‘Super Draft’ hype real

IF YOU get to the MCG early this weekend, you could well be watching a future Brownlow medallist or AFL premiership captain in action.

This 2018 draft has been long been compared to the famous 2001 class that yielded the likes of Chris Judd, Luke Hodge, Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel, along with hidden late gems in Dane Swan and Brian Lake.

Victoria Metro will clash with Victoria Country in the under-18 national championship as a curtain-raiser ahead of the Carlton-Collingwood match.

The corresponding match 17 years ago saw up to 15 juniors involved who would go on to become elite AFL players.

That’s not even including No.1 pick Hodge, who sat out the game injured. AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says the top-end talent “looks pretty special” and is stacking up nicely in comparison to 2001.

The hype that started as early as 2016 for this crop looks to be real. No.1 contenders Ben King, Bailey Smith and Max King feature for Metro, while Geelong Falcons midfielder Sam Walsh has produced two eye-catching performances for Country to boost his stocks.

While Victoria always contributes a large chunk of the draft pool, it is shaping up to be a golden generation for South Australia.

Key forward Jack Lukosius is one of the favourites to be picked first while lively goalkicker Izak Rankine has been impressing playing against men in the SANFL.

“South Australia have an exceptional group and they’re playing some great footy,” Sheehan said.

“It’s as good a group as they’ve ever had.”