AFL Draft revisited: Every club’s draft picks and recruiting rated from 2016-2020
Just one of the Blues’ seven first-rounders from the past five drafts has become a proven regular. Has their recruiting been a failure? Every club rated, plus have your say.
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Successful drafting is the cornerstone of AFL success, as proven by premiers Melbourne.
The Demons side that crushed the Western Bulldogs last month boasted a host of prized first-round selections in Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Christian Salem, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett.
The triumph was a ringing endorsement for going chips in at the draft, with Melbourne now eyeing a sustained run that some experts believe will become the next dynasty.
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Other clubs have found hidden gems through later picks, the pre-season draft and the rookie draft, with Richmond becoming a powerful premiership force off the back of nailing these underrated recruiting methods.
Looking back at the last five draft periods paints a picture of how every club has fared at securing elite talent.
While the true value of some clubs’ draft hauls won’t be clear for a few years, the most successful sides during this period have made their selections count.
Who has made the most of their picks and which clubs have failed to capitalise?
Hindsight, of course, is a wonderful thing, but we rate the drafting of every club since 2016.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY CLUB’S PICKS, RATING AND THE TOP 30 FROM EACH YEAR
2021 DRAFT HUB: PROFILES AND EXCLUSIVE STATS ON 70 PROSPECTS
POWER RANKINGS:THE TOP 30 PROSPECTS IN THE COUNTRY
ADELAIDE
2016: Jordan Gallucci (15), Myles Poholke (44), Elliot Himmelberg (51), Matt Signorello (62), Ben Davis (75), Ben Jarman (rookie)
2017: Darcy Fogarty (12), Andrew McPerson (40), Patrick Wilson (rookie), Lachlan Murphy (rookie), Jackson Edwards (rookie)
2018: Chayce Jones (9), Ned McHenry (16), Will Hamill (30), Lachie Sholl (64), Kieran Strachan (rookie), Jordon Butts (rookie)
2019: Fischer McAsey (6), Harry Schoenberg (24), Josh Worrell (28), Ronin O’Connor (42), Lachlan Gollant (48), Ben Keays (rookie), Ben Crocker (rookie), Ayce Taylor (SPP)
2020: Riley Thilthorpe (2), Luke Pedlar (11), Brayden Cook (25), Sam Berry (28), James Rowe (38), James Borlase (rookie NGA), Tariek Newchurch (rookie NGA), Nick Murray (SPP)
There are a number of question marks on this list. Adelaide’s first two picks in 2016 have been delisted and Fogarty is yet to really make his mark, despite numerous glimpses and, at the time, being a no-brainer as a local boy at pick 12. McAsey is taking longer to come on than expected and then there’s Jones and McHenry, taken in the first-round of the most-recent super draft of 2018. Both took a significant stride forward this season, but will long be compared to the young stars taken around them. The bulk of the past two drafts give the Crows a solid foundation to fast-track an aggressive rebuild, however. Schoenberg is developing rapidly and with Berry, Cook and Pedlar showing enough signs in 2021, the future of the Crows’ midfield is obvious. Thilthorpe could be a star of the game very soon and Keays and Butts can be added to the long list of Crows’ rookie-list success stories.
Rating: B-
BRISBANE
2016: Hugh McCluggage (3), Jarrod Berry (17), Alex Witherden (23), Cedric Cox (24), Jacob Allison (55), Corey Lyons (71), Jake Barrett (rookie), Mitch Hinge (rookie), Oscar McInerney (rookie), Matt Eagles (Cat B rookie), Blake Grewar (Cat B rookie)
2017: Cam Rayner (1), Zac Bailey (15), Brandon Starcevich (18), Toby Wooller (41), Connor Ballenden (43), Jack Payne (54), Claye Beams (rookie), Cian Hanley (Cat B rookie)
2018: Ely Smith (21), Tom Berry (36), Tom Joyce (40), Connor McFadyn (42), Noah Answerth (55), Ryan Bastinac (rookie), Jacob Allison (rookie), Tom Fullarton (Cat B rookie), James Madden (Cat B rookie)
2019: Dylan Robertson (22), Brock Smith (33), Keidean Coleman (37), Jaxon Prior (59), Sam Skinner (rookie), Corey Lyons (rookie), Archie Smith (rookie), Matt Eagles (Cat B rookie)
2020: Blake Coleman (24), Harry Sharp (43), Henry Smith (48), Grant Birchall (rookie), Deividas Uosis (Cat B rookie), Carter Michael (Cat B rookie), Kalin Lane (mid-season)
The Lions were out of finals for a while, got some early picks and used them very well. Hugh McCluggage was touted as a possible pick 1 in 2016 and you could have a healthy debate today arguing over Hugh, Andrew McGrath (pick 1) and Tim Taranto (pick 2). Jarrod Berry, Brandon Starcevich an Zac Bailey are exactly what you would be hoping to get from a pick in the teens a few years into their careers and who knows what Cam Rayner could be if he can get a decent run at it. The Lions’ later picks haven’t unearthed many gems with one big exception – former rookie Oscar McInerney.
