Nine South Australians have been added to lists after the 29th annual AFL draft, held on the Gold Coast last night.

Riverland lad Sam Durdin was the first South Australian picked, going at selection number 16 to North Melbourne after surprisingly being passed up by the Crows at pick 14.

You need to go back to 2001 to find a draft where it took so long for a South Australia product to be collected.

Brad Ebert’s selection in the 2007 draft at number 13 was the most recent year that there wasn’t a local player in the top 10.

After a slow start the names came in a rush, with four key SA Under 18s championship-winning players secured at the end of the second round.

North Adelaide and Prince Alfred College small defender Harrison Wigg, noted for his elite left leg, was the Crows’ second pick at number 35, and was the next South Australian named after Durdin.

Wigg, who was at home with his mother Maureen and girlfriend Georgina Akkermans watching the draft, told InDaily that staying in Adelaide was “icing on the cake” after hearing his name being read out.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure because of the added media focus in Adelaide,” Wigg said.

He missed the last portion of the season with a stress fracture in his foot, but expects to be back to full training in a few weeks.

James Rose, the Sturt high-leaping forward, was secured by Sydney at selection number 37.

Declan Hamilton, a Gaza Eagles junior and nephew of the famous Jarman brothers, Darren and Andrew, will begin his AFL career with the Western Bulldogs after he was claimed at pick number 39.

Glenelg’s Alex Neal- Bullen was claimed with the very next pick, added to the Melbourne Demons’ midfield.  Alex is noted for his ball winning ability and finishing skills.

He joins father-son selection Billy Stretch (pick 42) at the Demons.

“I’m over the moon, as Billy and I are the best of mates,” Neal-Bullen said.

“We spoke to each other after I was picked and it was pretty emotional.  He is already over in Melbourne, so he can take me under his wing. It’s a dream come true.

“Also I happy that a number of the SA boys have got pick up and it shows the culture of the group we had at the under 18s this year.

“I have received a lot of texts from the players and (senior coach) Paul Roos told me to enjoy the night.”

The first of the SA mosquito fleet, Caleb Daniel, was secured by the Western Bulldogs, followed directly by another footballer with SANFL league experience, and the third Glenelg player selected, Corey Gregson, who will go to Geelong.

Gregson, from the Sacred Heart College football factory, watched the draft at home Morphettville with mum Kym and dad Michael.

“Joel Selwood called me and I’ve also heard from (assistant coach) Nigel Lappin and James Kelly,” Gregson said.

“I have many good mentors so far in my journey, especially Tom Hennessy from Sacred Heart.

“I’ve been blessed to go to a club like Geelong with a rich recent history.”

Dean Gore, a strong bodied midfielder who played league football at the Double Blues this year, went at selection number 55, also to the Cats.

Gore said it was a “big night”: as well as keeping an eye on the draft, he also attended his school formal at Urrbrae Agricultural High School.

“I only spoke to Geelong once at the draft combine, so it was a surprise when they selected me,” Gore said.

“Over my journey so far, from my days at Hahndorf, I’ve had many awesome coaches.

“I have been lucky and thankful to be guided by the likes of Ray Billings and given opportunities this year by senior coach, Seamus Maloney.”

Adelaide’s four picks were headed by Jake Lever, an aggressive tall defender from the Calder Cannons and Victoria Country, who they rated higher than Durdin. Lever missed the entire 2014 season after suffering an ACL injury.

Other Crow picks included Mitchell McGovern, who played 11 WAFL league games with Claremont this year, and Harry Dear, the son of Hawthorn premiership player Paul.

At 197cm and 98kg, Dear is seen as support for number one ruckman Sam Jacobs.

The Power’s first selection was at number 56, which they used to claim Dougal Howard, a 195cm forward from the Albury Tigers and the NSW/ACT Rams. Their next selection, Logan Austin, is a 19-year-old, 194cm swing player, who missed out on selection last year.

Third Power pick, the 188cm Jess Palmer, secured the TAC Cup goal kicking award this year, and the club’s final pick Billy Frampton is a 199cm ruckman from the west.

A number of locals who missed out last night will come under cconsideration at the pre-season and rookie draft to be held next Wednesday, December 3.

South Australian players drafted

16. Sam Durdin (West Adelaide/East Murray) to North Melbourne
35. Harrison Wigg (North Adelaide/Broadview) – Adelaide
37. James Rose (Sturt/Scotch) – Sydney
39. Declan Hamilton (Port Adelaide/Gaza) – Western Bulldogs
40. Alex Neal-Bullen (Glenelg/Plympton) – Melbourne
42. Billy Stretch (Glenelg/Henley) – Melbourne (father-son selection)
46. Caleb Daniel (South Adelaide/Edwardstown) – Western Bulldogs
47. Cory Gregson (Glenelg/Plympton) – Geelong
55. Dean Gore (Sturt/Hahndorf) – Geelong

Adelaide selections

Jake Lever – Caldor Cannons – pick 14
Harrison Wigg – North Adelaide – 35
Mitch McGoven – Claremont – 43
Harry Dear – Sandringham Dragons – 58

Port Adelaide selections

Dougal Howard – Murray Bushrangers – pick 56
Logan Austin – Belconnen – 69
Jesse Palmer – North Ballarat Rebels – 78
Billy Frampton – South Fremantle – 84