As always, there were some big surprises as the draft continued.
Hawthorn raised eyebrows by selecting super-talented Western Australian Dayle Garlett, whose off-field ill-discipline saw him overlooked in last year's draft.

Below: No.1 pick Tom Boyd has a laugh with the draft's other top 10 selections. Picture: AFL Media

Geelong also produced a shock by taking local lad Darcy Lang, a midfielder from TAC Cup club Geelong Falcons, with its first pick (No. 16).

It was well known that the Cats were keen on Lang, but they were apparently keen to use their second pick (No. 36) on him.

Another Geelong Falcons player, Lewis Taylor, was the big slider. The pint-sized midfielder, who has been compared to North Melbourne star Brent Harvey, was tipped to be a top-15 selection.

But the Brisbane Lions couldn't believe their luck when they were able to snare him with pick 28.

Greater Western Sydney pulled a surprise by loading up on big men. Despite having already secured Boyd, they chose another key forward, Western Australian Cameron McCarthy, with pick 14. And they went for 205cm WA ruckman Rory Lobb with their second-round pick.

Two clubs decided to reunite siblings. Adelaide drafted Matt Crouch, the brother of its gun onballer Brad Crouch, while Essendon selected Zach Merrett, whose brother Jackson has been on the Bombers' for the past two years.

A third family story played out with both Kolodjashnij twins ending up on AFL lists. Although Kade was taken by the Suns with pick five, his brother Jake had to wait until pick 41 to be taken by Geelong.

Along similar lines, Zak Jones, the brother of Melbourne midfielder Nathan Jones, was snapped up by the Sydney Swans.

Another interesting selection was Aliir Aliir, who was taken by the Sydney Swans with pick 44.

Born in Kenya and of Sudanese heritage, Aliir, a rebounding defender, has represented both Queensland and Western Australia in the under-18 Championships in the past two years.

However, the star of the night was Tom Boyd.

A 200cm and 104kg key forward from Melbourne's eastern suburbs, he becomes the third No. 1 pick on the Giants' list, following in the footsteps of Jonathon Patton (2011) and Lachie Whitfield (2012).

A strong and athletic 18-year-old, who has been compared to Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins, Boyd had long been touted as the best player in the draft.

"There's been a lot written, but until we get here, our names read out, it's hearsay and speculation, so I'm just super-excited to get started with the GWS Giants, who are obviously a budding and really exciting club," Boyd said after receiving his Giants jumper from new coach Leon Cameron.

"I'm just really humble to be picked before some of these guys who I respect so much, and whose ability, in my opinion, probably supersedes my own in some regards."

Boyd is set to form a formidable attacking set-up with Patton as Greater Western Sydney looks to climb the ladder under Cameron.

"Look, I'm just willing to take the challenge head-on, and put my best foot forward," he said.

"I'll be going to the Giants like any other player, and just trying to put my best foot forward on the training track and earn the respect of my teammates."

Kelly, a skilful midfielder renowned for his aerobic capacity, is expected to immediately strengthen the Giants' running brigade.

Like Boyd, he is 18 and from Melbourne, and he cemented his reputation as the best young midfielder in the nation by making the All Australian team at this year's national under-18 championships.

"When my name got read out there was a whole lot of relief and excitement for me," said Kelly, whose father Phil played 61 games for North Melbourne in the early 1980s.

Billings is regarded as a midfielder who can change the course of games. Back in July, he was named alongside Kelly in the under-18 All Australian side.