Rating: B+
CARLTON
2016: Sam Petrevski-Seton (6), Zac Fisher (27), Harrison Macreadie (47), Cam Polson (59), Tom Williamson (61), Pat Kerr (65), Kym LeBois (rookie), Alex Silvagni (rookie), Andrew Gallucci (rookie), Ciarán Sheehan (Cat B rookie)
2017: Paddy Dow (3), Lochie O’Brien (10), Tom De Koning (30), Angus Schumacher (70), Jarrod Garlett (78), Cam O’Shea (pre-season), Matt Shaw (rookie), Cillian McDaid (Cat B rookie)
2018: Sam Walsh (1), Liam Stocker (19), Finbar O’Dwyer (66), Ben Silvagni (70), Hugh Goddard (rookie), Tomas Bugg (rookie), Matthew Owies (Cat B rookie), Michael Gibbons (SSP), Matt Cottrell (SSP)
2019: Brodie Kemp (17), Sam Philp (20), Jack Martin (pre-season), Josh Honey (rookie), Fraser Phillips (18), Callum Moore (SSP), Josh Deluca (mid-season)
2020: Corey Durdin (37), Jack Carroll (41), Luke Parks (rookie), Oscar McDonald (SSP)
2021: Alex Mirkov (mid-season), Jordan Boyd (mid-season)
Just one of Carlton’s seven first-rounders from the last five drafts has become a proven senior regular: you guessed it, young sensation Walsh. Stocker looks capable at the level after this season and Kemp and Philp have been hampered by injuries. However, top-10 choices Dow (who had his moments in 2021), Petrevski-Seton and O’Brien have had serious question marks during their time at Ikon Park. The Blues have been fleeced for Petrevski-Seton, while it looks to be last chance saloon for O’Brien next year. De Koning is Carlton’s No.1 ruck in waiting and small forwards Gibbons, Durdin, Honey and Owies have shown positive signs at stages. Martin hasn’t delivered on his pay-packet, but nabbing him through the pre-season draft for nothing was a shrewd manoeuver and helps bump up their overall rating.
Rating: C
COLLINGWOOD
2016: Sam McLarty (30), Callum Brown (35 father-son), Kale Kirby (50), Josh Daicos (57 father-son), Mitch McCarthy (rookie), Henry Schade (rookie), Liam Mackie (rookie), Max Lynch (rookie)
2017: Jaidyn Stephenson (6), Nathan Murphy (39), Tyler Brown (50 father-son), Flynn Appleby (rookie), Brody Mihocek (rookie), Adam Oxley (rookie), Jack Madgen (Cat b rookie)
2018: Isaac Quaynor (13), Will Kelly (29), Atu Bosenavulagi (77), Tim Broomhead (rookie), Sam Murray (rookie), Anton Tohill (Cat B rookie), Mark Keane (Cat B rookie), John Noble (mid-season)
2019: Jay Rantall (40), Trent Bianco (45), Trey Ruscoe (55), Tom Wilson (Cat B rookie)
2020: Ollie Henry (17), Finlay Macrae (19), Reef McInnes (23), Caleb Poulter (30), Liam McMahon (31), Beau McCreery (44), Jack Ginnivan (rookie), Isaac Chugg (rookie), Ash Johnson (mid-season), Aiden Begg (mid-season)
There are some great Collingwood names in there (Daicos, Brown) but you wouldn’t call it the nucleus of the Pies’ next premiership team. Stephenson won the Rising Star Award, nearly helped the Pies win a flag, then flamed out and is now a Kangaroo. McLarty was an emergency seven times but was delisted without playing an AFL game, Murphy averaged 11 disposals in 13 games this year and Kelly has had a cruel run with injuries. The good news is the Pies’ strike rate is improving – Quaynor can seriously play and all of Rantall, Bianco, Henry, Macrae, Poulter, McCreery and Ginnivan did enough in 2021 to give the Magpie faithful hope. But it’s very early days.
