Draft Spotlight #4 | Olli Hotton
Written by Nathan Sepe
As part of the 2022 National Draft Coverage, Blue Abroad will place the spotlight on some potential draftees for the Carlton Football Club.
The fourth player in the spotlight is Olli Hotton, son of former Blue, Trent Hotton.
Carlton currently holds picks 10, 29, 49, and 66 in the upcoming AFL Draft, meaning the Blues would be most likely to take Hotton at pick 10, unless the odd occurrence happens where he drops to pick 28.
Olli has risen up the draft ranks after a sensational back half of his 2022 season, impressing in the National Championships after a late call-up by selectors before the first match.
Projected to land within picks 10 to 20, Hotton has proven he has the ability to impact the midfield across the stoppages, but also move forward and create a dangerous target within the forward 50.
Hotton played most of his football during 2022 for Haileybury in the APS system, under the influence of Essendon great, Matthew Lloyd, as coach.
Hotton was a major part of the Sandringham Dragons premiership run this year, coming back for the last five games and playing some eye-catching football in the midfield.
Hotton kicked one of the best goals of the NAB League Grand Final, whilst also amounting 25 disposals, two inside 50s and rebound 50s, nearly a best-on-ground effort if it wasn’t for his midfield counterpart Will Ashcroft tallying 39 touches.
Hotton’s back-half season form saw him earn a spot on the interchange for the 2022 National Championships Under 18 All-Australian team.
Hotton had a relatively slow start to the NAB League season, struggling to stand out on the stat sheet, but getting his name on the scoresheet twice in the first three weeks of the season.
His last five games in Dragons colours carried over the form from Vic Metro, averaging 21.6 disposals, 9.1 kicks, 3.2 marks per game, along with two goals in the local derby in Round 16 and a grand final goal.
Hotton played most of his minutes in the midfield rotation, after a poor slump of form in the forward rotation early in 2022.
Hotton provides an athletic asset through the centre stoppages and is a terrific runner and ball user down the wings.
His ability to outwork his opponent stands out, especially when he’s able to find space across the wing.
But that ability to outwork his opponent is matched by his strong positioning ability where he is often able to create breakout space to receive the handball out of a contest.
Hotton’s kicking ability styles his run-and-go approach to his outside running, with well-weighted balls up the ground allowing him the opportunity to present as another option before the ball is kicked again.
This is also matched by his ability to give handballs that create overlap patterns in contested passages, which was especially important at NAB League level where it’s vital to gain territory and transition quickly.
His ground ball work is extremely clean given Hotton is often under pressure or thinking of his next option or outlook before he picks the ball up.
Hotton’s attitude is extremely beneficial to any side’s game style execution, with a team orientated mindset that he focuses on to in turn make himself better.
Carlton could use Hotton as another option on the wing, as Olli is able to provide great run and carry and hold his width well across the ground.
It’s unlikely the Blues will get Hotton at Pick 10, but on the odd chance Olli slips down to Pick 28, which may be by miracle, the Blues will most likely have him in their range of options.
Chance of landing at the Blues: 15%
Stay tuned for more draft prospects.
