Will Ashcroft needs to be the No.1 AFL draft decide.
Aaron Cadman thinks Ashcroft most likely must be.
But the quirks of the draft imply Cadman might properly hear his title known as earlier than Ashcroft’s on Monday evening.
For a 3rd consecutive 12 months, a possible No.1 decide is not out there to the staff with that prized choice.
Two years in the past, Adelaide made the Bulldogs pay up for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan earlier than drafting Riley Thilthorpe at decide No.2.
Last 12 months, North Melbourne opted to not bid on Collingwood father-son expertise Nick Daicos in favour of giving Jason Horne-Francis the highest billing.
This 12 months, GWS face a call on whether or not to bid on Brisbane’s father-son midfield gun Ashcroft, making the Lions cough up the utmost draft factors, or just name out athletic key ahead Cadman’s title first.
“It’s not the be-all and end-all for me,” Ashcroft, son of Marcus Ashcroft, informed AFL Media final week.
“It would be really nice, I’d like to go pick one but if it doesn’t eventuate, it is what it is.
“If it does fall that means for me, I’m hoping to do an identical factor the place (Daicos) most likely should not have gone decide 4, and it is proven this 12 months.”
Cadman admitted he can be “over the moon” to hear his name called out with the first pick but stressed he could handle being demoted to No.2 if GWS first bid on Ashcroft.
“Will’s a freak. He’s the very best participant on this draft,” Cadman told reporters last week.
“It would not faze me the place I’m going; it might be decide one or 101.”
If the Giants don’t bid on Ashcroft with the top pick, North Melbourne would likely do so with pick No.2.
The Kangaroos have the next two selections and are expected to nab Victorian duo Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw.
Things could get interesting from there.
Essendon have the next selection and have been linked to Victorian midfielder Elijah Tsatas and South Australian prospect Mattaes Phillipou.
But the Bombers could also opt to trade the pick to secure two other strong selections, throwing the order out.
There is more father-son romance to come, too.
Brisbane’s second such prospect Jaspa Fletcher, son of Adrian, will also attract a bid, likely either late in the first round or early in the second.
Essendon will have to match a bid for Alwyn Davey Jnr and are poised to snap up his twin brother Jayden, recovering from an ACL injury, later in the piece.
Adelaide will draft Max Michalanney, son of SANFL great Jim Michalanney.
Then, late in the draft, North Melbourne will snap up Cooper Harvey, son of AFL games record-holder Brent.
AFL DRAFT TOP 10
1. GWS
2. North Melbourne
3. North Melbourne
4. Essendon
5. Gold Coast
6. Hawthorn
7. Geelong
8. West Coast
9. St Kilda
10. Carlton
