Draft-off: Best of 2004 AFL draft against class of 2006

WHICH AFL draft class was the best of the 2000s? We select a 22-man team from the 2004 and 2006 drafts and pit them against each other. VOTE NOW

SPORT AFL DRAFT 2004. Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson with his first two draft picks, Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin.

WHICH AFL draft class was the best of the 2000s?

We’ve selected a 22-man team from each national draft between 2001 and 2008 and pitted them against each other.

And you get to decide which is the best draft by casting your vote.

The opening draft-off match-ups are ...

Quarter-final 1: ’01 draft (98%) def ’03 draft (2%)

Quarter-final 2: ’05 draft (62%) def ’02 draft (38%)

Quarter-final 3: ’07 draft (57%) def ’08 draft (42%)

Quarter-final 4: ’06 draft v ’04 draft

The winners will progress through to semi-finals, which will be held over the next week.

Remember it’s you who decides who should advance to the grand final, so make your votes count.

BEST OF ’04 DRAFT

B: Henry Slattery (Pick 46) Matthew Egan (62) Lynden Dunn (15)

HB: Jordan Russell (9) James Gwilt (63) Tom Murphy (21)

C: Nathan van Berlo (24) Brett Deledio (1) Matt Rosa (29)

HF: Mark LeCras (37) Travis Cloke (39 F/S) Angus Monfries (14)

F: Jarryd Roughead (2) Lance Franklin (5) Mitch Morton (44 F/S)

Foll: Ivan Maric (40) Jordan Lewis (7) Ryan Griffen (3)

I/C: Cameron Wood (18) Nathan Ablett (48 F/S) Richard Tambling (4) Tom Williams (6)

NO SHORTAGE of star power, starting up forward where Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead are reunited in front of goal. Add Travis Cloke and any defence would have nightmares about facing this team.

The onball division is strong too with top-10 picks Jordan Lewis, Ryan Griffen and Brett Deledio teaming up in the centre square and Ivan Maric — a bargain pick at No. 40 — in the ruck.

The backline could be stretched although Matthew Egan was an All-Australian at Geelong before foot injuries cut his career short.

The lack of depth is apparent on the bench where Cameron Wood and Nathan Ablett (he did kick three goals in a Grand Final) taking spots. And we couldn’t leave out Richard Tambling, one of the most memorable No. 4 draft picks in draft history, although perhaps not for the right reasons.

At least this team gets Buddy as well. Can he kick enough goals to lead his side to victory?

Richmond had high hopes of its 2004 draftees when they met at the home of president Clinton Casey for a barbecue. Of these six players — (from left) Danny Meyer, Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling, Adam Pattison, Dean Limbach and Mark Graham — only Deledio remains.

BEST OF ’06 DRAFT

B: Ben Reid (Pick 8) James Frawley (12) Eric Mackenzie (29)

HB: Lachie Hansen (3) Nathan Brown (10) Mitch Brown (16)

C: Travis Boak (5) Bryce Gibbs (1) David Mackay (48)

HF: Shane Edwards (26) Justin Westhoff (71) Robbie Gray (55)

F: Jack Riewoldt (13) Tom Hawkins (41 F/S) Kurt Tippett (32)

Foll: Todd Goldstein (37) Josh Kennedy (40) Joel Selwood (7)

I/C: Matthew Leuenberger (4) David Armitage (9) Shaun Grigg (19) Andrejs Everitt (11)

The top three picks of 2006: Lachie Hansen, Scott Gumbleton and Bryce Gibbs.

SPEAKING of formidable forward lines, good luck keeping this attack in check with the likes of Tom Hawkins, Jack Riewoldt, Kurt Tippett and Justin Westhoff in commission.

And if they cop an injury Chris Dawes (pick 28), Aaron Edwards (82) and Jesse White (79) are waiting in the wings.

Robbie Gray and Shane Edwards complement the Best Of 2006 Draft with fair and versatility forward of centre.

The ruck division runs deep with Todd Goldstein and Matthew Leuenberger, while the back six is made up of blue-collar key defenders.

Joel Selwood leads a hard-nosed midfield brigade which includes Josh P. Kennedy and Travis Boak.

The team boasts 13 players selected inside the top 20 including No.1 selection Bryce Gibbs, fresh off his first best-and-fairest. And anyone who doubts the value of late draft picks should note the two Port Adelaide stars on the half-forward line.

The Selwood family celebrates after Joel is drafted by Geelong.

Originally published as Draft-off: Best of 2004 AFL draft against class of 2006