GOLD Coast has selected midfielders Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson with the first two picks of the 2019 NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.

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Rowell had long been considered the clear top choice after an outstanding junior career, while close mate Anderson was strongly linked to the Suns once they received a priority pick as part of an assistance package from the AFL.

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A dual NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian, Rowell averaged 24.8 disposals, 5.2 clearances and six tackles for Vic Metro at the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

He also had 44 touches and booted two goals for the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League Grand Final in September.

A playmaker with great vision and game sense, Rowell will make an immediate impact at the Suns, who finished last on the ladder having lost their final 18 games last season.

Anderson – who played alongside Rowell at the Chargers and Vic Metro – will provide a different element to the Suns midfield with his ability to hit the scoreboard.

Anderson is the son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda star Dean, however he is not eligible for either club under father/son rules.

No.2 pick Noah Anderson (left) with new Suns teammate Ben King.

Meanwhile, Sydney has sprung the first surprise of the draft, selecting South Australian midfielder Dylan Stephens with the fifth overall pick.

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The outside runner – who has been compared to West Coast star Andrew Gaff – played senior football this year with Norwood in the SANFL.

Melbourne picked WA ruckman Luke Jackson with the No.3 pick and Greater Western Sydney used the No.4 pick on defender Lachie Ash.

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Adelaide used pick No.6 on Fischer McAsey then Fremantle used picks No.7 and No.8 on Hayden Young and Caleb Serong.

Carlton bid on two players tied to rival clubs – electric forward Liam Henry and inside midfielder Tom Green – with back-to-back picks without success.

Fremantle matched the bid on Next Generation Academy prospect Henry with the ninth overall selection, while the Giants took academy product Green with pick 10.

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West Australian 191cm forward Mitchell Georgiades was the bolter of the draft when Port Adelaide called out his name with the 18th overall pick despite not playing at all this year due to a quad injury that required three surgeries.

The Blues – who had traded picks 11 and 62 to the Suns in exchange for 17 and 22 – then traded 22 and 25 to the Power for pick 20.

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They then used pick 20 on unheralded midfielder Sam Philp, who missed selection in the under-18 Vic Metro team this year and was a surprise invite to the NAB AFL Draft Combine.