THE NAB AFL Draft, one of the most important days on the football calendar, will celebrate its 22nd instalment on November 24.

 

In the lead-up to this year's meeting, afl.com.au has chosen the top draft selections of all time. Over the next five days we will nominate the pick which we think was the best selection at that position in the history of the draft.

The key criterion used was: The draftee needed to be the best player for the club that drafted them with that selection. Our pick is not necessarily the best overall AFL player.

For example, Melbourne drafted Darren Jarman at No.55 in the inaugural 1986 AFL Draft, but he never played a match for the Demons. Although he is now a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, we haven't chosen Jarman as the best No.55 pick of all-time. Instead, we've gone with Sam Fisher who has forged a fine career for St Kilda.

Even though Jarman is the best AFL player to have ever come through pick No.55, he was a great with Hawthorn and Adelaide - not Melbourne.

Don't forget to check back each day this week on afl.com.au as we count down the best draft selections of all time.

75 - KEN McGREGOR (ADELAIDE)

Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens (1998)

The key forward/defender gets the nod at No.75, having played 145 matches for the Crows from 1999-07. He edges out Clint Bizzell, who despite featuring in 163 AFL matches, made more appearances when he was traded to Melbourne at the end of the 2001 season. After being drafted by Geelong at this number in 1995, Bizzell left the Cats with 75 matches under his belt, before adding a further 88 games with the Demons.

74 - TROY LUFF (SYDNEY)

Recruited from: Sydney (1994)

After a couple of stints on Sydney's list, Luff soon became an integral player for the Swans, when he was redrafted at this point, playing 123 of his 155 matches, including the 1996 Grand Final. He edges out two Roos - Daniel Pratt (2004) and Matthew Burton (1999). Although Pratt has played 17 fewer matches than Burton, the hard-at-it defender just gets the nod after his outstanding 2007, when he finished third in the club champion.

73 - RYAN HOULIHAN (CARLTON)

Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers (1999)

Houlihan continues to be a fine servant for the Blues, playing 157 matches from 2000-07. This year, he finished fourth in the club's best-and-fairest award. Next in line was Beau McDonald (Brisbane Lions - 1997), a dual premiership player in 2001-02, followed by Shane Tuck (Richmond - 2003). Anthony McDonald (Carlton - 1990) was not considered, as he played all of his 104 matches with Melbourne and none with the Blues.

72 - BRAD FISHER (CARLTON)

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges (2002)

The talented forward remains an important cog, having played 70 matches since his debut in 2003. He took the honours ahead of former teammate Adrian Deluca, who played 46 matches from 2004-06, before he retired to focus on his accounting career. Brownlow Medallist Brian Wilson (St Kilda - 1990) was lured out of retirement for one season in 1991, but he added just seven matches to his 209-game tally after being picked at No.75

71 - ANDREW KELLAWAY (RICHMOND)

Recruited from: Richmond (1997)

A Richmond supplementary list player before drafted, Kellaway became a highly respected backman, winning the club's best-and-fairest and All-Australian selection in 2000. He edged out another key defender, Brian Harris (Western Bulldogs - 2001), who had a first-class 2007, winning the club's best-and-fairest award. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide - 2006) also showed great promise in his debut season in 2007.

70 - PAUL WILLIAMS (COLLINGWOOD)

Recruited from: North Hobart (1989)

The best No.70 by far, Williams was a great performer for the Pies in 189 matches from 1991-00, before adding 117 games, including the 2005 premiership, with Sydney from 2001-06. Wayde Skipper (Western Bulldogs - 2000) is next - despite two fewer matches than Matthew Lokan (Collingwood - 2002). Skipper is ahead of dual Roos premiership player Brett Allison (Sydney - 1999), as he played just nine games for the Swans.

69 - CHAD RINTOUL (ADELAIDE)

Recruited from: East Fremantle (1996)

No.69 was difficult to assess. Brad Sholl (redrafted by the Kangaroos - 1991) was the best AFL player, but only two of his 171 matches came from this pick. Although Jamie Elliott (Fitzroy - 1989) and Jordan Bannister (Carlton - 2003) have played the most matches from this selection - 40 and 46 respectively - Rintoul gets the nod, as he was part of Adelaide's first flag in 1997, despite just 23 of his 76 AFL matches from No.69.

