Racing royalty at the Dogs 

It was almost missed in the rush of clubs heading for a quick break before the rookie draft but with the final selection the Western Bulldogs rewarded hard-working Will Hayes with a spot on their primary list via pick 78. The 23-year-old onballer has spent the past five seasons at Footscray in the VFL and finished fifth in the JJ Liston Trophy this year. The son of champion trainer David should have no problems with the early start times at training after a lifetime spent growing up at the racetrack.

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Live pick trading divides opinions

While there are a few kinks to iron out, live pick trading added some much-needed theatre to what had become a largely predictable event. There were some grumbles – most notably from AFL Legend Leigh Matthews – about the drawn-out first round on Thursday night, especially when Carlton's recruiting team had to sit twiddling their thumbs for five minutes before selecting Sam Walsh with the coveted pick No.1. But things eventually got going thanks to Sydney and West Coast's controversial trades, and when the Blues gambled their first-round selection for 2019 in a swap with Adelaide. Once the second round got underway on Friday, pick swapping really heated up as clubs eyed-off players who had slipped down the draft order. You would expect even more movement in years to come as clubs come to grips with the system, but wouldn't it be great to add a human element and extra layer by also allowing already drafted players to be on-traded?

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Top 10 duo put Tassie on the map

Only one footballer – Fremantle tall forward Hugh Dixon – made their way from the Apple Isle to the mainland via the draft in the previous two years, sparking much consternation about the state of the game in a traditional stronghold. So it would have warmed the hearts of Tasmanian footy lovers to see two local boys picked up inside this year's top 10. Adelaide kept North Melbourne honest by bidding on electric NGA product Tarryn Thomas at pick eight, which the Roos matched, before the Crows snapped up another Launceston boy Chayce Jones at the next selection. There was more joy for Tassie at pick 58, when Clarence midfielder Fraser Turner was taken by Richmond. 

Tarryn Thomas was taken with pick eight by North Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos

Another Silvagni 'Blue-blood' and a Brownless back at the Cattery

He might not have shown much, or any, emotion as the Fox Footy camera zoomed in on his face inside Carlton's 'war room' at Marvel Stadium but Blues great and current list boss Stephen Silvagni must have been bursting with pride when his second son, Ben, continued the family tradition by joining the club via pick 70. The 196cm defender follows brother Jack to Ikon Park, and the bloodline might not stop there with Tom Silvagni eligible for the 2020 draft. Only four selections after Ben Silvagni was picked up there was more nostalgia, this time for Geelong fans as hard-running onballer Oscar Brownless was picked up by the Cats. It's a safe bet his father Billy might enjoy a 'frothie' or two tonight to celebrate.

What's in a name?

We're pretty confident Irving Mosquito will become a cult hero in quick time, however there were plenty of other draftees with memorable names for commentators to get excited about for 2019. Fijian-born rugby convert Atu Bosenavulagi – or 'Joffa's grandson' – will soon be rolling off the tongues of Collingwood fans, while Chayce Jones (Adelaide), Ely Smith (Brisbane), Finbar O'Dwyer (Carlton) and Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne) are also the first of their (first) names to make it into the AFL. 

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Bargain-basement 'Bobby'

Perth small forward Ian Hill was rated a top-five prospect before the 2018 season but he was hampered by shoulder issues and never quite hit the heights of his underage year. Still, it was expected the freakishly talented youngster – the second cousin of Freo stars Stephen and Bradley – had enough interest from Fremantle, Port Adelaide or West Coast to be snapped up in the late teens or early 20s. It wasn't to be, and the Giants pounced, trading up to selection 24 in a deal with the Crows. The boy they call 'Bobby' might take a little time to get his body AFL-ready, but pairing him with Toby Greene at ground level inside 50 is a scary thought for rival clubs.

The Giants traded up for Ian Hill. Picture: AFL Photos

South Australia's bumper crop

The Croweaters were tipped to do well in the draft after winning the NAB AFL Under-18s Championships and clubs raided their stocks. Future stars Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee were all gone by pick five and another 10 of their SA teammates heard their names called. Mature-agers Darcy Fort (Central District) and Robert Young (North Adelaide) were also picked up by Geelong and St Kilda, respectively, topping off an outstanding haul for the state.

The Berry boys are roaring …

You might say Brisbane is forging a real 'brotherhood' under coach Chris Fagan, and after signing ex-Crow and Sun Jarryd Lyons to join his brother Corey recently they united Tom Berry with his older sibling Jarrod on Friday. Emotions overflowed for Jarrod as he and some teammates, including last year's No.1 pick Cam Rayner, watched the Lions snare his younger brother with pick 36. Like his brother, Tom is a competitive animal and he should bolster Brisbane's midfield or defensive stocks. 

… but the Camerons can't quite reunite

After securing brilliant goalkicker Charlie from the Crows at the end of 2017, the Lions hunted his younger brother Jarrod and placed an earlier-than-expected bid on the Swan Districts livewire at pick 39. Unfortunately for Brisbane, the Eagles weren't going to let the Camerons get back together – especially after overlooking fellow small forward Ian Hill – and matched to secure their Next Generation Academy product. The Bombers had more luck winkling out an NGA talent at the previous pick, when they secured the wonderfully-named Irving Mosquito at No.38 after Hawthorn decided the asking price was too high to match.