Top 20 AFL stars from Bendigo Pioneers: Is Dusty or Selwood No.1?
The Bendigo region has long been an AFL goldmine for talent. We rank the top 20 stars drafted since 1993. Do you agree with our list? VOTE IN OUR POLL.
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The Bendigo region has long been an AFL goldmine.
The likes of John Nicholls, Geoff Southby, Graeme Arthur, Greg Williams, Phil Carman and Jack Titus all hail from the area.
So it’s no surprise the Bendigo Pioneers have produced some outstanding talent since their inception in 1993.
Young guns such as Jye Caldwell, Paddy and Thomson Dow, Brodie Kemp and Jarrod Brander will no doubt push their cases in the coming years.
Check out our list of the top 20 players drafted since 1993 and have your say.
20. TOM COLE (West Coast)
JUNIOR CLUB: Strathfieldsaye
DRAFTED: Pick No.36, 2015
A premiership player in just his 27th AFL match. The intercept defender played 21 games and earnt a Rising Star nomination in 2018 and is starting to cement his place in West Coast’s best 22, playing 14 and 15 matches in the past two seasons.
19. COLIN SYLVIA (Melbourne, Fremantle)
JUNIOR CLUB: Merbein
DRAFTED: Pick No.3, 2003
Debuted for Merbein at just 15 and would go on to be drafted by Melbourne with the third pick, just behind Pioneers teammate Andrew Walker. The midfield-forward had a solid 163-game career. He passed away in a car accident in Mildura in 2018.
18. ADAM SELWOOD (West Coast)
JUNIOR CLUB: Sandhurst
DRAFTED: Pick No.53, 2002
Adam sneaks in but twin Troy misses out on the Bendigo Pioneers’ top 20. Adam is an Eagles 2006 premiership player and finished third in the Worsfold Medal in 2007 and 2008. The shutdown midfielder would also vice-captain Australia on a tour of Ireland in 2008.
17. NATHAN THOMPSON (Hawthorn, North Melbourne)
JUNIOR CLUB: Kyneton
DRAFTED: Pick No.82, 1997
A noted goalkicker during his 179-game career, booting 327 majors. The key forward was a two-time leading goalkicker at Hawthorn and North Melbourne and won two pre-season premierships at the Hawks. A trailblazer when it came to raising awareness of depression among AFL players.
16. JARRYN GEARY (St Kilda)
JUNIOR CLUB: Eaglehawk
DRAFTED: Rookie Pick No.58, 2006
One of the best rookie draft success stories, having played 204 games and named captain of St Kilda in 2017. However, injuries have not been kind to the Saint. He broke his arm in his 100th game, broke his leg in China in 2019 and suffered compartment syndrome in his right quad before the same game. Geary broke the same leg again at training last week.
15. OLLIE WINES (Port Adelaide)
JUNIOR CLUB: Echuca
DRAFTED: Pick No.7, 2012
A tough inside midfielder, Wines has averaged more than 24 disposals every year except his debut season and 2020, when he averaged 21.8. He’s also averaged five tackles a game in six of eight campaigns. Wines was named Power co-captain in 2019 but was demoted to vice-captain last season.
14. ANDREW WALKER (Carlton)
JUNIOR CLUB: Echuca
DRAFTED: Pick No.2, 2003
Made a spectacular debut against West Coast in Round 5, 2004, when he amassed 26 disposals, won a Rising Star nomination and a Brownlow Medal vote. Struggled with inconsistency and injury until 2011 when he found a home as a permanent forward, kicking 56 goals in 24 games. Took what many regard as one of the best marks in VFL/AFL history but was stunning overlooked for Mark of the Year.
13. RICK LADSON (Hawthorn)
JUNIOR CLUB: Golden Square
DRAFTED: Pick No.16, 2001
Hawthorn’s second selection in the 2001 “Super Draft”, Ladson would play 125 games in nine seasons as injuries took a severe toll. He had his best years between 2006-2008, playing 22, 22 and 25 games. He played every game in the Hawks’ premiership season, averaging almost 20 disposals, and kicking the sealer in the grand final win over Geelong.
