3 minute read

An overview of the first-round of the 2021 AFL Draft, with South Australian midfielder Jason-Horne Francis taken as the No.1 pick by North Melbourne.

HOW THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE 2021 AFL NATIONAL DRAFT UNFOLDED:-

* Jason Horne-Francis was a certainty to be selected first by North Melbourne for some time, but the Kangaroos took almost their entire five minutes to make it official. The awkward delay was mainly due to a number of pick swaps taking place. North legend Malcolm Blight was on hand to present his fellow South Australian with his first Kangaroos jumper.

* After Horne-Francis, all the attention shifted to the father-son prospects. Towering ruck-forward Sam Darcy, son of Luke, got his wish as the Western Bulldogs matched GWS' bid and took him at pick two. Collingwood great Peter Daicos' son Nick was taken by the Magpies after Gold Coast made a play for the classy midfielder at pick four.

* Pacy Northern Knights defender Darcy Wilmot looks to be a lively character after the Brisbane Lions selected him at pick 16. The youngest player in this year's draft was jumped on by a group of friends after the Lions called out his name, before giving the most entertaining interview of the night.

* The remainder of the national draft will be held on Thursday night, starting with the Dockers' third selection at pick 21 overall.

TOP-10 PICKS

1. North Melbourne: Jason Horne-Francis (midfielder, South Adelaide)

2. Western Bulldogs: Sam Darcy (forward, Oakleigh Chargers)

3. GWS: Finn Callaghan (midfielder, Sandringham Dragons)

4. Collingwood: Nick Daicos (midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers)

5. Gold Coast: Mac Andrew (ruck, Dandenong Stingrays)

6. Adelaide: Josh Rachele (forward, Murray Bushrangers)

7. Hawthorn: Josh Ward (midfielder, Northern Knights)

8. Fremantle: Jye Amiss (forward, East Perth)

9. Richmond: Josh Gibcus (defender, Greater Western Victoria)

10. Fremantle: Neil Erasmus (midfielder, Subiaco)