Rating: C+
ESSENDON
2016: Andrew McGrath (1), Jordan Ridley (22), Josh Begley (31), Kobe Mutch (42), Dylan Clarke (63), Sam Draper (rookie), Shaun McKernan (rookie), Yestin Eades (rookie), Ben McNiece (Cat B rookie)
2017: Jordan Houlahan (49), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (66), Matt Guelfi (76), Trent Mynott (rookie), Luke Lavender (Cat B rookie)
2018: Irving Mosquito (38), Noah Gown (60), Brayden Ham (72), Tom Jok (rookie), Matt Dea (25), Zac Clarke (SPP)
2019: Harrison Jones (30), Nick Bryan (38), Ned Cahill (56), Lachlan Johnson (63), Mitchell Hibberd (10), Ross McQuillan (rookie), Cian McBride (rookie), Tom Hird (rookie), Jacob Townsend (SPP), Henry Crauford (SPP), Will Snelling (mid-season)
2020: Nik Cox (8), Archie Perkins (9), Zach Reid (10), Josh Eyre (39), Cody Brand (53), Marty Gleeson (rookie), Dylan Clarke (rookie), Alec Waterman (SPP), Kaine Baldwin (SPP), Sam Durham (mid-season)
A great start for the Bombers with McGrath and Ridley both top-liners, and a strong finish with last year’s trio of top-10 picks. In between there were more hits than misses – Houlahan was delisted without playing a senior game, Mosquito is back in the Kimberley after suffering a knee injury and homesickness, and Cahill and Johnson were let go last week. There were some smart late calls though, with the likes of Guelfi, Snelling and Durham all having an impact at senior level, and former rookie Draper could be anything.
Rating: B-
FREMANTLE
2016: Griffin Logue (8), Sean Darcy (38), Brennan Cox (41), Luke Ryan (66), Taylin Duman (rookie), Luke Strnadica (rookie), Brady Grey (rookie)
2017: Andrew Brayshaw (2), Adam Cerra (5), Hugh Dixon (44), Mitch Crowden (59), Tom North (65), Lloyd Meek (69), Sam Switkowski (73), Scott Jones (75), Bailey Banfield (rookie), Stefan Giro (rookie),
2018: Sam Sturt (17), Luke Valente (32), Lachie Schultz (57), Brett Bewley (59), Ethan Hughes (rookie), Tobe Watson (rookie), Jason Carter (Cat B rookie)
2019: Hayden Young (7), Caleb Serong (8), Liam Henry (9), Michael Frederick (61), Isaiah Butters (Cat B rookie), Leno Thomas (Cat B rookie)
2020: Heath Chapman (14), Nathan O’Driscoll (27), Brandon Walker (50), Joel Western (54), Josh Treacy (rookie)
Fremantle is starting to see the rewards after committing to the draft during this period. Outside the first-round picks, Darcy and mature-ager Ryan in 2016 stand out as the Dockers’ main success stories, with Schultz, Frederick, Treacy and Walker (NGA) other promising later selections. Brayshaw, a bolter of sorts at pick 2, is now arguably the leading performer of the 2017 draft class, while Cerra was an integral part of the Dockers’ midfield before joining Carlton. Expect their 2019 draft haul of Rising Star winner Serong, Young and Henry (NGA) to be looked back on fondly, with Young and Henry also extremely talented. Injury-riddled Sturt’s stellar debut is a reminder of his capabilities, while Chapman showed strong signs before a season-ending blow this year.
Rating: A
GEELONG
2016: Brandan Parfitt (26), Tom Stewart (40), Esava Ratugolea (43), Quinton Narkle (60), Timm House (48), Ryan Abbott (69), Jack Henry (rookie), Zach Guthrie (rookie), Jermaine Jones (rookie), Sam Simpson (rookie), Mark O’Connor (Cat B rookie)
2017: Lachie Fogarty (22), Tim Kelly (24), Charlie Constable (36), Gryan Miers (57), Stewart Crameri (rookie)
2018: Jordan Clark (15), Ben Jarvis (48), Jacob Kennerley (50), Dary Fort (65), Jake Tarca (68), Oscar Brownless (74), Tom Atkins (rookie), Blake Schlensog (Cat B rookie), Stefan Okunbor (Cat B rookie)
2019: Cooper Stephens (18), Sam De Koning (19), Francis Evans (41), Cameron Taheny (50), Brad Close (14)
2020: Max Holmes (20), Shannon Neale (33), Nick Stevens (47)
The past five years further highlight recruiting mastermind Stephen Wells’ ability to find a diamond in the rough. In 2016, he took an undrafted 23-year-old from the Cats’ VFL program named Tom Stewart at pick 40, before nabbing Henry in the rookie draft. The following season, it was another mature-ager in Kelly, and Miers at 57. There’s also rookies Atkins and Close, who have come in a played key roles. But, given the club’s aggressive chase for another flag, it’s been vital for the Cats to nail their limited early selections. But have they? With Fogarty and Clark leaving, the development of Stephens, De Koning and Holmes is vital to Geelong’s next wave.
