By Lance Jenkinson
Night one of the 2018 AFL National draft was a success for the Western Jets.
The Jets had two of their young stars picked up among 22 first round selections made by AFL recruiters at Marvel Stadium tonight.
Zak Butters, a speedy and creative midfielder, was the first Jets player off the board, picked up by Port Adelaide with pick 12.
Butters, 18, had an injury interrupted top age season for the Jets in the TAC Cup, but showed tremendous courage to battle on through persistent shoulder injuries.
The Darley product carved out an impressive under-18 national championships with Vic Metro before undergoing season-ending surgery with the intention of being ready for his first preseason in the big league.
A versatile player, Butters is expected to be utilised by Port Adelaide as both a half forward flanker or an outside midfielder.
The other Jets player whose draft dream became a reality was 2018 captain Xavier O’Halloran.
O’Halloran was perhaps taken a few spots earlier than he expected considering he was the only player taken that did not attend the first night of the draft.
A tough-as-nails midfielder, O’Halloran also found a new home interstate.
He will be making the move to the harbour city to link up with the GWS Giants after they surrendered pick 22 to secure his services.
The Giants, coached by former Western Bulldogs player Leon Cameron, have enjoyed success with Jets players in the past, having already got Jets alumni Callan Ward and Adam Kennedy on their list.
O’Halloran was crucial cog in the midfield for Vic Metro at this year’s carnival, standing up in the moments of need.
The former St Bernard’s junior is rated as one of the best leaders to ever come out of the Jets system, which earned him captaincy honours for Vic Metro at this year’s under-18 national championships.
O’Halloran is a midfielder by trade, but can also be damaging as a forward option.
The draft will continue at midday tomorrow with Daly Andrews and Buku Khamis the names to watch out of the Jets stable.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs opted to make use of its pick seven instead of trading it away, locking down Sandringham Dragons midfielder Bailey Smith.
There were rumours circulating in the lead up to the draft that the Bulldogs could trade down a couple of places from their spot at pick seven and nab an extra pick later in the first round while still getting Smith, but it was a risk they were not willing to make come draft night with other clubs sniffing around Smith.
Smith is an exciting prospect, noted for his elite endurance, break away speed from the packs and toughness in close.
He showed his full bag of tricks for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships, earning MVP honours for his team.
The Bulldogs will be back on the clock early on day two of the draft with two second round selections.
It is expected that one of those picks will be used to secure father-son prospect Rhylee West, the son of seven-time Bulldogs best-and-fairest winner Scott.
MORE DRAFT NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/giant-night-for-jets-captain-xavier-ohalloran/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/list-joy-for-new-bulldog-buku-khamis/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/curtis-taylor-joins-keilors-draftee-class/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/justin-mcinerney-stunned-as-the-swans-swoop/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/jack-bytel-becomes-a-saint/
