The 2022 AFL mid-season rookie draft is tomorrow with around 20 list spots available, with Territorian Wade Derksen one of the top prospects, who is currently playing for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

Originally from Darwin, Derksen grew up playing for the Nightcliff Tigers, where his father played more than 200 games before making the move to Victoria.

Derksen’s past four seasons, two of which were with Essendon’s VFL side, have been heavily interrupted by injuries and COVID cancellations. He was able to get only one game in.

However, he caught the eyes of recruiters when he kicked four goals from 22 disposals and seven marks against West Coast during the WAFL games.

“I just want to be a club man and lift the energy and just try my best to make as much out of it as I can. Wherever the coaches throw me, I’m happy to play, but I usually play half-forward and half-back,” Derksen said in a recent interview with the Mandurah Coastal Times.

Restored in 2019, the mid-season draft has had a constructive impact on the AFL, with dreams coming true for players across the country.

To guarantee clubs were not left at a disadvantage, the AFL permitted teams to pick up players in the mid-season draft, on the condition that they had one spare spot on their rookie list.

AFL clubs need to have a spare rookie list position by 5pm on May 31 to get a selection in the draft.

Rookie list spots can be opened up if an AFL-listed player retires or suffers a long-term injury, with players in those categories being placed on the Inactive List.

Clubs with available rookie list positions will select in reverse order of their ladder positions, with every club having their single selection, before the teams with two or more will get to select, also in reverse ladder order.