13. SCOTT SELWOOD (West Coast, Geelong)
JUNIOR CLUB: Sandhurst
DRAFTED: Pick No.22, 2007
The youngest of the Selwood brothers developed into an elite tagger then midfielder in his own right. In his fourth AFL season he led the league in tackles with 8.1 per game and in his fifth won the John Worsfold Medal as West Coast’s club champion, averaging 24.9 disposals, and won 15 Brownlow Medal votes. An ankle injury would hamper his career and while he joined brother Joel at Geelong in 2016 he would play only 34 games in four seasons.
11. JAKE STRINGER (W.Bulldogs, Essendon)
JUNIOR CLUB: Eaglehawk
DRAFTED: Pick No.5, 2012
Stringer’s career was almost over before it began when he suffered a horrific leg break playing for the Pioneers. However, his undoubted talent was still recognised by the Bulldogs who snapped him up with pick No.5. His breakout season came in 2015 when he kicked 56 goals and was named in the All-Australian team and became part of Bulldogs history when the club broke it’s premiership drought the following year. Sadly, his time at Whitten Oval didn’t end well and he was traded to Essendon at the end of 2017.
10. JOSH HUNT (Geelong, GWS)
JUNIOR CLUB: Mildura Imperials
DRAFTED: Pick No.44, 2000
Hunt owned one of the best kicks of the era and was integral to Geelong’s attacking game plan. Had a breakout season in 2004 when he played 24 games and was rarely out of side thereafter. A key member of the Cats’ defence as the club won premierships in 2007 and 2011, missing out on the 2009 triumph due to a knee reconstruction. Was delisted at the end of 2013 and played one season, 14 games, for GWS before hanging up the boots.
9. DEAN SOLOMON (Essendon, Fremantle)
JUNIOR CLUB: North Broken Hill
DRAFTED: Pick No.20, 1997
Solomon arrived just as Essendon were developing into premiership contenders and almost immediately became a key player. In his second season, 1999, he played 19 games, including the infamous preliminary final against Carlton, and didn’t miss a match as Essendon cruised through 2000 with only one loss before claiming the premiership. He played 24 of 25 games in 2001 including the grand final loss to Brisbane and 23 of 24 in 2002. After 158 games was traded to Fremantle at the end of 2006 and retired in 2010 with 209 AFL games.
8. MICHAEL BRAUN (West Coast)
JUNIOR CLUB: Echuca United
DRAFTED: Pick No.53, 1996
Broke into West Coast’s best 22 in 1998 and was rarely out of it until retiring in 2008, playing at least 18 games in seven of his 11 seasons. In just his third season was runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal, represented Australia in 2004 and won a Ross Glendenning Medal in 2007 as BOG in the derby. Arguably his best two seasons were 2005 and 2006 when the Eagles made back-to-back grand finals. Braun played all 25 games, averaging 20 disposals a game, and was named in the best as West Coast beat arch-rivals Sydney by a point.
7. BRENT GUERRA (Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Hawthorn)
JUNIOR CLUB: Koondrook-Barham
DRAFTED: Pick No.28, 1999
Must have thought himself a bad luck charm after playing in losing finals at Port Adelaide in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and St Kilda in 2004 and 2005. He would lose another with Hawthorn in 2007 before his luck would change. Guerra played a starring role as Hawthorn broke its 17-year premiership drought in 2008 with 25 disposals and was a key member of the Hawks rebuild before retiring on a high after the 2013 triumph. Possessed one of the most damaging kicks in the competition during his 225-game career.
6. ROBBIE TARRANT (North Melbourne)
JUNIOR CLUB: South Mildura
DRAFTED: Pick No.15, 2007
One might ask where would North Melbourne be if not for Robbie Tarrant in defence these past few years. The key defender has been a rock for the Kangaroos and was duly recognised with the Syd Barker Medal in 2016 and finished fourth, third, second and sixth in the years since. After shoulder issues early in his career Tarrant has barely missed a game since 2015 and has served as vice-captain since 2017. Will be one of the most sought-after free agents in the competition at the end of 2021.
