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2016 AFL draft
2016 AFL draft
2016 AFL draft
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2016 AFL draft
General information
Dates25 November 2016
28 November 2016
Time7:00 pm AEDT (25 November)
4:00 pm AEDT (28 November)
LocationHordern Pavilion,
Sydney, New South Wales
NetworkFox Footy
Sponsored byNational Australia Bank
Overview
LeagueAFL
First selectionAndrew McGrath (Essendon)
← 2015
2017 →

The 2016 AFL draft consisted of the various periods where the 18 clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL) could trade and recruit players following the completion of the 2016 AFL season. Additions to each club's playing list are not allowed at any other time during the year.

The key dates for the trading and drafting periods were:[1]

  • The free agency offer period; held between 7 October and 19 October. Three further free agency periods were held for delisted players, between 1 November and 8 November, 10 November to 18 November, and 26 November to 27 November,
  • The trade period; held between 10 October and 20 October,
  • The 2016 national draft; held on 25 November, at the Hordern Pavilion, which included live bidding for academy and father-son selections.
  • The 2017 pre-season draft; which was to be held on 28 November, but was cancelled when all clubs declined to take part, and
  • The 2017 rookie draft; which was held on 28 November.

Player movements

[edit]

Previous trades

[edit]

The 2015 AFL draft included a new initiative whereby clubs could trade future picks; through this scheme, fourteen picks in the 2016 draft were traded prior to the commencement of the 2016 trade period:

Round Original club New club How acquired Ref
1 Collingwood Greater Western Sydney Adam Treloar trade [2]
1 Geelong Greater Western Sydney via Carlton (Lachie Henderson trade)
on-traded to Greater Western Sydney for Lamb, Phillips, Plowman, Sumner		 [3]
1 Melbourne Gold Coast Pick swap [4]
2 Adelaide Greater Western Sydney Curtly Hampton trade [5]
2 Fremantle Gold Coast Pick swap [6]
2 Port Adelaide Gold Coast Charlie Dixon trade [7]
2 Richmond Gold Coast Charlie Dixon trade [7]
2 St Kilda Brisbane Lions via Collingwood (Nathan Freeman trade)
on-traded to Brisbane Lions for James Aish		 [8]
3 Brisbane Lions Geelong Jarrad Jansen and Josh Walker trade [9]
3 North Melbourne Brisbane Lions Ryan Bastinac trade [8]
3 Western Bulldogs Carlton Pick swap [6]
4 Carlton Western Bulldogs Pick swap [6]
4 Sydney Western Bulldogs Michael Talia trade [10]
5 Greater Western Sydney Geelong Steve Johnson trade [11]

Trades

[edit]
2016 AFL trade period
No. Player(s) Traded from Traded to Traded for Ref
1 Cam McCarthy Greater Western Sydney Fremantle Pick 3 [12]
Pick 7
Pick 34
Pick 72
2 Bradley Hill Hawthorn Fremantle Pick 23 [13]
3 Pick 2 Brisbane Lions Greater Western Sydney Pick 3 [14]
Pick 31
Pick 51 Pick 16
Pick 60
4 Jack Steele Greater Western Sydney St Kilda 2017 second round pick (St Kilda) [15]
5 Sam Mitchell Hawthorn West Coast Pick 52 [16]
Pick 54 Pick 70
Pick 72 Pick 88
6 Tom Mitchell Sydney Hawthorn Pick 14 [17]
Pick 57 Pick 52
7 Pick 10 St Kilda Hawthorn 2017 first round pick (Hawthorn) [18]
Pick 23
Pick 68 Pick 36
8 Paul Ahern Greater Western Sydney North Melbourne Pick 69 [19]
9 Pearce Hanley Brisbane Lions Gold Coast Pick 22 [20]
Pick 19 Port Adelaide 2017 first round pick (Port Adelaide)
Pick 30 Gold Coast Pick 67
10 Jordan Lewis Hawthorn Melbourne Pick 48 [21]
Pick 57
Pick 68 Pick 66
11 Joel Hamling Western Bulldogs Fremantle Pick 35 [22]
Pick 40 Pick 43
Pick 63 Pick 61
12 Michael Hibberd Essendon Melbourne Pick 29 [23]
Pick 59 Pick 68
13 Dion Prestia Gold Coast Richmond Pick 6 [24]
Pick 24 2017 second round pick (Richmond)
14 Toby Nankervis Sydney Richmond Pick 46 [25]
15 Jarrod Witts Collingwood Gold Coast Pick 44 [26]
Pick 62
16 Pick 26 Gold Coast Western Bulldogs Pick 35 [26]
Pick 80 Pick 43
17 Nathan Hrovat Western Bulldogs North Melbourne 2017 third round pick (North Melbourne) [27]
2017 third round pick (Western Bulldogs)
2017 fourth round pick (Western Bulldogs) 2017 fourth round pick (North Melbourne)
18 Shane Kersten Geelong Fremantle Pick 63 [28]
19 Billie Smedts Geelong Carlton Zach Tuohy [29]
Pick 63
2017 first round pick (Geelong) 2017 second round pick (Carlton)
20 Josh Caddy Geelong Richmond Pick 24 [30]
Pick 56 Pick 64
21 Pick 31 Greater Western Sydney Sydney Pick 39 [31]
Pick 52
22 Jarryd Lyons Adelaide Gold Coast Pick 43 [32]
Pick 71 Pick 67
23 Pat McKenna Greater Western Sydney Melbourne Pick 57 [33]
Pick 51
Pick 69 Pick 59
24 Nathan Vardy Geelong West Coast Pick 72 [34]
25 Travis Cloke Collingwood Western Bulldogs Pick 76 [35]
26 James Stewart Greater Western Sydney Essendon Pick 77 [36]
27 Aaron Black North Melbourne Geelong Pick 92 [37]
28 Will Hoskin-Elliott Greater Western Sydney Collingwood 2017 second round pick (Collingwood) [38]
29 Jack Frost Collingwood Brisbane Lions 2017 third round pick (Brisbane Lions) [39]
Pick 76
2017 third round pick (Collingwood) 2017 fourth round pick (Brisbane Lions)
30 Lynden Dunn Melbourne Collingwood Pick 47 [40]
Pick 51
31 Marley Williams Collingwood North Melbourne Pick 105 [41]
32 Koby Stevens Western Bulldogs St Kilda Pick 50 [42]
Pick 61
2017 fourth round pick (North Melbourne) 2017 fifth round pick (St Kilda)
33 Brett Deledio Richmond Greater Western Sydney 2017 first round pick (Geelong) [43]
2017 third round pick (Greater Western Sydney)
34 Caleb Marchbank Greater Western Sydney Carlton Pick 45 [44]
Jarrod Pickett Pick 58
2017 second round pick (Greater Western Sydney) 2017 first round pick (Geelong)
35 Rhys Palmer Greater Western Sydney Carlton Pick 135 [44]
36 Pick 35 Gold Coast Fremantle Pick 73 [45]
Pick 71
2017 fourth round pick (Gold Coast) 2017 second round pick (Fremantle)
37 Jaeger O'Meara Gold Coast Hawthorn Pick 10 [46]
2017 second round pick (Hawthorn)
38 Pick 9 Port Adelaide Sydney Pick 14 [47]
Pick 19 Pick 17
Pick 49 Pick 31
39 Pick 48 Hawthorn Carlton 2017 second round pick (Greater Western Sydney) [46]
Pick 66
Pick 70
Note
  • The numbering of the draft picks in this list may be different to the agreed draft picks at the time of the trade, due to adjustments from either the insertion of free agency compensation draft picks or clubs exiting the draft before later rounds.

