Recent players selected with your club’s first pick in the 2014 AFL national draft

WE look at your club’s first pick in this year’s draft, and then see who’s been taken with that selection in recent years. Should Pies fans be just as excited as the Saints?

Carlton v Essendon at the M.C.G. Melbourne Australia, 30h August 2014. Essendon's Dyson Heppell Picture : George Salpigtidis

COULD the player Collingwood selects at pick 5 in this year’s draft be every bit as good as the one the Saints take with pick 1?

If the past decade is anything to go on, then Pies fans can be pretty optimistic heading to this year’s draft.

One could mount a case that when put together, the group of Lance Franklin, Scott Pendlebury and Travis Boak — all taken with selection 5 in recent national drafts — have better resumes than the likes of no.1 picks Marc Murphy, Brett Deledio and Bryce Gibbs, among others.

Something for Pies fans to get excited about.

Below we’ve listed every AFL club and their first pick at this year’s national draft on November 27.

PICK 2: DEMON EYES FOCUSED ON BRAYSHAW

We’ve also listed the previous 10 players selected with that pick from the 2004-13 national drafts.

While it may be too early to tell just how good some of these youngsters (or more recent draftees) may turn out to be, we’ve tried to nominate a pick of the bunch from those previous 10 draft selections. Or at least the player we’d first choose if given the chance.

Yes, there’s a whole new bunch of talent on offer this year, but the below list might at least give you an idea of past draft bargains — and the success rate — of your club’s first pick this year.

So whoever your team is ... good luck!

Hawthorn's Grant Birchall was pick 14 in 2005. Picture: George Salpigtidis

ADELAIDE — Pick 14

Our best: Grant Birchall (Haw) — pick 14 in 2005

The rest: Cam McCarthy (GWS), Aidan Corr (GWS), Devon Smith (GWS), Brodie Smith (Adel), Lewis Jetta (Syd), Ayce Cordy (father-son, WB), Jack Grimes (Melb), James Sellar (Adel), Angus Monfries (Ess/PA)

Success rate: Some hits and misses, as one would expect once you get outside the top 10. Birchall and Smith are both All-Australians who play a similar role for their sides. Going back further, in 1993 a young Adam Simpson was plucked by North Melbourne with pick 14. He turned out a handy pick.

If Brisbane academy selection Liam Dawson can be half the player Rory Sloane is — another pick 44 — then the Lions will be happy.

BRISBANE — Pick 44 (Liam Dawson)

Our best: Rory Sloane (Adel) — 2008

The rest: Aliir Aliir (Syd), Harry Marsh (Syd), Sam Rowe (Carl), Viv Michie (Frem/Melb), Matt Dea (Rich), Scott Simpson (Geel), Brad Dick (Coll), Alipate Carlile (PA), Mitch Morton (WC/Rich/Syd)

Success rate:Some pretty handy types here for pick 44 — which is where you’re getting into speculative territory. Sloane is a standout among these although ‘Bobby’ Carlile has been a cornerstone of the Power defence for a long time. Heath Scotland and Josh Hunt are pick 44s from further back.

The Western Bulldogs selected now GWS skipper Callan Ward with pick 19 in 2007. Picture: Michael Klein

CARLTON — Pick 19

Our best: Callan Ward (WB/GWS) — 2007

The rest: Blake Acres (St Kilda), Ben Kennedy (Coll), Elliott Kavanagh (Ess), Isaac Smith (Haw), Ben Griffiths (Rich), James Strauss (Melb), Shaun Grigg (Carl/Rich), Courtenay Dempsey (Ess), Ryan Willits (PA)

Success rate: Land of the runners here, although we’re only now starting to see the best of big Tiger Ben Griffiths. Most of these selections have been OK, which will give the Blues hope.

Lance Franklin is arguably the biggest0name pick 5 in the game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD — Pick 5

Our best: Lance Franklin (Haw/Syd) — 2004

The rest: Kade Kolodjashnij (GC), Jake Stringer (WB), Matt Buntine (GWS), Jared Polec (Bris/PA), Ben Cunnington (NM), Michael Hurley (Ess), Jarrad Grant (WB), Travis Boak (PA), Scott Pendlebury (Coll)

Success rate: Wow, some big names here. Buddy over Pendles? Pies fans will spew up, but Buddy just has that x-factor that can change a game in 10 minutes. Boak, Cunnington, the improving Hurley, the big improver Polec and young guns Stringer and ‘KK’ at the Suns make this a super group.

The Bombers don’t need another key defender but they’d sure take a player of Harry Taylor’s ilk with pick 17. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

ESSENDON — Pick 17

Our best: Harry Taylor (Geel) — 2007

The rest: Michael Apeness (Frem), Josh Simpson (Frem), Clay Smith (WB), Shaun Atley (NM), Daniel Menzel (Geel), Sam Blease (Melb), Shaun Hampson (Carl/Rich), Darren Pfeiffer (Adel/Carl/PA), Andrew McQualter (StK/GC)

Success rate: Harry Taylor is a superstar and his teammate Daniel Menzel looked like he could have been before a series of knee injuries halted his career. The jury’s out on a few others.

