The 2025 AFL Carlton Draft has seen five former champions of the game return to the field, this time spreading across the entire country.
Travis Cloke, Brett Deledio, Tom Hawkins, Matthew Pavlich, and Will Schofield were all selected in the fourth edition of the popular initiative on Wednesday night.
With the first pick in the draft, Central Highlands league club the Beaufort Crows, situated in the Victoria countryside near Ballarat, welcomed Hawkins.
The Crows have won two matches in the past two years.
The Cats legend said the experience of getting drafted again was unique, especially since he knew he would go down to Kardinia Park in 2006 as a father-son.
"In 2006, I got drafted to the Cats, and I knew I was going as a father-son,โ he said.
"I was already in Geelong at my host family's place. I knew the first person that the Cats took, that person would be living with me. My draft day experience wasn't really that exciting.
"To be here, not knowing where you're going, it was really cool."
The next cab off the rank was former Richmond and Giants player, Deledio, who was taken by Coleambally Football Netball Club in the Farrer Football League, New South Wales.
Despite a disappointing 2024 campaign that yielded only two victories, the Blues have matched that effort in the early stages of this year, and with Deledio's help, could notch a third win.
"I'm excited to give back to the community more than anything," Deledio said.
"I think it's a great initiative to get former (AFL) players back to local communities who might be struggling. To try and generate some interest and some incomes for the footy clubs and community, is what I'm most excited for.
"I know how hard it's going to be, I played a couple of games last year and how bad I pulled up."
Pies premiership forward Cloke was the third overall selection, with Heathmere FNC in the South West FNL taking the bullocking tall.
Ironically, the left-footer will don the black and white as he did for 12 years at Collingwood, with Heathmere also known as the Magpies.
Fremantle Hall of Fame Pavlich will remain in Western Australia after the Beverly Redbacks saw a need that he could fill.
The Redbacks won two games in 2024 and are looking to improve on that this year.
Lastly, Eagles premiership defender Schofield was taken by Mid Gippsland club Hill End and Grove Rovers.
For the first time, the campaign run by Carlton Draught and Carlton Dry is extending beyond Victoria into New South Wales and Western Australia.
"The Carlton Draft is all about giving back to the local footy clubs and communities, so for it to be able to expand outside of Victoria and into Western Australia and New South Wales is a huge step forward for the campaign," The Carlton Draft Commissioner and Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said in March.
The dates for the player's appearances are yet to be decided.
FINAL DRAFT ORDER:
- Pick 1: Tom Hawkins, Beaufort Football Netball Club - Central Highlands Football League, Victoria
- Pick 2: Brett Deledio, Coleambally Football Netball Club - Farrer Football League, New South Wales
- Pick 3: Travis Cloke, Heathmere Football Netball Club โ South West Football Netball League, Victoria
- Pick 4: Matthew Pavlich, Beverley Redbacks Football Netball Club - Avon Football & Netball Association, Western Australia
- Pick 5: Will Schofield, Hill End & Grove Rovers Football Netball Club - Mid Gippsland Football Netball League, Victoria