Free agency

[edit]
See also: Free agent
2016 AFL free agency period signings
Player Date Free agent type Former club New club Compensation Ref
Ty Vickery 10 October 2016 Restricted Richmond Hawthorn 2nd round [48]
Daniel Wells 11 October 2016 Unrestricted North Melbourne Collingwood 2nd round [49]
Chris Mayne 12 October 2016 Unrestricted Fremantle Collingwood 2nd round [50]
Nathan Brown 16 October 2016 Restricted Collingwood St Kilda None [51]
James Kelly 4 November 2016 Delisted Essendon Essendon N/a [52]
Matt Dea 4 November 2016 Delisted Essendon Essendon N/a [52]
Michael Barlow 8 November 2016 Delisted Fremantle Gold Coast N/a [53]
Ricky Henderson 8 November 2016 Delisted Adelaide Hawthorn N/a [54]
Josh Green 15 November 2016 Delisted Brisbane Lions Essendon N/a [55]
Note
  • Due to James Kelly and Matt Dea being signed as top up players because of the 2012 Essendon supplements saga, they had to be delisted and then re-signed in order to stay on Essendon's list.[56]

Retirements and delistings

[edit]

2016 national draft

[edit]

The Brisbane Lions received a priority pick at the end of the first round (pick 19) after a request by the club to the AFL commission was accepted. It was the first time a priority pick was given to a club since the rules regarding priority selections were changed in 2012.[144] This pick was later on-traded to Port Adelaide as part of the Pearce Hanley trade to Gold Coast,[20] before the Sydney Swans ended up with it by the trade deadline.[145]

A change was made to the rules concerning academy and father-son selections which allowed clubs to begin the draft with only as many draft picks as it had empty positions on its playing list. This was intended to end the practice which had taken place the previous year in which clubs with academies had traded down the draft order to accumulate a large number of mid- and low-range draft picks specifically to use on academy bids.[146]

Final draft order[147]
^ Denotes player who has been inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who has been a premiership player and been selected for at least one All-Australian team
+ Denotes player who has been a premiership player at least once
x Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Australian team
# Denotes player who has never played in a VFL/AFL home and away season or finals game
~ Denotes player who has been selected as Rising Star
Round Pick Player Drafted to Recruited from League Notes
1 1 Andrew McGrath Essendon Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup
1 2 Tim Taranto Greater Western Sydney Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Traded from Brisbane Lions
1 3 Hugh McCluggage Brisbane Lions North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup Traded from Greater Western Sydney; received from Fremantle
1 4 Ben Ainsworth Gold Coast Gippsland Power TAC Cup
1 5 Will Setterfield Greater Western Sydney Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Academy player, Carlton's bid matched with picks 15 and 37.
1 6 Sam Petrevski-Seton Carlton Claremont WAFL
1 7 Jack Scrimshaw Gold Coast Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Traded from Richmond
1 8 Griffin Logue Fremantle Swan Districts WAFL Traded from Greater Western Sydney; received from Collingwood
1 9 Will Brodie Gold Coast Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Melbourne
1 10 Jack Bowes Gold Coast Cairns AFL Cairns Academy player, Sydney's bid matched with pick 11.
1 11 Oliver Florent Sydney Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Traded from Port Adelaide
1 12 Jy Simpkin North Melbourne Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup
1 13 Daniel Venables West Coast Western Jets TAC Cup
1 14 Harry Perryman Greater Western Sydney Collingullie-Glenfield Park RFNL Academy player, Adelaide's bid matched with picks 38, 44 and 51.
1 15 Jordan Gallucci Adelaide Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
1 16 Todd Marshall Port Adelaide Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Sydney; received from Hawthorn
1 17 Jarrod Berry Brisbane Lions North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup Traded from Greater Western Sydney; received from Carlton; received from Geelong
1 18 Sam Powell-Pepper Port Adelaide East Perth WAFL Traded from Sydney
1 19 Tim English Western Bulldogs South Fremantle WAFL
1 20 Isaac Cumming Greater Western Sydney North Broken Hill BHFL Academy player, Sydney's bid matched with picks 52, 54, 55 and 56.
Priority 21 Will Hayward Sydney North Adelaide SANFL Traded from Port Adelaide; received from Brisbane Lions
2 22 Jordan Ridley Essendon Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
2 23 Alex Witherden Brisbane Lions Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
2 24 Cedric Cox Brisbane Lions North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast; received from Fremantle
2 25 Ben Long St Kilda NT Thunder NEAFL Traded from Hawthorn; received from Fremantle; free agency compensation pick (Mayne)
2 26 Brandan Parfitt Geelong NT Thunder NEAFL Traded from Richmond; received from Gold Coast
2 27 Zac Fisher Carlton Perth WAFL
2 28

Patrick Lipinski

Western Bulldogs Northern Knights TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast; received from Richmond
2 29 Shai Bolton Richmond South Fremantle WAFL Free agency compensation pick (Vickery)
2 30 Sam McLarty Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
2 31 Josh Begley Essendon Eastern Ranges TAC Cup Traded from Melbourne
2 32 Joe Atley Port Adelaide Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast; received from Port Adelaide
2 33 Willem Drew Port Adelaide North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup Traded from Sydney; received from Greater Western Sydney; received from Brisbane Lions; received from Collingwood; received from St Kilda
2 34 Declan Watson North Melbourne Aspley NEAFL Academy eligible, but the Brisbane Lions did not match the bid
2 35 Callum Brown Collingwood Eastern Ranges TAC Cup Father–son rule selection (son of Gavin Brown); North Melbourne's bid matched with pick 44.
2 36 Josh Williams North Melbourne Surfers Paradise QAFL Free agency compensation pick (Wells)
2 37 Josh Rotham West Coast West Perth WAFL
2 38 Sean Darcy Fremantle Geelong Falcons TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast, received from Western Bulldogs; received from Fremantle; received from Greater Western Sydney; received from Adelaide
2 39 Josh Battle St Kilda Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup Traded from Hawthorn
2 40 Tom Stewart Geelong Geelong VFL
2 41 Brennan Cox Fremantle Woodville-West Torrens SANFL Traded from Western Bulldogs
3 42 Kobe Mutch Essendon Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup Academy eligible, but Greater Western Sydney did not match the bid
3 43 Esava Ratugolea Geelong Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Brisbane Lions
3 44 Myles Poholke Adelaide Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast; received from Western Bulldogs; received from Fremantle
3 45 Jack Maibaum Sydney Eastern Ranges TAC Cup Traded from Richmond
3 46 Mitch Hannan Melbourne Footscray VFL Traded from Collingwood
3 47 Harrison Macreadie Carlton Henty HFL Academy eligible, but Greater Western Sydney did not match the bid; traded from Hawthorn; received from Melbourne
3 48

Darcy Cameron

Sydney Claremont WAFL Traded from Port Adelaide
3 49 Lewis Young Western Bulldogs Sturt SANFL Traded from St Kilda
3 50 Kayle Kirby Collingwood Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup Traded from Melbourne; received from Greater Western Sydney; received from Brisbane Lions; received from North Melbourne
3 51 Elliott Himmelberg Adelaide Redland NEAFL
3 52 Willie Rioli West Coast Glenelg SANFL Traded from Hawthorn
3 53 Jack Graham Richmond North Adelaide SANFL Traded from Geelong
4 54 Lachlan Tiziani Greater Western Sydney Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Academy player, traded from Melbourne; received from Essendon
4 55 Jacob Allison Brisbane Lions Aspley NEAFL Academy player
4 56 Ed Phillips St Kilda Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Western Bulldogs, received from Fremantle
4 57

