The newest group of AFL hopefuls will have their football dreams realised when the league holds its annual National Draft on Friday evening.

Where is the draft held?
Friday’s National Draft will be held at the Sydney Showgrounds at 7pm.

What picks does Collingwood have?
Collingwood will take selections No. 6, No. 38, No. 56 and No. 61 into Friday’s meeting, with further picks to be used in the Rookie Draft the following Monday.

What’s happening with Tyler Brown?
Tyler, the 17-year-old son of Gavin and brother of Callum, was officially nominated by Collingwood as a potential father-son selection last month October. It formalises the process that will see the Magpies able to decide on draft night whether to match or decline to match a bid for the 186cm midfielder.

“He’s shown at times throughout this season that he certainly looks like he’s AFL capable,” National Recruiter Manager Derek Hine told Collingwood Media.

“He’s very sure with ball in hand and makes really good decisions.”



Tyler Brown spent the 2017 season with the Eastern Rangers in the TAC Cup.

When was the last time Collingwood entered a draft so early?
You don’t have to flick too far back through the archives to locate Collingwood’s last early entry into a National Draft.

Jordan De Goey was taken with pick No. 5 in 2014, a pick acquired through the trade that saw Dayne Beams become a Brisbane Lion.

Just 12 months earlier, the Magpies entered the draft with pick No. 6 in their hands. The man they chose? Matthew Scharenberg.



Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore join their fellow top 10 selections in the 2014 National Draft.

How do you explain the points system?
Ahead of the 2015 National Draft, the AFL implemented value index that allocated a points value to every selection.

In the lead up to the draft, clubs can nominate father-son and academy selections, but must then match bids from other clubs who nominate these players with one of their live selections during the draft.

This allows father-son and academy players to be assessed and chosen with a selection in the draft that accurately and fairly reflects their value.

For example, in 2016, Collingwood nominated Callum Brown as a potential father-son selection ahead of the draft. Then, at pick No. 35, North Melbourne opted to bid for Brown’s services. Collingwood was given the option of matching the bid and using its second-round selection (No. 44 overall) on Brown at No. 35, or passing. The club opted to match the Kangaroos’ bid and select Brown.

How can I watch it?
Friday’s National Draft will be broadcast live around Australia on Fox Footy (channel 504), on radio SEN and 3AW and in the official AFL App, using the AFL Live Pass.