FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Jake Florenca of the Bulldogs in action during the round one WAFL match between the South Fremantle Bulldogs and East Fremantle Sharks at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on July 18, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The 2022 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft is upon us, with the full list of 211 nominations locked in ahead of the count.

With almost every club set to be active on Wednesday night, we put the microscope over each club's list needs and a potential Mid-Season prospect they could consider at the draft.

Here's what we've come up with...

Adelaide

The West Lakes club are likely to see key defensive options as an area of focus in bolstering their list, with Matthew Nicks in need of a player to fit between Jordon Butts and Tom Doedee in defence.

Adelaide could look toward Williamstown tall Kallan Dawson as a fitting option for this void, with the VFL star boasting the flexibility to play both an intercepting and lockdown role down back for the Seagulls.

Ready-made and capable of tussling with mature-aged opponents, Dawson could be of great consideration for Nicks and co.

Others to consider: Brett Turner, James Blanck

Brisbane

No selection at Mid-Season Draft.

Carlton 

The Blues' defensive stocks have taken a hit over the past 12 months, having lost Liam Jones while Jacob Weitering, Mitch McGovern, Oscar McDonald and Caleb Marchbank battle injuries.

Should Michael Voss look to use one of the club's two open list spots, then Box Hill interceptor James Blanck firms as a suitable option at the draft.

Blanck has gained attention for his ability to shut down opposition attacks and move the ball out of defence with efficiency.

The 21-year-old could form a formidable pairing with star key defender Jacob Weitering in Voss' back third.

Others to consider: Kallan Dawson, Jacob Bauer

Collingwood

The Magpies are in need of tall options at either end of the field, and swingman options won't come more exciting than North Adelaide's Jacob Bauer.

Collingwood are already believed to have shown some interest in the athletic tall, who has emerged as a promising forward target for the Roosters in the SANFL this season.

Bauer could slot into Craig McRae's forward system with some ease, further sharpening the Magpies' spear of Brody Mihocek and Darcy Cameron.

The talented teenager would slot into a youthful squad under McRae and battle with the likes of Ollie Henry and Nathan Kreuger for senior spots.

Should the Magpies need reinforcements in defence, Bauer can be moved behind the ball to shut down opposition attacks on goal.

Others to consider: Wade Derksen, Connor Ballenden

Essendon

The Bombers may head down the path of selecting the best option available once they're on the clock.

With only the Eagles and Roos likely to pick before them, Essendon are set to have an extensive list of players from the talent pool on offer.

Should Jai Culley's name remain on the board, the Bombers could certainly see the tall midfielder as their leading option to aid their 2022 woes.

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Culley has pieced together a sensational season with the Dandenong Stingrays and the Young Guns in recent weeks, and would add an explosive edge to the Bombers' midfield.

The 193cm prospect can also slot into a half-forward role and give more midfield freedom to the likes of Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs and Jye Caldwell as Ben Rutten looks to move magnets through his engine room.

Others to consider: Jacob Bauer, Josh Carmichael 

Fremantle

The Dockers are set to be on the clock at the end back-end of the first round and will be relying on players who have slipped through the first 14 selections.

A potential slider could be Sandringham Dragons forward Hugo Hall-Kahan, who has impressed in the NAB League this year after a quieter 2021 campaign in comparison.

Having not nominated for last year's National Draft, Hall-Kahan has gained an exemption for the Mid-Season Draft along with reported interest from AFL clubs.

Fremantle may be a fitting home for the agile medium-sized forward, who has silky skills and a keen eye for goal.

The teenager could slot into a role between the likes of Matt Taberner, Lachie Schultz and Sam Switkowski as target in attack, while also having the ability to move further up the ground if needed.

Others to consider: Bailey Rogers, Massimo D'Ambrosio 

Geelong

Ruck options continue to be the main point of discussion in what may be holding the Cats back from further success.

So far this season Chris Scott has relied on Mark Blicavs as his first-string ruckman, with Esava Ratugolea, Rhys Stanley and Jonathon Ceglar all missing matches through injury.

Draftee Toby Conway may still require some time in the VFL before being injected into the AFL, with Geelong potentially turning to the Mid-Season Draft to add to their hampered tall options.

Frankston's Liam Reidy is among the best ready-made rucks on offer to AFL clubs, and could slide into Geelong's lap should he land late enough.

Others to consider: Max Ramsden, Brynn Teakle 

 

Gold Coast

The Suns could share a similar interest with Adelaide for VFL defender Kallan Dawson at the Mid-Season Draft.

Should both clubs look to land the emerging backman, the Crows currently have pole position heading into the final round before the draft.

A big enough win for Adelaide this weekend, coupled with a sizeable loss for the Suns, would see the two sides flip in the draft order, but the scenario looms as an unlikely one.

Nevertheless, Gold Coast remain in the frame to bolster their tall defensive stocks after the loss of Rory Thompson and may seek Dawson's services.

Others to consider: James Blanck, Hugo Hall-Kahan

Greater Western Sydney 

The Giants will hold Pick 5 on draft night, and they'll have a plethora of options to fill one of their list needs.

Each season the Giants have shuffled their key-forward pecking order and 2022 may be no different, with the club still looking to get the best out of Jake Riccardi, Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg.

Should Mark McVeigh's side look to add to their attacking tandem, then Peel Thunder's Wade Derksen is placed as arguably the best tall forward option on offer.

