The concept, which was reintroduced in 2019, allows clubs to select players to help fill list spots which have opened up from early retirements or season-ending injuries.
AFL clubs had until 2pm yesterday to submit their vacant list spots before tonight’s mid-season rookie draft.
There are 22 available picks to be used in tonight’s draft.
Only players who have nominated are able to be selected.
A number of Goulburn Valley products have thrown their hat in the ring, in a bid to either return to an AFL list or live out their childhood dream.
There is a total of eight from the region who have nominated for the draft.
Euroa export Will Hayes is chief among them and is one of the region’s best chances.
Hayes, who played 11 games for the Western Bulldogs across three seasons, was de-listed at the end of the 2021 campaign.
The on-baller has since moved to Carlton in the VFL and has showcased why he deserves another chance at the highest level.
Hayes, who turns 27 this week, is averaging 33 disposals, four tackles and a goal from his six matches this season.
Joining Hayes in the draft pool are Carlton teammates Zavier Maher and Matthew Shannon.
The Shepparton United talent has been overlooked since his draft year in 2020, but has continued to impress at state level and in representative matches.
Maher is averaging 16.5 disposals a game and a goal for the Blues.
His best performance this season came in round three when he tallied up 29 touches and two goals against Gold Coast Suns.
Shannon, a former Congupna, Shepparton and Tatura talent, has played three games for the Blues in 2022.
Maher’s former Murray Bushranger teammate and Euroa export Tom Panuccio is also vying for a spot on an AFL list.
Maher’s Shepparton United expats Jye Chalcraft and Liam Fiore have also given the mid-season draft a crack.
The pair is currently plying its trade for Geelong in the VFL.
And then you have former AFL talents Michael Hartley and Tom Downie who have put their hands up.
Hartley, who dons the Seymour colours when Collingwood has a bye in the VFL, is touted as a potential key-position prospect for clubs missing forwards or defenders.
Meanwhile, Downie, who has played one game for Benalla, is a ruckman who could fill a gap at multiple AFL clubs.
Downie has averaged 35 hit outs for Williamstown in the VFL.
Catch the mid-season rookie draft live on AFL.com.au or the AFL App at 6.30pm.
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