The Ballarat Football Netball League congratulate Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull, Ollie Hannaford, Jack Ough, Lucca Grego, Patrick Said and Harry Charleson on being selected at the AFL National and Rookie draft this week.
Joining Darley junior Aaron Cadman as a number one pick in recent years, Sam Lalor was selected at pick 1 by the Richmond Football Club.
The Bacchus Marsh product is touted for his power and explosiveness, playing through either the midfield or forward line as a dynamic matchup for opposition teams.
Sam started his journey at the Cobras in 2014 in the Under 10s and has since amassed over 100 games in the black, red and yellow.
Sam also represented the BFNL on a number of occasions in interleague football while also being part of the Victoria Country and AFL Academy squads in 2024.
At pick 14 Redan’s Jonty Faull was also selected by Richmond.
Measuring up at 195cm, Jonty entered his draft year as one of the most highly touted key position prospects in this year’s draft.
Noted for his competitiveness and work rate, Jonty returned from injury mid-way through 2024 kicking five goals in three games for Victoria Country at the AFL National Championships while also slotting 27 goals for the GWV Rebels in a grand final season for the club.
Jonty made his senior debut for Redan last season where he kicked four goals in his sole senior appearance for the Lions.
Jonty played over 50 games at Redan throughout his junior career, including an Under 17 Senior premiership in 2022. He also played 31 games at Lake Wendouree and represented the BFNL at interleague level on four occasions.
Ollie Hannaford was also selected in the opening round of the draft by the GWS Giants at Pick number 18. Ollie played short stints at East Point during his junior career before transferring back to his home community club for his draft year.
In the Rookie draft, Harry Charleson was selected at pick #9 by Carlton.
The speedy rebounding defender enters the AFL system 12 months after his brother Lachie was selected by Port Adelaide in 2023.
Harry notched up 86 games at the East Point Football Club, including four senior games in 2023.
He was a member of the 2024 Victoria Country AFL Championship Squad playing in all four of Country’s games with standout performances against South Australia and Western Australia.
Harry was another BFNL junior to represent the league at interleague level throughout his career thus far.
The BFNL also congratulates Jack Ough, Lucca Grego and Patrick Said who were selected on the second night of the draft by AFL Clubs GWS Giants at pick 36, West Coast Eagles at pick 48 and St Kilda at pick 60 respectively.
Like Ollie Hannaford, both Ough and Grego played short stints at the BFNL during their junior careers with Jack playing for East Point and Lucca at Bacchus Marsh. Patrick Said played at Sunbury as a Junior and also made appearances in 2024 as a part of the Under 19's squad.
