Seventy-one hopefuls became AFL-listed players across two nights of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. Six of them, including two mature-age players, were from NSW/ACT.
Josaia Delana was selected by the GIANTS as a Category B Rookie, giving him a chance to join his Academy club.
Here's what the clubs said about these players and what fans can expect in the future.
Jobe Shanahan - Pick 30
West Coast
DOB: 2/8/2006
Height: 194cm
Position: Key forward/key defender
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers, Moama
A mobile and classy tall forward with a vice-like grip overhead who continued to develop at multiple levels this year. Represented the Allies during the National Championships and was a real presence up forward, taking the most contested marks of any player during the tournament. Was at his very best in the Allies’ thrilling two-point loss to Victoria Country when he amassed 16 disposals, nine marks (four contested) and kicked three goals, which helped him secure All-Australian honours.
More via West Coast Eagles' website
Riley Bice - Pick 41
Sydney Swans
DOB: 26/09/2000
Height: 186cm
Position: Back
Recruited from: Werribee VFL, Albury Tigers
Hailing from the Albury Tigers and Werribee Football Club, the 24-year-old played an integral part in clinching the VFL premiership this year, averaging 21.1 disposals, 6.9 marks and 4.8 intercepts this season.
Bice's strong outside run and kicking ability earned him a spot in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year. His AFL recruitment, a cherry on top to an outstanding year.
More via Sydney Swans' website
Joel Cochran - Pick 47
Collingwood Magpies
DOB: 28/03/2006
Height: 195cm
Position: Back
Recruited from: UNSW-ES Bulldogs, East Sydney Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks JAFC, Sydney Swans Academy
195cm Joel Cochran made himself known at the National Draft Combine by winning the 2km time trial with a time of 6:05, the fastest time by eight seconds.
The versatile defender was a member of the Sydney Swans Academy playing at under 16’s level in 2022 and 2023 before making his debut in the under 18’s side in the same year. The 18-year-old also played one VFL game for the Sydney Swans, coincidentally against Collingwood.
The mobile tall is more than capable of playing as an intercepting defender, like he did for the Allies in 2024, but also as a rebounding backman with repeat efforts and overlapping runs. As well as representing the Allies, Cochran was a part of the AFL Academy in 2024.
More via Collingwood's website
Cooper Bell - Pick 49
Gold Coast Suns
DOB: 30/11/2006
Height: 199cm
Position: Back
Recruited from: Belconnen Magpies, GIANTS Academy
Bell is a tall defender with exceptional speed, athleticism and ball handling.
The 199cm prospect played all four National Championships matches for the Allies alongside new teammate Lombard, where he was able to match up on the opposition’s primary marking target and make good decisions with the ball.
The Belconnen Magpies product also played three matches for the Giants Academy in the Coates Talent League, and three matches for the Giants in the VFL in 2024, where he continued to show rapid development.
Aidan Johnson - Pick 68
Melbourne Demons
DOB: 09/03/2000
Height: 193cm
Position: Back
Recruited from: Werribee Tigers, Lavington Panthers, BB Saints
A 193cm athletic brute who imposes himself on the contest, Johnson kicked 11 goals in five-match mid-season spell for the premiership-winning Werribee VFL side, including three bags of three.
The 24-year-old played the best football of his career this year after a dedicated off-season which saw him drop 13kg and enter the campaign in career-best physical condition.
Originally hailing from the Lavington Panthers, Johnson was a teammate of breakout Geelong Cat Shaun Mannagh, who convinced him to try his luck in the VFL.
Logan Smith - Pick 71
GIANTS
DOB: 24/09/2006
Height: 204cm
Position: Ruck
Recruited from: Queanbeyan Tigers, GIANTS Academy
The GIANTS Academy product is considered one of the best two ruckmen in the draft following a breakout season which saw him named in the under 18 All-Australian side after averaging 10.5 disposals (seven contested) and 21.5 hitouts for the Allies at the National Championships.
Hailing from Canberra, Smith is a mobile ruckman whose weapons lie in his craft around stoppages and his ability to put the ball to his teammates’ advantage.
As well as his impressive season at underage level, Smith showed his immense talent with strong performances at VFL level throughout the year as he featured in seven games for the GIANTS’ VFL side, which included having 19 disposals and five marks against the Swans in round 13.
The young ruck also won an AFL Canberra First Grade premiership with Queanbeyan this season.
Named the 2024 GIANTS Academy Player of the Year, Smith is an exciting prospect for the future and is a great addition to the club’s ruck stocks featuring Kieren Briggs and fellow youngster Nick Madden.
Josaia Delana - Category B Rookie
GIANTS
DOB: 01/07/2006
Height: 176cm
Position: Small Forward
Recruited from: Willoughby Wildcats, Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies, East Coast Eagles, GIANTS (VFL), GIANTS Academy
Hailing from Western Sydney, Delana is a small forward of Fijian descent who plays with flair and energy.
Possessing clean hands, strong decision-making and an explosive sidestep, Delana represented the Allies on four occasions in 2024 while also playing eight games for the GIANTS’ VFL side.
His best performance for the Allies came in their National Championships win over Western Australia, where he picked up 19 disposals and laid 14 tackles. He averaged 13 disposals and seven tackles in four matches across the Championships.
A positive team-first player, Delana performed well at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne, recording 8.39 seconds on the agility test and 6:38 for the 2km time trial.