A dozen Croweaters called in 2021 NAB AFL Draft

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL has had 12 players selected in the 2021 NAB AFL National Draft, including its first No.1 pick in 15 years.

After three SA players were selected in the first round on Wednesday evening, including No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis, a further nine were snapped up across the remaining rounds of the AFL Draft on Thursday night.

Horne-Francis (No.1 to North Melbourne), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (No.11 to St Kilda) and Leek Aleer (No.15 to GWS) got things started before North Adelaide’s James Willis was the surprise opening Croweater chosen by Geelong at No.32 on the second night.

Willis was one of three Roosters’ midfielders selected in the latter rounds, joining Harvey Harrison at No.52 to Collingwood and Hugh Jackson at No.55 to Port Adelaide.

South Adelaide’s intelligent left-footer Matthew Roberts heard his name called at No.34 by Sydney, presenting the Swans with excellent value given he was predicted to be selected inside the top 20 for much of the year.

Roberts’ fellow Panther Arlo Draper, at No.45, then became the first of three Croweaters to be snared by Collingwood, ahead of Norwood’s Cooper Murley at No.49 and Harrison at No.52.

It prompted Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy to call the trio to an impromptu training session at Unley Oval on Friday via his Tweet below.

Norwood’s dashing Alastair Lord capped off his strong second half of the season to be taken by Essendon at pick No.46, the Bombers clearly fans of his line-breaking agility and speed from half-back.

Tall Glenelg defender Oscar Adams had his incredible commitment rewarded with selection by St Kilda at pick No.51, the Mount Gambier teenager making the nearly 900km round trip to Adelaide regularly throughout the season.

Port Adelaide ended its night on a heart-warming note when father-son selection Jase Burgoyne landed at Alberton with pick No.60, with the lack of a counter bid a nice bonus for the Power.

Several South Australians could still be handed an opportunity tomorrow afternoon, when the AFL Preseason and Rookie Drafts are conducted electronically from 2.30pm SA time.