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The 2020 AFL carnival of AFL was benighted by the lockdown and cancellation of junior and second-tier footy in the eastern states, robbing the footy-loving public of a large proportion of the ever-increasingly popular pre-draft speculation and analysis of potential AFL talent.
In particular, the eventual number one draft pick, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, was denied the opportunity to showcase his immense talent against his peers as over a thousand prospects around the country endeavoured to put their names forward to be drafted.
The top AFL draft prospects to watch in 2021
AFL by Jordan Pinto, Dan Batten, Matt Turner 17th Dec 2020 11:41 AM
Premium Content As one draft crop enters the AFL system, another is just getting started. The 2021 draft pool is set to be the biggest we have seen as competitions like the NAB League shift to under-19s and early indications suggest that high-quality talent will be on offer. It is one reason why clubs opted to trade out of the 2020 draft which had a great deal of uncertainty surrounding it. Geelong and Richmond, in particular, didn t play a major role last Wednesday night, but they should be very happy with their current hand for next year.
Big changes: Why Jamarra is the last No. 1 of his kind The AFL has stripped back draft concessions but the Bulldogs will continue to invest in the Academy that delivered Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
AFL by Sam Landsberger
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Subscriber only Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy graduate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was one of 2000 teenagers to benefit from their program, which the club wants to continue investing heavily in despite the AFL stripping back the draft concessions. Coach Luke Beveridge s passionate plea for the NGA system to be expanded fell on deaf ears, with No.1 pick Ugle-Hagan among the last of his kind.
AFL draft in a year of COVID-19 sees teams taking familiar gambles
ThuThursday 10
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ThuThursday 10
DecDecember 2020 at 2:03am
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For most teams, each AFL season is a process of watching hope of a flag fade. Footy is a tough business, and not winning a flag isn t a failure, but it does provide inherent room for improvement.
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The offseason is where 17 losing sides try to chase the team at the top, and improve that last little bit on their list.