The 2012 NAB AFL National Draft commences at 6.00pm (AEST) tonight, Thursday 22 November at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The Brisbane Lions hold Picks 8, 23, and 32, and lions.com.au will be bringing you all the action LIVE from the Draft.

Bookmark this page for live updates throughout the night, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for exclusive behind-the-scenes news, photos, and more.


10.30am:
Gary O’Donnell (standing in for Michael Voss, who is currently overseas) assembles with the other 17 Senior Coaches at Metricon Stadium for a media call ahead of the Draft

11:30am:
National Talent Manager Rob Kerr reveals in an exclusive interview on lions.com.au that "after (the Top 10-15 picks) it’s really guesswork"

4.00pm:
The draft room is set up and AFL staff, Club staff, and fans are slowly arriving. There is heaps of entertainment and activities out the front so if you’re on the coast, head down! Only a couple of hours to go!

4.30pm
The Brisbane Lions contingent has arrived at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. GM Football Operations Dean Warren tells lions.com.au “The top ten in this year’s pool is very talented, so with Pick 8, we’re confident we’ll pick up a very good player that will add significantly to our list.

5.10pm
The room is filling up here at the Convention Centre - less than an hour to go. Young draftees are being walked through the routine on stage if they are picked in the top ten.

5.45pm
Just under fifteen minutes to go. All Club coaches, recruiting managers, staff, draftees, parents, media, and spectators are in the room and ready to go!

6.00pm
We are underway and AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou is addressing the room. Not long now until the Lions’ first pick - selection number 8.

6.25pm
The Lions have selected Sam Mayes with Pick No. 8. Here’s what AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan says:

Medium forward who has good speed and elite agility and is a good set shot for goal. Reads the game well as a lead-up forward and starred for SA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships level in 2011, winning All Australian honours. Played midfield roles also in U18s this year to continue his development which already sees him playing senior football for North Adelaide. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy.

6.30pm
And that’s the top ten done! In order: Whitfield (GWS), O’Rourke (GWS), Plowman (GWS), Toumpas (Melbourne), Stringer (Bulldogs), Macrae (Bulldogs), Wines (Port), Mayes (Brisbane), Vlastuin (Richmond), and Daniher (Essendon. Stick around - we’ve got Pick 23 coming just around the corner!


6.35pm
We have now taken Marco Paparone from East Fremantle with Pick No. 23. Here’s what AFL.com.au’s Jason Phelan said about Marco earlier this year:

Marco has elite endurance and has the ability to wear down opponents. He's a midfielder-forward who is strong overhead and can get outside well. For a boy of his size, he has excellent athletic attributes.

6.40pm
Our final live selection, No. 32, has been used on Michael Close from North Ballarat. Here’s what AFL.com.au’s Harry Thing said about Michael earlier in the year:

At 196cm and 84kg, the 18-year-old is a strong marking tall forward who represented Vic Country at this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

But while his physical attributes are exciting, they're hardly rare for young footballers yearning to be drafted.

However, his mental strength and determination set him apart from the pack.

Read the full article here.

6.45pm
That’s it for our live picks - we are also using our later selections, 86 and 99, to upgrade Jack Crisp and Niall McKeever from our Rookie List.


Thanks for tuning in to the Brisbane Lions live commentary of the 2012 AFL Draft! Stay tuned to lions.com.au for all the latest on our new draftees!