AFL draft: 2006 class reselected, Joel Selwood No. 1 pick
CLUBS were hesitant to pick Joel Selwood. But six of them might be regretting that call now. We reselect the top 20 picks of the 2006 draft.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN THE lead-up to the 2015 AFL national draft, Fox Footy is taking a look back at previous years to see what the clubs got right and what they got really, really wrong.
The last few years are a bit too recent to judge fairly, so we’re starting in 2005 and counting down a draft a day until this year’s crop is up to be picked on Tuesday 24 November.
Today, we’re revisiting the 2006 draft — a class which has produced a handful of players that will go down as some of the best in the game’s history.
TOP 20 REVISITED: PENDLES TOPS ‘05 CLASS
Carlton selected Bryce Gibbs with pick No. 1 — but a fellow on-baller has arguably emerged as the premier player from the draft class.
With the benefit of hindsight, here’s how the top 20 picks of the 2005 draft should have gone.
PICK 1 — CARLTON
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Bryce Gibbs
NEW SELECTION: Joel Selwood
Nine years ago, clubs were hesitant to take on Selwood, after his draft year was plagued by knee injuries. But three flags, three best and fairests, four All-Australian jumpers, a rising star award and a four-year stint as Geelong skipper later, a few clubs must be asking themselves what might’ve been.
PICK 2 — ESSENDON
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Scott Gumbleton
NEW SELECTION: Tom Hawkins
For the sake of it, let’s say Hawkins didn’t nominate as a father-son selection. If so, he would’ve been one of the hottest prospects, following a stunning national championships campaign that saw him win the Larke Medal. Instead, Hawkins was taken by the Cats as a father-son selection at pick No. 41. Now he’s arguably the most powerful forward in the competition.
PICK 3 — NORTH MELBOURNE
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Lachie Hansen
NEW SELECTION: Todd Goldstein
The Roos opted for Hansen with their first pick and Goldstein with pick No. 37. In hindsight, they might’ve used pick No. 3 to take Goldstein, who’s developed into the league’s best ruckman. Goldstein was at the height of his powers in 2015, averaging unprecedented numbers for a ruckman with 44 hit-outs and 129 SuperCoach points per game.
PICK 4 — BRISBANE LIONS
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Matthew Leuenberger
NEW SELECTION: Josh P Kennedy
Like Hawkins, let’s pretend Kennedy didn’t land at Hawthorn as a father-son selection. Now, after being traded to the Swans, he’s become one of the best inside midfielders in the game with a premiership medallion to his name, ranking first in the competition for total contested possessions for the past four seasons.
PICK 5 — PORT ADELAIDE
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Travis Boak
NEW SELECTION: Travis Boak
No regrets or hindsight thinking here for Port, as Boak has been everything the club has hoped for — and more. One of the best midfielders — and leaders — in the competition, Boak is an outstanding ambassador for the club and code.
PICK 6 — HAWTHORN
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Mitch Thorp
NEW SELECTION: Jack Riewoldt
The Hawks opted for star Tassie product Thorp, who went on to play just two games. Instead, they could’ve selected Riewoldt, who’s turned into a star for the Tigers, winning two Coleman medals and two All-Australian jumpers.
PICK 7 — GEELONG
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Joel Selwood
NEW SELECTION: Robbie Gray
Arguably the biggest steal of the draft at pick No. 55, Gray has developed into one of the best midfielder/half-forward players in the competition over the past three seasons. The scary thing is he’s only 27-years-old, meaning his best footy could still be ahead of him.
PICK 8 — COLLINGWOOD
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Ben Reid
NEW SELECTION: Bryce Gibbs
You’ve got to feel for Gibbs, who’s copped a wave of criticism for his inconsistency since he entered the AFL system. Yes he’s not the best player to emerge from this draft, but his best is still exceptionally good, highlighted by his 2011 season — where he starred off half-back — and 2014 campaign — where he won Carlton’s best and fairest.
PICK 9 — ST KILDA
ORIGINAL SELECTION: David Armitage
NEW SELECTION: James Frawley
Frawley was a shining light during the dark Demon days, developing into one of the top lockdown defenders in the competition. In 2010, he was named in the All-Australian team and finished second in Melbourne’s best and fairest count — at the age of 21. Now, after crossing over to Hawthorn, he’s a premiership player.
