Taylor Walker one of AFL’s most relevant Mr Irrelevants

THE last pick of each NFL draft is affectionately branded “Mr Irrelevant”. But some AFL players picked last have put the title to shame. VOTE

Adelaide Crows football training at Max Basheer Reserve. Footballer Taylor Walker, emergency 31 Jul 2009.

THE last pick of each NFL draft is affectionately branded “Mr Irrelevant” by the code’s community.

With over 250 picks spread across 32 teams each year, the player who slips to the draft’s final selection each year is seen — by most — as making up the numbers.

The unfortunate phrase and subsequent hullabaloo has failed to catch on in the AFL fraternity.

WHO IS THE AFL’S MOST RELEVANT MR IRRELEVANT? VOTE BELOW ...

The fact is most of the last AFL draft picks vanish into football obscurity. Seventeen of the 29 Mr Irrelevants have finished their careers with four games or less to their name.

However some have put the Mr Irrelevant title to shame., headlined by Adelaide’s Taylor Walker.

The big power forward was taken by the Crows with pick 75 in the 2007 draft. He was drafted under the New South Wales scholarship rule, where clubs must give up their last selection in order to draft a scholarship player such as Walker.

Taylor Walker has booted 197 goals for Adelaide since being drafted.

What an inspired selection it has turned out to be.

After a solid year in the SANFL for Norwood in 2008, Walker has developed into one of the most influential, dangerous and charismatic forwards in the AFL, booting 197 goals from 84 games.

Undoubtedly, Walker has been the best Mr Irrelevant in AFL draft history.

David Rodan was another final pick bargain, with Port Adelaide choosing the former Tiger with selection 86 in the 2006 draft.

David Rodan played in the 2007 Grand Final for Port Adelaide.

Rodan immediately had an impact at the Power, playing all 25 games in 2007, including the Grand Final against Geelong. He played 111 games and kicked 86 goals for Port, before finishing his career at Melbourne in 2013.

Shane Clayton only managed 18 games in three years with Fitzroy and the Brisbane Lions, but was granted a second chance in the 1998 draft when North Melbourne selected him with pick 90.

The wingman made the most of it, playing 99 games with the Kangaroos, including the club’s 1999 premiership victory over Carlton.

Andrew Schauble only played school footy for Xavier College before Collingwood selected him with pick 66 in the 1993 draft.

But the big man slotted into AFL footy with aplomb, playing 79 games for Collingwood. He played another 84 games for Sydney and won the Bob Skilton Medal in 2000.

North Melbourne great Mick Martyn left the Roos at the end of the 2002 season, 13 games short of reaching his 300-game landmark.

However Carlton gifted the charismatic defender a second chance by selecting him with its final pick to help him reach the milestone in 2003.

Andrew Schauble only played school football before playing for Collingwood.

The other notable Mr Irrelevant is Paul Dimattina, who was selected by Richmond with its final pick in the 1991 draft.

Dimattina failed to play a game for the Tigers, but made the most of his second chance with the Western Bulldogs to play 131 games and kick 56 goals in a fine eight-year career.

TOP FIVE MR IRRELEVANTS

1. Taylor Walker (Adelaide)

Mr Irrelevant draft year: 2007

From: NSW-ACT Rams/North Broken Hill

Games: 84

Goals: 197.

2. David Rodan (Port Adelaide)

Mr Irrelevant draft year: 2006

From: Richmond

Games: 111

Goals: 86

Shane Clayton thrived when he arrived at North Melbourne.

3. Shane Clayton (North Melbourne)

Mr Irrelevant draft year: 1998

From: Brisbane Lions

Games: 99

Goals: 51

4. Andrew Schauble (Collingwood)

Mr Irrelevant draft year: 1993

From: Xavier College

Games: 84

Goals: 11

5. Paul Dimattina (Richmond)

Mr Irrelevant draft year: 1991

From: Sandringham

Games: 0

Goals: 0

But made the most of his time at Western Bulldogs.

Originally published as Taylor Walker one of AFL’s most relevant Mr Irrelevants