68 - CHRIS HYDE (RICHMOND)

Recruited from: Richmond (2001)

Russell Robertson (Melbourne - 1996) might be the best player selected at No.68, but he never featured in a match from this selection. He was delisted and then redrafted in the first AFL Rookie Draft in 1997 (No.48). This gives Hyde the nod, after he was redrafted by the Tigers. He made his AFL debut in 2002 and has since played 82 games. Tony Delaney (St Kilda - 1999) was next with 33 of his 76 AFL matches coming in 2000-01.

67 - BYRON PICKETT (KANGAROOS)

Recruited from: Port Adelaide Magpies (1996)

Two fine indigenous players - Pickett and Graham Johncock (Adelaide - 2000) - vied for selection No.67. But an AFL Rising Star, premiership and All-Australian selection with the Kangaroos gave Pickett the edge over Johncock. Shane Ellen (Footscray - 1991), Robert Shirley (Adelaide - 1999) and Steve Alessio (Essendon - 2002) played a combined total of 50 matches from pick No.67 and were not considered.

66 - NATHAN BROWN (MELBOURNE)

Recruited from: West Adelaide (1997)

Brown overcame nagging injuries to become a fine player for the Demons, playing 146 matches from 1998-07. He got the nod over Ryan Hargrave (Western Bulldogs - 1999). Andrew Schauble (Collingwood - 1993) and Aaron Lord (Brisbane - 1992) reached the 150-game AFL tally, but not directly from this pick and were therefore overlooked. Schauble played 79 matches with the Pies and Lord never played for Brisbane.

65 - MARK GRAHAM (RICHMOND)

Recruited from: Hawthorn (2004)

Remarkably, Graham's 20 appearances with Richmond in 2005 - after 223 matches with Hawthorn - are the most matches from a pick No.65. In fact, a combined total of just 38 matches have come directly from this number. Next best is Justin Cicolella (Adelaide - 1999), who played five AFL matches in 2000. Craig Callaghan (St Kilda - 2003) could not be considered, as he didn't add to his 124 AFL matches due to ongoing knee injuries.

64 - CAMERON BRUCE (MELBOURNE)

Recruited from: Melbourne (1999)

A Melbourne supp list player in 1998-99, Bruce is one of the club's best players, having notched up 162 matches since 2000. He pipped dual West Coast premiership player Tony Evans, who played 108 matches from 1991-98, as the best No.64. Nick Malceski (Sydney - 2002), a fine young player, is next with 45 games. Matthew Carr (Collingwood - 1995) was not considered, as he never played for the Pies, but he has played 158 AFL matches.

63 - MARC BULLEN (ESSENDON)

Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers (2000)

Bullen's 44 matches - the most from a No.63 selection - gets him over the line ahead of Adam Houlihan (Richmond - 2001), who played 33 of his 94 AFL matches from this pick. But based on his 2007, Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood - 2006) looms as the best long-term. Fabian Francis (Melbourne - 1991) and Jason Baldwin (Richmond - 1996) both played over 100 AFL matches, but combined for just three games from pick No.63.

62 - ANDREW THOMPSON (ST KILDA)

Recruited from: Old Melburnians (1996)

Drafted at 24, after time on St Kilda's supp list, Thompson became a best-and-fairest winner (2000) and life member in 221 matches from 1997-07. Next came Ben Johnson (Collingwood - 1999), Justin Blumfield (Essendon - 1994) and Matthew Egan (Geelong - 2004). This was based on Johnson's 155 matches and two club champion runner-ups, Blumfield's superb 2000 premiership display and Egan's 2007 All-Australian selection.

61 - MATHEW STOKES (GEELONG)

Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens (2005)

A tough call, but Stokes' part in Geelong's 2007 premiership campaign was compelling, giving him the nod over Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane Lions - 2003) and Stephen Powell (Western Bulldogs - 1996). Rischitelli has played the most matches (44) directly from this pick - and still looms as the best long-term - while Powell played 30 of his 142 AFL games from No.61. Mick Martyn (redrafted by the Kangaroos - 2001) added 19 matches.

60 - COREY JONES (KANGAROOS)

Recruited from: Sturt (2000)

Jones gets the nod ahead of 2005 premiership player Adam Schneider (Sydney - 2001), who was recently traded to St Kilda. The Roo forward has also played the most matches (125) from No.60. Derek Kickett (Kangaroos - 1988) and Brad Scott (Hawthorn - 1994) were also chosen here. But Kickett played just 12 matches with the Roos and Scott played none from this pick. He was later redrafted by the Hawks at No.85 in 1996.

