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By Matt Burgan 8:14 AM
Thu 23 October, 2008
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As the NAB AFL Draft prepares for its 23rd installment on November 29, afl.com.au’s Matt Burgan nominates the best draft picks of all time.
Check back each day this week as we answer the question: Who is the best player taken with each pick in draft history?*^
Today: picks 50-26. Tomorrow: picks 25-1.
*The list covers the 22 AFL Drafts (1986-07) and not the Pre-Season or Rookie Drafts.
^The draftees selected are the best player for the club that selected them with that pick. The selections do not necessarily reflect the best AFL player taken with each selection.
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50 – ALASTAIR LYNCH (FITZROY)
Recruited from: Hobart (1986)
Stephen Tingay (Melbourne – 1987), who played 162 matches, was a genuine contender, but it was hard to go past Lynch, one of Fitzroy's all-time greats as highlighted by his selection in its team of the century. He played 120 matches for the Roys from 1988-93. After Lynch and Tingay, Matthew Whelan (Melbourne – 1999) and Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide – 2000) followed. Both are fine AFL players.
49 – NICK DAFFY (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: North Gambier (1990)
Daffy played the most matches (165) from No.49. He then went on to win Richmond's 1998 club champion award. Daffy pipped Shane Wakelin (Collingwood – 2000), who played 158 of his 252 AFL matches at the Pies, and Ronnie Burns (Geelong – 1994), who chalked up 134 of his 154 AFL games with the Cats. Jarrad Schofield (West Coast – 1992) and Simon Garlick (Sydney – 1993) played more matches at rival clubs.
48 – DARREN MILBURN (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Calder Cannons (1995)
Two players were genuine contenders – Milburn and Austinn Jones (St Kilda – 1994), but the Geelong defender's outstanding 2007-08 seasons confirmed his status. In 2007, Milburn played in Geelong's premiership and won All-Australian selection. Chance Bateman (Hawthorn – 1999) and Heath Shaw (Collingwood – 2003) are other standout selections. Nathan Ablett (Geelong – 2004) was also taken at this pick.
47 – BRENT HARVEY (NORTH MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Northern Knights (1995)
'Boomer' is clearly the top No.47 pick. The midfielder/forward was brilliant in 2007-08, winning back-to-back Syd Barker Medals and All-Australian selection. Next in line is 2007 premiership player Corey Enright (Geelong – 1999) and Andrew Welsh (Essendon – 2001). Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs – 1996) also played the first 60 of his 204 AFL matches from this selection.
46 – DAVID KING (NORTH MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Port Melbourne (1993)
A dual North Melbourne premiership player, King was an outstanding, dashing half-back. He played 241 matches from 1994-04 and is the best No.46 selection. Jarrad Waite (Carlton – 2001), who was taken as a father/son choice, is the next best with 106 games, although he has the ability to push King long-term. Leigh Fisher (St Kilda – 2002) and Michael Pettigrew (Port Adelaide – 2003) are the next to follow.
45 – MATTHEW SCARLETT (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (1997)
A father/son pick, Scarlett is now one of the all-time great defenders and is the clear No.45 choice – highlighted by his outstanding 2007-08. Three premiership players follow, Amon Buchanan (redrafted by Sydney – 2003), David Grenvold (Essendon – 1987) and Stuart Dew (Hawthorn – 2007). The recruitment of Dew from a one-season retirement was telling in the 2008 premiership.
44 – JOSH HUNT (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers (2000)
Hunt gets the nod, having played the most games directly from No.44 – his 122nd match was Geelong's 2007 premiership. Although Heath Scotland (Collingwood – 1998) is the standout AFL player, only 53 of his 159 AFL matches came from this number before being traded to Carlton. Ricky Dyson (Essendon – 2003), who has played 64 matches, followed. Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide – 2005) looms as a fine long-term prospect.
43 – ADAM GOODES (SYDNEY SWANS)
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels (1997)
The dual Brownlow Medallist and 2005 premiership player had no peers as the best No.43 pick, although some fine talent followed. Rebounding defender Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs – 1999) was next best, then sharpshooters Mark Williams (Hawthorn – 2000) and Darren 'Doc' Wheildon (Fitzroy – 1987). Williams has booted 226 goals from 98 matches, eclipsing Wheildon's 160 majors from 70 games.
