Ranked: Tasmania’s best AFL players drafted since 2000

Tasmania has a long and proud history in the AFL, consistently seeing players make the big time. Ahead of the 2025 season, JAMES BRESNEHAN ranks the top-25 drafted since 2000.

Tasmania has a long and proud history in the AFL.

Australia’s smallest state has produce some of the biggest names ever to pull on a footy boot – Royce Hart, Peter Hudson, Darrel Baldock and Ian Stewart.

Some of the Tasmanian players drafted this century have also carved their name into AFL history.

Here is a list of the top AFL players who were drafted and played this century.

1 – JACK RIEWOLDT

Richmond 2007-2023

Games: 347

Goals: 798

Premierships: 2017, 2019, 2020

All-Australian: 2010, 2015, 2018

Coleman Medal: 2010, 2012, 2018

Ian Stewart Medal (best afield Richmond v St Kilda): 2010, 2012

AFL Rising Star nominee: 2008

Richmond vice-captain 2017–2021

Richmond’s leading goal kicker 12 times – 2010–2018, 2020–2021, 2023

The best Tasmanian to pull on a Richmond jumper since four-time premiership Tiger, two-time premiership captain and AFL Hall of Fame Legend, Royce Hart, who was also centre half-forward in the AFL Team of the Century. Interestingly, both players were recruited from Clarence, but Jack built his own legacy at Punt Road. Riewoldt won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal kicker three times, and was Richmond’s leading goal kicker an incredible 12 times, including nine seasons in a row.

The key forward was also recognised with three all-Australian guernseys.

The pinnacle of his career was winning three premierships, the first in 2017 followed by back-to-back flags in 2020 and 2021 as part of Richmond’s modern domination.

No player matches Riewoldt’s record in the 2000s.

2 – NICK RIEWOLDT

St Kilda 2000-2017

Games: 336

Goals: 718

St Kilda’s leading goal kicker four times – 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014

St Kilda captain 11 seasons

AFL Rising Star: 2002

All-Australian: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014

St Kilda best-and-fairest: 6 (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014)

AFL record for the most marks ever taken by an individual player

Easily the greatest Tasmanian-born player in recent history not to win a premiership. Depending on your point of view, Saint Nick is probably the most controversial member of the Top 25 for several reasons – namely his position on the list and secondly whether he should be on it at all. Nick was born in Hobart in 1982. His dad Joe was a Clarence defender and played in the same teams as his brother, Jack Riewoldt’s father Chris. Nick cut his teeth on the footy field playing with Sandy Bay juniors up until the age of nine, when his family moved to the Gold Coast. He was drafted as a Queenslander by St Kilda as No. 1 pick in the 2000 AFL Draft and made his Saints debut in 2001.

Riewoldt established himself as one of the best marks in the AFL, one of its most fearless players, and an exemplary leader on and off the field.

Nick Riewoldt was known for his courage.

3 – GRANT BIRCHALL

Hawthorn 2006-2019, Brisbane Lions 2020-2021

Games: Hawthorn 248, Brisbane 39

Goals: Hawthorn 34, Brisbane 2

Premiership player four times – 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015

All-Australian team 2012

Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame

Recruited from Devonport at pick 14 in the 2005 AFL Draft, Birchall made an immediate impact at the Hawks. He debuted in the opening round of 2006 against Fremantle and played such an imposing game at half-back, that’s where he stayed for his entire career. “Birch” played in four premierships at the Hawks with some of the biggest names ever to play AFL, including Lance Franklin. Being a member of Hawthorn teams for 14 years, Birchall got to play many games in his home state as part of the Tassie Hawks and their games in Launceston. Like Buddy, he eventually switched clubs and finished his career with two seasons in Brisbane under former Hawthorn football director and fellow-Tasmanian Chris Fagan.