Rating: B+
GOLD COAST
2016: Ben Ainsworth (4), Jack Scrimshaw (7), Will Brodie (9), Jack Bowes (10), Brad Scheer (67), Keegan Brooksby (rookie), Cameron Loersch (rookie), Max Spencer (Cat B rookie)
2017: Wil Powell (19), Charlie Ballard (42), Brayden Crossley (52), Connor Nutting (55), Josh Jaska (rookie), Nick Holman (rookie), Jacob Dawson (Cat B rookie), Jacob Heron (Cat B rookie)
2018: Jack Lukosius (2), Izak Rankine (3), Ben King (6), Jez McLennan (23), Caleb Graham (71), Chris Burgess (pre-draft selection), Sam Collins (pre-draft selection), Josh Corbett (pre-draft selection), Sam Fletcher (SSP)
2019: Matt Rowell (1), Noah Anderson (2), Sam Flanders (11), Jeremy Sharp (27), Jy Farrar (60), Connor Budarick (pre-draft), Matt Conroy (rookie), Malcolm Rosas (pre-draft, Luke Towey (Cat B rookie), Patrick Murtagh (Cat B rookie), Mitch Riordan (mid-season)
2020: Elijah Hollands (7), Alex Davies (pre-draft), Joel Jeffrey (pre-draft), Jacob Townsend (rookie), Aiden Fyfe (rookie), Hawego Paul Oea (Cat B rookie)
2021: Ned Moyle (mid-season)
Evaluating Gold Coast’s haul comes with the caveat of their enviable draft concessions from the league. This allowed them to get a wunderkind packaged deal of Rowell and Anderson in 2019, snare early-round fancies Davies and Jeffrey plus Budarick as academy pre-draft selections, and other draft and list luxuries. But you’ve still got to make the right draft calls, which the Suns certainly have since 2016 – when Scrimshaw (traded) and Brodie, traded to the Dockers on Wednesday, didn’t work out as planned. Since then, King, Lukosius, Rankine (2018), and Rowell and Anderson (2019) have become, or are not far away from becoming, stars, while Flanders, Sharp, Powell and Ballard can all join the elite bracket. Hollands, who was sidelined with a knee injury for most of 2021, could be anything, and Moyle is an exciting ruckman for the future. Add draft prospect Finn Callaghan to this mix and it’s a list loaded with talent. But can they keep them all?
Rating: B+
GWS GIANTS
2016: Tim Taranto (2), Will Setterfield (5), Harry Perryman (14), Isaac Cumming (20), Lachlan Tiziani (54), Matt de Boer (58), Tendai Mzungu (rookie), Joel Patfull (rookie), Jake Stein (Cat B rookie), Zach Sproule (Cat B rookie)
2017: Aiden Bonar (11), Brent Daniels (27), Sam Taylor (28), Zac Langdon (56), Nick Shipley (64), Dylan Buckley (15), Sam Reid (rookie), Jack Buckley (Cat B rookie)
2018: Jye Caldwell (11), Jackson Hately (14), Xavier O’Halloran (22), Bobby Hill (24), Kieren Briggs (34), Conor Idun (61), Callum Brown (Cat B rookie), Shane Mumford (SSP)
2019: Lachie Ash (4), Tom Green (10), Jake Riccardi (51), Tom Hutchesson (65), Jake Stein (rookie), Tom Sheridan (rookie), Zach Sproule (rookie), Shane Mumford (SPP)
2020: Tanner Bruhn (12), Conor Stone (15), Ryan Angwin (18), Cameron Fleeton (58), Jacob Wehr (59), Sam Reid (rookie), Zach Sproule (rookie), Will Shaw (Cat B rookie), James Peatling (mid-season)
The Giants traditionally offer an interesting mix of high-end talent and late draft surprises (remember Tendai Mzungu?). And inevitably some of those higher picks end up at other clubs – Setterfield (pick 5), Bonar (11), Caldwell (11) and Hately (14) all left – but none have really hurt GWS (not yet, at least) and there are some very good players left. Taranto is a gun (even if he could tidy up his disposal efficiency), Cumming really came on in 2020, Ash and Green look like future stars and Sam Taylor could be the best full-back in the comp. And credit to recruiters who picked Jake Stein and Zach Sproule as rookies back in 2016 – and again in 2019. Neither are household names but both were part of the best 22 for the Giants’ two finals this year.
Rating: A-
HAWTHORN
2016: Harry Morrison (74), Mitch Lewis (76), Oliver Hanrahan (rookie), James Cousins (rookie), Conor Nash (Cat B rookie)
2017: James Worpel (45), Dylan Moore (67), Jackson Ross (71), Harry Jones (rookie), David Mirra (rookie), Dallas Wilsmore (rookie), Changkuoth Jiath (Cat B rookie/NGA)
2018: Jacob Koschitzke (52), Matthew Walker (63), Damon Greaves (rookie), Will Golds (rookie), Tim Mohr (rookie), Ned Reeves (SSP)
2019: Will Day (13), Finn Maginness (29), Josh Morris (57), Michael Hartley (pre-season), Emerson Jeka (rookie), Harry Pepper (Cat B rookie), Keegan Brooksby (SSP), Darren Minchington (SSP)
2020: Denver Grainger-Barras (6), Seamus Mitchell (29), Connor Downie (35), Tyler Brockman (46), Jack Saunders (rookie), Lachie Bramble (SSP)
2021: Jai Newcombe, Jackson Callow (mid-season)
Spare a thought for Hawthorn’s recruiters, who have had just two first-round picks to play with in the last five drafts as the Hawks traded aggressively in pursuit of another premiership. Nevertheless, they found some diamonds in the rough – James Worpel, Jacob Koschitzke and Mitch Lewis – with picks outside 40. Breakout defender Changkuoth Jiath (Cat B rookie), mature-ager Lachie Bramble (SSP) and ruckman Ned Reeves (SSP) also look like superb finds. Those first-round choices, Will Day and Denver Grainger-Barras, loom as mainstays of Hawthorn’s defence for the next decade, and there is enough to like about the rest of the Hawks’ 2020 draft class. The tide is turning.
