In a blockbuster trade to end the first night of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, Richmond has secured North Melbourne's future first-round selection.

The Kangaroos gave it up to snare the last pick in Wednesday night's opening round (No.27, used on 199cm Murray Bushrangers swingman Matt Whitlock) and Richmond's future second-round pick.

The pick swap ended a historic night for Richmond as it earlier crowned Sam Lalor as the No.1 pick in the Draft, separating the game-breaking midfielder from the pack, amongst six new Tigers added as first-round selections.

Richmond General Manager, Football Talent- Blair Hartley said he was pleased to bring in six quality young prospects, as well as a future first round pick.

“We feel like we have been able to set ourselves up; both with these selections and for next year as well,” Hartley said.

“The players we have picked, all have got the ability to play the game no doubt, but the focus for us next year is giving them the best chance to succeed long term.”

In the most even race in years between the country's best junior players, Lalor edged ahead of Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Finn O'Sullivan at the top of the draft, with the Tigers also opting not to bid on father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft, who was considered by some the best talent available.

The powerful and explosive Lalor has earned comparisons with Richmond champion Dustin Martin and was handed his jumper on stage by triple-premiership captain Trent Cotchin as he starts his career in yellow and black.  

"It was a really surreal feeling, and I was pretty shocked, but to share it with family and friends in the room was really special and I've got a lot of relief, so I can enjoy it a bit more," Lalor told AFL.com.au after his selection was made official.

"They (the Tigers) came over on Monday night with a bit of media, and the coach came over and they let me know then, but it's kind of hit me now.

"I'm really excited to come in with a lot of new boys and I can't wait to see who they are."

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Lalor joins the Tigers with the club's first No.1 pick since the club recruited Brett Deledio in 2004 and he shapes as the centrepiece player in a rebuild that will be turbocharged by the strongest draft hand of any club since Greater Western Sydney entered the competition.  

As part of their haul, the Tigers added dynamic midfielder Josh Smillie (No.7), talented onballer Taj Hotton (No.12), Jonty Faull (No.14), Luke Trainor (No.21) and key forward Harry Armstrong (No.23).

The club was able to stagger its picks by trading out at pick No.27 to land the Kangaroos' future first-round pick, with the club set to round out its draft with the opening pick on Thursday night (No.28).

Lalor has risen in prominence through the second half of the year to emerge late as a No.1 contender, with ankle and hip injuries and a serious hamstring setback restricting him at different stages.

Recruiters have long identified upside in the 18-year-old's talent, however, and were given plenty of glimpses of his ability to impact games with his penetrating kick, one-on-one strength, and explosiveness in big moments throughout 2024.

"It's pretty hard to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him," Lalor said of comparisons to Martin.

"He's someone I've watched growing up, so I'd love to play like him.

"For me, I don't look into it too much. I just can't wait to get in there, chip away and work hard."

Hailing from Bacchus Marsh and playing his school football with Geelong Grammar, Lalor is the second No.1 pick to come from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in three years after Aaron Cadman was crowned by Greater Western Sydney in 2022.

Richmond secured access to the No.1 pick after winning just two games in its first season under new coach Adem Yze, with an exodus of senior players at the end of the year setting up a bumper draft for the club.

In a tribute to late recruiting manager Chris Toce, the talent scout's young son Harry entered the details in the Tigers' draft room to make Lalor's selection official after he was informed of the club's decision on Monday.

2024 Telstra AFL Draft – First Round

1. Sam Lalor (Richmond)
2. Finn O'Sullivan (North Melbourne)
3. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Sid Draper (Adelaide)
5. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane – matching Melbourne's bid)
6. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
7. Josh Smillie (Richmond)
8. Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda)
9. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast – matching St Kilda's bid)
10. Alix Tauru (St Kilda)
11. Xavier Lindsay (Melbourne)
12. Taj Hotton (Richmond)
13. Isaac Kako (Essendon – matching Richmond's bid)
14. Jonty Faull (Richmond)
15. Joe Berry (Port Adelaide)
16. Bo Allan (West Coast)
17. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
18. Oliver Hannaford (Greater Western Sydney)
19. Harry Oliver (Greater Western Sydney)
20. Cooper Hynes (Western Bulldogs)
21. Luke Trainor (Richmond)
22. Jesse Dattoli (Sydney)
23. Harry Armstrong (Richmond)
24. Cody Angove (Greater Western Sydney)
25. Sam Marshall (Brisbane – matching Sydney's bid)
26. Ned Bowman (Sydney)
27. Matt Whitlock (North Melbourne)