By Greg Dundas
If this year’s crop of AFL wannabes look like a bunch of kids to you, that’s not because they’re getting any younger – it’s just that you’re getting older.
Today’s football superstars – and those who’ve retired in recent seasons – were all wide-eyed, pimply faced, string-armed teenagers themselves not that long ago.
Jeremy Cameron, Gary Ablett jnr and Jack Riewoldt in their draft years before they became AFL stars.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
Just take a look at this photo essay we’ve compiled, showcasing our images of AFL stars from their draft year against shots taken much later in their careers.
It makes you wonder what the boys who are drafted on Wednesday and Thursday night will look like when their careers eventually come to an end, hopefully many years from now.
Patrick Cripps bursting clear for Western Australia in his draft year (2013), and showing the same trademark style more than a decade later as Carlton skipper.Credit: Getty Images
Patrick Cripps
Drafted in 2013 – taken by Carlton with the No.13 pick
What The Age said then: Strong-bodied medium midfielder who excels around the stoppages. Keeps his feet well under pressure and executes effectively by hand. A one-touch player who makes smart decisions when in possession.
What he has achieved so far: 230 games, 127 goals. Brownlow Medals in 2022 and 2024, AFL MVP 2019, 4x All-Australian, 5x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: Draft pick No.13 in 2013 provided great fortune for the Blues. As predicted, he became a midfield beast, still breaking tackles in the same trademark style that he had when he arrived more than a decade ago. But what the accolades listed above don’t show is the stirling leadership he has given the club in good times and bad.
Dustin Martin before he was picked up at the 2009 draft by Richmond and in 2024 when he played his 302nd and final game for the Tigers.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo/Getty Images
Dustin Martin
Drafted in 2009 – taken by Richmond with pick No.3.
What The Age said then: Martin is a strong-bodied, strong-minded midfielder who keeps his feet, can slip tackles, kick with both feet and go forward to take a mark. He’s among the best kicks in the draft and if there’s a scrap for the ball you’d want him on your side. During the national championships, he played particularly well at the start of the first game and the start of the last one, suggesting his endurance needs work — and he’s been working on it — but that he also has a cool head in big situations. Martin has an honest, straightforward nature, and it comes through in his footy.
What he achieved: 302 games, 338 goals. Premierships in 2017, 2019, 2020. Brownlow Medal, AFLPA MVP and AFLCA champion player in 2017. 3x Norm Smith Medals, 4x All-Australian, 2x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: An all-time great destined for the hall of fame. Did most of his damage as a forward-of-centre midfielder, where his exquisite foot skills came to the fore. The silverware suggests he’s the greatest finals player of all-time.
Eddie Betts
Drafted in 2004 – taken by Carlton with pick No.3 of the pre-season draft.
What The Age said in February 2005: Even before he plays a senior AFL game, Carlton’s microwave-quick forward Eddie Betts is beginning to build a cult following around Princes Park. Betts is just 173 centimetres tall and weighs 75 kilograms, but his speed is breathtaking and his ability to find the goals equally impressive. He is a crumbing forward in the Jeff Farmer-Stephen Milne-Phil Matera mould and he can seriously go. In Carlton’s intra-club game at Optus Oval last weekend, he booted four goals and had the crowd rising every time he went near the football. Twice in the second half he delivered on the promise, booting sensational running goals, one with each foot. Betts is only 18 and it is most likely lack of size that stopped clubs from taking him in the national draft last year.
What he achieved: 350 games, 640 goals. 3x All-Australian, 4x goal of the year.
What we say now: Everything Martin Blake foretold in 2005 rang true. Betts was an electrifying goal sneak for both the Blues and Crows. Few players in history have a highlights reel to match his. Given the concerns about his size when he was drafted, his durability and longevity might be the most impressive aspect of his career.
Gary Ablett jnr’s first training run for Geelong after being drafted in 2001 and back at the Cats in his final season, 2020.Credit: Jack Atley/Getty Images
Gary Ablett jnr
Drafted in 2001 – taken by Geelong as a father-son selection (pick No.40)
What The Age said in June 2001: Young Ablett’s stocks are rising, and some clubs have indicated that they rate him a first-round draft pick – in the top 16 … [He] is said to be quite different in style and physique to his legendary father. A midfielder with excellent close-in skills and good speed, he is set to play in the national under-18 championships for the Victorian County team.