PICK 10 — COLLINGWOOD
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Nathan J Brown
NEW SELECTION: Kurt Tippett
Tippett’s time in the AFL hasn’t been entirely smooth — his messy, illegal move from Adelaide to Sydney saw him fined and suspended for 11 matches. But at his best, the big man has been a valuable asset at both the Crows and Swans, kicking 301 goals from 152 games in nine AFL seasons. The Crows originally stole him with pick No. 32.
PICK 11 — WESTERN BULLDOGS
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Andrejs Everitt
NEW SELECTION: David Armitage
If it wasn’t for his breakout 2015 season, Armitage could’ve found himself lower down the revised order. After struggling to cement his spot in the dominant St Kilda sides of 2009 and 2010, Armitage has played 100 games in the past five seasons. A ball magnet and clearance machine, the left-footer jumps only two spots back from his original draft position.
PICK 12 — MELBOURNE
ORIGINAL SELECTION: James Frawley
NEW SELECTION: Lindsay Thomas
Say all you want Lindsay, but you can’t dispute his numbers. One of the most maligned players in the league has kicked 283 goals from 174 games in nine AFL seasons. Yet most struggle to look past his inconsistency and ill-discipline.
PICK 13 — RICHMOND
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Jack Riewoldt
NEW SELECTION: Justin Westhoff
It’s hard to believe a man taken with pick No. 71 in the draft would go on to play 181 games and turn into one of his team’s most important players. But that’s what Westhoff has been able to achieve. Back, forward or on the wing, Westhoff plays his role, turning into a draft steal.
PICK 14 — ADELAIDE
ORIGINAL SELECTION: James Sellar
NEW SELECTION: Ben Reid
Sellar was ultimately a draft failure for the Crows. In hindsight, fellow key-position prospect Reid would’ve been a suitable pick, despite being taken six selections later in the revised draft. Injuries have cruelled his past two seasons, but his four-year stint between 2010 and 2013 — which included a premiership medallion and All-Australian selection — had Collingwood fans salivating.
PICK 15 — SYDNEY SWANS
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Daniel O’Keefe
NEW SELECTION: Shane Edwards
Little “Titch” Edwards is the kind of player you want to run out onto the MCG next to. A quick, evasive half-forward who’s smart around goals, Edwards continues to improve with each season, highlighted by his career-best 2015 campaign where he 19 disposals and four tackles per game.
PICK 16 — WEST COAST EAGLES
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Mitch Brown
NEW SELECTION: Lachie Hansen
At his best Hansen, can be one of the best intercept defenders in the league, highlighted by his great set of hands. He’s averaged six marks per game across his 133-game career to date. However injuries — and other classy defenders at North Melbourne — have meant he hasn’t reached his full potential — yet.
PICK 17 — CARLTON (PRIORITY PICK)
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Shaun Hampson
NEW SELECTION: Bachar Houli
After he was taken with pick No. 42, Houli seemingly never got going at the Bombers and was, subsequently, traded to Richmond in 2010. Since then, however, the rebounding defender with a penetrating left-foot kick has been an invaluable member of Richmond’s best 22, averaging 22 disposals from 111 games in five seasons.
PICK 18 — ESSENDON (PRIORITY PICK)
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Leroy Jetta
NEW SELECTION: Nathan J Brown
Like Reid, Brown is a Collingwood key defender whose career so far has been somewhat curtailed by injuries. But when he’s been in the side, the strongly-built Brown has been one of the league’s most dependable backmen. He was rewarded with a premiership medallion in 2010.
PICK 19 — CARLTON
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Shaun Grigg
NEW SELECTION: Will Schofield
A bargain for the Eagles nine years ago, Schofield was taken with pick No. 50. With Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown struck down by injury, we saw the best of Schofield in 2015, stepping up in his teammates’ absence and playing a crucial role in the Eagles’ surge into the grand final.
PICK 20 — ESSENDON
ORIGINAL SELECTION: Tom Hislop
NEW SELECTION: Colin Garland
At 191cm, Garland is the Dees’ most versatile defender, with the ability to play on either tall or small opponents. He’s been a key member of the Demons’ back brigade since 2008, averaging 14 disposals and four marks from 135 games.
Originally published as AFL draft: 2006 class reselected, Joel Selwood No. 1 pick
Hall’s long-distance Gallen plan
Barry Hall has revealed how he plans to beat his shorter but more experienced opponent in their much-anticipated bout.
Hall gets kick from little masters
Andrew Moloney is the hot favourite to become Australia’s only current world boxing champion when he battles Brooklyn’s Elton Dharry on the same night that his mate Barry Hall fights Paul Gallen.