The 20-year-old has been a standout in the opening month of the WAFL season off the back of a training stint with Fremantle, sharing his workload as a forward-ruck option.

Others to consider: Jacob Bauer, Jye Menzie

Hawthorn

The Hawks have hit an alarming dilemma with their ruck options, as all three of Max Lynch, Ned Reeves and Ben McEvoy nurse injuries midway through the season.

Likely to hold a selection among the first half-dozen picks, the Hawks may look to swoop on highly-rated young ruckman Max Ramsden from the Sandringham Dragons.

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The teenager was overlooked in last year's National Draft and has since emerged as a guaranteed selection for the June 1 intake.

Should Sam Mitchell look to acquire depth to his taller stocks, then Ramsden may be the pick of the bunch.

Similar to that of Max Heath and Jacob Edwards from last year's Mid-Season Draft, Ramsden will require some time to develop, but can hold down the fort at senior level if required.

Others to consider: Liam Reidy, Wade Derksen 

Melbourne

No selection at Mid-Season Draft.

North Melbourne

Like the Bombers, North Melbourne may look to secure the best player on offer at the Mid-Season Draft.

While Jai Culley is certainly one option for the Roos, another that may be in their sights is West Adelaide onballer, Josh Carmichael.

The 22-year-old is an emerging goalkicking midfielder, currently averaging 24.6 disposals, five marks, 4.7 tackles, five clearances and over a goal per game for the Bloods this season.

Carmichael can immediately add to David Noble's engine room as the Arden Street club continue to work through a testing rebuild.

Others to consider: Jai Culley, Brett Turner

Port Adelaide

The Power have been able to blood project ruckman Sam Hayes this season, with their patience paying off as the 22-year-old continues to look at home at AFL level.

Hayes' opportunity came in the absence of veteran ruck Scott Lycett, with injury preventing the former Eagle from playing for an extended period of this season.

With Hayes moving up the order, little support is currently placed in Ken Hinkley's ruck group, with reinforcements a needed focus this year.

Looking across the taller options for the Mid-Season Draft, East Fremantle's Brynn Teakle comes in as a potential pickup for any side hoping to bolster their ruck standings.

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The 203cm tall prospect has shown promising glimpses across the course of the 2022 season with the Sharks, emerging as one of the WAFL's best ruckmen, and has previously trained with Essendon.

Others to consider: Max Ramsden, Liam Reidy 

Richmond

The Tigers are beginning to turn to their youth this season off the back of a strong recruitment coup at the National Draft last year.

To further bolster their younger ranks, Richmond could hand Western Jets excitement machine Massimo D'Ambrosio an opportunity on their list.

The pacey back-flanker has already played a handful of matches in the yellow and black at VFL level this season, whilst being one of the best to perform for the Young Guns against Vic Metro and Vic Country in the past month.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Massimo D'Ambrosio of the Jets handballs during the NAB League match between Gippsland Power and the Western Jets at Morwell Football Ground on July 4, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

D'Ambrosio is a swift mover out of the backline with his offensive game style, and could slot into Jayden Short's position as the Tigers' best and fairest winner moves into midfield.

Others to consider: Bailey Rogers, Jake Florenca 

St Kilda

South Adelaide's Jye Menzie is enjoying a stellar year at the Panthers and could be the latest SANFL prospect to make his way to Moorabbin.

The Saints have a history of plucking names from South Australia and turning them into incumbent options in their squad, with the likes of Callum Wilkie, Jack Hayes, Cooper Sharman and Thomas Highmore among those to recently trade the SANFL for St Kilda.

Menzie could be another to join Brett Ratten's army, having dominated across seven matches this season to boot 17 goals as a lethal small forward.

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While Dan Butler and Jack Higgins hold the top spots in Ratten's goalsneak standings, Menzie could easily slot in as support, with the Saints likely to move on from Dean Kent as an option in their attacking third.

At just 19 years of age, Menzie has plenty of upside and can be a damaging inclusion for any side.

Others to consider: James Blanck, Kallan Dawson 

Sydney 

The Swans have one selection spot available and will be placed among the back-end of the draft order after moving ruckman Sam Naismith to their inactive list earlier this year.

Sydney may look to directly fill Naismith's absence and seek taller options from the draft crop. An option that has been raised for AFL clubs is former Lion Connor Ballenden, who has enjoyed a strong campaign in the SANFL since departing Brisbane.

Across six matches for Woodville-West Torrens, Ballenden has been a dominant option for the Eagles as a forward-ruck utility, using his 200cm frame to his advantage.

Ballenden may slot into a role to eventually succeed Tom Hickey and form a partnership with Peter Ladhams, who can also share his duties as a forward.

Others to consider: Max Ramsden, Wade Derksen 

West Coast 

The Eagles will hold the first selection of the draft and will even be among the clubs to have the option of picking up two recruits.

Given the season West Coast has endured so far, it's safe to assume Adam Simpson will look to add multiple names to his severely-depleted side.

Having relied on an array of top-up players across the opening 10 rounds, the Eagles have been able to use their troubled start to the year as a trial for some state league stars.

One name that has stood out in the blue and gold has been South Fremantle's Jake Florenca, who collected 19 possessions, seven tackles and four clearances in just 65% game time against Brisbane in Round 8.

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Florenca has been among the top ball winners in the WAFL this season and is right under the nose of the Eagles for the Mid-Season Draft.

Others to consider: Jai Culley, Bailey Rogers

Western Bulldogs

No selection at Mid-Season Draft.