59 - ANTHONY McDONALD (MELBOURNE)

Recruited from: Melbourne (1996)

Drafted at 24 for the fourth time from Melbourne's reserves, McDonald gave fine service, playing 104 matches, including the 2000 Grand Final. Matthew Dundas (Fitzroy - 1988) and John Barnes (Essendon - 1999) came next. A gutsy rover, Dundas played 75 matches for the Roys, as Barnes returned to the Dons for 2000-01, playing in the 2000 flag. Simon Tregenza (Footscray - 1988) never played for the Dogs, making his name at the Crows.

58 - DANE SWAN (COLLINGWOOD)

Recruited from: Calder Cannons (2001)

Swan takes the gong, having played the most matches of any No.58 choice. He has played 76 matches since his debut in 2003 and his past two seasons have been particularly impressive, highlighted by his 20 Brownlow votes in 2007. He pips ruckman Ben Hudson (Adelaide - 2003), who was recently traded to the Western Bulldogs and Nathan Lonie (Hawthorn - 2000) who played 64 of his 98 AFL matches with the Hawks.

57 - ANDREW EMBLEY (WEST COAST)

Recruited from: Swan Districts (1998)

Clearly the best No.57 selection, Embley has played 145 matches, including the 2006 premiership (when he won the Norm Smith Medal), for West Coast since 1999. Next best is Steven Sziller (Richmond - 2000), who was handy for the Tigers in 38 of his 156 AFL matches, after he made his name at St Kilda. Anthony McDonald (redrafted by Carlton - 1991) didn't play for the Blues, but managed 104 matches for Melbourne.

56 - DANIEL BRADSHAW (BRISBANE)

Recruited from: Wodonga (1995)

No.56 was an extremely tough call, as Bradshaw, Andrew Dunkley (Sydney - 1991) and Ryan O'Keefe (1999) all made significant claims. In the end, Bradshaw got the points, as he was part of the Brisbane Lions' glory era, playing in the 2001 and 2003 flags. Matthew Clarke (Richmond - 1990) didn't play for the Tigers and Cam Mooney (Kangaroos - 1996) featured in 11 matches for the Roos, so they weren't considered.

55 - SAM FISHER (ST KILDA)

Recruited from: West Adelaide (2003)

Fisher's outstanding 2006-07 seasons, when he ran third and second respectively in the club championship, ultimately gave him the edge over Chris Newman (Richmond - 2000). Brad Miller (Melbourne - 2003) was next with 91 matches. Darren Jarman (Melbourne - 1986) never played for the Demons and Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs - 2005) added 11 matches before retiring, so they weren't in the mix.

54 - MICHAEL SEXTON (CARLTON)

Recruited from: Sandhurst (1988)

The standout selection at No.54, Sexton became one of the competition's most respected defenders. He played in Carlton's 1995 premiership, was All-Australian in 1996-97 and finished with 200 matches from 1990-00, before injury ended his career. Next in line is Ben Robbins (Kangaroos - 2001), who played 40 of his 92 AFL matches with the Roos from 2002-03, after six senior seasons with Brisbane.

53 - MICHAEL BRAUN (WEST COAST)

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers (1996)

It was a battle between the Bendigo-turned-West Coast boys, although in reality Braun's longevity and 210 matches since 1997 couldn't be ignored. He took the honours over 2006 premiership teammate Adam Selwood, who has played 74 matches since being drafted in 2002. Troy Schwarze (St Kilda - 1998) also provided good service in 71 matches and Simon Taylor (Hawthorn - 2004) now has 48 appearances to his name.

52 - PAUL BULLUSS (RICHMOND)

Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens (1992)

Bulless gets the guernsey (97 matches with Richmond from 1993-98) as inaugural Adelaide premiership player Rod Jameson (Kangaroos - 1989) never played for the Roos. Next is Matthew Dent (Fitzroy - 1993), who played 47 matches for the Roys, before stints with the Dogs and Hawks. And Amon Buchanan (Sydney - 2000) played just six matches from No.52, before he was redrafted by the Swans in 2003.

51 - DION WOODS (FREMANTLE)

Recruited from: Perth (2000)

Woods played the most matches directly from being drafted at No.51, notching up 59 appearances from 2001-05. A tall, athletic defender, Woods' 2003 season was outstanding. Woods gets in ahead of emerging forward Tim Boyle (Hawthorn - 2002), who had a break-out season in 2007, but entered the year with just five matches under his belt after battling injuries. He now has 25 matches to his name.