The Yarra Junior Football League is proud to have a total of nine former players drafted to the AFL for 2022.
The first round National Draft night on Wednesday provided three picks within the first 10 picks.
Sam Darcy pick 2 to Western Bulldogs played at Glen Iris and began in 2011. He has recently been a standout at the Oakleigh Chargers and for Vic Metro where he showed great athleticism and skill for a player of his size. Sam was a father-son pick due to his Dad Luke who was a champion Bulldog.
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Nick Daicos pick 4 to Collingwood, played at former club Greythorn from 2010 to 2014 and at Kew Rovers 2015 to 2018. A Father-Son selection, Nick is considered one of the best pick in tonight’s draft after his stellar year at Oakleigh Chargers where he averaged 35.8 disposals.
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Josh Ward pick 7 to Hawthorn, is a former player of Fitzroy and began his journey in the YJFL in 2012. Josh furthered his junior career at Northern Knights and then Vic Metro, in 2021 for the Knights Josh averaged 30.2 disposals per game.
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On night two of the Draft, the YJFL had two former players selected.
Lachie Rankin pick 58 to Sydney, won the YJFL Best and Fairest Award in his Under 12, 13 and 15 years. He is a medium forward but can also play down back and averaged 11.7 disposals and a goal in this years shortened season.
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Jackson Archer pick 59 to North Melbourne, is a former player of Park Orchards and started in 2010. Jackson is a father-son selection with Dad Glenn being a North Melbourne legend and former Sharks coach.
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On Friday the AFL held their Rookie draft, which gave the opportunity for another four former YJFL players to be selected into the AFL.
Ned Long pick 4 to Hawthorn, began his career at Fitzroy in 2012 and then for the Northern Knights where he averaged 22 disposals in 2021.
Karl Worner pick 8 to Fremantle, spent six years in the YJFL playing for Ashburton. While there he won two League Best and Fairests, in the Under 11 Green competition in 2013 and the Under 12 Brown competition in 2014.
Oliver Dempsey pick 15 and headed to Geelong, played eight years in the YJFL. He started most his junior career at Hawthorn Citizens, starting in 2011 before heading to Boroondara Hawks for his final year in 2018. Oliver won the Best and Fairest in the Under 12 Gold competition in 2015.
Dom Akuei was a Category B rookie is heading to Carlton, where he spent his time in the Next Generation Academy. Dom played seven seasons at St Marys starting in 2013.
Congratulations to all picks in the 2021 AFL National and Rookie Drafts.
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