Michaela Meade
Northern Knights’ Ned Long and Domanic Akuei have been taken at the 2021 NAB AFL rookie draft.
Long was selected by Hawthorn at pick five.
In a post to the club’s website, Hawthorn said Long was a strong-bodied midfielder with “great endurance” and going after the odd goal.
“Long was one of the most damaging players in the NAB League before injury cut his season short,” the post said.
“The on-baller’s form at the start of the year was impressive and in his three games of NAB League, averaging 22 disposals and over two goals per game – with two games of three goals each.”
Long joins fellow Knights’ player Josh Ward at the Hawks.
Ward was selected at pick seven during the first round of the national draft.
Long, 18, rounded out Hawthorn’s selection for both national and rookie draft periods.
Akuei will join Carlton as a category B rookie for its 2022 season.
Akuei is the first ever recruit from the Carlton academy.
On the club’s website, it said Akuei was a defender “first and foremost” and capable of pinch-hitting in the ruck, using his vertical leap skills.
In the post, head of list management Nick Austin said the acquisition of the young player was an endorsement of the Carlton Academy, the Knights’, and Akuei himself.
“To be able to officially welcome Dom to our ranks is a significant moment for our football club, as our first recruit coming from our next generation academy,” Austin said.
“Dom is someone who has come on in leaps and bounds in recent seasons and he’s obviously someone we’ve been keeping our eye on for a while.
“He’s got great judgment in the air, he reads the play well and he can play multiple roles, particularly down back but also in the ruck if the situation presents.
“We’re delighted that we can give Dom the opportunity at our football club.”
