Northern Knights’ two top prospects for the AFL National Draft were snapped up in the first 12 picks on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
But the Calder Cannons missed out on having a player taken in the draft for the first time since joining the TAC Cup competition in 1995.
Marcus Bontempelli (Eltham) was considered the big surprise of the night, gone by pick four when the Western Bulldogs took the tall midfielder with their first selection.
Ben Lennon (Macleod) went to Richmond with pick 12.
The Calder snub was not entirely unexpected, with a shallow draft expected and the Cannons having no one player stand out as a certainty to be selected.
One player from the Essendon District Football League was recruited on Thursday, Keilor’s Western Jets-listed player James Sicily being selected by Hawthorn at pick 56.
Another former Keilor player, Kyle Hartigan, was promoted to Adelaide’s senior list with pick 76.
The Crows took Hartigan, 22, as a mature-age rookie with rookie draft pick 13 a year ago after strong VFL form with Werribee. He went on to make his AFL debut with the Crows and played three games last season.
For more details on Wednesday’s pre-season and rookie drafts, which will be held online, go to the AFL website, afl.com.au
