It was the pick that triggered chaos on the first night of what was already billed as the most unpredictable of AFL drafts.

West Coast selecting Gippsland Power’s brilliant utility Willem Duursma at No.1, and pairing him with Calder Cannons ruck-forward Cooper Duff-Tytler – either side of bids on Gold Coast academy talent Zeke Uwland and Carlton-father-son gun Harry Dean – was expected.

An emotional Sam Grlj was swamped by friends and family after Andrew Dillon read his name out. Credit: AFL Photos

But Richmond’s two picks, after lodging unsuccessful bids on academy players Dylan Patterson (Suns) and Daniel Annable (Brisbane Lions), promised to have a trickle-on effect, particularly for Essendon and Melbourne.

The rumblings among recruiters in recent months revolved around the

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