month, but all signs point to Wardlaw and Sheezel now being taken, barring a draft night bomb.
Harry Sheezel of Metro de Vic. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
PICK 5: ESSENDON – MATTAES PHILLIPOU
Position: Midfielder-forward
Size: 191 cm, 83 kg
Clubs: Woodville-West Torrens/PHOS Camden/SA
AFL Player Comparison: Marcus Bontempelli
A high-impact, versatile and competitive player, Phillipou can play inside or outside and has the ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard. Outside of Phillipou’s eye-catching ability on the pitch, clubs are circling his left foot due to his birthday at the end of the year – he doesn’t turn 18 until December 27 this year – as well as his confidence and self-confidence. He was brilliant at SANFL Under 18 level and then had an outstanding Champions League game for SA against the Allies, kicking two goals from 24 disposals and five disposals. He is the son of Sam Phillipou, who kicked 250 goals in 150 SANFL games for the Eagles and Magpies while also playing three AFL games for Footscray.
In the mix: This is where things get murky, with the Bombers keeping their cards close to their chest. It is well known that the club have been debating whether to take Phillipou, who has interest from a wide range of clubs in the first round, or another player. Elijah Tsatas. Rival clubs believe the Bombers are leaning towards Phillipou, but it also wouldn’t surprise the exciting Tsatas, who is considered a top-five draft prospect all year, to land in Tullamarine. Dunsborough product Rubén Ginbey He has also been linked with the Bombers’ first selection, but the consensus is that his choice depends on Phillipou and Tsatas.
Mattaes Phillipou from South Australia. Image: Kelly BarnesSource: Getty Images
PICK 6: GOLD COAST SUNS – BAILEY HUMPHREY
Position: Forward midfielder
Size: 184 cm, 86 kg
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Vic Country
AFL Player Comparison: Isaac Heeney
A genuine impact player with a penetrating kick, great foot smarts and excellent marking for a player of his size. Amid an injury-hit year, Humphrey had three eye-catching NAB League games, including 4.5 for 31 disposals, 12 marks and five tackles against the Northern Knights, before causing headaches at national championship level for the Vic Metro defense at Marvel Stadium. Clubs believe he will start his AFL career as a forward, but Humphrey is keen to move into midfield.
In the mix: The Suns have been heavily linked to both Humphrey and WA Rubén Ginbey, who for months has been the first WA-based player taken. While rivals believe the Suns’ interest in Ginbey has cooled, the club confirmed this week they had recently flown to WA to visit Ginbey and his family in Dunsborough. Geelong Falcons midfielder Jhye Clark he has also been linked with Gold Coast in this selection.
Bailey Humphrey of Gippsland Power. Image: Graham DenholmSource: Getty Images
SELECTION 7: HAWLEY – CAMERON MACKENZIE
Position: Midfielder
Size: 187 cm, 80 kg
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Beaumaris/Vic Metro
AFL Player Comparison: Callum Mills
A reliable and well-rounded player with the ability to win the ball inside and outside in equal measure, Mackenzie could be the most balanced prospect in this year’s AFL draft class. It is reliable and consistent, while having excellent vision, balance and a neat disposition. However, he also has a strong contested ball game and a great stopping burst, a trait he has worked on meticulously over the past 12 months. At his height, he can also play in any third of the pitch. Mackenzie averaged 25 touches for Vic Metro to win All-Australian honors and booted two goals from 26 disposals in Sandringham’s comprehensive NAB league grand final win. Mackenzie, too, is a Hawthorn supporter…
In the mix: If Essendon chooses Elijah Tsatasrival clubs expect Hawthorn to sign up Matthew Phillipou, who was recently flown by the Hawks to Melbourne to meet with club officials. But if Phillipou is off the board, the Hawks will also strongly consider taking Tsatas over Mackenzie. They have also employed WA on-baller Rubén Ginbey – and have flagged that a bigger body in midfield is on their wish list, while Falcons midfielder Jhye Clark he has also been linked with Hawthorn’s first selection.
Cameron Mackenzie of the Sandringham Dragons. Image: Daniel PockettSource: Getty Images
PICK 8: GEELONG CATS — ELIAS TSATAS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 187 cm,…