Rating: B
MELBOURNE
2016: Mitch Hannan (46), Dion Johnstone (64), Lachlan Filipovic (rookie), Tim Smith (rookie), Declan Kelly (rookie)
2017: Charlie Spargo (29), Bayley Fritsch (31), Harrison Petty (37), Oskar Baker (48)
2018: Tom Sparrow (27), James Jordon (33), Aaron Nietschke (53), Marty Hore (56), Toby Bedford (75), Kade Chandler (rookie), Austin Bradtke (Cat B rookie), Guy Walker (Cat B rookie), Jay Lockhart (SPP), Corey Wagner (SPP), Kyle Dunkley (mid-season)
2019: Luke Jackson (3), Kysaiah Pickett (12), Trent Rivers (32), Harley Bennell (SPP), Mitch Brown (SPP)
2020: Jake Bowey (21), Bailey Laurie (22), Fraser Rosman (34), Majak Daw (SPP), Deakyn Smith (SPP), Kye Declase (mid-season), Daniel Turner (mid-season)
Melbourne’s drought-breaking premiership team was built at the draft. Exactly 10 years after taking Jack Trengove, Tom Scully and Jordan Gysberts inside the first 11 picks, the Demons’ recruiting team, led by Jason Taylor, called the names of Luke Jackson, Kysaiah Pickett – whose position at pick 12 surprised a few at the time – and Trent Rivers at the 2019 draft. The club’s first picks in 2020 (Bowey), 2018 (Sparrow) and 2017 (Spargo) are also premiership players, while taking a punt on a mature-age VFL forward in Fritsch worked out well, too. And if you look back three further years, you’ll see the names Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw and Christian Salem.
Rating: A+
NORTH MELBOURNE
2016: Jy Simpkin (12), Declan Watson (34), Josh Williams (36), Nick Larkey (73), Cam Zurhaar (rookie), Oscar Junker (rookie), Matthew Taylor (rookie),
2017: Luke Davies-Uniacke (4), Will Walker (23), Kyron Hayden (62), Tristan Xerri (72), Billy Hartung (77), Tom Murphy (rookie), Tom Jeffries (Cat B rookie)
2018: Tarryn Thomas (8), Curtis Taylor (46), Bailey Scott (49), Joel Crocker (69), Tom McKenzie (rookie), Kyron Hayden (rookie), Tom Wilkinson (rookie), Red Og Murphy (Cat B rookie)
2019: Charlie Comben (31), Jack Mahony (34), Flynn Perez (35), Matthew McGuinness (Cat B rookie), Lachie Hosie (mid-season)
2020: Will Phillips (3), Tom Powell (13), Charlie Lazzaro (36), Phoenix Spicer (42), Eddie Ford (56), Patrick Walker (rookie), Connor Menadue (rookie)
2021: Jacob Edwards, Charlie Ham (both mid-season)
The nucleus of North Melbourne’s rebuild is there for all to see, with first-round selections Simpkin, Davies-Uniacke, Thomas (NGA), Phillips and Powell looming as a mouth-watering centre-bounce outfit. Oh, and a draft prospect by the name of Jason Horne-Francis, who goes OK from all reports. The Roos have been able to find value outside the top 30 as well. Larkey and Zurhaar were draft steals in 2016 and are now integral members of the Roos’ forward line, while Comben, Ford, Lazzaro, Taylor, Mahony and Spicer appear to have plenty to offer in time. Some criticised taking Phillips over Logan McDonald, but it far too early for that debate, particularly with developing key forwards Comben and top mid-season prospect Edwards, another nice pick-up, in the wings.
