The future and the rising star: Who the Crows and Power drafted in 2009

With the AFL Draft only three weeks away, we look back on how both the Crows and the Power drafted 10 years ago.

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THE 2009 AFL Draft is one that Adelaide fans look on fondly, yet Port Adelaide supporters look on with grim faces.

An inconsistent season left the Power languishing in 10th position, while the Crows were dumped out of the finals in the now famous semi-final against Collingwood at the MCG.

Port’s off-season was marred by vice-captain Shaun Burgoyne’s request for a trade, which ended up arming it with three first-round draft picks.

The Crows had a quiet trade period, and were the only club not involved in a trade and went in with their first pick at 13.

PORT ADELAIDE

Pick 8 – John Butcher (Gippsland Power)

After some nasty injuries throughout 2009, the man dubbed ‘the future’ fell down the draft order for the Power to snap up with the eighth pick.

Butcher’s career got off to a tough start, with his debut coming in a 165-point loss to Hawthorn in 2011, which still stands as the worst result in a debut match to date.

However, his second game saw him kick six goals as the Power lost to the Western Bulldogs by 10 goals.

Port fought off rival clubs for the key forward’s prized signature at the end of that season, but he soon struggled on the national stage and was delisted after just 41 goals in 31 games at AFL level.

Players missed before next pick: N/A (Port had Pick 9)

Pick 9 – Andrew Moore (Eastern Ranges)

Moore was drafted as a strong mark and a terrific midfield-forward and looked as if he could be a 100 or 200-game player for the Power at points in his career.

The brother of ex-Richmond player Kelvin, Moore went on to play a vital role as Ken Hinkley took charge of the Power, playing 17 games in 2013 including the elimination final win over Collingwood and the semi-final loss to Geelong.

He also played in all of the Power’s finals at the end of 2014, all as a sub.

However, he only played five games in 2015 and was delisted by the Power after 55 games.

Moore then played five games with Richmond at the end of 2016.

Players missed before next pick: Jake Melksham (Pick 10), Daniel Talia (Pick 13).

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Pick 16 – Jasper Pittard (Geelong Falcons)

A rebounding half-back that loves to take the game on, Pittard was Port’s big winner from the 2009 draft, and he’s now at North Melbourne.

Pittard became one of Ken Hinkley’s favourites in his early days at the Power, but it took a while for the Power supporters to warm up to him.

He soon fell out of favour despite being in the initial All-Australian squad of 40 in 2016, playing just a further 28 games from a possible 45 and was traded to the Kangaroos in the Jared Polec trade.

Players missed before next pick: Nat Fyfe (Pick 20), Mitch Duncan (Pick 28), Jack Gunston (Pick 29), Max Gawn (Pick 34).

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ADELAIDE CROWS

Pick 13 – Daniel Talia (Calder Cannons)

A Rising Star winner, a best and fairest winner, a two-time All-Australian and a grand final appearance, Talia has been a great success for the Crows.

Adelaide had gone through a period of losing full backs, with Nathan Bock (Gold Coast) and Phil Davis (GWS) departing.

The 28-year-old has been a regular feature of the Crows’ sides and has been heavily reliable.

Barring injury, Talia will play his 200th game for the club and has been one of Adelaide’s all time greats.

Players missed before next pick: Lewis Jetta (Pick 14), Nat Fyfe (Pick 20), Jake Carlisle (Pick 24), Mitch Duncan (Pick 28).

Pick 29 – Jack Gunston (Sandringham Dragons)

A three-time premiership player, an All-Australian and a two-time leading goal-kicker is a good CV to have, yet, it’s with Hawthorn.

Unfortunately for the Crows, Gunston departed after his initial two-year deal and 20 goals in 14 games, to the Hawks.

The Crows received picks 24, 46 and 64 and gave up Gunston and picks 53 and 71 at the end of 2011.

Sam Kerridge (Adelaide received Pick 27 in a trade with Gold Coast), Nick Joyce and Cam Ellis-Yolmen were selected with those picks.

Players missed before next pick: Max Gawn (Pick 34), David Astbury (Pick 35), Sam Reid (Pick 38)

Pick 45 – Sam Shaw (Oakleigh Chargers)

A career ruined by injuries, Shaw looked to have locked down a place in the Adelaide defence in 2012 alongside Talia.

After 14 games in his first season, Shaw would only played a further 10 across the next three seasons before being forced to retire due to concussion issues.

Players missed before next pick: Ben Stratton (Pick 46), Dylan Roberton (Pick 49).

Pick 61 – James Craig (North Adelaide)

An undersized ruckman, Craig was never selected to play a game.

He was delisted in 2011, and re-drafted in the rookie draft of that same year before being cut again.

Players missed before next pick: Taylor Duryea (Pick 69).

Originally published as The future and the rising star: Who the Crows and Power drafted in 2009