The No.1 pick in the 2000 draft, Nick Riewoldt
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THE NAB AFL National Draft, one of the most important days on the football calendar, will celebrate its 22nd installment 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 Jarman was a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and clearly the best ever pick No.55, we've preferred Sam Fisher, who has forged a fine career for the club that initially drafted him: St Kilda.
Don't forget to check out the full list of the best draft selections of all time:
Picks 124-101
Picks 100-76
Picks 75-51
Picks 50-26
25 - NICK STEVENS (PORT ADELAIDE)
Recruited from: Preston Knights (1997)
Stevens (127 of his 192 AFL matches so far with the Power) wins the nod over Daniel Chick (149 of his 252 AFL games with the Hawks) in a tough call. Although Chick won a best and fairest (in 2000), Stevens claimed two top three club champion results and 40 Brownlow votes to Chick’s 23. Mark Coughlan (Richmond - 2000) and Steven Sziller (St Kilda - 1994) were also contenders.
24 - MATTHEW ARMSTRONG (FITZROY)
Recruited from: Hobart (1986)
Steve Johnson (Geelong - 2001) was also in the mix thanks to his outstanding 2007. But Armstrong, who played 132 of his 175 AFL matches with the Roys from 1987-94, couldn't be ignored for his top service and longevity. Luke Ablett (Sydney - 2000) is next best with 98 matches, although Paul Licuria (Sydney - 1995), with just 10 of his 192 AFL matches at the Swans, couldn't be considered.
23 - MICHAEL LONG (ESSENDON)
Recruited from: St Marys (1988)
One of the great all-time indigenous players, Long was an outstanding midfielder for the Bombers, playing 190 matches from 1989-2001, including the 1993 and 2000 premierships and the Norm Smith Medal in '93. Drew Petrie (Kangaroos - 2000) is next best, with 131 matches since 2001. Sean Rusling (Collingwood - 2004) looms as a fine prospect, although injuries have restricted his career so far.
22 - ALISTAIR NICHOLSON (MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Claremont (1996)
The best No.22 was a tough call between Nicholson and Mark Seaby (West Coast - 2001). Although he had his critics, Nicholson (110 games from 1997-2005) was an integral part of Melbourne's defence, while Seaby (83 games) has so far spent most of his time as the club's No.2 ruckman. Kieran Sporn played 72 of his 84 AFL matches after being picked up by Essendon in 1986.
21 - MATTHEW NICKS (SYDNEY)
Recruited from: West Adelaide (1994)
Nicks played 175 matches from 1996-2005, and was one of his side's best during this era. He gets the nod ahead of 95-game defender Matt Maguire (St Kilda - 2001), who has battled injury. David Clarke (Geelong - 1998) has the third most matches directly from this pick: 89 of his 101 AFL games.
20 - KANE CORNES (PORT ADELAIDE)
Recruited from: Glenelg (2000)
One of the AFL's elite players, Cornes won the Power’s 2007 best and fairest award, after finishing in the club's top three on three other occasions. Part of the Power's inaugural premiership in 2004, he edges Dean Solomon, who played 158 of his 178 AFL matches with the Dons after being picked at No.20 in 1997. Paul Wheatley (Melbourne - 1999), with 113 matches, has the third most games directly from No.20.
19 - BRAD GREEN (MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Tassie Mariners (1999)
Although Barry Hall (St Kilda - 1995) is the best player selected at No.19, he played just 88 games before shifting to Sydney. He has since added 136 matches and become a genuine superstar. Green, however, has played 166 games for the Demons, finishing between fourth and seventh in the past five club best and fairests. David Mundy (Fremantle - 2003) should continue to extend his tally of 64 matches.
18 - ANTHONY STEVENS (KANGAROOS)
Recruited from: Shepparton (1988)
Stevens and Daniel Kerr (West Coast - 2000) were the two players who stood out at No.18, although another trio cracked the 100-game milestone from this pick - Leigh Colbert (Geelong - 1992), Simon Beaumont (Carlton - 1993) and Matthew Hogg (Carlton - 1991). Stevens' remarkable career - 292 matches, two premierships and two club champion awards - puts him ahead of the brilliant Kerr, who has played 144 matches.