Fremantle would happily part with pick 13 to land a spearhead like Jack Riewoldt. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

FREMANTLE — Pick 13

Our best: Jack Riewoldt (Rich) — 2006

The rest: Patrick Cripps (Carl), Jesse Lonergan (GC), Taylor Adams (GC/Coll), Seb Tape (GC), Daniel Talia (Adel), Tom Lynch (StK/Adel), Brad Ebert (WC/PA), Shannon Hurn (WC), Matthew Bate (Melb)

TARGET: FREO EYES SA BIG MAN DURDIN

Success rate: Another nice crop here. Jack gets top billing for his All-Australian and two Colemans, but Daniel Talia is right on his heels. Hurn, Ebert and Lynch have all been top picks, proving 13 may not be unlucky for Freo this year.

Patrick Dangerfield ended up being a steal at pick 10. The Cats would love a player like him after losing midfield depth during the trade period. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

GEELONG — Pick 10

Our best: Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) — 2007

The rest: Nathan Freeman (Coll), Joe Daniher (father/son — Ess), Liam Sumner (GWS), Daniel Gorringe (GC), Jake Melksham (Ess), Phil Davis (Adel/GWS), Nathan Brown (Coll), Marcus Drum (Frem/Geel), Chris Egan (Coll)

Success rate: A bit up and down here. Dangerfield is an out and out star and who knows how good Daniher may be? Key defenders Davis and Brown are both underrated. Can the Cats and their draft guru Stephen Wells land a star?

Gold Coast has pick 8 in 2014. They could have drafted Dyson Heppell in 2010 but he ended up sliding to Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis

GOLD COAST — Pick 8

Our best: Dyson Heppell (Ess) — 2010

The rest: Luke McDonald (father/son — NM), Sam Mayes (Bris), Billy Longer (Bris/StK), John Butcher (PA), Ty Vickery (Rich), Lachie Henderson (Bris/Carl), Ben Reid (Coll), Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (Rich), John Meesen (Adel/Melb)

Success rate: Tall timber aplenty around the pick 8 mark over the past decade. Plenty of good players after some early failures, but more recently it’s been the likes of Sam Mayes, Luke McDonald and star Dyson Heppell who may really make this list sing.

Eagle teammates Josh Kennedy (left) and Andrew Gaff are both former pick 4s.

GWS — Pick 4

Our best: Josh Kennedy (Carl/WC) — 2005

The rest: Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Jimmy Toumpas (Melb), Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS), Andrew Gaff (WC), Anthony Morabito (Frem), Hamish Hartlett (PA), Cale Morton (Melb/WC), Matthew Leuenberger (Bris), Richard Tambling (Rich)

Success rate: This early in the draft clubs are licking their lips, and GWS will be doing the same in 2014. The likes of Will Hoskin-Elliott and Marcus Bontempelli could be anything, so sometimes taking a risk here can pay off big time.

The Western Bulldogs nabbed Jordan Roughead with pick 31, showing you can grab quality talls in the second round of the draft. Picture: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN — Pick 31

Our best: Jordan Roughead (WB) — 2008

The rest: Malcolm Karpany (WC), Kamdyn McIntosh (Rich), Jackson Merrett (Ess), Ariel Steinberg (Ess), Jason Tutt (WB), John McCarthy (Coll/PA), Clayton Collard (Frem), Trent West (Geel/Bris), Jarred Moore (Syd)

Success rate: The Hawks have already done some of their drafting by gaining Jono O’Rourke — thereby relinquishing their draft position to no.31. But Jarryd Roughead’s cousin, Jordan, is one example that that there’s still plenty of quality when it will come time for the Hawks’ first pick. Simon Black and Paul Chapman were once called out with pick 31.

Jarryd Roughead has turned out to be a superstar for the Hawks. Melbourne needs to nail its second pick this year. Picture: Nicole Garmston

MELBOURNE — Pick 2

Our best: Jarryd Roughead (Haw) — 2004

The rest: Josh Kelly (GWS), Jono O’Rourke (GWS), Stephen Coniglio (GWS), Harley Bennell (GC), Jack Trengove (Melb), Nic Naitanui (WC), Trent Cotchin (Rich), Scott Gumbleton (Ess/Frem), Dale Thomas (Coll/Carl)

TAKING AIM: DEES EYE YOUNG DRAGON

Success rate: Perhaps one or two of these players haven’t progressed as expected, with injury hampering their efforts. But with pick 2, surely the Demons can land a future star?

Port Adelaide ruckman Matthew Lobbe has become one of the best big men in the AFL. Might the Roos draft a ruckman with pick 16? Picture: Sarah Reed

NORTH MELBOURNE — Pick 16

Our best: Matthew Lobbe (PA) — 2007

The rest: Darcy Lang (Geel), Jackson Thurlow (Geel), Tom Sheridan (Frem), Ben Jacobs (PA/NM), Jasper Pittard (PA), Ryan Schoenmakers (Haw), Mitch Brown (WC), Richard Douglas (Adel), Adam Pattison (Rich)

Success rate: Some promising youngsters here and even a best and fairest winner in Crow Douglas (who we admit is stiff not be our top pick). Lobbe is emerging into a star. North Melbourne will cross their fingers and hope for the best with this pick.

Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson played in a flag before succumbing to a series of knee injuries. The Power hopes their first pick at this year’s draft can also enjoy premiership success.

PORT ADELAIDE — Pick 57

Our best: Alex Johnson (Syd) — 2010

The rest: Jayden Hunt (Melb), Kyal Horsley (GC — rookie elevation), Tory Dickson (WB), Jordan Williams (Haw), Aaron Cornelius (Bris), Fraser Gehrig (StK — redrafted), Simon Hogan (Geel), Michael West (WB), Bradley Smith (WC)

Success rate: Port can only hope to pull something out of the bag with pick 57. Alex Johnson is a beauty for the Swans but serious knee injuries have put a dent in his career. It can be a case of ‘pick and hope’ once you get beyond selection 40. Andrew Embley, a Norm Smith medallist, was pick 57.

Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones is the Dees’ Mr Reliable. Richmond need a solid first-round pick this year.

RICHMOND — Pick 12

Our best: Nathan Jones (Melb) — 2005

The rest: Ben Lennon (Rich), Kristian Jaksch (GWS/Carl), Sam Docherty (Bris/Carl), Lucas Cook (Melb), Kane Lucas (Carl), Lewis Johnson (Syd/Adel), Cyril Rioli (Haw), James Frawley (Melb/Haw), Danny Meyer (Rich)

STRATEGY: TIGERS CONTENT TO TARGET YOUNG TALENT

Success rate: Toss-up between Cyril and the Dees skipper, but we’ve gone for Jones for his consistency. James Frawley has also been a winner but outside of that, pick 12 has proved a bit barren so far.

The Saints will pick the best player at this year’s national draft. Brett Deledio hasn’t disappointed Tiger fans with his run, versatility and penetration since being the top pick in 2004. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

ST KILDA — Pick 1

Our best: Brett Deledio (Rich) — 2004

The rest: Tom Boyd (GWS/WB), Lachie Whitfield (GWS), Jonathan Patton (GWS), David Swallow (GC), Tom Scully (Melb/GWS), Jack Watts (Melb), Matthew Kreuzer (Carl), Bryce Gibbs (Carl), Marc Murphy (Carl)

THE MAN? PETRACCA A PERFECT FIT FOR SAINTS

Success rate: Forget Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt, Brendon Goddard and co ... we’re talking 2004 onwards, remember. Hard to pick the best from this lot, but as you can see a club isn’t guaranteed a superstar with pick 1. Plenty of quality, and the Saints should add to their impressive array of young talent with considerable quality.

Alex Rance earned All-Australian honours in 2014, and there are big wraps on the Swans’ first-round pick Isaac Heeney. Picture: Colleen Petch

SYDNEY SWANS — Pick 18 (Isaac Heeney)

Our best: Alex Rance (Rich) — 2007

The rest: Luke Dunstan (StK), Brodie Grundy (Coll), Brad McKenzie (NM), Matthew Watson (Carl), Luke Tapscott (Melb), Luke Shuey (WC), Leroy Jetta (Ess), Max Bailey (Haw), Cameron Wood (Bris/Coll/Carl)

Success rate: Some have come and gone, but Rance and Shuey stand out above the pack while Dunstan arrived with a bullet in his debut year. Some rate Heeney, who the Swans have already nabbed through their academy system, the equal of any midfielder in this year’s draft.

Former pick 11 Steele Sidebottom shot to prominence after a BOG performance in a TAC Cup grand final. West Coast has that selection for the second straight year in 2014. Picture: Michael Klein.

WEST COAST — Pick 11

Our best: Steele Sidebottom (Coll) — 2008

The rest: Dom Sheed (WC), Troy Menzel (Carl), Toby Greene (GWS), Tom Lynch (GC), Jordan Gysberts (Melb/NM), Patrick Veszpremi (Syd/WB), Andrejs Everitt (WB/Syd/Carl), Shaun Higgins (WB/NM), Adam Thomson (PA/Rich)

Success rate: Few crosses here. Lots of x-factor with the likes of Menzel, Veszpremi and Higgins. Sidebottom has continued to develop but Suns forward Tom Lynch looms as the player of this group.

Eagle Jack Darling was a slider in his draft year. Can the Western Bulldogs get as lucky with their first pick next month?

WESTERN BULLDOGS — Pick 26

Our best: Jack Darling (WC) — 2010

The rest: Zach Merrett (Ess), Jack Viney (father/son — Melb), Todd Elton (Rich), Travis Colyer (Ess), Jayden Post (Rich), Brett Meredith (Syd), Shane Edwards (Rich), Garrick Ibbotson (Frem), Matt Little (Haw)

Success rate: A bit so-so, which is what one would expect once clubs get beyond the first round. The Bulldogs have already gained last year’s first pick via the trade period, so if they can gain a player the calibre of Darling they’d be extra chuffed.

Originally published as Recent players selected with your club’s first pick in the 2014 AFL national draft