Rating: A
PORT ADELAIDE
2016: Todd Marshall (16), Sam Powell-Pepper (18), Joe Atley (32), Willem Drew (33), Emmanuel Irra (Cat B rookie), Peter Ladhams (rookie), Brett Eddy (rookie), Jarrod Lienert (rookie)
2017: Sam Hayes (47), Kane Farrell (51), Jake Patmore (58), Joel Garner (60), Dom Barry (61), Lindsay Thomas (rookie)
2018: Connor Rozee (5), Zak Butters (12), Xavier Duursma (18), Riley Grundy (73), Boyd Woodcock (76), Tobin Cox (rookie), Cam Sutcliffe (mid-season)
2019: Miles Bergman (14), Mitch Georgiades (18), Dylan Williams (23), Jackson Mead (25), Jake Pasini (rookie), Trent Burgoyne (rookie)
2020: Lachie Jones (16), Ollie Lord (49), Tyson Goldsack (rookie), Taj Schofield (37), Jed McEntee mid-season)
Someone give Geoff Parker a pay rise. And not because the Port Adelaide recruiting manager took the Victorian who didn’t want to come to South Australia, Ollie Wines, in 2012. The class of 2018 – Rozee, Butters and Duursma – is one of the best in recent draft history, given the trio’s instant impact and scope for improvement. Add West Australian Georgiades, whose draft year was wiped out by injury, and Bergman, to that, and the Power’s future looks bright, even after the club’s ageing stars bow out. There are a few who had little impact and Marshall and Powell-Pepper have yet to fully justify their draft position, but Ladhams in the rookie draft was a shrewd selection. And the Power still have high hopes for their first pick in 2017, young ruckman Hayes.
Rating: A
RICHMOND
2016: Shai Bolton (29), Jack Graham (53), Ryan Garthwaite (72), Tyson Stengle (rookie)
2017: Jack Higgins (17), Callum Coleman-Jones (20), Noah Balta (25), Patrick Naish (34 father-son), Ben Miller (63), Liam Baker (rookie), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Cat B rookie)
2018: Riley Collier-Dawkins (20), Jack Ross (43), Fraser Turner (58), Luke English (62), Jake Aarts (rookie), Jacob Townsend (rookie), Mabior Chol (rookie), Sydney Stack (SSP), Mav Weller (SSP)
2019: Thomson Dow (21), Noah Cumberland (43), Will Martyn (44), Hugo Ralphsmith (46), Bigoa Nyuon (54), Marlion Pickett (mid-season)
2020: Samson Ryan (40), Maurice Rioli Jr (51 father-son), Mate Colina (Cat B rookie), Rhyan Mansell (SSP), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (SSP), Matthew Parker (mid-season daft)
The Tigers haven’t had a pick inside 20 in this time and have done well to unearth premiership gems like Bolton, Graham and Baker, who was an inspired rookie selection, plus mid-season draft poster boy Marlion Pickett. Richmond’s first two selections in 2017 will both be at other clubs next season, which isn’t ideal, and the jury is still out on the classes of 2018-19. Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross, Thomson Dow and Hugo Ralphsmith have all shown promising signs but need to take the next step to show they can take the baton from Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards and Co.
Rating: B
ST KILDA
2016: Ben Long (25), Josh Battle (39), Ed Phillips (56), Rowan Marshall (rookie), Ray Connellan (Cat B rookie), Darragh Joynce (Cat B rookie)
2017: Hunter Clark (7), Nick Coffield (8), Oscar Clavarino (35), Ben Paton (46), Doultan Langlands (rookie), Lewis Pierce (rookie)
2018: Max King (4), Jack Bytel (41), Matthew Parker (47), Nick Hind (54), Robbie Young (67), Callum Wilkie (rookie), Sam Alabakis (Cat B rookie), Jonathon Marsh (SSP), Sam Rowe (SSP)
2019: Ryan Byrnes (52), Leo Connolly (64), Jack Bell (rookie), Jack Mayo (mid-season)
2020: Matthew McLeod-Allison (26), Tom Highmore (45), Mason Wood (SSP), Paul Hunter (SSP), Max Heath (mid-season), Cooper Sharman (mid-season)
The Demons showed this year you can build a premiership team around top-10 draft picks. The Saints have had three in recent years but you would only confidently say one – Max King – is on track for stardom, although Hunter Clark hasn’t had much luck with injury. St Kilda needs Clark and Coffield to deliver because it has traded away a big chunk of its draft hand in the past two years, taking only four players in those national drafts and none above pick 26. The Saints have done well with mature-agers Callum Sinclair and Tom Highmore, and Rowan Marshall is one of the all-time rookie draft steals.