What Cats coach Mark Thompson said after the draft: “[He] is nothing like Gary (snr), really. He is a different size and plays differently. I’m sure he’ll forge his own career if he is good enough.”
What he achieved: 357 games, 445 goals. Premierships in 2007 and 2009. Brownlow Medals in 2009 and 2013. 8x All-Australian, 5x AFLPA MVP, 3x AFLCA champion player, 6x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: To borrow from Bomber Thompson’s line, he was certainly “good enough”. Bound to be elevated to the hall of fame at the earliest opportunity, he took the Cats to the promised land ... twice, before heading north as the face of the fledgling Suns. The pre-eminent onballer in the AFL for close to a decade from 2007 and deadly near goals.
Jack Riewoldt
Drafted in 2006 – taken by Richmond at pick No.13
What The Age said then: Big marking goal-kicking forward. No great pace, but superb hands. Played eight games in the VFL, including kicking four goals and taking 13 grabs against Bendigo Bombers. Had been touted as possible top 10. The Tigers have needed key-position players and with Riewoldt they have a quality key forward.
What he achieved: 347 games, 787 goals. Premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020. 3x All-Australian, 3x Coleman Medals.
What we say now: Talent was never a question with Riewoldt, but there were some concerns about his maturity and attitude very early on before he transformed himself into a selfless spearhead. His team’s fortunes followed, as he secured a place in Richmond folklore as the killer focal point of a triple premiership era.
Jeremy Cameron
Drafted in 2010 – taken by GWS as an underage priority selection
What The Age said in May 2010: At 195 centimetres and 82 kilograms and growing, he has the modern footballer’s make-up; the records he broke at a recent school sports meet attest to his athleticism (the 400 metres mark had stood for more than 20 years) ... At Ararat, in North Ballarat’s first practice match of the year, the opening bounce was tapped to a Rebels on-baller, who roosted it into the forward line. Two opponents ran under the ball, then backed into Jeremy’s path. “I just jumped for it and ended up taking the best speccy of my life,” he says. “That was in the first 10 seconds of my first Rebels game ever.” A switch was flicked, illuminating a belief that he could not only stand alongside the best kids in the state, but sometimes soar above them.
What he has achieved so far: 280 games, 736 goals. Premiership in 2022. 5x All-Australian, 2x Coleman Medals, 2x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: Started at a fledgling club with minimal footy experience behind him, but made his name with a 62-goal year in 2013, when the Giants – in just their second season – managed only one victory. Departed the Giants after leading the goalkicking in each of his nine seasons and tasted the ultimate success at Geelong in 2022. Could he go all the way to 1000 goals?
Lance Franklin at th AFL draft camp in 2004 before he was drafted by Hawthorn, and - almost 20 years later - playing for Sydney in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Lance Franklin
Drafted in 2004 – taken by Hawthorn with pick No.5
What The Age said then: There is no doubt the agile forward’s 196-centimetre and 90-kilogram frame helps but, according to Perth Football Club football manager Laurie Liddelow, Franklin has had no problems in the past stepping up. “There was no sort of settling-in period, [he was] able to play the same brand of football every time [he] went up a level,” Liddelow said. “We just floated him off half-forward flank, but if he had have continued ... he probably would’ve played centre-half forward for us.” The other attribute that distinguished Franklin [described by Liddelow as “an easy-going kid”] against the Lions was a willingness to trade barbs with a team famous for its trash-talking. One time he went toe to toe with triple-premiership winner Justin Leppitsch and, according to accounts, told the ginger nut Lion that he would rather be “dead than red”.
What he achieved: 354 games, 1066 goals. Premierships in 2008 and 2013. 4x Coleman Medals, 8x All-Australian, 1x best-and-fairest award.
What we say now: The likely No.1 if the AFL were to name the greatest player of the first quarter of this century. The fourth-highest goalkicker of all-time and last player to kick 100 in a season – a feat which helped the Hawks to an unexpected premiership in 2008. Hugely influential in maintaining the sport’s popularity north of the Murray River.