4 – TOBY NANKERVIS

Sydney 2014-2016, Richmond 2017-2025

Games: Sydney 12, Richmond 145

Goals: Sydney 3, Richmond 36

Richmond premiership player: 2017, 2019, 2020

Richmond captain – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Nankervis was drafted by Sydney with the club’s third pick and the 35th selection overall in the 2013 AFL National draft. He did not play a senior game in his first season and had to wait until round 14 in 2015 to run out against Port Adelaide at the SCG. Nankervis was considered a fourth option ruckman in 2016, behind Sydney teammates Kurt Tippett, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith. In 2017 he was traded to Richmond where his career hit the turbo-charger. “Nank the Tank” was a smash hit at Tigerland. He was instrumental in Richmond’s unexpected premiership that year, and was a driving force of the two flags over the next three years. Appointed captain in 2022, Nank is still going strong at Tigerland, and is one of two current Tasmanian captains in the AFL.

Toby Nankervis. Photo by Michael Klein

5 – ALEX PEARCE

Fremantle 2014-2025

Games: 122

Goals: 5

Captain: 2023, 2024

Drafted from Devonport in the Tasmanian State League, Pearce was taken by the Dockers at pick 35 in the 2013 AFL Draft. He debuted for Fremantle in round six of the 2015 AFL season at Domain Stadium against Essendon, replacing the injured Luke McPharlin. The Tasmanian was the first player to make his debut for Fremantle in 2015. He went on to win the Beacon Award as Fremantle’s best first year player. Even though he was recruited as a forward, Pearce, standing 6f7 on the imperial scale, established himself as a defender. He is now one of the best key defenders in the AFL and was recognised for his talent and leadership with the Fremantle captaincy in 2023, as position he still holds going into 2025.

6 – JEREMY HOWE

Melbourne 2011-2015, Collingwood 2016-2025

Games: 252 (Melbourne 100, Collingwood 152)

Goals: 103 (Melbourne 80, Collingwood 23)

Premiership player – Collingwood 2023

Melbourne’s leading goal kicker 2013

AFL Mark of the Year 2012

A Michael Roach-style screamer for Hobart at the TCA ground during a State League game in 2010 was enough to convince Melbourne to draft Howe at pick 33 later that year. The boy from Dodges Ferry made his AFL debut for the Dees at the MCG against Essendon in round 11 in 2011 and did not look back. He quickly established himself as a goalkicking forward, with the ability to regularly take high-flying marks, as well as the talent to go back and hold down a spot in defence. In 2016 he was traded to Collingwood where his career took off. He played in the grand final in 2019 when the Pies were pipped by West Coast in a thriller, and finally got his premiership medal in 2023 when new coach Craig McRae steered Collingwood to its first flag in 13 seasons. Howe is still going strong at the Magpies in 2025.

7 – JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ

Geelong 2015-2025

Games: 198

Goals: 4

Premiership: 2022

Comes in at number seven, having played in a premiership with Geelong as a key member of a Cats team bristling with stars. Jake was taken by Geelong in the 2013 AFL Draft at pick 41 _ 36 spots after his twin brother Kade went to Gold Coast Suns in the top 10. Kade’s career was cut short by head knocks and incessant injuries, while Jake has gone on to be an invaluable cog in the wheel of Geelong’s defensive structure. Jake is now a veteran with the Cat, has played in two grand finals and a premiership in 2022. Finishing 2024 with 198 AFL games played, Kolodjashnij is set to play his 200th match in round one against Fremantle.

Jake Kolodjashnij of the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein

8 – MITCH ROBINSON

Carlton 2009-2014, Brisbane 2015-2022

Games: Carlton 100, Brisbane 147

Goals: Carlton 58, Brisbane 71

Brisbane best-and-fairest: 2015

A product of Lauderdale’s successful junior program, “Robbo” came to prominence as part of the Tasmanian Devils in a previous incarnation in the VFL during the “noughties”. He was a hard-running, hard-hitting player for Tasmania, and that did not change during his 14 years in the AFL — Dustin Martin can attest to that. Drafted by Carlton at number 40 in the 2008 AFL Draft, he made his AFL debut in round one, 2009 against Richmond at the MCG, scoring three goals. After six seasons with the Blues, Robinson was signed as a delisted free agent by the Brisbane Lions. In his debut season at the Gabba, “Robbo” was joint winner of the Merrett–Murray Medal as Brisbane’s best-and-fairest, alongside Dayne Beams, Stefan Martin and Dayne Zorko. After eight electric and often bruising seasons with Brisbane, he was delisted in 2022 following the Lions’ 71-point loss to Geelong in the preliminary final.