Rating: C
SYDNEY
2016: Oliver Florent (11), Will Hayward (21), Jack Maibaum (45), Darcy Cameron (48), Ben Ronke (rookie), Robbie Fox (rookie), Shaun Edwards (rookie), Toby Pink (rookie), Sam Fisher (Cat B rookie)
2017: Matthew Ling (14), Tom McCartin (33), Ryley Stoddart (53), Angus Styles (rookie), Joel Amartey (rookie), James Bell (Cat B rookie), Jake Brown (Cat B rookie)
2018: Nick Blakey (10), James Rowbottom (25), Justin McInerney (44), Zac Foot (51), Durak Tucker (rookie), Sam Wicks (Cat B rookie), Hayden McLean (SSP)
2019: Dylan Stephens (5), Will Gould (26), Elijah Taylor (36), Chad Warner (39), Brady Rowles (rookie), Barry O’Connor (Cat B rookie), Michael Knoll (mid-season), Cody Hirst (mid-season)
2020: Logan McDonald (4), Braeden Campbell (5), Errol Gulden (32), Malachy Carruthers (rookie), Marc Sheather (rookie)
2021: Lachlan McAndrew (mid-season)
Sydney’s goldmine continues to deliver. Campbell and Gulden joined a long line of credentialed Swans Academy graduates, including Blakey, who found his niche as a dashing half-back. The Swans’ exciting youngsters were a significant reason for their rise in 2021, with the aforementioned group along with the likes of McCartin, Warner, McInerney and Wicks stepping up to become senior regulars. Next season is an important one for top-five choice Stephens and Gould, the latter a renowned figure in KFC SuperCoach folklore. McDonald may be the best of the lot and is the heir apparent to Lance Franklin’s throne.
Rating: B+
WEST COAST
2016: Daniel Venables (13), Josh Rotham (37), Willie Rioli (52), Jake Waterman (77), Thomas Gorter (rookie), Drew Petrie (rookie), Fraser McInness (rookie), Tarir Bayok (Cat B rookie), Francis Watson (Cat B rookie)
2017: Jarrod Brander (13), Oscar Allen (21), Brayden Ainsworth (32), Jack Petruccelle (37), Hamish Brayshaw (68), Ryan Burrows (rookie), Tony Olango (rookie), Callan England (35)
2018: Xavier O’Neill (28), Luke Foley (31), Bailey Williams (35), Jarrod Cameron (39), Harry Edwards (rookie), Josh Smith (rookie), Patrick Bines (Cat B rookie), Brodie Riach (Cat B rookie), Keegan Brooksby (SSP)
2019: Callum Jamieson (49), Ben Johnson (58), Anthony Treacy (rookie), Mitch O’Neill (rookie), Brendon Ah Chee (rookie), Hamish Brayshaw (rookie), Nic Reid (SSP), Jermaine Jones (SSP)
2020: Luke Edwards (52), Isiah Winder (57), Zane Trew (rookie), Daniel Venables (rookie), Will Collins (mid-season), Connor West (mid-season)
The Eagles haven’t had many early picks due to finishing in the top half of the ladder most years and trades (Tim Kelly), and they were unlucky Venables’ career was ended on just 21 games due to serious concussions. The other pick 13, Jarrod Brander, is likely to be traded, and there aren’t a huge number of big ticks in the list above, with Oscar Allen (pick 21) the standout. Petruccelle has shown flashes, Rotham is a handy player and Jake Waterman is delivering value for the final pick in the 2016 draft. Willie Rioli will be back next year.
Rating: C
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2016: Tim English (19), Pat Lipinski (28), Lewis Young (49), Lewis Young (49), Fergus Greene (70), Nathan Mullenger-McHugh (rookie)
2017: Aaron Naughton (9), Ed Richards (16), Callum Porter (74), Billy Gowers (rookie)
2018: Bailey Smith (7), Rhylee West (26), Laitham Vandermeer (37), Ben Cavarra (45), Will Hayes (78), Lachie Young (rookie), Jordan Sweet (rookie), Ryan Gardner (mid-season)
2019: Cody Weightman (15), Louis Butler (53), Riley Garcia (62)
2020: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (1), Dominic Bedendo (55), Lachlan McNeil (11), Anthony Scott (SPP)
Like Melbourne, nailing their first-round selections has been key to the Bulldogs finding their way back to footy’s biggest stage. There’s been no late-round gem – although McNeil and Scott both played a role in 2021 – but it’s a big tick for the club’s first pick in each of the past five years; English, Naughton, Smith, Weightman and Academy gun Ugle-Hagan. There’s been no real bust immediately after that, either. Richards burst onto the scene, missing just three games in his first three seasons at the top level, and Lipinski has also shown his talent, despite a lack of opportunity.
