From pick No.1 to No.105, your club’s best early and late draft pick successes

FROM pick No.1 to No.105, we look at your club’s early and late draft successes ahead of this year’s edition in Sydney. HAVE YOUR SAY

Chris Grant and Brad Johnson are all-time greats of the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Darren England

WE’VE all heard of each club’s draft busts but what about draft successes.

Brownlow Medallists, premiership captains, young stars and even a few Hall of Famers are among the best picks since the first VFL/AFL Draft in 1986.

Check out our picks for your club’s best early and late draft picks and have your say in the comments below.

ADELAIDE

BEST EARLY PICK: Patrick Dangerfield (Pick No.10, 2007)

This one might be a little bittersweet for Adelaide fans. He may no longer be at the club but there is no doubt picking Patrick Dangerfield at pick No.10 in the 2007 national draft was a great selection by the Crows. The pressure was on to take home-town star Brad Ebert but Adelaide recruiters stuck to their guns and selected Dangerfield. The star midfielder went on to play 154 games for the Crows, earning All-Australian selection three times while at the club.

BEST LATE PICK: Graham Johncock (No.67, 2000)

It can always be a lottery late in the draft but Adelaide latched onto a winner in 2000 when they plucked Graham Johncock with pick No.67. The versatile Crow went on to play 227 games for the club and was Adelaide’s leading goalkicker in 2003. An honourable mention should go to Rory Atkins who is doing great things for the Crows after being picked up at No.81 in 2012.

Luke Power and Michael Voss with the 2003 premiership cup.

BRISBANE LIONS

BEST EARLY PICK: Luke Power (No.5, 1997)

We’re not including Brisbane Bears or Fitzroy picks here so the likes of Nigel Lappin (No.2, 1993) and Justin Leppitsch (No.4, 1992) miss out. Instead, the honour goes to Power. A three-time premiership player who didn’t always get the plaudits he deserved alongside the likes of Michael Voss, Simon Black and Lappin. Power also co-captained the Lions and was All-Australian in 2004.

BEST LATE PICK: Michael Rischitelli (No.61, 2003)

The current Gold Coast veteran just missed the Lions golden era but more than proved he belonged alongside the greats of 2001-2003. Rischitelli played 111 games for the Lions and claimed the Merrett-Murray Medal in 2010, his last season before crossing to the Suns.

CARLTON

BEST EARLY PICK: Patrick Cripps (No.13, 2013)

It is still early days, however we are ready to call it. The Blues hit the jackpot with Patrick Cripps. A midfielder who is as big and strong as a key forward, who can win his own ball and plays like a natural leader — yes, that is a tick in every box. Cripps looms as a key player in the club’s long term rebuild but might have some competition down the line from last year’s No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering.

BEST LATE PICK: Ryan Houlihan (No.73, 2001)

The draft has been hit and miss for Carlton over the years but finding Ryan Houlihan at No.73 in 2001 was one of the Blues’ finest moments. Houlihan went on to play 201 games for the club and key forward Brendan Fevola described him as the best kick he ever played with. He was a two-time pre-season premiership player and was named in the Blues’ 150 best players of all time in 2014.

Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan formed one of the best midfield combinations in Collingwood history. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD

BEST EARLY PICK: Scott Pendlebury (No.5, 2005)

After being in the bottom four for two years in a row, the Pies were in a funk in 2005 and needed something special to happen to help turn the club around. That came in the form of Pendlebury. From the moment he walked into the club Pendlebury hasn’t missed a beat. In a career littered with incredible achievements, arguably his best performance came during the Grand Final replay in 2010 when he won the Norm Smith Medal. He has also captained the club since 2014.

BEST LATE PICK: Dane Swan (No.58, 2001)

Does it get any better than securing a Brownlow Medal winner, premiership player, three-time best-and-fairest winner and five-time All-Australian at pick 58? The Pies well and truly hit the jackpot in 2001 when they secured Swan this late in the national draft. Swan went on to play 258 games before a badly broken foot in Round 1 of this year ended his career. Not only a star player, he will go down as an all time cult hero of the Magpie faithful.

ESSENDON

BEST EARLY PICK: Gavin Wanganeen (No.12, 1989)

Perhaps a little controversial given Wanganeen played the majority of his career at Port Adelaide but he couldn’t have done more in red and black. Bursting onto the scene as a dashing defender, Wanganeen was a key part of the 1993 Baby Bombers flag, winning the Brownlow in the same year. Scott Lucas has a claim after being taken at pick No.4 in 1994 but Dyson Heppell could surpass them both after he was taken at No.8 in 2010. An Australian football Hall of Famer.

