Carlton has welcomed four new recruits at tonight’s NAB AFL National Draft on the Gold Coast.

The Blues used selections 19, 28, 60 and 63, selecting Blaine Boekhorst, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Clem Smith and Jayden Foster.

Boekhorst is 20-year-old midfielder who hails from Port Hedland in Western Australia.

He has been playing for Swan Districts in the WAFL and enjoyed a breakout season in 2014, representing Western Australia against a combined NEAFL team.

Carlton’s National Recruiting Manager Shane Rogers says Boekhurst impressed the Blues recruiters.

“Blaine ticked the boxes for us with his speed, agility and outside run. He’s the type of player who really takes on the opposition and will give us some depth in the midfield,” Rogers said.


“Having had a couple of years of development in the WAFL his body has matured a little more and he has matured as a player, making him someone who could easily slot into our team straight away.”

Carlton’s second selection Dillon Viojo-Rainbow is an 18-year-old Victorian who is a left footer with a penetrating kick. He played 12 games for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup and ranked highly for his endurance at last month's NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The Blues used pick 60 to select midfielder Clem Smith from Western Australia. At the age of just 17, Smith was named in the 2013 All Australian Under 18s team and has played 10 senior games for Perth in the WAFL.

Meanwhile Jayden Foster from the Calder Cannons was selected with pick 63. The 19-year-old is 194cm tall and knows how to find the goal, kicking 49 goals from 16 games in the TAC Cup.

Before proceedings began AFL chief Gillon McLachlan congratulated the draft hopefuls.

“Tonight marks the beginning of your AFL journey,” McLachlan said. “But it is only the start, not the destination.”

St Kilda selected Paddy McCartin with the number one pick, while 12 academy players and father-son selections had already been locked in ahead of the draft.

Blaine Boekhorst
Club: Swan Districts
DOB: 2/09/1993
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg

Blaine Boekhorst is a 21-year-old pacey midfielder known for his run and carry. The former state volleyballer has more recently utilised his jumping and movement skills in the AFL and is also recognised as a great ball user.