Josh Daicos

Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Father–son rule selection (son of Peter Daicos); traded from Gold Coast
4 58 Matt de Boer Greater Western Sydney Fremantle AFL
4 59 Cameron Polson Carlton Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Traded from Geelong; received from Fremantle; received from Western Bulldogs; received from Carlton
4 60 Quinton Narkle Geelong Perth WAFL Traded from Richmond
4 61 Tom Williamson Carlton North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup Traded from Hawthorn; received from Melbourne
4 62 Matthew Signorello Adelaide Northern Knights TAC Cup Traded from Gold Coast; received from Port Adelaide
4 63 Dylan Clarke Essendon Eastern Ranges TAC Cup Traded from Melbourne; received Hawthorn; received from St Kilda
4 64 Dion Johnstone Melbourne Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Greater Western Sydney; received from North Melbourne
4 65 Pat Kerr Carlton Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Hawthorn; received from West Coast
4 66 Luke Ryan Fremantle Coburg VFL Traded from Gold Coast, received from Adelaide
4 67 Brad Scheer Gold Coast Palm Beach Currumbin QAFL Academy player
4 68 Timm House Geelong Geelong VFL Traded from West Coast; received from Hawthorn
4 69 Ryan Abbott Geelong Grovedale GFL
4 70 Fergus Greene Western Bulldogs Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup Traded from Sydney
5 71 Corey Lyons Brisbane Lions Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Traded from Collingwood, received from Western Bulldogs
5 72 Ryan Garthwaite Richmond Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Academy eligible, but Greater Western Sydney did not match the bid
5 73 Nick Larkey North Melbourne Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
5 74 Harry Morrison Hawthorn Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from West Coast
5 75 Ben Davis Adelaide UNSW Sydney AFL Academy eligible, but Sydney did not match the bid[148]
5 76 Mitchell Lewis Hawthorn Calder Cannons TAC Cup
6 77 Jake Waterman West Coast Claremont WAFL Father–son rule selection (son of Chris Waterman)
Notes
  • Free agency compensation picks are additional selections awarded to teams based on their net loss of players during the free agency trade period.
  • Academy players are local zone selections available to the four New South Wales and Queensland clubs. Both academy and father-son selections are subject to a bidding process, where the club with the family or academy connection must match any opposition club's bid with their next available selection.

Rookie elevations

[edit]

Clubs were able to promote any player who was listed on their rookie list in 2016 to their 2017 primary playing list prior to the draft.

Player Club Ref.
Reilly O'Brien Adelaide [149]
Archie Smith Brisbane Lions [150]
Ciaran Byrne Carlton [151]
Lachlan Keeffe Collingwood [152]
Josh Smith Collingwood [153]
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti Essendon [154]
Conor McKenna Essendon [155]
Tom Ruggles Geelong [156]
Jesse Joyce Gold Coast [157]
Kade Stewart Hawthorn [158]
Josh Wagner Melbourne [159]
Majak Daw North Melbourne [160]
Braydon Preuss North Melbourne [161]
Nathan Krakouer Port Adelaide [162]
Jayden Short Richmond [163]
Jason Holmes St Kilda [164]
Tom Papley Sydney [165]
Nic Newman Sydney [166]
Harrison Marsh Sydney [167]
Jordan Foote Sydney [167]

2017 rookie draft

[edit]
Round Pick Player Drafted to Recruited from League Notes
1 1 Sam Draper Essendon South Adelaide SANFL
1 2 Jake Barrett Brisbane Lions Greater Western Sydney AFL
1 3 Taylin Duman Fremantle Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
1 4 Keegan Brooksby Gold Coast Gold Coast AFL
1 5 Kym LeBois Carlton North Adelaide SANFL
1 6 Tyson Stengle Richmond Woodville-West Torrens SANFL
1 7 Mitch McCarthy Collingwood Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup
1 8 Lachlan Filipovic Melbourne Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup
1 9 Peter Ladhams Port Adelaide Norwood SANFL
1 10 Rowan Marshall St Kilda North Ballarat VFL
1 11 Cameron Zurhaar North Melbourne East Fremantle WAFL
1 12 Thomas Gorter West Coast East Perth WAFL
1 13 Sam Shaw Adelaide Adelaide AFL Shaw retired on 9 November 2016, but was retained on the club's 2017 list to help with medical costs for concussion treatment.[168]
1 14 Oliver Hanrahan Hawthorn St Kevin's College APS
1 15 Tendai Mzungu Greater Western Sydney Fremantle AFL
1 16 Jack Henry Geelong Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
1 17 Ben Ronke Sydney Calder Cannons TAC Cup
1 18 Nathan Mullenger-McHugh Western Bulldogs Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
2 19 Shaun McKernan Essendon Essendon AFL
2 20 Mitch Hinge Brisbane Lions Glenelg SANFL
2 21 Luke Strnadica Fremantle East Fremantle WAFL
2 22 Cameron Loersch Gold Coast Gold Coast AFL
2 23 Alex Silvagni Carlton Fremantle AFL
2 24 Henry Schade Collingwood Gold Coast AFL
2 25 Tim Smith Melbourne Casey VFL
2 26 Brett Eddy Port Adelaide South Adelaide SANFL
2 27 Passed St Kilda
2 28 Oscar Junker North Melbourne Western Jets TAC Cup
2 29 Drew Petrie West Coast North Melbourne AFL
2 30 Passed Adelaide
2 31 Jack Fitzpatrick Hawthorn Hawthorn AFL
2 32 Joel Patfull Greater Western Sydney Greater Western Sydney AFL Patfull retired on 12 October 2016, but was retained on GWS's 2017 list due to Total Player Payment obligations.[169]
2 33 Zach Guthrie Geelong Calder Cannons TAC Cup
2 34 Robbie Fox Sydney Coburg VFL
2 35 Josh Prudden Western Bulldogs Western Bulldogs AFL
3 36 Yestin Eades Essendon Essendon AFL
3 37 Oscar McInerney Brisbane Lions Casey VFL
3 38 Brady Grey Fremantle Fremantle AFL
3 39 Andrew Gallucci Carlton Carlton AFL
3 40 Liam Mackie Collingwood Glenelg SANFL
3 41 Declan Keilty Melbourne Casey VFL
3 42 Jarrod Lienert Port Adelaide Sturt SANFL
3 43 Matthew Taylor North Melbourne Perth WAFL
3 44 Fraser McInnes West Coast West Coast AFL
3 45 Ben Jarman Adelaide North Adelaide SANFL Father–son rule selection (son of Darren Jarman)
3 46 James Cousins Hawthorn Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup
3 47 Passed Greater Western Sydney
3 48 Jamaine Jones Geelong North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup
3 49 Shaun Edwards Sydney Essendon AFL
4 50 Josh Deluca Fremantle Fremantle AFL
4 51 Max Lynch Collingwood Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup
4 52 Passed Greater Western Sydney
4 53 Sam Simpson Geelong Geelong Falcons TAC Cup Father–son rule selection (son of Sean Simpson)
4 54 Toby Pink Sydney Glenelg SANFL
5 55 Passed Sydney

Category B rookie selections

[edit]

During the trade period, clubs could nominate category B rookies to join their club.

