10 brilliant or bizarre picks from the mid-season drafts in the 1990s

Footballers around the country are hoping for an AFL lifeline on Monday, but a scan of the four mid-season drafts in the 1990s showed there were only a few successful picks. Here are our favourites.

Footballer Scott Turner of Richmond.

The mid-season draft is back.

After a 26-year hibernation the concept has been revived and footballers around the country are hoping for a lifeline on Monday night.

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But a quick scan through the four mid-season drafts that took place from 1990 to 1993 showed that few of the players selected proved long-term prospects.

Some were kids from the bush or the ’burbs aiming to get a crack at the big time. Others were former stars who wanted another chance.

The overwhelming majority failed to play a senior game. Only four of them played more than 100.

Here’s a look at 10 of the most noteworthy mid-season draft selections.

1. DARRYN CRESSWELL (Sydney)

Four of Sydney’s six mid-season draft picks in 1992 came from Tasmania, but only one of them made the grade. That was Darryn Cresswell, who was described as a “utility” from North Hobart. He would go on to play 244 games with the Swans, win the 1994 best-and-fairest, as well as being included in Sydney Team of the Century before his gambling addiction ended his dream of being an AFL coach.

Darryn Cresswell was one of the most successful mid-season draft picks.

2. DALE LEWIS (Sydney)

Lewis was working as a picture framer in the main street of Ballarat when he was plucked from almost obscurity by the Swans in the 1990 mid-season draft. He was starring with North Ballarat at the time, having spent a few seasons with St Marys in Darwin, and also with Torquay. Lewis kicked a goal with his first kick in AFL football and went on to play 182 games for the Swans.

Dale Lewis with Sydney coach Ron Barassi.

3. DALE KICKETT (Essendon)

Kickett’s league career looked to be over after stints with Fitzroy, West Coast and St Kilda. But he was thrown a career lifeline after dominating for Claremont in the WAFL, with Kevin Sheedy taking him in the 1993 mid-season draft. It didn’t work. Kickett played only eight games for the Bombers in 1994, but it would open the door for a trade to Fremantle as part of the deal to secure Matthew Lloyd. Kickett would play in the Dockers’ inaugural 1995 season, where he would play a further 135 games. He remains one of only four men to have played for five AFL clubs.

Dale Kickett in the colours of one of his five AFL clubs.

4. BRAD PEARCE (Brisbane)

The former St Kilda under-19 player failed to make the grade at Moorabbin. He went down to South Launceston in an effort to revive his career and came under notice of the Brisbane Bears, who took him in the 1992 mid-season draft. It resulted in two games the following year, which proved the catalyst for Carlton to take him via the pre-season draft. Pearce would play 77 games and kick 151 goals for the Blues, including four goals in the 1995 winning Grand Final. If it hadn’t been for his mid-season selection by the Bears, he might not be a premiership player.

Brad Pearce in action for the Blues.

5. PHIL KRAKOUER (Footscray)

Krakouer’s career looked over after constant knee injuries ruined his final years at North Melbourne. Then, Footscray pulled the shock of the 1990 mid-season draft by selecting Krakouer, despite the fact that he admitted he was several kilos overweight and had not run for some time. Still, he ended up playing seven games, for seven goals, for the Bulldogs.

Phil Krakouer breaks away from Darren Millane.

6. MATTHEW FEBEY (Melbourne)

Like his twin brother Steven, Matthew Febey was selected in the first national draft of 1990. But injuries and lack of opportunity meant the one-time kid from Devonport did not get a chance in those early years. Then, after being delisted, and being aligned to Rochester, he was given a reprieve by the Demons in the 1992 mid-season draft. This time he would play senior AFL football, playing 143 games for Melbourne.

Matthew Febey made the most of his second chance.

7. SCOTT TURNER (Richmond)

Richmond plucked Scott Turner from Ararat in the 1990 mid-season draft and the key-position player repaid the faith with 144 games with the Tigers. He was one of several men who played on Jason Dunstall on the day he kicked 17 goals, but he is best remembered by Tiger fans for his key role in the 1995 semi-final against Essendon when he flattened Gary O’Donnell with a shirt-front and kicked two goals in a memorable come-from-behind win.

Scott Turner is remembered fondly by Tiger fans.

8. ANTHONY McDONALD (Hawthorn)

The middle brother of Alex and James, Anthony was originally from Ballarat YCW before being drafted by Carlton. He played reserves footy before an unsuccessful stint with Hawthorn led him to Coburg. The Hawks had another crack at him via the 1992 mid-season draft but he did not play a senior game. Eventually he ended up at Melbourne, where he play 104 games, including the 2000 Grand Final.

9. JAMIE GRANT (Footscray/Sydney)

The older brother of Bulldogs great Chris Grant had two cracks at AFL football via the mid-season draft. The first came in 1990 when he was taken by the Bulldogs out of Daylesford in the Central Highland Football League to join his brother at the Western Oval. He played five games for the Dogs in 1991. After his stint with his brother, he was also drafted by the Swans in the 1993 mid-season draft, but did not play a senior game.

Bulldogs champion Chris Grant (right) with brother Jamie.

10. BRAD HARDIE (Sydney)

Imagine the chances that the final mid-season draft selection would end up being on a Brownlow Medal winner. After a career that took him from South Fremantle, to Footscray, to Brisbane, to Collingwood, Hardie had a colourful and at times successful career. He won the 1985 Brownlow. Incredibly, the Swans gave him one last chance when it used the last selection in the 1993 mid-season draft on him. Hardie would not add to his games tally there.

Originally published as 10 brilliant or bizarre picks from the mid-season drafts in the 1990s