BEST LATE PICK: James Hird (No.79, 1990)

A skinny kid plucked from Canberra, Hird the player is one of the modern day greats. The Bombers star literally did it all, premierships, a Brownlow, Norm Smith, club captain, multiple All-Australian and best-and-fairest honours. Essendon also had some late-draft success in 1993, picking up premiership defender Damien Hardwick at No.87. An Australian football Hall of Famer.

FREMANTLE

BEST EARLY PICK: Matthew Pavlich (No.4, 1999)

While the Dockers have missed the mark on a number of early selections they’ve also reaped huge rewards from top picks, starting with recently retired club champion Matthew Pavlich. Taken at pick No.4 in 1999 from Woodville-West Torrens in South Australia, Pavlich is now Fremantle’s games record holder (353 games), is a six-time best-and-fairest winner and topped the club’s goalkicking eight times. Paul Haselby (pick No.2, 1999) also forged a great career from 208 games and current superstar Nat Fyfe (pick No.20, 2009) is on his way to becoming one of the club’s greatest ever players.

BEST LATE PICK: Michael Walters (No.55, 2008)

Walters is probably the pick of the bunch despite having played just 94 games. Taken with pick No.55 from Swan Districts in 2008, Walters has topped Fremantle’s goalkicking three times as a small forward. It’s an impressive feat for one of the game’s premier goalsneaks. Lachie Neale (pick No.58, 2011) had a breakout year in 2016.

A young Jimmy Bartel in his debut year.

GEELONG

BEST EARLY PICK: Jimmy Bartel (No.8, 2001)

In terms of picking from the draft pool we can’t go past recently retired champion Jimmy Bartel. Drafted at selection No.8 in 2001, Bartel went on to become a fabric player at the Cats and played 305 career games, including three premierships, won a Brownlow Medal and a Norm Smith Medal. Joel Corey (pick No.8, 1999) was also a champion for Geelong.

BEST LATE PICK: Corey Enright (No.47, 1999)

Corey Enright misses out on the “after pick 50” cut but we think we can make an exception for a three-time premiership player, six-time All-Australian and Geelong games record holder. Otherwise, Mathew Stokes gets the nod as he was taken at pick No.61 in 2005 before going on to play 189 games as a small forward/midfielder and was part of two premiership sides.

HAWTHORN

BEST EARLY PICK: Luke Hodge (No.1, 2001)

The Hawks have had a number of success stories with early picks but given Hodge has played in four premierships and captained the club in three of those, that puts him at the top of the list. Taken with pick No.1 in the 2001 superdraft, Hodge has played 286 games and been widely regarded as one of the game’s best leaders, most courageous players and one of the best players to play the game. Shane Crawford (pick 13, 1991) is a very close second and then there’s a bloke named Lance Franklin (pick No.5, 2005).

BEST LATE PICK: Richie Vandenberg (No.78, 1997)

It’s hard to split goalkicker Ben Dixon from Vandenberg. Dixon was plucked at selection No.77 in 1994 from Assumption College and went on to play 203 games in brown and gold and kick 282 goals — the 12th-most in Hawthorn history. Vandenberg probably edges ahead given he captained the Hawks from 2005-2007 and coach Alastair Clarkson rated him as a key player in setting up the surprise 2008 flag by driving standards off the field with his professionalism, work ethic and training standards despite retiring at the end of 2007.

GOLD COAST SUNS

BEST EARLY PICK: Tom Lynch (No.11, 2010)

The Suns have had a bevy of early selections as part of their draft concessions (plus a heap of pre-selections) but many have either left the club or been struck down by injury. Forward Tom Lynch is the standout of the bunch, not to mention one of the best forwards in the game after being named All-Australian for the first time this year. He’s won two club best-and-fairests, won Gold Coast’s goalkicking three times and finished fourth in this year’s Coleman Medal.

BEST LAST PICK: Tim Sumner (No.55, 2012)

The Suns are yet to have many late draft picks after coming into the competition in 2011 and as such Sumner is the best of the bunch. The South Australian forward played 17 games in three seasons before retiring last year.