Player Club Origin Note Ref.
Matt Eagles Brisbane Lions North Ballarat Winner of The Recruit [170]
Blake Grewar Brisbane Lions Redland Queensland zone selection [171]
Ciarán Sheehan Carlton Cork GAA, Carlton International selection (Ireland) [172]
Ben McNiece Essendon Essendon (VFL) Next Generation Academy zone selection (mother born in India) [173]
Mark O'Connor Geelong Kerry GAA International selection (Ireland) [174]
Max Spencer Gold Coast Palm Beach Currumbin Queensland zone selection [175]
Jake Stein Greater Western Sydney Athletics 3-year non-registered player (athletics) [176]
Zach Sproule Greater Western Sydney Murray Bushrangers NSW zone selection [177]
Conor Nash Hawthorn Meath GAA International selection (Ireland) [178]
Corey Maynard Melbourne Townsville Crocodiles (NBL) 3-year non-registered player (basketball) [179]
Emmanuel Irra Port Adelaide South Adelaide Next Generation Academy zone selection (born in Uganda) [180]
Ray Connellan St Kilda Westmeath GAA International selection (Ireland) [181]
Darragh Joyce St Kilda Kilkenny GAA International selection (Ireland) [181]
Sam Fisher Sydney Canberra NSW zone selection [182]
Tarir Bayok West Coast East Perth Next Generation Academy zone selection (born in Sudan) [180]
Francis Watson West Coast Claremont Next Generation Academy zone selection (Indigenous) [183]
Tristan Tweedie Western Bulldogs Eastern Ranges Next Generation Academy zone selection (Indigenous) [184]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2016 AFL draft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2016 AFL draft was the annual recruitment process for the Australian Football League (AFL), involving free agency, player trades, the national draft, and rookie selections, through which the league's 18 clubs acquired new talent to bolster their senior lists for the 2017 season. The national draft, the event's highlight, occurred on 25 November 2016 at the in , marking the first occasion it was hosted in . Leading into the draft, the trade period ran from 10 October to 20 October 2016, featuring intense negotiations that reshaped club rosters, including high-profile exchanges such as moving from Gold Coast to West Coast and from to Collingwood. Free agency, which began on 7 October, also saw key signings like recommitting to and Luke Parker extending with . The national draft comprised seven rounds with 77 available selections, resulting in 77 players being chosen, predominantly from Victorian under-18 leagues but with strong representation from Western Australia and academy systems. Essendon claimed the top pick, versatile half-back from the ; followed with explosive midfielder from the AIS-AFL Academy; and secured polished on-baller from the Gippsland Power. Other first-round highlights included Ben Ainsworth (pick 4, Gold Coast), Will (pick 5, ), and academy success stories like Ben Long (pick 25, St Kilda via Gold Coast bid). The process incorporated live bidding for father-son nominees and academy prospects, adding strategic depth to selections. Subsequent to the national draft, the rookie draft on 28 2016 added further depth, with 38 players selected, including category-B rookies for non-playing roles. Overall, the 2016 draft class has been regarded as exceptionally strong, yielding multiple contenders, All-Australians, and premiership contributors, with standouts like McGrath earning Essendon's in subsequent years and Taranto becoming a key midfielder after a 2023 trade to Richmond.

Background

Draft Process Overview

The national draft serves as the primary mechanism for (AFL) clubs to recruit new talent, predominantly 18-year-old players emerging from various under-18 talent pathways across Australia. These pathways include state-based competitions such as the TAC Cup in Victoria, the SANFL juniors in , and the WAFL colts in , where prospects develop skills and gain exposure through representative matches and national championships. The draft enables clubs to rebuild lists by selecting unsigned players in a structured and selection , promoting competitive balance across the league. Complementing the national draft, the rookie draft allows clubs to fill up to four additional spots on their rookie lists with players who were not selected in the primary , often targeting older prospects, mature-age athletes, or those recovering from who may offer immediate depth or long-term potential. Introduced in , this draft focuses on players aged 18 to 23 who can be elevated to the senior list during the season as replacements for injured or suspended players, without initially impacting the primary list size of 44. The order of selections in both drafts is determined primarily by the reverse order of the previous season's positions, with the lowest-finishing team receiving the first pick to aid rebuilding efforts; struggling clubs may also receive priority picks as additional early selections to address prolonged poor performance. Free agency and the preceding trade period significantly influence this order through a draft value index point system, where clubs can exchange current or future picks—valued by assigned points—to acquire players or adjust strategies, while losing unrestricted free agents can earn compensatory picks based on the departing player's length, age, and . For the 2016 draft, the national selections occurred on 25 November at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, incorporating live bidding for academy and father-son prospects, while the rookie draft followed on 28 November.

2016 Rule Changes

The 2016 AFL draft featured targeted modifications to existing rules, designed to enhance competitive balance by mitigating the talent pipeline advantages of expansion clubs like the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants, while preserving access to traditional recruitment avenues such as father-son nominations. A key adjustment refined the points-based bidding system for academy and father-son prospects, which had been introduced the previous year. Specifically, clubs were prohibited from using 'hidden picks'—extra late selections not tied to available list spots—to accumulate points for matching bids. Instead, any additional points required to match a bid would be sourced from allocations at the end of the draft order, preventing clubs from strategically trading backward to stockpile value without filling roster gaps. This change aimed to streamline the process and discourage exploitative tactics, ensuring bids began from pick one and were resolved using the next available selection. To support struggling clubs, the exercised discretion under Rule 19.2 (Special Assistance) to grant a single priority pick to teams finishing in the bottom five, provided they demonstrated ongoing performance challenges, such as an aging list profile or significant recent player losses. This marked the first such award since revisions to priority pick guidelines in 2012. For instance, the , who finished second-last in both 2015 and 2016 with limited wins and no appearances since , received an extra selection at pick 19 immediately after the first round, reflecting their difficulties in retaining high draft picks like those traded away in prior years. Free agency compensation picks were allocated based on a formula evaluating the departing player's contract value (approximated by salary) and length, categorizing losses into bands that determined the round of the compensatory draft selection. Clubs with a net loss of unrestricted free agents received these picks to offset talent drain, promoting list stability without overcompensating minor movements. Additionally, category B rules were expanded to include overlooked indigenous and multicultural prospects eligible for the 2016 draft, allowing clubs to nominate such players directly onto their lists if they were not selected in the national or standard drafts. Eligibility criteria encompassed indigenous players from remote areas or those with parents born in non-English-speaking countries outside and , or born in / themselves. This built on the existing allowance for up to two international category B (e.g., American imports), effectively permitting up to three category B selections per club to foster non-traditional pathways and boost on-field diversity. These reforms collectively sought to level the playing field for established clubs against expansion teams' access, while broadening talent sourcing to underrepresented groups.

Pre-Draft Movements

Free Agency Period

The free agency period for the ran from 7 to 19 , allowing unrestricted free agents—players with at least eight years of service—to sign with any club without compensation, while restricted free agents could be matched by their original club or result in draft pick compensation if unmatched. This window overlapped with the trade period, enabling clubs to strategically manage list spots and assets ahead of the national draft. In total, nine players were signed across the main free agency and subsequent delisted free agency periods, with moves focusing on veterans seeking new opportunities and clubs bolstering key positions. Among the notable unrestricted free agency signings was 's , a 26-year-old versatile forward with 127 games and strong marking ability, who joined Collingwood on a four-year deal worth approximately $2 million to add experience to their forward line; Fremantle received end-of-second-round compensation pick 25 as a result. North Melbourne's Daniel Wells, a 31-year-old elite midfielder with 232 games but hampered by injuries, signed a three-year contract with Collingwood valued at up to $1.8 million for a fresh start; the were awarded end-of-second-round pick 32 in compensation. Restricted free agency saw Richmond's , a 26-year-old key forward-ruckman drafted at pick 8 in 2008 with 106 games, move to Hawthorn on a two-year deal after the Tigers declined to match the offer, citing limited opportunities; Richmond gained end-of-first-round compensation pick 18. Collingwood's Nathan Brown, a 28-year-old premiership defender (2010) with 130 games known for his intercepting prowess, transferred to St Kilda on a two-year after the Magpies, having signed two other free agents, opted not to match and received no compensation. Delisted free agency, held from 1 to 8 November with additional periods, added further movement, including Fremantle's Michael Barlow (29-year-old ball-winner with 126 games) joining Gold Coast on a two-year deal for midfield depth, former Geelong captain James Kelly (32-year-old premiership player with 273 games) re-signing with Essendon on a one-year contract after serving as a top-up player, and Brisbane's Josh Green (24-year-old small forward with 38 games) signing a one-year deal with Essendon to revive his career. These signings created list vacancies that influenced draft strategies, with losing clubs gaining compensation picks to offset the departures of high-value players and adjust their positions in the draft order.

