Will Mosquito bite the Hawks? Plus other overlooked players

[Glasgow]

WHEN Hawthorn hosts Essendon in round 13 next year, all eyes will be on whether Bombers small forward Irving Mosquito plays, and the damage he inflicts on the Hawks.

For the duration of his AFL career, Mosquito will forever be remembered as the player the Hawks passed up at pick 38 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

Living in the Hawks' Next Generation Academy catchment area in Gippsland, Mosquito had moved from remote Western Australia as an 11-year-old.

However, the Hawks opted not to match the Bombers' bid for him, instead holding fire with plans of their own for GWS Academy member Mathew Walker later in the draft.

They're just two of a number of Academy and father-son prospects overlooked in the open draft by the clubs they were tied to since 2013. 

Irving Mosquito – Essendon (Pick 38, 2018 NAB AFL Draft)
Arriving at Tullamarine at 72kg, he's got plenty of developing to do, but the Bombers are confident they've landed a small forward for the future. Not holding a pick until the second round after trading for Dylan Shiel, the Bombers had been watching Mosquito's name closely. When lodging the bid, the Bombers were over the moon when Hawthorn passed up the chance to match.

Mathew Walker – Hawthorn (Pick 63, 2018 NAB AFL Draft)
A member of Greater Western Sydney's Academy, the Giants were well aware of the Riverina forward's capabilities. Playing for the Giants' NEAFL side, he even booted five goals in a match against Gold Coast as a 17-year-old in 2017. He also played one game for Albury Tigers in the Ovens and Murray Football League in 2018 – for a premiership. But the Hawks pounced, nabbing him after the Giants decided not to match their bid. 

Declan Watson – North Melbourne (Pick 34, 2016 NAB AFL Draft)
Hailing from Aspley, Queensland, Watson played six NEAFL games for the Lions during 2016 after impressing in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. However, the Lions knocked back the chance to match North Melbourne's bid as he walked to Arden Street. Suffering an ACL in 2017, the key defender spent 2018 recovering but received a one-year extension for 2019.

Josh Williams – North Melbourne (Pick 36, 2016 NAB AFL Draft)
Blessed with blistering speed, Williams was nabbed by the Roos despite being a member of the Gold Coast Academy. Had moved from Townsville to Gold Coast to further his football as a 17-year-old, but the Suns opted not to match the Roos' bid. Played just two games in two years at the Roos and despite playing 16 VFL games this year, was delisted at season's end.

Kobe Mutch – Essendon (Pick 42, 2016 NAB AFL Draft)
Having been a member of the AFL Academy and GWS in 2016, playing for the Giants in the NEAFL, Mutch ended up a Bomber. The Giants had first rights to the half-back but opted to allow him to end up at the Bombers, where he debuted and played three senior matches in 2018. Has a contract until 2020. 

Harrison Macreadie – Carlton (Pick 47, 2016 NAB AFL Draft)
Another who the Giants passed up the opportunity to recruit. Hailing from Henty – between Albury and Wagga Wagga – in south-west NSW, the defender debuted for the Giants in the NEAFL in his bottom-age under-18 year. However, Stephen Silvagni and his recruiting team liked what they saw in another 'Giant', Macreadie playing eight games in his debut season before hamstring and quad setbacks hurt his 2018.