Tom Lynch was All-Australian in 2016. Picture: Michael Klein

Toby Greene was All-Australian in 2016.

GWS GIANTS

BEST EARLY PICK: Toby Greene (No.11, 2011)

The Giants have had a plethora of early draft picks, so for Greene to emerge as the best of the lot is quite an accomplishment. Especially given some early off-field troubles. However, his 2016 season was simply outstanding. A maiden Kevin Sheedy Medal as club best-and-fairest and first All-Australian guernsey as the Giants reached the preliminary final. Stephen Coniglio (No.2, 2011) wasn’t far behind after being named in this year’s All-Australian squad and finishing third in the Sheedy Medal behind Greene.

BEST LATE PICK: James McDonald (No.87, 2011)

Much like the Suns, the Giants haven’t had much need to use late picks since they entered the league in 2012. There’s two players that stand out. Former Demon James McDonald and former Blue Setanta O’hAilpín. We’ve got for McDonald after he came out of retirement to play 13 games with the Giants and provide its young list with much-needed experience.

MELBOURNE

BEST EARLY PICK: Nathan Jones (No.12, 2005)

The Demons haven’t always been known for their savvy drafting in the first round but they did knock it out of the park when they secured Nathan Jones in 2005. Early in his career Jones received a Rising Star nomination in 2006 and 2007. He went on to win his first of three Demons best-and-fairest awards in 2012. The 223-game veteran has also captained Melbourne since 2014, leading the club through one of its most difficult times.

BEST LATE PICK: Cameron Bruce (No.64, 1999)

A star midfielder and best-and-fairest winner, Bruce was a huge late selection win for Melbourne. Bruce went on to play 224 games for the Demons, kicking 211 goals and he also captained the club for a season in 2008.

NORTH MELBOURNE

BEST EARLY PICK: Daniel Wells (No.2, 2002)

The Roos have never had a No.1 pick but they made the most of pick No.2 in 2002 — a selection they received as part of the deal to send Wayne Carey to Adelaide. North selected a skinny wingman from WA named Daniel Wells. He has had his challenges with injuries but when he’s flying the dual Syd Barker medallist is one of the most damaging players in the game. Collingwood fans will be hoping he’s still got it at age 32.

BEST LATE PICK: Brent Harvey (No.47, 1995)

North Melbourne has a great record of finding gold with late selections including Lindsay Thomas (pick 53, 2006), Andrew Swallow (pick 43, 2005), Byron Pickett (pick 67, 1996) and Adrian McAdam, who dominated for one season after being recruited with pick No.98. But you can’t go past the all time VFL-AFL games record holder. It’s worth bending the “pick No.50” criteria slightly for Harvey. He was overlooked by every other team and was North’s fourth pick that year after Scott Welsh (17), Chris Groom (26) and Sam McFarlane (33), who combined

for a total of 43 games after that draft, just 389 fewer than Boomer.

Brent Harvey finished his career as the VFL/AFL games record holder. Picture: Michael Klein

PORT ADELAIDE

BEST EARLY PICK: Chad Cornes (No.9, 1997)

If we were looking at overall impact, Shaun Burgoyne would be the easy choice, however, for service to Port Adelaide only, Chad Cornes is our pick. Cornes played 239 games for the Power, was a member of the 2004 premiership, two-time All-Australian and finished third in the 2004 Brownlow Medal. Burgoyne played 157 games after being taken with pick No.12 in 2000.

BEST LATE PICK: Robbie Gray (No.55, 2006)

Hindsight is a beautiful thing and Port Adelaide would be rapt with their 2006 draft after plucking Gray and Justin Westhoff (No.77) with late picks. With 155 games to his name, Gray claimed a hat-trick of best-and-fairests this year to go with his two All-Australian guernseys and AFLCA 2014 Player of the Year honours.

RICHMOND

BEST EARLY PICK: Brett Deledio (No.1, 2004)

After two strikes with its first two swings at the No.1 draft pick — Richard Lounder (1987) and Anthony Banik (1989) — the Tigers hit a home run at their third attempt, picking Brett Deledio in 2004. He went on to win a the Rising Star award, two best-and-fairests and two All-Australian jumpers before leaving for GWS. Dustin Martin (pick 3, 2009) and Trent Cotchin (pick 2, 2007) were also super selections.