Trade Period

The 2016 AFL trade period ran from 10 to 20 October, allowing clubs to negotiate player exchanges and draft pick swaps ahead of the national draft. In total, 38 players changed clubs through 39 separate deals, with 113 draft picks traded overall, marking one of the busiest exchange windows in recent years. These transactions significantly altered team compositions and draft positions, as clubs balanced immediate needs with long-term list building. Among the standout deals was trading star midfielder Tom Mitchell to Hawthorn in exchange for the Hawks' first-round selection (pick 14) and pick 52, while receiving pick 57 in return alongside Mitchell. This move brought a proven ball-winner to Hawthorn's midfield despite their strong ladder finish. Another key transaction involved sending forward to for Fremantle's pick 3, with the Dockers also acquiring picks 7, 34, and 72. The deal resolved a protracted saga, providing Fremantle with a key-position prospect while boosting GWS's early draft access. traded midfielder to Collingwood in exchange for the Magpies' first-round pick (13), bolstering Collingwood's midfield. Additional major swaps included Gold Coast trading highly rated talent to Hawthorn for pick 10 and Greater Western Sydney's 2017 second-round selection, giving the Hawks a valuable early entry into the draft despite lacking a natural first-rounder. Gold Coast also sent midfielder to Richmond for pick 6 and a future second-rounder, further depleting their list but acquiring substantial draft capital. These exchanges highlighted clubs' willingness to part with premium assets for strategic gains. Essendon focused on accumulating future assets, notably trading defender and pick 59 to for picks 29 and 68, alongside other deals that netted future first-round selections to support their rebuild following supplements saga penalties. Hawthorn's aggressive approach similarly enhanced their draft hand, securing pick 10 via the O'Meara trade and additional picks through swaps with St Kilda (picks 23 and 36 for a 2017 first-rounder), allowing the premiership contenders to inject youth without sacrificing competitiveness. The period's intensity was amplified by live coverage on AFL Trade Radio, a dedicated broadcast that provided real-time updates and interviews, aiding in the rapid finalization and public announcement of deals as the deadline loomed. This overlap with the concurrent free agency window created added pressure, prompting clubs to accelerate negotiations to avoid losing talent without compensation.

Retirements and Delistings

The 2016 AFL season concluded with substantial list turnover as clubs prepared for the draft, primarily through retirements and delistings that created essential vacancies on primary and rookie lists. Across the league, 37 players announced their retirements, while 119 others were delisted, collectively freeing approximately 156 spots to accommodate incoming draftees and facilitate rebuilding efforts. These changes were driven by factors such as age, performance declines, chronic injuries, and considerations, particularly for underperforming teams like Essendon and . Prominent retirements highlighted the end of several illustrious careers, underscoring the transition to younger rosters. , 's games record holder, retired after 432 matches, having debuted in 1996 and become a club icon with over 10,000 career disposals. , Fremantle's all-time leading goalkicker and games record holder, called time after 353 games, 700 goals, and a contention in his final season. Other key retirements included (, 279 games, 2007-2011 premiership player), (Collingwood, 258 games, 2011 ist), (33 games with Essendon, 228 career games, 2006 ist), and (, 264 games), whose departures marked the closure of multiple premiership eras. Delistings were more widespread and often targeted players struggling with form, injuries, or fitting into team plans, enabling clubs to reset ahead of the draft. Notable examples included (Fremantle, delisted after persistent knee injuries limited him to 28 games over six seasons), (Fremantle, cut amid contract disputes and inconsistent output after 13 games in 2016), and Courtenay (Essendon, released following a suspension and limited appearances due to the supplements saga's aftermath). At , the club delisted several veterans including Michael Firrito (300 games) and alongside the retirees, as part of a deliberate cull to address an aging list averaging over 27 years old. delisted eight players, including Justin Clarke (who retired shortly after), to accelerate their rebuild after a winless stretch, while Essendon shed nine amid ongoing governance issues. These moves not only alleviated salary pressures but also opened pathways for high draft picks, with delisted players entering free agency for potential re-signings. The combined effect of these retirements and delistings profoundly influenced team strategies, particularly for clubs in transition. North Melbourne's veteran exodus—encompassing Harvey, Dal Santo, Firrito, and Farren Ray's retirement—freed over a dozen spots and signaled a shift toward youth development, though it contributed to short-term performance dips in subsequent seasons. Similarly, Fremantle's losses of Pavlich, Morabito, and Barlow (among seven delistings) supported a broader rebuild, allowing investments in speed and athleticism via the draft. Overall, these changes ensured list compliance under AFL rules, directly enabling the intake of 66 national draft selections and underscoring the draft's role in sustaining competitive balance.

National Draft

Draft Order Determination

The draft order for the 2016 national draft was established primarily through the reverse finishing positions from the 2016 AFL Premiership season , with adjustments for draft picks exchanged during the 2015 period. This resulted in an indicative first-round order where Gold Coast held the No. 1 selection (18th place), at No. 2 (17th place), at No. 3 (16th place), and Carlton at No. 4 (15th place). Essendon, finishing 8th, held No. 11 in the indicative order. The full indicative order accounted for all traded picks from the previous year, ensuring each club's allocations reflected both ladder position and trade outcomes. To address prolonged underperformance, the awarded an additional priority pick at No. 19, inserted at the end of the first round. This decision followed the club's bottom-six finishes in both 2015 (17th, four wins) and (17th, four wins), meeting the league's special assistance criteria based on a two-year evaluation of results, list composition, and development metrics. Such priority allocations aimed to provide targeted support for rebuilding teams without disrupting the core reverse-ladder structure. Essendon's list was impacted by the ongoing supplements saga, with many players suspended for , contributing to their focus on early picks for rebuilding. The 2016 trade period, held from October 10 to 20, further reshaped the order through 39 trades involving 113 draft picks. Notable adjustments included swapping into the No. 2 position by trading their No. 5 pick (originally from Carlton) and a 2017 second-round selection to . Other significant movements saw Gold Coast acquire multiple early picks (Nos. 4, 7, 9, and 10) after incoming trades, while and Richmond also maneuvered upward via multi-club deals, such as acquiring No. 8 from in exchange for players and future assets. Academy and father-son nominations introduced bidding requirements under the AFL's new points-based matching system, implemented for the first time in 2016 to balance access for non-Victorian clubs. Bids on eligible prospects triggered a process where the nominating club matched by surrendering equivalent points from their draft picks, with a 20% discount applied to first-round bids to encourage participation. For example, Gold Coast bid on Fremantle's next-generation academy nominee Will Brodie at pick 9, which Fremantle matched using equivalent draft points, allowing Gold Coast to select him. Similar resolutions occurred for high-profile cases like GWS matching bids for zone nominee Will Setterfield (pick 5, using points from picks 14 and 20), Harry Perryman (pick 14), and academy player Isaac Cumming (pick 20). The final draft order, confirmed after bid resolutions and all trades, is summarized below for the first two rounds (picks 1–36), highlighting key ownership changes:
RoundPickClubNotes
11EssendonOriginal allocation
12From Brisbane Lions (trade)
13Original allocation
14Gold CoastOriginal allocation
15CarltonOriginal allocation
16RichmondFrom St Kilda (trade)
17Gold CoastFrom Melbourne (prior trade adjustment)
18From Melbourne (trade)
19Gold CoastFrom Collingwood (prior trade)
110Gold CoastFrom St Kilda (trade)
111Original allocation
112From (trade)
113Original allocation
114HawthornFrom (Tom Mitchell trade)
115Original allocation
116Original allocation
117West CoastOriginal allocation
118Original allocation
119Priority pick
120From (trade)
221EssendonOriginal
222CarltonOriginal
223Gold CoastOriginal
224Original
225RichmondOriginal
226St KildaOriginal
227Original
228Original
229Original
230CollingwoodOriginal
231Original
232Original
233Original
234HawthornOriginal
235Original
236Original
This order incorporated all bid matches without major disruptions, as nominating clubs held sufficient points to secure their targets under the revised rules.

