Quality talls expected to go early

AFL: Every AFL draft over the decades has a defining factor – and Queensland-based recruiting guru Noel Judkins believes the 2018 crop will be remembered for its power forwards.

Many mock drafts leading into today’s first round have Jack Lukosius and twin brothers Ben and Max King – all tall forwards – inside the top handful of names to be read out.

Carlton has the first pick in the national draft, with the Gold Coast holding the next two.

While Geelong midfielder Sam Walsh is expected to go No.1, Judkins, speaking from his own personal opinion and not the views of the Essendon Football Club, where he works as a consultant, thinks the three big boys can be game-changers.

“With the Kings and Lukosius, you will see these guys go early because of their quality and then you are unlikely to see many other big blokes until the 30s or the 40s,” Judkins said.

“Clubs at this point are looking at if they should take the best player on offer or the need of their club.

“If you look at Carlton with pick one, maybe they would look at one of these guys with pick one, but they already have Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

“The King boys and Lukosius are going to be very good players.”

Judkins, who has spent 40 years in the business of recruiting the most talented youngsters from around Australia, says footy fans should watch out for live trading of draft picks, which will be introduced at the draft and enable clubs more flexibility on draft night by allowing them to shift picks as the draft happens.

“Carlton have pick one now as we speak, but under the rules they may not have it by the time the draft happens,” Judkins said.