Luke Hodge at one of his early training sessions at Hawthorn after being taken with the No.1 pick at the 2001 draft, and 16 years later while captain of Hawthorn.Credit: Ken Irwin/AFL Photos
Luke Hodge
Drafted in 2001 – taken by Hawthorn with the No.1 pick
What The Age said on draft night: Classy left-footed goalkicker who won Ron Barassi Medal as the best player in U17 international rules series versus Ireland this year. Missed AFL U18s due to injury but returned late in the season showing his outstanding potential with the Falcons. Strong overhead and a prodigious kick … Can play both forward and midfield, is good overhead with a mercurial touch.
What he achieved: 346 games, 194 goals. Premierships in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (2013-15 as captain). 2x Norm Smith Medals, 3x All-Australian, 2x best-and-fairest awards, member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
What we say now: They didn’t muck around elevating Hodge into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. That happened this year – the earliest opportunity, given he’d retired just six years earlier. He was Hawks captain in three of the four premierships he won, and won his first Norm Smith Medal in the other.
Max Gawn shortly after being drafted by Melbourne in 2009, and 16 years later leading the club off the ground as its long-running captain.Credit: Getty Images
Max Gawn
Drafted in 2009 – taken by Melbourne with pick No.34
What The Age said at the draft: Enormous ruckman who is quite agile … Gawn, at 208 centimetres the tallest and heaviest player in the draft, twisted his knee earlier this year and is still recovering from surgery. But he said he was looking forward to making the most of the opportunity “especially at this great club”. “I’m just stoked and can’t wait to get out there and do my best for the Dees,” he said.
What he has achieved so far: 247 games, 115 goals. Premiership in 2021. 8x All-Australian, 3x best-and-fairest awards, AFLCA champion player in 2018.
What we say now: Melbourne have won one premiership in the past 61 years, and Gawn was the captain and talisman of that 2021 team. Had a humble beginning to his career, but got his act together to become the pre-eminent ruckman in the game for the past decade and one of the code’s most authentic and measured leaders.
Nat Fyfe training with the Dockers after being drafted in 2009, and towards the end of his playing days. Credit: Getty Images
Nathan Fyfe
Drafted in 2009 – taken by Fremantle with pick No. 20
What The Age said then: Strong overhead, reliable goalkicker.
What he achieved: 248 games, 178 goals. Brownlow Medals in 2015 and 2019. 2x AFLPA MVP, 3x All-Australian, 3x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: Only Matthew Pavlich can contend with Fyfe as the greatest Docker of all-time. He was sadly hampered by injuries for the final four seasons of his career, but don’t let that fool you into underestimating his impact. He won his maiden best-and-fairest award in 2013, the year of his club’s first and only grand final appearance, and is the club’s only Brownlow medallist.
Patrick Dangerfield in Adelaide in 2009 - his second season on the Crows’ list - and leading the Cats into battle.Credit: David Mariuz/Getty Images
Patrick Dangerfield
Drafted in 2007 – taken by Adelaide with pick No.10
What Emma Quayle wrote in The Age before the draft: Dangerfield is a personal favourite, one of the most exciting players in the draft. He grabs the ball and bolts. His kicking needs some work, but he’s only 17, and could have had another year in the TAC Cup had he wanted. If you’re looking for express midfield speed, he’s probably the only top-line onballer in this draft who has it.
What Adelaide’s recruiting manager Matt Rendell said on drafting Dangerfield: “He played in the championships, didn’t play super well but had a great second half of the year in the midfield. He has got some real athletic ability. Fantastic person, good character.”
What he has achieved so far: 360 games, 365 goals. Premiership 2022. AFLPA MVP and AFLCA champion player 2016, 8x All-Australian, 4x best-and-fairest.
What we say now: One of the sport’s most influential figures as a champion player for well over a decade, and off it as a long-standing AFLPA president and elder statesman. Plays with power and ferocity that belie his laid-back, affable persona.