National Draft Selections

The 2016 AFL National Draft consisted of 77 selections across seven rounds, held on in , where clubs prioritized versatile athletes, midfielders, and key position players to bolster their lists following the trade and free agency periods. The draft emphasized the competitive nature of talent acquisition, with northern clubs like Gold Coast and GWS leveraging multiple early picks and bid-matching mechanisms to secure academy prospects. The opening round showcased talents, starting with Essendon selecting versatile defender from the at 1, known for his speed and intercepting ability. GWS followed with dynamic midfielder from the at 2, while Brisbane added forward-midfielder from the Gippsland Power at 3. Gold Coast dominated the top 10 with four selections: forward Ben Ainsworth (4, Gippsland Power), key defender Jack Scrimshaw (7, East Fremantle), midfielder Will Brodie (9, Mines Rovers), and inside midfielder (10, Surrey Park). Other notable first-round picks included Carlton's balanced midfielder (5, Claremont), Fremantle's intercepting defender (8, East Fremantle), Sydney's winger Oliver Florent (11, Northern Knights), North Melbourne's clearance specialist (12, ), West Coast's athletic tall (13, South Fremantle), Port Adelaide's marking forward Todd Marshall (16, ), and the ' ruckman (19, South Adelaide). Academy and father-son resolutions played a pivotal role, requiring clubs to match bids using draft points or future selections. GWS matched bids for Northern Territory zone nominee Will Setterfield (5, AIS-AFL ), local prospects Harry Perryman (14, GWS ), and Isaac Cumming (20, GWS ). Brisbane matched a bid for Indigenous forward Cedric Cox (24, South Fremantle/ ), while North Melbourne countered offers for academy midfielder Declan Watson (34, Aspley) and Gold Coast academy defender Josh Williams (36, Morningside). Gold Coast matched a bid for academy midfielder Brad Scheer (67, Southport), and father-son selections included Collingwood's (57, father ) and West Coast's key forward (77, father Scott Waterman). Club strategies varied, with GWS bundling future picks to build midfield depth through , Setterfield, and Perryman. Essendon targeted defensive and utility options, adding McGrath, key defender Jordan Ridley (22, South Adelaide), and versatile forward Josh Begley (41, ). Fremantle focused on talls and defenders with Logue, ruckman (38, Guildford Grammar), Brennan Cox (41, Claremont), and small defender (66, Coburg). Geelong emphasized versatility, selecting midfielder Brandan Parfitt (26, ), intercepting defender Tom Stewart (40, ), athletic ruck (43, Central District), and Indigenous winger (60, South Fremantle). Later rounds featured value picks like Richmond's explosive midfielder (29, Pioneers) and Port Adelaide's contested beast (18, Gippsland Power). The full selections are detailed below (rounds adjusted for priority pick and bid insertions: Round 1 picks 1-19; Round 2 20-37; Round 3 38-55; Round 4 56-73; Round 5 74; Round 6 75-76; Round 7 77):
RoundPickClubPlayerNotes
11EssendonAndrew McGrath
12GWSTim Taranto
13BrisbaneHugh McCluggage
14Gold CoastBen Ainsworth
15GWSWill SetterfieldBid matched (zone)
16CarltonSam Petrevski-Seton
17Gold CoastJack Scrimshaw
18FremantleGriffin Logue
19Gold CoastWill BrodieBid matched (NGA)
110Gold CoastJack Bowes
111SydneyOliver Florent
112North MelbourneJy Simpkin
113West CoastDaniel Venables
114GWSHarry PerrymanBid matched
115AdelaideJordan Gallucci
116Port AdelaideTodd Marshall
117BrisbaneJarrod Berry
118Port AdelaideSam Powell-Pepper
119Western BulldogsTim English
220GWSIsaac CummingAcademy, bid matched
221SydneyWill Hayward
222EssendonJordan Ridley
223BrisbaneAlex Witherden
224BrisbaneCedric CoxAcademy, bid matched
225St KildaBen Long
226GeelongBrandan Parfitt
227CarltonZac Fisher
228Western BulldogsPatrick Lipinski
229RichmondShai Bolton
230CollingwoodSam McLarty
231EssendonJosh Begley
232Port AdelaideJoe Atley
233Port AdelaideWillem Drew
234North MelbourneDeclan WatsonAcademy (Brisbane), bid matched
235CollingwoodCallum Brown
236North MelbourneJosh WilliamsAcademy (Gold Coast), bid matched
237West CoastJosh Rotham
338FremantleSean Darcy
339St KildaJosh Battle
340GeelongTom Stewart
341FremantleBrennan Cox
342EssendonKobe Mutch
343GeelongEsava Ratugolea
344AdelaideMyles Poholke
345SydneyJack Maibaum
346MelbourneMitchell Hannan
347CarltonHarrison Macreadie
348SydneyDarcy Cameron
349Western BulldogsLewis Young
350CollingwoodKayle Kirby
351AdelaideElliot Himmelberg
352West CoastWillie Rioli
353RichmondJack Graham
354GWSLachlan Tiziani
355BrisbaneJacob Allison
456St KildaEd Phillips
457CollingwoodJosh DaicosFather-son
458GWSMatthew de Boer
459CarltonCameron Polson
460GeelongQuinton Narkle
461CarltonTom Williamson
462AdelaideMatthew Signorello
463EssendonDylan Clarke
464MelbourneDion Johnstone
465CarltonPatrick Kerr
466FremantleLuke Ryan
467Gold CoastBrad ScheerAcademy, bid matched
468GeelongTimm House
469GeelongRyan Abbott
470Western BulldogsFergus Greene
471BrisbaneCorey Lyons
472RichmondRyan Garthwaite
473North MelbourneNick Larkey
574HawthornHarry Morrison
675AdelaideBen Davis
676HawthornMitchell Lewis
777West CoastJake WatermanFather-son
Many late-round selections, particularly from picks 60 onward, represented developmental prospects who did not immediately feature at AFL level, with some denoted as never having played senior games for their clubs.

