Mid-season rookie draft review A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
The 2021 mid-season rookie draft has added a dimension of intrigue to the annual recruitment calendar, with 22 undrafted and mature aged players getting an unexpected AFL lifeline.
However, unlike the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), where five of the 11 players taken were recycled past players, the mid-season draft yielded 21 previously undrafted players and only one delisted player who had previously been drafted as a mature aged player.
Several hopeful delisted players missed out on another chance, including (but not limited to) Nathan Freeman, Tyson Stengle, Riley Knight and Wylie Buzza, as most clubs opted to recruit for the future rather than for right now.