Joel Crocker
Drafted from: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 73kg
DOB: 14/4/2000
Position: Utility

North Melbourne has selected Joel Crocker with pick 69 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

Crocker was nominated by the Roos as a father-son pick, after his father Darren played 165 games for the club and won the 1996 premiership. 

Like his father, the 191-cm Crocker is a versatile utility who can impact around the ground, playing predominantly through the midfield or up forward.

Crocker showed promising signs as a junior with his school Brighton Grammar, as well as during his time with the Sandringham Dragons, but his draft year was interrupted by a season-ending syndesmosis injury.

In one of his final games of 2018 before succumbing to injury, Crocker dominated with a five-goal performance for Brighton Grammar in a clash with Caulfield Grammar.

With father Darren being a part of the North coaching panel since 2004, Joel has been involved with the club for as long as he can remember, training with the senior group on a number of occasions. 

Crocker becomes North’s second father-son pick of 2018 after Bailey Scott, and fourth overall. 

What the recruiters say

“Joel had an interrupted last few years with injury after making All Australian as a 15yo. He sees the game very well and has the ability to play both ends of the ground.” – Mark Finnigan

What he says

“It’d mean a lot to me (getting drafted). Dad spent a fair bit of time there (North Melbourne), played over 100 games there, played in a flag there as well”, Crocker told foxfooty.com.au.

“It’d be pretty special if I get to chuck on the blue and white jumper, and be drafted to the club.

“I’ve been there since I was young. I’ve been around the club and all the players since I was a little boy. They’ve been a huge part of my life and it would be a very special moment to go there.”