Draft picks in history: North Melbourne

NORTH MELBOURNE'S live selections in the NAB AFL Draft are picks five, 21, 25, 37, 41 and 53. Who are the best players chosen in those spots in the history of the draft?

5
LANCE FRANKLIN (HAWTHORN - 2004)
In 2008, Franklin won a flag, the Coleman Medal, All-Australian selection and the Peter Crimmins Medal. His form slipped in 2009, but he still managed 67 goals.

LUKE POWER (BRISBANE LIONS - 1997)
Power has played 241 matches, gained a hat-trick of flags, been All-Australian and finished top three in the club champion four times. Brock McLean (Melbourne - 2004), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood - 2005) and Travis Boak (Port Adelaide - 2006) are other top picks at No.5.

21
MATTHEW NICKS (SYDNEY - 1994)
Nicks played 175 matches from 1996-2005 and was one of his side's best players during this era. He gets the nod ahead of 99-game defender Matt Maguire (St Kilda - 2001), who has had a shocking run with injury in recent seasons. David Clarke (Geelong - 1998) played 89 of his 101 AFL matches directly from this pick.

25
NICK STEVENS (PORT ADELAIDE - 1997)
Stevens played 127 of his 231 AFL matches with the Power. He got the nod over Daniel Chick, who played 149 of his 252 AFL games with the Hawks. Stevens claimed two top-three club champion results, but was recently forced into an early retirement. Mark Coughlan (Richmond - 2000) was also taken with this pick.

37
LEIGH MONTAGNA (ST KILDA - 2001)
Montagna has blossomed into one of the AFL's elite midfielders and was named on a wing in the 2009 All-Australian side. He tackles hard, wins plenty of football and provides run and carry. Mitch Hahn (Western Bulldogs - 1999) follows.

41
ANDREW KRAKOUER (RICHMOND - 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 directly from this number. Henry Playfair (Geelong - 2001) follows. Father/son choice Tom Hawkins (Geelong - 2006) looms as the standout player long-term.

53
MICHAEL BRAUN (WEST COAST - 1996)
It was a battle between the Bendigo-turned-West Coast boys, but Braun's 228 matches from 1997-08 couldn't be ignored. Therefore, he took the honours over 2006 premiership teammate Adam Selwood, who has played 117 matches since being drafted in 2000 and emerged as a leader at West Coast.

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