9 – SIMON WIGGINS

Carlton 2001-2010

Games: 16

Goals: 36

Simon Wiggins was a standout player with Glenorchy and Tasmania at under-16 and 18-level. He was taken by Carlton at pick 15 in the 2000 Draft, and went on to play 116 senior games for the Blues and was twice nominated for the Robert Rose award for Most Courageous. During lean times at Princes Park, Wiggins’ attitude, courage and determination made him a popular figure at the club. The 2009 Elimination Final loss to Brisbane was Wiggins’ first finals appearance but sadly also his 116th and final game for Carlton. Post AFL football, Wiggins has stayed involved with the Players Association working on employment pathways for retiring players. He continued to play, finally tasting premiership success when he coached Airport West to a flag in 2012. In 2023, Wiggins was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame as inductee 326.

10 – JIMMY WEBSTER

St Kilda 2012-2025

Games: 163

Goals: 4

Webster was an outstanding player for Glenorchy in the State League and that took the notice of AFL recruiters. He was taken by the Saints in the 2011 National Draft, with pick 42. Webster made his debut in round seven, 2013, against Carlton at Docklands Stadium, and established himself to now be an automatic selection for St Kilda’s backline. Jimmy is a reliable defender with the ability to overshadow an opponent and at times get rough and tough. Webster is still part of St Kilda’s defensive unit in 2025.

11 – COLIN GARLAND

Melbourne 2007-2017

Games: 141

Goals: 16

Drafted: 2006, pick 46

Debut: 2007, round five v Sydney at SCG

12 – NATHAN GRIMA

North Melbourne 2009-2015, Essendon 2016

Games: North Melbourne 86, Essendon 2

Goals: North Melbourne 1

Drafted: 2008 AFL Rookie, pick 14

13 – LIAM JONES

Western Bulldogs 2009-2014, Carlton 2015-2021, Bulldogs 2023-2025

Games: Western Bulldogs 105, Carlton 95

Goals: Bulldogs 68, Carlton 16

Drafted: 2008, pick 32

Indigenous All-Stars: 2013, 2025

14 – JASON LAYCOCK

Essendon 2004-2010

Games: 58

Goals: 36

Drafted: 2002, pick 10

Debut: 2004, round 19, Essendon v Carlton, MCG

15 – CHAYCE JONES

Adelaide Crows 2019-2025

Games: 92

Goals: 23

Drafted: 2018 pick 9

Debut: round one, Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval

16 – TOM COLLIER

Brisbane 2008-2011

Games: 27

Goals: 4

Drafted: 2007 pick 25

17 – SAM LONERGAN

Essendon 2006-2012, Richmond 2013

Games: Essendon 79, Richmond 2

Goals: Essendon 39, Richmond 0

Drafted: 2005, pick 50

18 – ANDREW LEE

Essendon 2005-2008

Games: 5

Goals: 2

Drafted: 2004, pick 30

Debut: 2006, round 13, Essendon v Kangaroos, Telstra Dome

19 – BARRY BROOKS

St Kilda 2003-2007

Games: 10

Goals: 3

Drafted: 2001 by Port Adelaide at pick 15, traded to Saints in 2003

20 – MITCH THORP

Hawthorn 2007-2009

Games: 2

Goals: 1

Drafted: 2006, pick 6

Debut: 2007, round 15 Hawks v Richmond at MCG

21 – TOM HISLOP

Essendon 2007-2008, Richmond 2009-2011

Games: Essendon 7, Richmond 20

Goals: Essendon 2, Richmond 10

Drafted: 2006, pick 20

22 – LACHIE COWAN

Carlton 2023-2025

Games: 24

Goals: 1

Drafted: 2022, pick 30

Debut: 2023, round one

23 – COLBY MCKERCHER

North Melbourne 2024-2025

Games – 16

Goals – 0

Drafted – 2023, pick 2

Debut – 2024, round one v GWS

24 – RYLEY SANDERS

Western Bulldogs 2024-25

Games: 14

Goals: 0

Drafted: 2023, pick 6

Debut: 2024, round one, Kangas v Melbourne

25 – LUKE SHACKLETON

Collingwood 2002-2004

Games: 1

Goals: 0

Drafted: 2002, pick 29

Originally published as Ranked: Tasmania’s best AFL players drafted since 2000