The National Draft has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the AFL’s calendar in recent years as clubs try to secure the best young talent from across the country.

Up to 85 players will be selected this Saturday 29 November when all 16 clubs convene at Telstra Dome to choose their next generation of players.

AFL Talent & International Manager Kevin Sheehan has long been associated with the National Draft and is aware of its importance in helping build playing lists.

“Finally ‘D’ Day is upon us, where the 16 AFL clubs get to exercise their options and decide on the players they believe can take their clubs forward in the next few years,” Sheehan said.

“The beauty of AFL talent identification is that selections are not clear cut.”

Like all clubs, the Lions place great importance on the National Draft as it enables the Club to develop a strong list for the future.

Almost 80% of the current senior listed Lions players for 2009 have arrived at the Club via the AFL National Draft with more set to join this Saturday.

The Lions can choose to take up to seven selections in this year’s National Draft with picks 7, 25, 41, 57, 69, 81 and 82.

Of those Lions players to have not come through the National Draft, six were initially selected as rookies while Travis Johnstone was acquired through a trade with Melbourne.

Johnstone remains the only Lions player to have played senior football with an opposition team. The remaining 32 players have all developed internally within the Club.

The following is a list of the current 33 senior Lions players and how they have arrived at the Club.

National Draft (26):
Jed Adcock (Pick No.33 – 2003)
Matt Austin (Pick No.56 – 2007)
Simon Black (Pick No.31 – 1997)
Daniel Bradshaw (Pick No.56 – 1995)
Jared Brennan (Pick No.3 – 2002)
Jonathan Brown (Pick No.30 – 1999)
Jamie Charman (Pick No.29 – 2000)
Mitch Clark (Pick No.9 – 2005)
Tom Collier (Pick No.25 – 2007)
Bradd Dalziell (Pick No.52 – 2007)
James Hawksley (Pick No.38 – 2006)
Lachlan Henderson (Pick No.8 – 2007)
Rhan Hooper (Pick No.41 – 2005)
Matthew Leuenberger (Pick No.4 – 2006)
Ashley McGrath (Pick No.13 – 2000)
Daniel Merrett (Pick No.30 – 2002)
Tim Notting (Pick No.26 – 1996)
Joel Patfull (Pick No.56 – 2005)
James Polkinghorne (Pick No.41 – 2007)
Luke Power (Pick No.5 – 1997)
Albert Proud (Pick No.22 – 2007)
Michael Rischitelli (Pick No.61 – 2003)
Troy Selwood (Pick No.19 – 2002)
Sam Sheldon (Pick No.70 – 2006)
Justin Sherman (Pick No.45 – 2004)
Matthew Tyler (Pick No.54 – 2006)

Pre-Season Draft (0):

Rookie Draft (6):
Josh Drummond (Pick No.47 – 2003)
Scott Harding (Pick No.66 – 2004)
Joel Macdonald (Pick No.70 – 2003)
Jason Roe (Pick No.6 – 2005)
Cheynee Stiller (Pick No.49 – 2005)
Scott Clouston (Pick No.20 – 2006)

Trade (1):
Travis Johnstone (from Melbourne – 2007)