Rating: A
THE TOP 30 OF THE PAST 5 DRAFTS
2016
1. Andrew McGrath (Essendon)
2. Tim Taranto (GWS)
3. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
4. Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
5. Will Setterfield (GWS)
6. Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton)
7. Jack Scrimshaw (Gold Coast)
8. Griffin Logue (Fremantle)
9. Will Brodie (Gold Coast)
10. Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
11. Oliver Florent (Sydney)
12. Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne)
13. Daniel Venables (West Coast)
14. Hugh Perryman (GWS)
15. Jordan Gallucci (Adelaide)
16. Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide)
17. Jarrod Berry (Brisbane)
18. Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)
19. Timothy English (Western Bulldogs)
20. Isaac Cumming (GWS)
21. Will Hayward (Sydney)
22. Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
23. Alex Witherden (Brisbane)
24. Cedric Cox (Brisbane)
25. Ben Long (St Kilda)
26. Brandan Parfitt (Geelong)
27. Zac Fisher (Carlton)
28. Patrick Lipinski (Western Bulldogs)
29. Shai Bolton (Richmond)
30. Sam McLarty (Collingwood)
2017
1. Cam Rayner (Brisbane)
2. Andrew Brayshaw Fremantle
3. Paddy Dow (Carlton)
4. Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
5. Adam Cerra (Fremantle)
6. Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)
7. Hunter Clark (St Kilda)
8. Nick Coffield (St Kilda)
9. Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
10. Lochie O’Brien (Carlton)
11. Aiden Bonar (GWS)
12. Darcy Fogarty (Adelaide)
13. Jarrod Brander (West Coast)
14. Matthew Ling (Sydney)
15. Zac Bailey (Brisbane)
16. Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)
17. Jack Higgins (Richmond)
18. Brandon Starcevic (Brisbane)
19. Wil Powell (Gold Coast)
20. Callum Coleman-Jones (Richmond)
21. Oscar Allen (West Coast)
22. Lachlan Fogarty (Geelong)
23. Will Walker (North Melbourne)
24. Tim Kelly (Geelong)
25. Noah Balta (Richmond)
26. Liam Ryan (West Coast)
27. Brent Daniels (GWS)
28. Sam Taylor (GWS)
29. Charlie Spargo (Melbourne)
30. Tom De Koning (Carlton)
2018
1. Sam Walsh (Carlton)
2. Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)
3. Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
4. Max King (St Kilda)
5. Conor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
6. Ben King (Gold Coast)
7. Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
8. Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)
9. Chayce Jones (Adelaide)
10. Nick Blakey (Sydney )
11. Jye Caldwell (GWS)
12. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
13. Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood)
14. Jackson Hately (GWS)
15. Jordan Clark (Geelong)
16. Ned McHenry (Adelaide)
17. Sam Sturt (Fremantle)
18. Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide)
19. Liam Stocker (Carlton)
20. Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond)
21. Ely Smith (Brisbane Lions)
22. Xavier O’Halloran (GWS)
23. Jez McLennan (Gold Coast)
24. Ian Hill (GWS)
25. James Rowbottom (Sydney)
26. Rhylee West (Western Bulldogs)
27. Tom Sparrow (Melbourne)
28. Xavier O’Neill (West Coast)
29. Will Kelly (Collingwood)
30. Will Hamill (Adelaide)
2019
1. Matt Rowell (Gold Coast)
2. Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3. Luke Jackson (Melbourne)
4. Lachlan Ash (GWS)
5. Dylan Stephens (Sydney)
6. Fischer McAsey (Adelaide)
7. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
8. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
9. Liam Henry (Fremantle)
10. Tom Green (GWS Giants)
11. Sam Flanders (Gold Coast)
12. Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
13. Will Day (Hawthorn Hawks)
14. Miles Bergman (Port Adelaide)
15. Cody Weightman (Western Bulldogs)
16. Cooper Stephens (Geelong)
17. Brodie Kemp (Carlton)
18. Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide)
19. Sam De Koning (Geelong)
20. Sam Philp (Carlton)
21. Thomas Dow (Richmond)
22. Deven Robertson (Brisbane)
23. Dylan Williams (Port Adelaide)
24. Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide)
25. Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide)
26. William Gould (Sydney)
27. Jeremy Sharp (Gold Coast)
29. Finn Maginness (Hawthorn)
30. Harrison Jones (Essendon)
2020
1. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)
2. Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide)
3. Will Phillips (Nth Melbourne)
4. Logan McDonald (Sydney)
5. Braeden Campbell (Sydney)
6. Denver Grainger-Barras (Hawthorn)
7. Elijah Hollands (Gold Coast)
8. Nik Cox (Essendon)
9. Archie Perkins (Essendon)
10. Zach Reid (Essendon)
11. Luke Pedlar (Adelaide)
12. Tanner Bruhn (GWS Giants)
13. Tom Powell (Nth Melbourne) –
14. Heath Chapman (Fremantle)
15. Conor Stone (GWS)
16. Lachlan Jones (Port Adelaide)
17. Oliver Henry (Collingwood)
18. Ryan Angwin (GWS)
19. Finlay Macrae (Collingwood)
20. Max Holmes (Geelong)
21. Jake Bowey (Melbourne)
22. Bailey Laurie (Melbourne)
23. Reef McInnes (Collingwood)
24. Blake Coleman (Brisbane)
25. Brayden Cook (Adelaide)
26. Matthew Allison (St Kilda)
27. Nathan O’Driscoll (Fremantle)
28. Sam Berry (Adelaide)
29. Seamus Mitchell (Hawthorn)
30. Caleb Poulter (Collingwood)
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Originally published as AFL Draft revisited: Every club’s draft picks and recruiting rated from 2016-2020
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