42 – MARTIN PIKE (NORTH MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Fitzroy (1996)
No.42 was a tough call with Pike, Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide – 2002), Andy Lovell (Melbourne – 1986) and Che Cockatoo-Collins (Essendon – 1992). Although Ebert has played the most matches from this pick (98 games), Pike's 81 games and 1999 flag gets the nod. Lovell (86 matches) and Cockatoo-Collins (85) also played more, but Ebert should take over long-term. Jesse Smith (North Melbourne – 2004) should also press.
41 – ANDREW KRAKOUER (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: South Fremantle (2000)
Krakouer comes out on top after playing 102 matches from 2001-07. He is the only No.41 pick to play more than 100 games straight from this number. Henry Playfair (Geelong – 2001) follows, but since being traded to the Swans in 2007, he can't add to his 53 matches from this pick. Father/son choice Tom Hawkins (Geelong – 2006) looms as the standout player long-term. Rhan Hooper (Brisbane Lions – 2005) is also emerging.
40 – GARY ABLETT (GEELONG) – NEW
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (2001)
Father/son selection Ablett's stunning 2007-08 has now edged Michael O'Loughlin (Sydney Swans – 1994) as the top No.40. It was a tough call, due to O'Loughlin's outstanding longevity – he is also the Swans' games record holder – but Ablett was arguably the best player in the game over 2007-08 and for that achievement, he couldn't be overlooked. Essendon ruckman David Hille (1999) is the next best in line.
39 – SCOTT RUSSELL (COLLINGWOOD)
Recruited from: Sturt (1988)
Russell, who played 182 of his 198 AFL matches with the Pies – including the 1990 flag – was the top choice at No.39, ahead of Glenn Kilpatrick (Geelong – 1995), who played 120 matches when he was redrafted into the AFL. Toby Thurstans (Port Adelaide – 1998), who has played 99 matches, follows, although father/son pick and 2007 Copeland Trophy winner Travis Cloke (Collingwood – 2004), looks set to challenge long-term.
38 – BRENDAN FEVOLA (CARLTON) – NEW
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays (1998)
Last year, Cameron Ling (Geelong – 1999) got the nod over 'Fev' – just. In 2008, on the back of Fevola's 99 goals, the Carlton spearhead gets the edge – just. It was a tough call, as both have been excellent in their vastly different roles for their respective sides. Ashley Hansen (West Coast – 2001) is next best, with James Rahilly (Geelong – 1997) following.
37 – ADAM KINGSLEY (PORT ADELAIDE)
Recruited from: Essendon (1996)
Plucked from the Dons' reserves, Kingsley became a club champion (1998), Michael Tuck Medallist (2001) and premiership player (2004) with the Power in 170 matches. Kingsley edged Matthew Rogers (Richmond – 1992), although the Tiger played 27 more matches. Andrew Obst (Melbourne – 1987), Mitch Hahn (Western Bulldogs – 1999) and Leigh Montagna (St Kilda – 2001) follow. The latter two may push Kingsley long-term.
36 – SAM MITCHELL (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Box Hill Hawks (2001)
Mitchell has proved to be an outstanding player at this pick, having captained Hawthorn to the 2008 premiership in his first year as skipper. He also won the AFL Rising Star in 2003 and the club's best-and-fairest in 2006. Mitchell took the honours over former teammate Jonathan Hay (Hawthorn – 1996), who was an All-Australian full-back. Rhett Biglands (Adelaide – 1999), with 134 matches, was next.
35 – MARK CHAFFEY (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: Caulfield Grammar (1996)
The tenacious Tiger played 166 matches from 1997-06 and was the best pick at No.35. Next came Stuart Anderson (Kangaroos – 1990), who made 61 appearances for the Roos, including the 1996 premiership, before adding nine matches with Fremantle in 1998. Aaron James (Collingwood – 1993) played just 23 of his 54 games from this pick and Chris Bond (Carlton – 1989) produced 22 of his 163 games from No.35.
