James Hird, Chris Grant and Dane Swan proved to be among the biggest bargains on AFL draft day

Premiership players, best and fairest winners, All-Australians, Norm Smith medallists and even Brownlow medallists. We take a look at the men who were passed over early in their draft to become genuine superstars.

James Hird celebrates Essendon’s Grand Final win in 2000.

Thinking day 2 of this year’s revamped AFL national draft might not provide the star factor of opening night? Well, think again.

But you might have to be patient.

The premium talent — and the names we’ve already heard so much about this year — will be snapped up on the opening night of the AFL Draft. History shows it is these players, taken with the early picks, who will go on to form the vast majority of the game’s future top-liners.

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But a look back through the history of the draft shows there’s plenty of gold for clubs possessing later picks.

Premiership players, best and fairest winners, All-Australians, Norm Smith medallists and even Brownlow medallists have started their AFL journey after being a bargain-basement draft selection.

But who’s been the biggest draft steal we’ve seen?

As we count days the days until Thursday’s national draft, we look back through the list of draftees who might not have been hot on AFL club radars, but went on to become stars of the game.

Chris Grant polled the most votes in the 1997 Brownlow Medal — but was ineligible.

Grant is chaired off after his 300th game for the Bulldogs.

CHRIS GRANT — Pick 105 (1988)

Club: Western Bulldogs

Matches: 341

We say: A magnificent key-position star at both ends for the Bulldogs. Drafted in 1988, he debuted in 1990 as a skinny full-forward from Daylesford and booted 51 goals and a season-best 71 in 1994. But became a genuine star of the AFL when he shifted to the other end. He famously polled the most votes in the 1997 Brownlow Medal but was stiff after being ruled ineligible following an early-season strike.

JAMES HIRD — Pick 79 (1990)

Club: Essendon

Matches: 253

We say: Lightly-framed but blessed with amazing balance and bravery, Hird was under the eyes of the Bombers when playing for Ainslie in Canberra and joined the club in the 1990 draft. He could play almost any position on the ground, but did his best work through the midfield and across half forward. Earned a Brownlow Medal in 1996, captained the Bombers and won the Norm Smith in the club’s 2000 premiership and was always a big-game performer.

James Hird salutes fans after leading Essendon to the 2000 premiership.

MICHAEL O’LOUGHLIN — Pick 40 (1994)

Club: Sydney Swans

Matches: 303

We say: The shy kid from Adelaide would go on to become a games record holder at the Swans and a club favourite. The sublimely-skilled O’Loughlin made the big move to Sydney as a 17-year-old and made an immediate impact. Stationed mostly in and around the forward 50 across his 15 seasons, he booted 521 career goals in the red and white and was part of the drought-breaking 2005 premiership.

BRENT HARVEY — Pick 47 (1995)

Club: North Melbourne

Matches: 432

We say: To think many clubs thought Harvey was simply too small. The Kangaroos icon sure proved size doesn’t matter as he dominated for many of his 21 seasons at Arden Street. Breaking the AFL record for matches played in his final season, Harvey earned five best and fairests during his career, was part of the 1999 premiership team, was a four-time All-Australian and also captained Australia in International Rules.

(Interestingly, former Geelong premiership star Darren Milburn was taken with the following selection — pick 48 — and went on to play 292 AFL matches)

The pint-sized Brent Harvey broke Glenn Archer’s Kangaroos games record before becoming the league’s games record holder.

ADAM GOODES — Pick 43 (1997)

Club: Sydney Swans

Matches: 372

We say: What a CV. Rising Star winner, twice a premiership star, a three-time best and fairest, four All-Australian gongs — and a dual Brownlow winner (2003, 2006). He seemed a touch ungainly earlier in his career but quickly added size to his frame to become one of the smoothest movers in the game — be it in the ruck, ruck roving or playing a key-position role. With his durability a feature throughout his 18-season career, Goodes was a key reason in the club’s culture and success during his time in Sydney.

Adam Goodes did it all throughout his magnificent career at the top level. Picture. Phil Hillyard

COREY ENRIGHT — Pick 47 (1999)

Club: Geelong

Matches: 332

We say: Underrated for much of the early part of his career, everyone in footy knew how good Enright was by the time he hung up the boots. Was part of each of the Cats’ premierships earlier this century and was twice best and fairest in those three seasons. The half-back flanker had a cool head, could read the play superbly to thwart opposition attacks and then use the ball well — hence him earning six All-Australian gongs.

Dane Swan ran all day and was a prolific contributor during the Pies’ reign.

DANE SWAN — Pick 58 (2001)

Club: Collingwood

Matches: 258

We say: From rugged half-back flanker to untaggable midfielder. Swan steadily improved under Mick Malthouse and transformed into one of the game’s most dynamic forces. His strength in a contest, coupled with his ability to run at high pace for long periods, set him apart and made him a nightmare for opposition taggers. Throw in his knack for kicking a goal and Swan was arguably the premier midfielder for a time. Was five times an All-Australian, won the 2011 Brownlow and three Copeland Trophies.

BRIAN LAKE — Pick 71 (2001)

Club: Western Bulldogs/Hawthorn

Matches: 251

We say: Lake was always a very good player but came into his own after crossing to the Hawks. Was the anchor of Alastair Clarkson’s back half, usually playing on the opposition’s biggest forward and allowing the likes of Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton to take players more to their size. Lake was part of Hawthorn’s famous three-peat if premierships and won the Norm Smith in the first of the hat-trick (against Fremantle).

Alastair Clarkson got the best out of Brian Lake.

RORY SLOANE — Pick 44 (2008)

Club: Adelaide

Matches: 177*

We say: The Crows realised how good the young Victorian was very early but were forced to endure an anxious 12 months before swooping on him in 2008. A barometer for his side, Sloane’s ferocious attack on the ball has been an inspiration for the Crows since the midfielder joined the club. Perhaps not as flashy or polished as some of the game’s other elite ballwinners, Sloane makes up for it with his hard work. Has twice been a Malcolm Blight medallist.

AND …

WEST COAST’S 1989 LOOT

Those with longer memories will remember Eagles premiership trio Brett Heady (pick 92), Ashley McIntosh (father-son pick 106) and Norm Smith medallist Dean Kemp (additional selection which was virtually another triple-digit draft pick).

That three was handy enough, but they came on the back of the Eagles earlier in the same draft snaring Peter Matera (pick 4), Dean Irving (pick 50) and Tony Evans (pick 64) — former coach Mick Malthouse crediting the latter for helping turn the 1992 Grand Final the Eagles’ way.

Dean Kemp with the 1992 premiership.

Ashley McIntosh did the job on Billy Brownless in the 1992 decider.

* List does not include rookie draft selections

** All players all drafted in third round or later

Originally published as James Hird, Chris Grant and Dane Swan proved to be among the biggest bargains on AFL draft day