2021 NAB AFL Draft: Essendon

13. Benjamin Hobbs

GWV Rebels, NAB League / Horsham Demons FC / Ballarat Clarendon College

State: Victoria (Country)

Height: 183cm

Weight: 79kg

Date of Birth: 16/09/03

Cal Twomey's Phantom Draft Prediction: 13

Medium midfielder who is a hard-edged beauty who excels one-on-one and consistently extracts the ball out of congestion. Has elite game sense, reading the cues in winning the loose ball and has been ultra-consistent from the Under-16s championships in 2019 when he won All-Australian selection and Victoria Country's MVP. Has similar traits to Port Adelaide star Travis Boak with his competitive edge and ability to hit the scoreboard, averaging 25 disposals (11 contested), 5.2 clearances and five tackles in six matches for the Rebels and winning Team of the Year honours. Co-captain of Victoria Country at Under-19s level, he showed his trademark ball-winning ability and zest having 29 disposals to be among his team's best players. Showcased his athleticism with an 80cm running vertical jump and 6 minutes 32 seconds for 2km at the NAB AFL Draft Combine in Bendigo for Victoria Country.

46. Alastair Lord

Norwood, SANFL / Rostrevor College

State: South Australia

Height: 181cm

Weight: 75kg

Date of Birth: 26/11/03

Dashing defender who reads the play exceptionally well to intercept and then provide great rebound with his run-and-carry from defence. Links up well with his fellow defenders and is an efficient user by hand and foot. He's averaged 22.4 disposals (77 per cent efficiency) but managed just five matches at under-18s level due to injury. Showed composure and class down back in the U19 matches against both Western Australia and the Allies to be among his state's best players. Dazzled at the NAB AFL Draft Combine with his agility time of 7.94 seconds, ranked No.1 nationally.

50. Garrett McDonagh

Richmond VFL/West Preston/Northern Blues/Coburg/Northern Knights

State: Victoria (Metro)

Height: 183cm

Weight: 81kg

Date of Birth: 19/06/96

One of the heart-warming stories of the draft, McDonagh first nominated for the draft back in 2014. The 25-year-old is a versatile product who can rotate across all three lines, but primarily played up forward and through the middle for Richmond's VFL side this year. He averaged 20.6 disposals and kicked four goals in his eight games for the Tigers in 2021, showing a nice turn of speed.

Rookie Draft 

9. Patrick Voss