34 – LEON DAVIS (COLLINGWOOD)
Recruited from: Perth (1999)
It was always going to be a Pie, with four Collingwood players in contention – Davis, Craig Kelly (1986), Ryan Lonie (2000) and Stephen Patterson (1993). In the end, Davis' 161 matches – the most directly from pick No.34 – gave him the vote. Daryn Cresswell (Geelong – 1988) could not be considered, despite playing 244 AFL matches, as all of his appearances were made with the Sydney Swans and not the Cats.
33 – SHAUN HART (BRISBANE)
Recruited from: Shepparton United (1989)
Several Brisbane players were chosen here, but the 273-gamer and 2001 Norm Smith Medallist was the clear choice. His triple flag teammate Martin Pike (2000) followed – he played 106 of his 247 AFL matches with the Lions – with Jed Adcock (2003) after them. Two top three best-and-fairest finishes got Adcock over Tim Clarke (Hawthorn – 1999). Craig Bolton (Brisbane – 1998) only played 29 of his 150 AFL matches at the Lions.
32 – CAMPBELL BROWN (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers (2001)
Although he has played 29 fewer matches than Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs – 1999), Brown got the nod due to his outstanding 2007 season, when he finished second in the club champion award and was All-Australian. In 2008 he became a premiership player. Next in terms of direct matches from this pick are Bulldogs duo Peter Quill (1992) and Simon Cox (1994) who played 67 and 58 games respectively.
31 – SIMON BLACK (BRISBANE LIONS)
Recruited from: East Fremantle (1997)
Black, one of the AFL's most decorated players, takes the cake, having captained the club, won three premierships (2001-02-03), a Brownlow Medal (2002), a Norm Smith Medal (2003), three club championships (2001-02 and 2006) and three All-Australian selections (2001-02 and 2004). Paul Chapman (Geelong – 1999) is an excellent second, with Shane Wakelin (St Kilda – 1994), who played 94 of his 232 AFL matches with the Saints, third.
30 – JONATHAN BROWN (BRISBANE LIONS)
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (1999)
A father/son pick, Brown is one of the game's superstars and was the clear choice at No.30. A three-time premiership player in 2001-02-03, the co-captain won the Coleman Medal, the club's best-and-fairest and All-Australian selection in a dominant 2007. He was again club champion in 2008. Next is Richard Champion (Brisbane – 1988) and Sav Rocca (North Melbourne – 2001), who played 101 of his 257 AFL matches at the Roos.
29 – WAYNE CAMPBELL (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: Golden Square (1989)
The former Richmond captain played 297 matches from 1991-05 and was the standout No.29. The versatile Adam Hunter (West Coast – 1999) followed. He was a member of West Coast's 2006 flag. Jamie Charman (Brisbane Lions – 2000), who has now played 126 matches, edged Tyson Stenglein (Adelaide – 1998), who played 106 of his 197 AFL matches with the Crows, before moving to West Coast.
28 – JASON JOHNSON (ESSENDON)
Recruited from: Calder Cannons (1996)
Johnson was the clear winner at No.28. He played in a premiership (2000), won two Crichton Medals (2001 and 2005) and gained All-Australian selection (2001). He has also landed a trio of top three finishes in the club best-and-fairest award. Rowan Jones (West Coast – 1997), who played 158 matches from 1998-07, was next best. Jamie Tape (Richmond – 1992) played 75 of his 91 AFL games from this pick.
27 – BRENDON GALE (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: Burnie (1987)
Either at centre half-forward or in the ruck, Gale provided excellent service for the Tigers from 1990-2001, playing 244 matches. He won over Steven Baker (St Kilda – 1999), who has played 154 matches. Kane Johnson (Adelaide – 1995) came third, as he has now played more matches with the Tigers than the Crows. He played 104 of his 220 AFL matches with the Crows, including the club's flags in 1997-98, before heading to Punt Rd.
26 – DARRIN PRITCHARD (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Sandy Bay (1986)
A dual premiership player with Hawthorn in 1988 and 1991, Pritchard was an outstanding winger in 211 matches from 1987-97. The Tasmanian was taken in the first AFL Draft and remains the best No.26. Tim Notting (Brisbane – 1996), who has played 196 matches to date, is next. He has played in two Lions' flags (2001-02). Jared Rivers (Melbourne – 2002) follows with 70 matches and an AFL Rising Star to his name.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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