Scott Pendlebury playing in the under-18 grand final for the Gippsland Power in 2005, and (right) in 2025 as he draws ever closer to the AFL games record.Credit: Getty Images
Scott Pendlebury
Drafted in 2005 – taken by Collingwood with pick No.5
What Emma Quayle wrote in The Age at the time: Hard-running, bouncy and agile midfielder who has good awareness and always seems to have time on his side. Knocked back a potential basketball career – he had an AIS scholarship – for footy.
What he has achieved so far: 425 games, 204 goals. Premierships in 2010 and 2023. Norm Smith Medal 2010 (rematch), 6x All-Australian, 5x best-and-fairest winner, AFLCA champion player 2013.
What we say now: Enters his 21st season just seven games shy of equalling Brent Harvey’s AFL games record. Still moving as smoothly as ever and still influencing big games. Remarkable value for the Pies.
Toby Greene dashing forward for Vic Metro in 2011 and leading the Giants from the front in 2025.Credit: Getty/AFL Images
Toby Greene
Drafted in 2011 – taken by GWS with pick No.11
How The Age described him at the draft: A gusty, hard-working midfielder who keeps getting the ball, keeps getting into space and setting up teammates. Hasn’t done a lot of the athletic testing before, given he’s come from nowhere, so his results will reveal more about him. Plays like a desperado.
What he has achieved so far: 261 games, 416 goals, 3x All-Australian, 2x best-and-fairest winner.
What we say now: Has been a mainstay of the Giants’ AFL line-up since its inception, and now the club’s inspirational captain. No mention of his forward craft or his cheeky combative style back in 2011, but those are among the qualities he is now known for.
Zach Merrett
Drafted in 2013 – taken by Essendon with pick No.26
What The Age said before the draft: Merrett is a clever, crafty player. He seems to see things quite quickly, whether that’s something he can set up for another player, an opponent he can get to and tackle or a piece of play he can become a part of. Combine his common sense with his kicking skills, and you have a lot to work with. He’s trustworthy, a player you hope finds the ball because he’ll use it well. Who will pick him? He’s a big chance to join his brother Jackson at Essendon, at 26. St Kilda may take him at 18 or 19 before then. Anywhere from Sydney’s pick 16 down to the Bombers.
What he has achieved so far: 251 games, 87 goals. 3x All-Australian, 6x best-and-fairest awards.
What we say now: Overlooking the dramas of recent months, Merrett has been a shining light for the Bombers in difficult times. While he is expected to lose the captaincy because he sought a trade to Hawthorn, his dominance in Crichton Medal counts means no one can deny his place in the club’s history books.
Nick Riewoldt
Drafted in 2000 – taken by St Kilda with the No.1 pick
What The Age said on draft day: Excellent overhead mark with a great work ethic, continually presenting himself across half-forward. Shows great courage in contests. Won All-Australian honours in AFL U18s representing Queensland and played in the Southport premiership side. His overhead marking shone out at draft camp.
What he achieved: 336 games, 718 goals. AFLPA MVP 2004, 5x All-Australian, AFL Rising Star 2002, 6x best-and-fairest awards. Australian Football Hall of Fame member.
What we say now: Perhaps the hardest running/working key forward the game has seen. Put himself through the ringer for the Saints and twice fell agonisingly close to leading his club to a drought-breaking premiership win.
Marcus Bontempelli days before the Bulldogs picked him up in the 2013 draft, and now, as one of the AFL’s most respected midfielders.Credit: Ken Irwin / Getty Images
Marcus Bontempelli
Drafted in 2013 – by the Western Bulldogs with pick No.4
What The Age said on draft day: Tall defender-midfielder with a raking left foot who can penetrate the lines. A rangy player with good agility, excellent endurance and durability.
What he has achieved so far: 258 games, 253 goals. Premiership in 2016. 3x AFLPA MVP, AFLCA champion player 2019, 7x All-Australian, 6x best-and-fairest winner.
What we say now: If the AFL ran a poll asking supporters to name their favourite player from an opposition club, my money is on “Bont” winning by the length of the Flemington straight. He’s universally loved and admired by the football world for his grace and class, both on the field and off it. The Bulldogs voted him behind on Ted Whitten as their greatest player of all time earlier this year. He looks to have 100, perhaps 150, games left in his career, so EJ’s position is under threat.
With Paul Rovere and Andrew Brooks
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