Castlemaine Football Netball Club is thrilled to have been announced as one of five lucky Victorian clubs that will be granted a pick to select an AFL footy legend to run out with their senior team as part of the 2024 ‘The Carlton Draft’.
The star-studded lineup for the third annual ‘Carlton Draft’ crop in 2024 consists of Triple premiership Tigers captain Trent Cotchin; Four-time flag hero across the Hawks and Cats and 2022 Norm Smith Medallist Isaac Smith; AFL Hall of Famer and 2000 Bombers premiership player Matthew Lloyd; Former Blues and Giants player and popular podcaster Dylan Buckley; and Saints legend and 287-game AFL player Leigh Montagna.
The group comprises more than1100 AFL games and eight AFL premierships collectively.
The other four clubs selected to participate in the draft include the Ballan Blues of the Central Highlands, the Toora Magpies of mid-Gippsland, Old Collegians FNC of the Warrnambool District Football Netball League and the Bunyip Bulldogs who hail from the West Gippsland Football Netball competition.
Across the first two seasons of the campaign, The Carlton Draft matchdays have created unforgettable memories for players, coaches and local communities, with appearances from footy legends drawing huge numbers through the gates and assisting the struggling clubs who need it most.
This year’s campaign saw over 175 clubs nominating for a chance to be a part of the action in 2024.
Castlemaine Football Netball Club president Caleb Kuhle said it was a great little surprise to get the nod from the Carlton Draft team after such a great start to the season for the club on Good Friday.
“Last year we were shortlisted for the program but did not make it into the final cut, but to make it this year brings a lot of excitement for not just the club but the whole town,” Kuhle said.
“To have something like this to look forward to during the season is a huge spark for the young players but also footy lovers of the town to get down and watch.”
The Carlton Draft Commissioner, Jonathan Brown, thinks this draft crop might be the most talented yet, and anticipates some huge performances from the former stars.
“We’ve had some big names across the first two seasons of the campaign including Nathan Buckley, Eddie Betts and Alex Rance, but I think this draft class may be the most talented we’ve seen,” Brown said.
“You’ve got the opportunity to put Lloydy one out in the square on a local full-back, Cotch and Joey [Leigh Montagna] to put straight in the guts, or outside stars in Smithy and Dyl who will run rings around opposition teams.
“Any of these players lining up for your local team will be a tantalising prospect, not only bringing a huge boost to clubs on the field, but hopefully bringing plenty of foot traffic through the gates and cash behind the canteen and bar.”
The Carlton Draft draft night – where the participating clubs select their player – will be held at The Pub at Crown Melbourne in late April, with matchdays to commence from late May.
