North Melbourne has taken Victorian midfielder Finn O'Sullivan with its opening selection and No.2 pick overall of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.

An Oakleigh Chargers product who hails from Koroit in the state's west, O'Sullivan is a classy and composed ball-winner capable of bursting games open.

He had long been touted as a potential No.1 pick in this year's draft, after winning U18 All-Australian selection as an under-age player in 2023. Starring for Vic Country, he showcased his speed and decision-making that season while playing alongside future North Melbourne teammate Zane Duursma, and against future teammates Colby McKercher and Riley Hardeman.

Though injuries to his left thumb and a right finger interrupted this year's campaign, keeping him out of All-Australian calculations, he further impressed for the Chargers and Vic Country, as well as in a VFL appearance for Richmond, when he proved his readiness to compete against senior bodies by kicking two goals from 12 touches.

O’Sullivan, whose father Nick was on North Melbourne’s list without playing a senior game, becomes the Kangaroos' fifth top-five draft selection in the past three years, following Colby McKercher (No.2) and Zane Duursma (No.4) last year, and Harry Sheezel (No.3) and George Wardlaw (No.4) in 2022. 

"I'm feeling stoked," O'Sullivan told AFL.com.au after being drafted.

"Alastair Clarkson never told me (I was definitely coming to North Melbourne), but I had Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw come over and speak to me at one stage. It was a pretty cool feeling when they came over and said 'G'day'.

"I'm so pumped ... to experience the great midfield the Kangaroos have, and learn off the best. I can't wait to get started."