AFL 2021 Draft: When, where, how to watch, who is nominated, history

For some of the country's most talented youngsters, the AFL National Draft is the culmination of years of hard work.

The future stars have had the past few years to put themselves in the shop window for AFL recruiters, in the hope of finding their way onto a list. Each club must have at least three selections in the national draft.

North Melbourne have the no.1 draft pick after finishing wooden spooners in the 2021 season, while GWS has the second pick and Gold Coast has the third. The draft is an opportunity for struggling clubs to level-up, as they have first access to the speculated best players.

When is the 2021 AFL Draft?

The 2021 National AFL draft will run between November 24 -25.

Wednesday 24 November, 7.10pm – Round 1 - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting including Father/Son, Academy, NGA Players Bidding

Thursday 25 November, 7pm – Round 2 to completion - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting

This event is following the mid-season draft which was held after round 11 on June 2 the past season. North Melbourne had the number one pick choosing 18-year-old ruck Jacob Edwards.

Where is the 2021 AFL Draft?

The AFL Draft will be held at Marvel Stadium with all 18 clubs drafting remotely from corporate boxes around the venue, with the whole event being run virtually from the AFL Review Centre.

Victoria's top draft hopefuls will be invited to an event at the London Tavern in Melbourne, while potential draftees from South Australia and Western Australia will be at the Adelaide Oval and RAC Arena respectively.

How to watch the 2021 AFL Draft?

The AFL Draft is being shown on Foxtel via the Fox Footy channel and is also available to stream on Kayo Sports.

You can also watch the Draft via the AFL's website.

Who are the 2021 AFL Draft prospects?

Here are some of the best prospects in this years draft for the 2022 season:

Jason Horne-Francis (South Australia/Midfielder): The prospective number one pick has all the qualities of becoming a superstar, following an excellent SANFL season in 2021, showcasing his elite skills and competitive mindset. It is likely that Horne-Francis will be a Kangaroo next season.

Nick Daicos (Victoria/Midfielder): The talented onballer is the son of Magpies great Peter Daicos and brother of current player Josh. The 18-year-old has nominated himself to be a father-son selection to Collingwood. Daicos has been one of the most consistent prospects, shows great decision-making and been a solid captain when leading the AFL Academy team.

Sam Darcy (Victoria/ Forward) : Darcy is another son of an AFL legend, who has showed plenty of potential playing for Vic Metro this season. Son of Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy, the goal scoring machine has been called 'a unicorn' by former player and coach Jason Davenport.

Neil Erasmus (Western Australia/Midfielder & Forward): WA local Erasmus is another top prospect in this year's draft. He is known to have great over-head marking skills, as well as averaging 28 disposals in the WAFL colts competition. The Dockers are rumoured to be interested in selecting the well-rounded midfielder and forward. 

Some other potential top-five prospects are Finn Callaghan (Victoria/ Midfielder), Josh Ward (Victoria/ Midfielder) and Josh Fahey (GWS Giants Academy/ Defender).

AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan released his top AFL draft prospects in the category of Medium Forwards and Defenders. 

Who is nominated in the 2021 AFL draft?

The complete nomination list for the draft has yet to be announced. In 2020, there was more than 1000 players on the list. 

When was the 2021 AFL Draft Combine?

The annual AFL Draft combine was on October 21 this year. The Combine is where Australia's next potential stars gather to present their athleticism and applicable AFL skills in front of club representatives. 

A new record was set in the running vertical jump by South Australian Leek Alleer at 107cm. Alleer also broke his state's record in the standing vertical jump with 75cm. 

East Fremantle's Corey Warner was one the most impressive performers at the Combine. Corey is the younger brother of Sydney Swans talent Chad Warner.

The winger earned himself four top-10 finishes at the AFL combine, coming first in the standing vertical jump (76cm), second in the running vertical jump( 100 cm) as well two top-10 finishes in the 2km run and 20m sprint. 

East Fremantle running machine Corey Warner tops group 1 of the 2km time trial with a time of 6.20. Arthur Jones (6.30) in second spot. pic.twitter.com/9R8ZI99apw

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) October 17, 2021

What is the pick order for the 2021 AFL Draft?

To view all the rounds, including two to four click here.

The history of the AFL Draft

This year's NAB AFL Draft will be the 35th event, it was first held in 1986. Today, most AFL players has come through the draft system, with the exception of some International rookies.

Port Adelaide is the only club to have not received a number one pick at the AFL draft.

Some famous no.1 draft picks include Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt. The full list of AFL draft no.1 picks is below.

Who has been the AFL Draft's no.1 pick?