Rookie Elevations

Prior to the 2016 national draft, (AFL) clubs were permitted to elevate up to two players from their existing rookie lists to their primary senior lists for the 2017 season, creating additional roster spots for incoming draftees. This process typically targeted developing players or those recovering from injuries who had demonstrated potential at lower levels, such as the (VFL) or NEAFL, allowing clubs to reward progress while optimizing list management ahead of the draft. Elevations were announced in the weeks leading up to the November 25 draft, influencing the final selection order by increasing available primary list positions to a maximum of 44 per club. Examples of such elevations included promoting versatile defender Josh Wagner in late , following his consistent performances in the club's VFL affiliate after being originally rookied in . elevated dynamic Tom Papley in March, enabling his immediate AFL debut and strong contribution of 29 goals in 20 games during the 2016 season. Collingwood upgraded towering American ruck/forward in April to bolster their key position depth amid injury challenges. Other notable cases were St Kilda's elevation of ruckman Jason Holmes in , recognizing his third-year development as a , and Geelong's promotion of utility James Parsons during the season to provide emergency cover. Hawthorn also elevated speedy half-back Ciaran Byrne, who had overcome a significant injury layoff to re-establish his form. These internal promotions, often driven by unexpected opportunities or recovery timelines, collectively freed over 20 primary list spots across the competition, directly enabling clubs to target high-potential national draft prospects without exceeding list limits. This adjustment ensured balanced list turnover, prioritizing both retention of emerging talent and influx of new recruits.

Rookie Draft

Rookie Draft Selections

The 2016 AFL Rookie Draft occurred on 28 November 2016, immediately after the national draft, enabling each of the 18 AFL clubs to select up to four players from a pool comprising those remaining from the national draft list, delisted players from the 2016 season, and other eligible mature-age or specialist recruits from state leagues. This secondary draft emphasized overlooked talents, such as state-based standouts and key position players who had not attracted bids in the primary selection process, allowing clubs to bolster depth with experienced or physically mature prospects. A total of 54 selections were made across five rounds, with several clubs passing in later rounds to preserve list spots. The draft order followed the reverse of the 2016 ladder positions for the first round, with subsequent rounds determined by each club's finishing position after accounting for prior selections. Essendon, holding the first pick due to their last-place finish, targeted ruck reinforcement by selecting 18-year-old South Australian (202 cm, 106 kg) from South Adelaide in the SANFL. followed with delisted Jake Barrett, while added versatile defender Taylin Duman (192 cm, 77 kg) from the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup. These early choices highlighted clubs' focus on immediate contributors from domestic competitions, including VFL, SANFL, and WAFL standouts. Subsequent rounds saw a mix of re-listed delisted players and fresh rookie talent, such as St Kilda's selection of ruckman (201 cm, 98 kg) from North Ballarat in the VFL at pick 10, and Geelong's father-son choice of Jack Henry (191 cm, 84 kg) from the at pick 16. Adelaide utilized their later picks for father-son prospect Ben Jarman (173 cm, 70 kg) from North Adelaide at pick 45, resolving affiliation pathways without competitive bidding. Richmond, Collingwood, and each added multiple state league recruits, like small forward (171 cm, 69 kg) from Woodville-West Torrens for Richmond at pick 6.
Round 1 SelectionsPickClubPlayerHeight (cm)Weight (kg)Previous Club
1Essendon202.8105.8South Adelaide (SANFL)
2Jake Barrett--GWS (delisted)
3Taylin Duman191.876.6Oakleigh Chargers
4--Gold Coast (delisted)
5CarltonKym Lebois172.567.5North Adelaide (SANFL)
6RichmondTyson Stengle171.069.2Woodville-West Torrens
7CollingwoodMitchell McCarthy195.593.3Dandenong Stingrays
8Lachlan Filipovic199.593.0
9Peter Ladhams202.693.8Norwood (SANFL)
10St Kilda200.697.6North Ballarat (VFL)
11Cameron Zurhaar186.988.7East Fremantle (WAFL)
12Thomas Gorter191.086.0East Perth (WAFL)
13 CrowsSam Shaw-- (delisted)
14HawthornOliver Hanrahan183.074.0St Kevin's OA
15GWS Giants M'Zungu-- (delisted)
16 CatsJack Henry191.083.5
17Ben Ronke180.976.2
18Nathan Mullenger-McHugh195.082.0

Category B Selections

The Category B rookie selections in the 2016 AFL draft provided clubs with an avenue to recruit players from non-traditional pathways, such as international imports, indigenous and multicultural academy prospects, and those ineligible for standard drafts due to prior non-registration in Australian football. Under , each club could nominate up to three Category B rookies, who did not initially occupy a spot on the primary or , allowing a two-year development period without impacting list sizes. These selections incurred no draft points cost. In 2016, clubs utilized these allocations to sign several Category B rookies, focusing heavily on international and multicultural talent to broaden the AFL's global reach. Prominent international selections included Irish converts like Mark O'Connor (Geelong), a Gaelic footballer from Kerry who arrived with limited exposure to Australian rules and faced initial adaptation hurdles in speed and endurance before debuting in 2017. Similarly, Connor Nash joined Hawthorn from Ireland, bringing athleticism from hurling but requiring intensive training to master the game's tactical elements. St Kilda secured two Irish prospects in Darragh Joyce and Ray Connellan, both transitioning from Gaelic football amid challenges like adjusting to the oval ball and high-intensity collisions. Ciaran Sheehan, an experienced Irish player previously delisted by Adelaide, was signed by Carlton as a Category B international, leveraging his prior AFL exposure despite injury setbacks. Multicultural and academy selections highlighted the AFL's next generation initiatives, with Emmanuel Irra becoming the first Ugandan player on an AFL list via Port Adelaide's ; his family had fled in 2005, and he impressed as a powerful midfielder-forward in state leagues. West Coast signed Tarir Bayok, a Sudanese-background speedster from their , while Gold Coast added defender Max Spencer and took versatile tall Zach Sproule. selected Queensland-zone multicultural prospect Blake Grewar and former VFL player Matt Eagles, the winner of the reality TV show The Recruit, both benefiting from the extended development window to refine skills overlooked in conventional drafts. These players often came from backgrounds in soccer, , or other codes, posing unique conversion challenges like building AFL-specific fitness and decision-making under pressure. North Melbourne's , a non-registered three-year player from , exemplified the category's role in tapping athletic talent from alternative sports. Overall, the Category B intake emphasized long-term investment in diverse recruits, with several evolving into contributors despite early hurdles.