5. CHRIS TARRANT (Collingwood, Fremantle)
JUNIOR CLUB: South Mildura
DRAFTED: Pick No.8, 1997
Just pips his younger brother for a sport in the top five. Had a breakout season in 2001 when he kicked 53 goals in 22. He would form a deadly combination with Anthony Rocca in the Collingwood forward line, helping the Magpies reach consecutive grand finals in 2002 and 2003. His best season came in 2003 when he booted 54 goals, won Mark of the Year, earned 12 Brownlow Medal votes and was named in the All-Australian team. Was traded to Fremantle in 2007 where he shifted to full-back with some success. Returned to Collingwood for his final two seasons and retired with 268 games and 367 goals to his name.
4. NATHAN BROWN (W.Bulldogs, Richmond)
JUNIOR CLUB: Golden Square
DRAFTED: Pick No.10, 1996
The first Pioneer to claim the Morrish Medal as the TAC Cup best-and-fairest, Brown was duly snapped up by the newly renamed Western Bulldogs. Played 14 games in his debut season including the heartbreaking preliminary final defeat. By 1999 he had cemented his place in the best 22 and would develop into a star of the competition, named All-Australian in 2001 and 2002. After 2003 he would take up a lucrative offer from Richmond but in just his second season at Punt Road suffered a horrific broken leg. He announced his retirement in 2009 after 209 AFL games. Represented Australia and won the Jim Stynes Medallist in 2004.
3. NICK DAL SANTO (St Kilda, North Melbourne)
JUNIOR CLUB: Sandhurst
DRAFTED: Pick No.13, 2001
One of St Kilda’s modern day greats, Dal Santo was a key member of the Saints side that played in three preliminary finals and three grand finals between 2004 and 2010. One of the most skilful midfielders in the competition, “Dal” averaged better than 20 disposals a match in 12 of his 15 seasons with a best of 27.9 in 2009. A three-time All-Australian (2005, 2009, 2011), he played 260 games for St Kilda before crossing to North Melbourne in 2014, helping the Kangaroos reach a preliminary final. Added another 62 games at Arden Street before retiring with 322 AFL games.
2. JOEL SELWOOD (Geelong)
JUNIOR CLUB: Sandhurst
DRAFTED: Pick No.7, 2006
There are plenty of good arguments that Selwood should be the No.1 player produced by the Bendigo Pioneers. In terms of longevity and sustained excellence he is the best – 310 games and counting, three-time premiership player, premiership captain, three-time Carji Greeves Medallist, six-time All-Australian and captain three times, AFL Rising Star award winner, Michael Tuck Medallist and Geelong captain since 2012. Selwood was the fourth fastest player in VFL/AFL history to reach 300 games and has the best winning percentage of any player in that bracket with 72 per cent. He is also the fifth player in history to captain 200 VFL/AFL games. Guaranteed to be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
1. DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond)
JUNIOR CLUB: Castlemaine
DRAFTED: Pick No.3, 2009
Has there been a five-year stretch were a player has so utterly dominated the game on and off the field? Since 2017, Dustin Martin has been the AFL’s megastar and inspired Richmond to arguably it’s most successful era in its 136-year history. However, “Dusty” has been a star since day one, playing at least 20 games every season since his debut in 2010. He averaged 20 disposals that season and has never dropped lower. Martin truly arrived in 2015 when he averaged 26 disposals, kicked 24 goals and won 21 Brownlow Medal votes. Here’s what has followed since … three premierships, three Norm Smith Medals (the most in VFL/AFL history), the 2017 Brownlow Medal and AFL MVP, two Jack Dyer Medals, four All-Australian guernseys and three Gary Ayres Medals as the AFL’s best player in finals. Stunning. In 2017 he became the only man to win the Brownlow, a premiership and Norm Smith in the same season (let alone the MVP and Tigers best-and-fairest), a performance Leigh Matthew described as the greatest individual season in VFL/AFL history.
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