Best of the NAB AFL Draft: part four

Recruited from: Hobart (1986)
Stephen Tingay (Melbourne - 1987), who played 162 matches, was under genuine consideration, but Lynch was 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) directly from No.49. He then went on to win Richmond's 1998 club champion award. Daffy pipped Shane Wakelin (Collingwood - 2000), who has played 138 of his 232 AFL matches at the Pies, and Ronnie Burns (Geelong - 1994), who played 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). In the end, the Geelong defender's stunning 2007 confirmed his status. Milburn played in Geelong's premiership, gained All-Australian selection and finished fourth in the club champion. Chance Bateman (Hawthorn - 1999) and father/son selections Heath Shaw (Collingwood - 2003) and Nathan Ablett (Geelong - 2004) are other fine No.48 picks.

47 - BRENT HARVEY (KANGAROOS)
Recruited from: Northern Knights (1995)
"Boomer" has been just that for the Roos and is clearly the pick of the No.47s. The midfielder/forward had a stunning 2007, winning the Syd Barker Medal and All-Australian selection, both for the third time. Next in line are 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 when drafted here.

46 - DAVID KING (KANGAROOS)
Recruited from: Port Melbourne (1993)
A dual Kangaroos premiership player, King was an outstanding, dashing half-back. He played 241 matches from 1994-04 and is unquestionably the best No.46 selection. Jarrad Waite (Carlton - 2001), who was taken as a father/son choice, is the next best with 85 games, although he has the ability to push King in the future. Two young fine footballers follow - Leigh Fisher (St Kilda - 2002) and Michael Pettigrew (Port Adelaide - 2003).

45 - MATTHEW SCARLETT (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (1997)
One of the great father/son success stories for Geelong, Scarlett is arguably the best key defender in the game. This was highlighted by his outstanding display in Geelong's 2007 flag. He was the clear No.45 choice. After him it was a battle between another two premiership players - Amon Buchanan (redrafted by Sydney - 2003) and David Grenvold (Essendon - 1987) - but the Swan's performance in the 2005 flag just nudged him ahead.

44 - JOSH HUNT (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers (2000)
Hunt gets the nod, having played the most games directly from No.44 - his 99th match was Geelong's 2007 premiership. Although Heath Scotland (Collingwood - 1998) is the standout AFL player, only 53 of his 138 AFL matches came from this number before being traded to Carlton. Ricky Dyson (Essendon - 2003), who has played 49 matches, followed. Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide - 2005) looms as a fine long-term prospect.

43 - ADAM GOODES (SYDNEY)
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 (180 goals from 76 matches) eclipsed Wheildon (160 from 70) on goal averages.

42 - MARTIN PIKE (KANGAROOS)
Recruited from: Fitzroy (1996)
Pike, Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide - 2002), Andy Lovell (Melbourne - 1986) and Che Cockatoo-Collins (Essendon - 1992) made No.42 a tough call. Pike (81 matches), Ebert (79), Lovell (86) and Cockatoo-Collins (85) had similar records from this pick. But Pike's time with the Roos - including a flag in 1999 - got him the nod. Expect father/son Ebert to overtake him soon and Jesse Smith (Kangaroos - 2004) to press in the future.

41 - ANDREW KRAKOUER (RICHMOND)
Recruited from: South Fremantle (2000)
The recently delisted 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. New Swan Henry Playfair (Geelong - 2001) follows, although since his trade, he won'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 - MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN (SYDNEY)
Recruited from: Central District (1994)
As Gary Ablett (Geelong - 2001) was a father/son pick, consideration was an absolute must, but O'Loughlin's longevity and achievements had to be recognised - Sydney's games record holder (270), a club champion (1998), dual All-Australian (1997, 2000) and twice leading goalkicker (2000-01). Ablett was a marvel in 2007 and long-term he looks likely to overtake O'Loughlin. David Hille (Essendon - 1999) came next. 

39 - SCOTT RUSSELL (COLLINGWOOD)
Recruited from: Sturt (1988)
Russell, who played 182 of his 198 AFL matches with the Magpies - including the 1990 premiership - 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) follows, although father/son pick Travis Cloke (Collingwood - 2004) looks set to challenge overall in the future, based on his Copeland Trophy win in 2007.

38 - CAMERON LING (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (1999)
It was either Ling or Brendan Fevola (Carlton - 1998). But Ling got the nod as he has played 17 more games than “Fev”, despite being drafted a year later, played in a flag, won a best-and-fairest and finished in the top three on three other occasions. Fevola is the most talented and could still be the best, but Ling's consistency wins out. Ashley Hansen (West Coast - 2001) is next, despite 36 games fewer than James Rahilly (Geelong - 1997).

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. He edged Matthew Rogers (Richmond - 1992), although he played 27 fewer games. Andrew Obst (Melbourne - 1987), Mitch Hahn (Western Bulldogs - 1999) and Leigh Montagna (St Kilda - 2001) followed, and the Saint has the ability to keep rising.

36 - SAM MITCHELL (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Box Hill Hawks (2001)
Mitchell has been a first-class player for the Hawks, winning the AFL Rising Star (2003), and the club's best-and-fairest (2006). He will also captain Hawthorn in 2008. Mitchell eclipsed former teammate Jonathan Hay (Hawthorn - 1996), who played 40 more matches at the Hawks and was an All-Australian full-back, but not as consistent as the ball-magnet. 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' 139 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 Sydney and not the Cats.

33 - SHAUN HART (BRISBANE)
Recruited from: Shepparton United (1989)
In a real Brisbane tussle, 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 - and Jed Adcock (2003) followed. 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 and was not in the mix.

32 - CAMPBELL BROWN (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers (2001)
It was a difficult decision between Brown and Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs - 1999). In the end, the hard-at-it Hawk's stunning 2007, when he finished second in the club champion award and gained All-Australian selection, ultimately edged him ahead, even though he has played 28 fewer matches. Next, in terms of direct matches, Bulldogs duo Peter Quill (1992) and Simon Cox (1994) came with 67 and 58 games respectively. 

31 - SIMON BLACK (BRISBANE LIONS)
Recruited from: East Fremantle (1997)
One of the AFL's elite, Black has achieved almost every accolade - 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). He is the cream, although 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)
Claimed via the father/son rule, Brown is one of the superstars of the game and was the clear choice at No.30. After playing in three premierships (2001-02-03), he won the Coleman Medal, the club's best-and-fairest and All-Australian selection in a dominant 2007. He got the gong ahead of former teammate Richard Champion (1988) and Sav Rocca (Kangaroos - 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 at No.29. Defender/forward Adam Hunter (West Coast - 1999) followed. He was a member of West Coast's 2006 flag and also finished runner-up in its best-and-fairest award this year. Jamie Charman (Brisbane Lions - 2000) then edged Tyson Stenglein (Adelaide - 1998). Stenglein played 106 matches at the Crows and Charman is on 105 games.

28 - JASON JOHNSON (ESSENDON)
Recruited from: Calder Cannons (1996)
Johnson was the clear winner at No.28, having 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. The recently retired Rowan Jones (West Coast - 1997), who played 158 matches from 1998-07, followed. 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 out over Steven Baker (St Kilda - 1999), who has featured 152 times and remains one of the best run-with players in the business. Kane Johnson (Adelaide - 1995) was next, as he played 104 of his 202 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 178 matches to date, is next. He has played in two Lions' flags (2001-02). Jared Rivers (Melbourne - 2002) follows with 62 matches and an AFL Rising Star to his name.