Legacy

Notable Player Careers

Andrew McGrath, selected first overall by Essendon in the 2016 national draft, has established himself as a cornerstone of the Bombers' defense and leadership group. Appointed vice-captain ahead of the 2023 season, McGrath has held the role through 2025, contributing to Essendon's improved defensive structure with his elite intercepting and ball-winning ability. By the end of the 2024 season, he had played 157 games for the club, and in 2025, he featured in all 23 home-and-away matches, bringing his career total to 180 appearances. His consistent performances earned him fourth place in Essendon's 2025 count with 171 votes. Although nominated for the 2019 All-Australian squad, McGrath's durability and rebounding prowess—averaging over 25 disposals per game in recent seasons—have solidified his status as one of Essendon's most reliable performers. Tim Taranto, the second pick in 2016 taken by , emerged as a prolific before a high-profile trade to Richmond at the end of the 2022 season, where he swapped clubs in exchange for the Tigers' first- and second-round draft selections in 2023. At GWS, Taranto won the Giants' in 2019 and was nominated for the in 2017, amassing strong disposal numbers early in his career. Since joining Richmond, he has excelled, securing the as the club's in 2023 and again in 2025 with 47 votes, while polling 20 votes in the latter year to lead Richmond's tally. Taranto's contested ball-winning and tackling—averaging over 30 disposals and six tackles per game in peak seasons—have made him a Brownlow contender, with career votes totaling 77 by 2025. Having debuted in 2017, he has played 173 games across both clubs by the end of 2025, showcasing his two-way midfield dominance. Hugh McCluggage, Brisbane's third overall selection in 2016, has developed into a dynamic and key leader for the Lions, serving as since 2023. He played a pivotal role in Brisbane's 2024 premiership victory and contributed significantly to their 2025 flag, including strong performances in finals where his clearance work and goal-scoring ability shone. McCluggage reached 200 games by mid-2025, having featured in nearly every match since his 2017 debut, and was rewarded with selection in the 2025 as a first-time honoree after multiple prior nominations. His versatility—averaging 25+ disposals and multiple goals in big games—has been instrumental in Brisbane's midfield engine, earning him second place in the club's 2025 best and fairest behind . Among other standout draftees, Ben Ainsworth was a dynamic forward for Gold Coast, reaching his 150th AFL game in July 2025 against , where he kicked a goal to mark the milestone. Selected fourth overall, Ainsworth re-signed with the Suns on a four-year deal in 2024 despite interest from rivals; he played 24 of 25 games in 2025, including both , bringing his career total with Gold Coast to 158 appearances and 137 goals before being traded to Carlton at the end of the season. , Brisbane's 17th pick, has proven a versatile utility, surpassing 150 games by 2024 and adding more in 2025 for a total of 184, despite missing the grand final due to injury. Berry's contested possessions and intercepting were key in Brisbane's premiership successes in 2024 and 2025, underscoring his team-first contributions across midfield and defense.

Team Impacts

The 2016 AFL draft played a pivotal role in reshaping several clubs' trajectories, with top selections providing foundational stability and driving competitive improvements over the following decade. For Essendon, , selected at pick 1, emerged as a of the defense, offering elite intercepting and that helped the backline during a period of transition. His consistent performances, including earning club best-and-fairest votes and later vice-captaincy, were instrumental in the Bombers' finals appearances in 2017, 2019, and 2021—their first since 2011—marking key steps in their rebuild amid ongoing list management challenges. Brisbane Lions' selections from the draft formed the nucleus of a sustained revival, culminating in their 2024 premiership victory that ended a 21-year drought since 2003. Hugh McCluggage (pick 3) and Jarrod Berry (pick 17) became integral midfielders, with McCluggage's ball-winning prowess and leadership earning him All-Australian recognition and a starring role in the grand final, while Berry's versatility and on-field bond with McCluggage bolstered the engine room during multiple finals campaigns from 2019 onward. These players symbolized the club's patient rebuild under coach Chris Fagan, transforming Brisbane from perennial bottom-dwellers into flag contenders. At , the draft haul fortified an already talent-rich list, enabling rapid contention but also prompting strategic recalibrations through trades. (pick 2), alongside Harry Perryman (pick 14) and Isaac Cumming (pick 20), contributed to a dynamic core that propelled the Giants to a 2019 grand final appearance and consistent finals berths between 2016 and 2021. Taranto's 2019 club best-and-fairest win highlighted his midfield dominance, yet his 2022 trade to Richmond—along with Jacob Hopper—signaled a deliberate list reset to inject fresh youth and draft capital amid emerging injury concerns and performance plateaus. For expansion club , mired in persistent development struggles, Ben Ainsworth (pick 4) offered continuity in a volatile environment. As a dynamic capable of 25+ goals and assists in seasons like 2022, Ainsworth's 158 games over nine years provided attacking stability and mentorship for younger recruits, culminating in the club's first finals appearance in 2025, where they won an elimination final before a semi-final exit; he was traded to Carlton after the season. Overall, the draft demonstrated a strong yield at the elite level, with all top-10 selections debuting in the AFL and contributing meaningfully to their teams' structures, underscoring its status as one of the more productive classes of the . Other notables include (pick 5, GWS to Carlton), who developed into a reliable , and Ben Long (academy pick 25, St Kilda), a key forward in their 2024-2025 success.

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  29. https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/94350/mccarthy-lands-at-fremantle
  30. https://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/20/2016-afl-trades-complete-list-of-every-trade-made-every-free-agency-move/
  31. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trades-2016-report-cards-every-clubs-exchange-period-graded/news-story/e2f5153498350c7b15dce95b94da22b3
  32. https://www.afl.com.au/news/retirements-and-delistings/2016
  33. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-07/harvey-retires-from-afl-football-after-432-north-melbourne-games/7914778
  34. https://www.afl.com.au/news/78435/north-melbourne-retires-no29-indefinitely
  35. https://www.zerohanger.com/2016-retirements-and-delistings-6409/
  36. https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/332635/the-departed
  37. https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/1cmrccs/if_north_never_culled_its_veterans_in_2016_how/
  38. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_ladder?year=2016
  39. https://www.afl.com.au/news/123233/2016-afl-draft-verdict-how-did-your-club-fare
  40. https://www.theroar.com.au/2016/11/03/2016-afl-draft-order-every-teams-picks-in-order-and-club-by-club/
  41. https://www.afl.com.au/news/160535/promotion-and-new-deal-for-demons-defender-josh-wagner
  42. https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/316058/swans-in-the-media-july-25-2016
  43. https://www.afl.com.au/news/123925/american-pie-cox-upgraded-from-rookie-list
  44. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-elevate-jason-holmes-to-senior-list-essendon-delist-pair-20161026-gsbc6r.html
  45. https://www.afl.com.au/news/128715/cats-may-bring-in-elevated-rookie-for-dees
  46. https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/467581/one-year-on-the-2016-draft-class
  47. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2016/11/28/all-the-picks-from-the-2016-afl-rookie-draft
  48. https://www.theroar.com.au/2016/11/28/2016-afl-rookie-draft-every-player-picked-and-where-they-went/
  49. https://www.draftguru.com.au/years/2016/rookie_draft
  50. https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/AFL%20Rules%20-%20May%202016.pdf
  51. https://www.afl.com.au/news/40965/one-year-on-your-clubs-2016-draftees
  52. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2016/11/20/official-2016-afl-rookie-draft/
  53. https://www.afl.com.au/news/102477/first-ugandan-in-the-afl-as-clubs-confirm-category-b-rookies
  54. https://www.afl.com.au/news/686099/the-verdict-every-clubs-2016-draft-haul-five-years-on
  55. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2016/11/20/afl-national-rookie-drafts-review/
  56. https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/A/Andrew_McGrath.html
  57. https://www.espn.com/afl/story/_/id/46469920/every-afl-club-best-fairest-winner-top-10-season-2025
  58. https://www.afl.com.au/news/854231/giant-gets-his-wish-tigers-give-up-first-two-picks-to-land-taranto
  59. https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1907340/taranto-claims-second-jack-dyer-medal
  60. https://afltables.com/afl/brownlow/totals0.html
  61. https://www.lions.com.au/news/1908051/merrett-murray
  62. https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1834927/ben-ainsworths-150th-game-preview
  63. https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1608159/ben-ainsworth-re-commits
  64. https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1914994/ainsworth-why-i-chose-the-blues
  65. https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jarrod_Berry.html
  66. https://afltables.com/afl/teams/essendon/season.html
  67. https://www.lions.com.au/news/1832355/mccluggages-200th-loyal-lion-stays-true-through-brisbanes-rise
  68. https://www.zerohanger.com/where-are-they-now-the-top-10-of-the-2016-afl-draft-156608/
  69. https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/1232515/giants-receive-two-strong-picks-for-taranto
  70. https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1888117/suns-win-first-ever-final
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