Former Port Adelaide hardman Josh Carr has returned to the AFL club he won a premiership with, while Melbourne rolled the dice with a little-known Northern Territorian with the No.1 pick in the pre-season draft.

In a draft highlighted by Richmond's selection of Ben Cousins with the final pick, Carr returned to Port after he was delisted by Fremantle at the end of last season.

The combustible midfielder left Port after their 2004 grand final win, wanting to team with his brother Matthew at Fremantle, who retired midway through 2008.

The Demons went for youth, plumping for Liam Jurrah, a ruck/forward from the Northern Territory who enjoyed a spell with Collingwood's VFL team last year.

In other notable selections, Essendon took ex-Adelaide player Hayden Skipworth and Carlton drafted former Melbourne defender Chris Johnson.

Brisbane went down the youth path and selected Murray Bushrangers youngster Tom Rockliff.

But all those clubs will be nervously watching how Richmond's recruiting punt on Cousins goes, mindful all had the chance to pick up the Brownlow Medallist ahead of the Tigers in the pre-season draft.

Ex-Swan Nick Davis and former Melbourne players Nathan Carroll and Adem Yze's AFL careers are over after they missed out on being drafted.

Several delisted AFL players were given second chances in the rookie draft.

Ex-Hawthorn defender Zac Dawson was thrown a lifeline by St Kilda, while former Richmond duo Danny Meyer (Port Adelaide) and Carl Peterson (Hawthorn) also found new homes.

Former Port Adelaide midfielder Greg Bentley was picked up by Carlton, who also re-drafted utility Darren Pfeiffer as a rookie.

NSW defender Kade Klemke, who had been publicly floated as a possibility to be drafted by Richmond instead of Cousins, slid to pick 50 in the rookie draft, and to Essendon.

The Tigers also added delisted youngster David Gourdis to their rookie list, as well as ruckman Andrew Browne and forwards Robin Nahas and Alroy Gilligan.

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