• Every pick, every club on the NAB AFL Draft Tracker
• Draft verdict: How did your club fare?
• 10 things we learned from the draft

THE BRISBANE Lions could not resist taking highly rated Warrnambool on-baller Hugh McCluggage when he was available at pick No.3 despite small goalkicker Ben Ainsworth declaring pre-draft he hoped to the go to the Lions.

It was a rare admission from young Victorian Ainsworth – who Gold Coast snared with the very next pick at No.4 – but with McCluggage rated by many as a No.1 selection leading into the NAB AFL Draft, it was impossible for the Lions to overlook him.

McCluggage fell through to selection No.3 when Greater Western Sydney opted to select Tim Taranto with its pick No.2 after Essendon chose Andrew McGrath at pick No.1.

Lions list manager Peter Schwab said the chance for the Lions to land McCluggage hinged on Essendon's decision with pick No.1.

"If they had taken [McCluggage], then McGrath would have gone to Greater Western Sydney. If Essendon took McGrath then GWS might not take Hugh, which is when we thought he might get to us," Schwab said.  

The TAC Cup Morrish medallist, McCluggage performed brilliantly in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final eve after averaging 27 disposals a game playing for North Ballarat in the TAC Cup.

He looks a ready made midfielder and joins last year's academy graduate Ben Keays as part of new generation of Lions midfielders' looking to get the ball in quickly to exciting young talls Josh Schache and Eric Hipwood. 

Ainsworth will still head to Queensland having been picked up with Gold Coast's first selection at pick No.4.

The tough, sharpshooter from the Gippsland Power was an All Australian as a bottom age player in the 2015 Under 18 Championships. 

 

Selection No. 3 – Hugh McCluggage 
Peter Schwab says: "He's obviously highly thought of as a midfielder who can kick goals." 

 

Selection No. 17 – Jarrod Berry 
Peter Schwab says: "We ranked him about where he fell and we liked him a year out from the draft. He had a few injuries but he is a talented midfielder/defender and will play a role. He has also shown himself to be a leader, which never hurts either. "

 

Selection No. 23 – Alex Witherden 
Peter Schwab says: "He broke his leg this year but was highly thought of already. He kicks it really well and is a good size. He will play a position in defence that we think we need."  

 

Selection No. 24 – Cedric Cox
Peter Schwab says: "A kid from Western Australia who came down through Camperdown to North Ballarat. He looks as though he has some different attributes we need. I think he could play as a forward but he has got speed and agility, which allows him to play outside as well. His mixture of evasiveness and speed will help."

 

Selection No. 55 – Jacob Allison
Peter Schwab says: "Slipped down the rankings as he did not play as well this year but we thought we would match the bid at No.55 because he is a tall, outside player with good speed. The pick where the bid came made it an easy decision for us to match." 

 

Selection No. 71 – Corey Lyons
Peter Schwab says: "Chris Fagan thought another midfield option would be good. He is a little like his brother Jarryd who is a good footballer who finds the ball."