Former Gold Coast key forward Sam Day will switch to the Suns’ local rivals Brisbane next season. PHOTO: AFL MEDIA

The 2025 pre-season and rookie drafts took place on Friday and while the vast majority of picks were dead selections, there was still room for a few surprises.

Of the 35 picks across both drafts, only 12 were live with 14 players redrafted by their clubs, and another nine passed on.

But with the second pick of the pre-season draft, Brisbane recruited former veteran Gold Coast key forward Sam Day.

The thinking behind that pick, of course, is the Lions’ desire to find a competent replacement for star retiree Joe Daniher, fresh from his crucial role in Brisbane’s premiership.

Day has had his fair share of injuries during his 14 years at the top level, playing just 155 games in that time, including only 18 in the past four seasons, but at 32 years old, Brisbane believe the foundation Sun still has something to offer yet.

The biggest stunner of the day came at pick four of the rookie draft, when the Suns swooped on delisted Fremantle ruckman Max Knobel.

The Dockers told Knobel that they would redraft him if he was still available, but Gold Coast made sure he wasn’t, snapping up the developing youngster, who is yet to play a senior game after being taken at pick 42 in the 2022 draft.

And finally, at pick 25, former St Kilda defender Ben Paton was thrown a lifeline by Sydney after playing 71 games in seven seasons with the Saints.

Academy player Archer Day-Wicks was the first player from the 2024 draft pool to be selected at pick six of the rookie draft by the Bombers.

Day-Wicks is a forward/midfielder who has a lovely left foot and, really, can play anywhere on the ground if need be, such is his versatility.

Claremont ruckman Aiden Riddle was next cab off the rank at seven, and he won’t have to go far given the WA native was selected by Fremantle.

Riddle had a brilliant campaign with Claremont in 2024, and more than held his own at the national championships, averaging nine disposals and 19 hitouts per game.

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At pick No.9, Carlton selected GWV Rebels small defender Harry Charleson who offers plenty of dash from the back half and possess superb foot skills.

Other fresh-faced 2024 draftees to be selected were Xavier Ivisic (Geelong), Tom Cochrane (Port Adelaide), Blake Leidler (Sydney), Asher Eastham (Gold Coast), Patrick Retschko (Geelong) and Joe Pike (Geelong).

The 14 AFL players to be given reprieves by their 2024 clubs were Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Brad Crouch (St Kilda), Lachlan Keeffe (GWS), Oleg Markov (Collingwood), Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide), Joel Hamling (Sydney), Ash Johnson (Collingwood), Aaron Francis (Sydney), Chris Burgess (Adelaide), Darragh Joyce (Brisbane), Josh Fahey (GWS), Jacob Wehr (GWS), Toby Pink (North Melbourne) and Darcy Craven (Brisbane).

And with so many picks passed on, clubs have given themselves the chance to have a closer look at prospective recruits over the summer before potentially adding to their playing list via the supplementary selection period.

2025 AFL PRE-SEASON DRAFT

ROUND ONE
1. Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) – Hawthorn
2. Sam Day (Gold Coast) – Brisbane

2025 AFL ROOKIE DRAFT

ROUND ONE
1. Toby Pink (North Melbourne) – North Melbourne
2. Pass – West Coast
3. Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide) – Adelaide
4. Max Knobel (Fremantle) – Gold Coast
5. Brad Crouch (St Kilda) – St Kilda
6. Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers) – Essendon
7. Aiden Riddle (Claremont) – Fremantle
8. Oleg Markov (Collingwood) – Collingwood
9. Harry Charleson (GWV Rebels) – Carlton
10. Pass – Western Bulldogs
11. Lachlan Keeffe (GWS) – GWS
12. Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons) – Geelong
13. Tom Cochrane (Central District) – Port Adelaide
14. Blake Leidler (Oakleigh Chargers) – Sydney
15. Darragh Joyce (Brisbane) – Brisbane

ROUND TWO
16. Chris Burgess (Adelaide) – Adelaide
17. Asher Eastham (Gippsland Power) – Gold Coast
18. Pass – Essendon
19. Pass – Fremantle
20. Ash Johnson (Collingwood) – Collingwood
21. Pass – Carlton
22. Jacob Wehr (GWS) – GWS
23. Patrick Retschko (Oakleigh Chargers) – Geelong
24. Pass – Port Adelaide
25. Ben Paton (St Kilda) – Sydney
26. Darcy Craven (Brisbane) – Brisbane

ROUND THREE
27. Pass – Gold Coast
28. Pass – Essendon
29. Pass – Carlton
30. Josh Fahey (GWS) – GWS
31. Joe Pike (Geelong Falcons) – Geelong
32. Aaron Francis (Sydney) – Sydney

ROUND FOUR
33. Joel Hamling (Sydney) – Sydney