AFL 25: Chris Cavanagh looks back at the 25 biggest AFL Draft calls of the 21st century

Booms, bargains, busts and backflips. The past 25 years have been filled with draft decisions that have shaped the direction of clubs – in both directions. We rank the biggest calls of the century.

They have been some of the most important drafting decisions of the modern era.

These 25 picks from the past 25 years have shaped the direction of clubs.

These players have been vital cogs in premiership teams, have won Brownlow medals, have served as captains or have won multiple All-Australian blazers.

Some draft decisions were simply the right calls – as early as pick 1 – while others were gems hidden deep in the rookie draft.

AND THE MISSES …

Along with Richmond’s decision to select Richard Tambling ahead of Lance Franklin in 2004, St Kilda’s call to select Paddy McCartin with the No.1 pick in 2014 is also regularly referenced as a miss.

Some said that “17 other clubs” had Christian Petracca as the best player in the draft, but the Saints opted for McCartin as they looked to fill a list need for a key forward.

Injuries and a series of concussions meant McCartin was never able to reach his full potential and he played just 35 games for St Kilda before being traded to Sydney.

Christian Petracca – who Melbourne selected at pick 2 – won the Norm Smith Medal in a premiership with the Demons in 2021.

St Kilda also picked Jack Billings (pick 3) ahead of Marcus Bontempelli (pick 4) in 2013.

In the 2001 ‘Super Draft’, Melbourne’s No.9 pick was Luke Molan, who never played a senior game.

The Demons also chose Aaron Rogers (two AFL games) at pick 26 in the same draft.

Laurence Angwin (pick 7, 2000) only played four AFL games for Adelaide in another famous drafting blunder, while Tim Walsh (pick 4, 2002) only featured in one match before being delisted by the Western Bulldogs.