Herald Sun Footy Podcast: Lauren Wood, Michael Warner, Scott Gullan and Jon Anderson debate hottest issues after Round 6

Luke Hodge, Luke Ball, Chris Judd and Jimmy Bartel were picked in the first eight selections of the 2001 draft. But one Herald Sun expert believes the top-eight of 2018 is better. And that Carlton’s Sam Walsh is still No. 1.

2 min read

July 15, 2020 - 9:34AM

Sam Walsh in action against the Bulldogs in Round 6. Picture: Michael Klein

Is the 2018 draft crop the best ever?

Izak Rankine’s scintillating Gold Coast debut in Round 6 added further weight to the argument, following the rapid development of Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith and the King brothers – Max and Ben – this season.

And that’s on top of Rising Star winner Sam Walsh’s standout debut season and Connor Rozee’s first 28 games at the Power.

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Experienced Herald Sun journalist Jon Anderson believes the top-eight from the 2018 class – which also features Jack Lukosius and Tarryn Thomas - will be the greatest the game has seen.

Even better than the famous super draft of 2001, which saw Luke Hodge, Luke Ball, Chris Judd and Jimmy Bartel taken in the first eight selection.

“It’s a better top eight than that (2001 draft),” he said on the latest episode of the Herald Sun Footy Podcast.

“It (2001 draft) is not as good, at this stage, as what we think this (crop) is going to be, it’s exceptional.”

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But the best prospect of the class is another debate all together.

Melbourne great Gary Lyon re-ranked the 2018 draft on Fox Footy’s On the Couch this week and he didn’t even have Walsh in the top five, instead opting for Max and Ben King at No.1 and 2.

Host Gerard Healy said he would take Rozee with the first pick, based on the past two years.

Anderson, however, says Walsh still has claims as the best player of the impressive crop.

“I asked the recruiter this week, I said ‘who would you have No.1?’ He said, look, Bailey Smith is probably as good as anyone,” Anderson explained.

“But this bloke said you’d still look at Sam Walsh at No. 1, he’s going to play 250 games.”

The panel go on to discuss just how good Rankine can be, before diving into this week’s other big issues.

Are we reaching a crucial point in the evolution of the game? Is this the worst Swans side of the modern era? And what happened to the Saints after quarter time?

The top 10 in the 2018 AFL Draft: Max King, Jack Lukosius, Ben King, Tarryn Thomas, Nick Blakey Bailey Smith, Izak Rankine, Sam Walsh, Chayce Jones, Connor Rozee. Picture: Michael Klein

2018 TOP EIGHT

1. Sam Walsh (Carlton)

2. Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)

3. Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)

4. Max King (St Kilda)

5. Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)

6. Ben King (Gold Coast)

7. Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)

8. Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)

2001 TOP EIGHT

1. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)

2. Luke Ball (St Kilda)