It's elementary - Cats feel more need for Holmes speed

That was the day after Harry Dean became a father-son selection at Carlton, following two-time premiership player Peter, and Latrelle Pickett joined his cousin Kysaiah Pickett at Melbourne as a round-one selection bolter.

As always, some highly rated youngsters were made to wait. Jack Ison slid to No.47 before Carlton matched North Melbourne's bid for him.

Poor Archie Ludowyke was in his bedroom and missed the moment when Adelaide called out his name at pick 50.

As Port Adelaide start their new era under coach Josh Carr, they are understood to have made AFL history as the first club not to make a selection in the national draft.

But there was no surprise when the Cats used their second selection at No.33 to snare the younger Holmes.

Max and Hunter are the sons of two-time Olympic sprinter Lee Naylor and speed is a strong family theme.

Renowned Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells spoke of Hunter's "brilliant athletic traits", also stressing that the family connection was not the key to recruiting him.

"Right from the start, we've picked Hunter the footballer. We think he's earned an opportunity," Wells said.

"The fact he is Max's brother is a bit of a bonus. I know Max and the whole family will be very excited ... we're excited about Hunter the footballer.

"If he comes along like Max did, we'll be very happy."

Still, the family connection made Wells and the Cats "very, very confident" about recruiting the younger brother.

Wells also made a point of paying credit to long-time junior football official Wayne Oswald, who watched the Holmes brother develop at the Sandringham Dragons.

"It's fair to say Wayne's thoughts on the boys ... was the opinion I took into consideration the most when when deciding whether to draft them," Wells said.

Max Holmes has won Geelong's last two best-and-fairest awards.

Geelong's two draft picks are unlikely to play senior football next year. Harley Barker, taken at No.24, is recovering from a knee reconstruction and Holmes is a developing talent.

"They have a long way to go with their footy," Wells said.

"We won't be expecting too much out of the boys next year, but are hopeful."

Also on Thursday, Jevan Phillipou, the younger brother of St Kilda young gun Mattaes, was recruited by Sydney with pick No.35.

Drew Banfield, the two-time West Coast premiership player, was the No.1 pick in the 1992 draft. Son Charlie went to St Kilda at No.41.

Two picks later, Cody Curtin was recruited by Brisbane. He is the younger brother of Adelaide player Daniel.

The Lions then recruited Tai Hayes, the nephew of St Kilda great Lenny, with the next selection.

Noah Roberts-Thomson, the cousin of Sydney premiership player Lewis, was picked up by Richmond at 54 and Will Darcy will join his older brother Sam at the Western Bulldogs with the last pick of the draft, at No.60.

Jake Stringer, re-drafted by GWS at No.59, was the only player with AFL experience to feature in the draft.

More current senior players are expected to be kept on lists through Friday's rookie draft.

Brisbane premiership player Callum Ah Chee was angry that they did not reach a trade with Adelaide and is likely to join the Crows as a rookie pick.