The AFL’s draft night on Wednesday got off to an eyebrow-raising start when Richmond named their No.1 pick.
As widely tipped, the honour went to 188cm midfielder Sam Lalor.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Lalor becomes Richmond’s No.1 draft pick.
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Lalor, from Bacchus Marsh, was captain of Vic Country and — due to his ferocious fend-offs and goalkicking ability — had regularly been compared to retired Tigers champion Dustin Martin.
He also wears the same number as Martin’s famous (and now vacant) No.4.
Many reporters, including AFL Media, had thought Martin would be on hand to present the jumper to Lalor when Lalor took the stage … however, despite that hot tip, it didn’t happen.
Martin — who had appeared earlier on a Fox Footy promo — was surprisingly nowhere to be seen.
Instead, former Richmond captain Trent Cotchin walked out and congratulated the excited player.
Lalor is Richmond’s first No.1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.
And before being drafted, he said he had attributes similar to Jordan De Goey (while admitting he was a Collingwood fan) and Martin.
But the claim was well supported by experts so the Martin guest appearance gathered plenty of steam before the draft.
While having your jumper presented to you by someone of Cotchin’s calibre is nothing to be sneezed at, fans were little saddened not to see Dusty on stage with the player they’re calling Dusty MII.
“It’s pretty hard to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him,” Lalor said of comparisons to Martin.
“He’s someone I’ve watched growing up, so I’d love to play like him.
“For me, I don’t look into it too much. I just can’t wait to get in there, chip away and work hard.”
Martin wore the No.4 jumper in all but the first of his 15 seasons at the top level, before retiring in August as one of the greatest players in AFL history.
Richmond officials are yet to confirm whether they will honour Martin’s legendary career by shelving the iconic jumper for a period or hand it to one of their new draftees straight away.
“I’d definitely like it,” Lalor said.
“I wear No.4 throughout the year and it’s my favourite number, so if I did get it, I’d snatch it up.”
Lalor was joined by Josh Smillie (pick seven), Taj Hotton (12), Jonty Faull (14), Luke Trainor (21) and Harry Armstrong (23) in Richmond’s first-round haul.
The Tigers traded pick 27 to North Melbourne, who pounced on key forward Matt Whitlock, but also have the first pick — No.28 overall — in Thursday’s second round.
Lalor, who missed chunks of the 2024 season through injury and revealed he will be put straight into a rehabilitation program for a few weeks, is happy to share the spotlight with his fellow Tiger cubs.
The Bacchus Marsh junior was drafted from Talent League club Greater Western Victoria Rebels, and shapes as a future Richmond leader after captaining both the Rebels and Vic Country.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of that (group) and hoping lead it as well,” Lalor said.
“Richmond having so many picks in the top few will help. Not all the spotlight’s on me … I’m sure they’ll help me along the way and I’ll help them as well.”
Lalor was Richmond’s first No.1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004 and he has good football pedigree.
His grandfather, Ray, played a handful of games for Essendon and he is related to Geelong 136-gamer John O’Neill, who retired at the end of 1962.
North Melbourne selected Finn O’Sullivan at pick two and Carlton took Jagga Smith at three, with Victorian ball magnets proving popular early.
“I go for the Pies but I’m off ‘em now,” Smith quipped after his selection.
Adelaide picked South Australian product Sid Draper at pick four and reigning premiers Brisbane matched Melbourne’s bid on father-son selection Levi Ashcroft at five.
Gold Coast, Essendon and the Lions all matched bids for academy products, snapping up Leo Lombard (pick nine), Isaac Kako (pick 13) and Sam Marshall (25) respectively.
Gippsland Power key defender Alix Tauru was the draft bolter, taken at pick 10 by St Kilda, while Port Adelaide did a deal with West Coast to move up the draft order to claim Murray Bushrangers forward Joe Berry.
Only six players were drafted from outside Victoria in the first round, including Claremont midfielder-forward Cody Angove, who was a surprise selection by GWS at pick 24.
Sydney also pulled a surprise by taking Norwood forward Ned Bowman at pick 26.
The AFL draft’s top 10 for 2024
1. Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels) – Richmond
2. Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) – North Melbourne
3. Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) – Carlton
4. Sid Draper (South Adelaide) – Adelaide
5. Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) – Brisbane Lions, father-son pick
6. Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) – Melbourne
7. Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) – Richmond
8. Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) – St Kilda
9. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast Suns academy) – Gold Coast, academy pick
10. Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power) – St Kilda
– With AAP