IT'S OFFICIAL. At the end of round 12, Carlton is in the eight.

The Blues are there after a spirited 30-point win over a Collingwood side that had won four matches in a row, two of which were claimed in such convincing fashion it was being tipped as a serious top four contender.

Simply, Carlton is doing what Hawthorn has successfully done over the past few years. The Blues have built a list from virtually the ground up, with a handful of high draft picks starting to prove their worth in a spate of impressive performances.

Marc Murphy has been in sensational form this year. Bryce Gibbs has relished a new role and is also showing signs worthy of his own No. 1 selection in the NAB AFL Draft. And Matthew Kreuzer won the Blues the game last weekend against Port Adelaide.

Look beyond the marquee draftees from recent years and there's evidence the Blues' first selections in the national drafts have been well made. Jordan Russell (2004, 40 games to date), Andrew Walker (2003, 74 games, injured this year), and Kade Simpson (2002, 77 games) have all improved.

Likewise, the Cats have already benefited from their own No. 1 selection from 2006 in Joel Selwood – a premiership player in his first year – while the Magpies have seen plenty from their first pick in 2005 in Dale Thomas.

And, club No. 1 choices from 2004 in Brett Deledio (Richmond), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) and Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs) have all become key players for their respective strips.

Quite simply, the sport of Australian Rules football has become so professional, it is imperative recruiters do everything they can to ensure deficits – short or long term – with successful high draft selections are addressed.

Players like Lance Franklin, Scott Pendlebury, Nick Dal Santo and Brock McLean have proven you don't have to be the club's first preference on draft day to kick on and have an impact early on.

However, the attention will always be on the highly-touted, No. 1 selections by each club, particularly given how Carlton has demonstrated how influential its trio of top picks have been so far this season – one, two and three years on.

Here, as we surpass the halfway mark and look ahead to the mid-season break, we take a brief glance at how your club's top kid from last year's NAB AFL Draft is faring.

ADELAIDE

Patrick Dangerfield (pick No. 10 overall)

The young 18-year-old is living in Victoria this year so he can finish school and is playing in the TAC Cup for the Geelong Falcons. Kicked eight goals against the Calder Cannons in April, has played one senior game for SANFL side West Adelaide, and has been named Adelaide emergency three times.

BRISBANE LIONS

Lachlan Henderson (pick No. 8 overall)

Debuted in round two and has played five senior games since. His best came against Melbourne in round six, and has played six additional games for the Suncoast Lions in the AFLQ.

CARLTON

Matthew Kreuzer (pick No. 1 overall)

The talented ruckman debuted in round three and has played 10 games so far. Was instrumental in the Blues' round 11 win with three final-term goals, for which he won the NAB Rising Star nomination for that round.

COLLINGWOOD

John McCarthy (pick No. 31 overall)

The former Dandenong Stingray has battled ankle and calf injuries this year, but since overcoming the latter, has been shining in the VFL for the Magpies with seven appearances.

ESSENDON

David Myers (pick No. 6 overall)

Debuted in round seven against Port Adelaide and has held his spot ever since. Has been solid for the Bombers, averaging nearly 14 touches a game.

FREMANTLE

Rhys Palmer (pick No. 7 overall)

Has set the competition alight with 11 stunning performances for his struggling side. Has picked up 27+ possessions on four occasions and was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in round three.

GEELONG

Harry Taylor (pick No. 17 overall)

A godsend for the Cats considering the fortunes of defender Matthew Egan and his season-ending injury. Has played nine games and has fulfilled a key role for the Cats in defence.

HAWTHORN

Cyril Rioli (pick No. 12 overall)

Another flying start by one of the class of 2007 has come about in Rioli. The dynamic pocket rocket has played every game and booted 14 goals after slotting in nicely to his side's attacking structure.

MELBOURNE

Cale Morton (pick No. 4 overall)

Has played every game bar one and got to sing the club song for the first – and only – time in round seven. Has been a shining light in the Demons' otherwise gloomy season with an average of 16 disposals a game.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Robbie Tarrant (pick No. 15 overall)

The younger brother of Docker Chris had a shoulder reconstruction following an injury sustained in the VFL in round one. Is expected to be available in a month's time.

PORT ADELAIDE

Matthew Lobbe (pick No. 16 overall)

Has been playing for the Port Magpies reserves but has recently been overcoming a fractured finger. He has played seven games and the club is happy with his development.

RICHMOND

Trent Cotchin (pick No. 2 overall)

After battling achilles problems following a foot injury sustained last year, the highly-rated youngster exploded onto the scene in round eight and has been a regular ball-getter since. Had an impressive game in round 11, and has improved each week with more senior game time.

ST KILDA

Ben McEvoy (pick No. 9 overall)

Has been playing for the Casey Scorpions this year, kicking a few goals here and there. Has been named emergency for the Saints two times, and in round nine travelled to Brisbane with the side with Steven King under an injury cloud.

SYDNEY

Patrick Veszpremi (pick No. 11 overall)

Was ill early on and then played three games for the Sydney reserves. Kicked 5.3 in his second game against Ainslie, but has been restricted with a groin injury since round seven of the AFL.

WEST COAST

Chris Masten (pick No. 3 overall)

After finding himself in trouble over the pre-season for off-field misbehaviour, the talented 19-year-old has burst into the side and has held his spot since round two, for nine games. He gave the Eagles handy drive into attack against the Bombers.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Jarrad Grant (pick No. 5 overall)

Stepped on a stingray ahead of his debut NAB Cup appearance and has since played a total of seven games for Williamstown for a return of 15 goals. However, he has been sidelined for the past two rounds.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.