BEST LATE PICK: Chris Newman (No.55, 2000)

Not a lot of success stories in the 50-plus range but Chris Newman is a clear standout. The reliable defender two top-three finishes in the Jack Dyer Medal to his name and was captain for four years as the Tigers climbed out of the doldrums. Smart goalkicker Sam Lloyd could come into the conversation after he was taken with pick No.66 in 2013.

ST KILDA

BEST EARLY PICK: Nick Riewoldt (No.1, 2000)

The Saints have had pick No.1 three times and have nailed them all. Riewoldt (2000), Brendon Goddard (2002) and we’re backing in Paddy McCartin (2014). Riewoldt is a modern great and came as close as you can to leading your club to a breakthrough premiership without actually getting your hand on the cup. A six-time best-and-fairest winner and five-time All-Australian, he has a good case as the best pick No.1 ever.

BEST LATE PICK: Sam Fisher (No.55, 2003)

An easy choice here after St Kilda somehow snared Sam Fisher in 2003. When Gerard Healy re-ranked that year’s draft a few years ago he had Fisher at No.1 — ahead of Adam Cooney — and labelled him “one of the recruiting coups of the decade”. Injuries have caught up with him since then but two best-and-fairests in a 228-game career is a fine resume.

Nick Riewoldt and Sam Fisher were key players in St Kilda’s on-field success. Picture: Colleen Petch

SYDNEY SWANS

BEST EARLY PICK: Jarrad McVeigh (No.5, 2002)

This is a tough one. A premiership captain and two-time best-and-fairest winner or two-time premiership winner and all-round nice guy. We’re giving it to McVeigh over Jude Bolton (No.8, 1998) by the smallest of margins. Not to be state-ist but McVeigh hails from Pennant Hills and is just one of three top 10 picks from NSW/ACT. Speaking of home-grown talent, Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills might be vying for this title in a few years.

BEST LATE PICK: Ryan O’Keefe (No.56, 1999) Andrew Dunkley 56 1991

AFL resumes don’t come much better than O’Keefe’s. Two-time premiership player, Norm Smith Medal, Bob Skilton Medal and All-Australian. The Calder Cannons product was a key part in the Swans’ drought-breaking premiership and continued success under Paul Roos and John Longmire. A special mention to Andrew Dunkley (No.56, 1991), who was part of Sydney’s 1996 Grand Final team.

WEST COAST EAGLES

BEST EARLY PICK: Peter Matera (No.4, 1989)

This could be the closest race of any club. Matera is a West Coast legend. Two premierships, a Norm Smith, a best-and-fairest, five All-Australian honours and an Australian football Hall of Famer. Chris Judd (No.3, 2001) on the other hand. One premiership, a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith, club captain, two best-and-fairests, AFL MVP and six All-Australians. Certain future Hall of Famer. No, we’re sticking with Matera as the draft was more of a lottery in those days, illustrated by the fact only one other top-10 pick played more than 50 games for their new club.

BEST LATE PICK: Andrew Embley (No.57, 1998)

Again, an incredibly difficult choice and Eagles fans will no doubt be spilt. Embley takes the honours as a 2006 premiership player and Norm Smith medallist. The dashing winger was a feature of the Eagles’ line-up for 250 games. Meanwhile, Brett Heady (No.92, 1989) just misses out. The two-time premiership player featured in 156 games for the Eagles and kicked 237 goals.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

BEST EARLY PICK: Brad Johnson (Pick No.11, 1993)

The smiling assassin is a Bulldogs great, finishing his career as the club’s games-record holder. Johnson claimed three Charles Sutton Medals, earned six All-Australian guernseys — named captain in 2006 — and was inducted into the Australian football Hall of Fame. Bob Murphy is a close second after being picked at No.13 in 1999 while Marcus Bontempelli (No.4 in 2013) has the ability to surpass them both.

BEST LATE PICK: Chris Grant (Pick No.105, 1989)

Not many players in the history of Footscray and the Western Bulldogs come close to Grant. One of the all time draft bargains at pick No.105 in 1989, Grant finished his career as a two-time best-and-fairest winner, three-time All-Australian and is now a member of the Australian football Hall of Fame. The Dogs would be pretty happy picking up Brian Lake at No.71 in 2001, Ryan Hargrave at No.66 in 1999 and premiership forward Tory Dickson at No.57 in 2011.

Originally published as From pick No.1 to No.105, your club’s best early and late draft pick successes