17 - ANGELO LEKKAS (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Northern Knights (1993)
Gave Hawthorn fine service in 180 matches from 1996-2005, before a stroke in early '05 forced him to retire. He twice finished in the top three of the club's best and fairest award and stood out in this countdown ahead of 2007 Geelong premiership player James Kelly (recruited in 2001), who has played 108 matches to date. Rowan Warfe (Sydney - 1996) played 84 of his 110 matches with the Swans - the third most from this pick - after originally starting with Fitzroy.
16 - ADEM YZE (MELBOURNE)
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers (1994)
Longevity wins Yze the vote, with 265 matches on the board since being drafted by the Demons. Brett Burton (Adelaide - 1998) is the next longest serving at this pick with 151 matches, followed by Fraser Gehrig, who played 115 of his 255 AFL games with West Coast before shifting to St Kilda, where he took his game to another level.
15 - SCOTT CAMPOREALE (CARLTON)
Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens (1994)
The midfielder may have spent 2006-07 with Essendon, but he played 233 of his 252 AFL matches with the Blues from 1995-05, including the 1995 premiership. Next best at this pick were Max Hudghton (St Kilda - 1996), who has played 204 games since 1997, and Brady Rawlings (Kangaroos - 1998) with 158 appearances since 1999.
14 - ADAM SIMPSON (KANGAROOS)
Recruited from: Northern Knights (1993)
Simpson, a dual premiership player and the current club captain, has played 267 matches since debuting in 1993. He is the stand out in a number flavoured by Roos and Hawks. Nick Holland (Hawthorn - 1992) follows, after his 179 games from 1994-05, with another Hawk Ben Allan (1989) and Kangaroos duo Daniel Harris (2000) and Shannon Watt (1997) next. Grant Birchall (2005) is also an emerging Hawk.
13 - SHANE CRAWFORD (HAWTHORN)
Recruited from: Finley (1991)
Crawford is on target to shift into third spot behind Michael Tuck (426 matches) and Leigh Matthews (332) on Hawthorn's games record table - a magnificent effort from the 291-gamer. The 1999 Brownlow medallist and four-time Hawk best and fairest takes the gong ahead of Andrew McKay (Carlton - 1992), who was an outstanding defender in 244 matches. Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda - 2001) then pips Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs - 1999) for third place.
12 - GAVIN WANGANEEN (ESSENDON)
Recruited from: Port Adelaide Magpies (1989)
This was an extremely tough call between Wanganeen and Chris Scott (Brisbane - 1993). Despite Wanganeen playing 88 fewer matches from this pick, he couldn't be ignored. He won a premiership, Brownlow Medal, three All-Australian nominations, finished second and third in the Bombers' club champion award, won a Michael Tuck Medal and was later named in Essendon's team of the century - a phenomenal effort. Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide - 2000) followed.
11 - BRAD JOHNSON (FOOTSCRAY)
Recruited from: Western Jets (1993)
The standout No.11 player, Johnson has been a marvel for the Dogs, either in the midfield or up forward. The Bulldogs captain has been a six-time All-Australian and is set to play his 300th AFL match in the first round of 2008. Two first-class AFL players - Lenny Hayes (St Kilda - 1998) and Darren Glass (West Coast - 1999) - followed. Hayes has played 168 AFL matches and Glass has made 145 appearances.
10 - NATHAN BROWN (WESTERN BULLDOGS)
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers (1996)
Brown got the guernsey over Blake Caracella (Essendon - 1994) and Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood - 1995). Although Brown played 56 fewer matches than 'Presti' at this pick, his sheer class and achievements with the Dogs came to the fore. He was twice All-Australian, a dual club leading goalkicker and also finished in the top three of the Dogs' best and fairest on two occasions - all before he headed to Richmond.
9 - CHAD CORNES (PORT ADELAIDE)
Recruited from: Glenelg (1997)
Cornes is the cream of the No.9 selections. One of the elite players in the competition, he is also regarded as the most versatile in the game today. A premiership player and dual All-Australian, he also finished third in the Brownlow Medal in 2004. The 185-gamer took the points ahead of Mark McVeigh (Essendon - 1998) and Kayne Pettifer (Richmond - 2000). Hamish McIntosh (Kangaroos - 2002) continues to prosper.
8 - JIMMY BARTEL (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (2001)
Bartel gets the nod as his 2007 catapulted him to the top, having gained a premiership, the Brownlow Medal, All-Australian selection and a back-to-back runner-up in the club champion award. Despite playing fewer matches, he edged out Jude Bolton (Sydney - 1998), teammate Joel Corey (1999), Chris Tarrant (Collingwood - 1997), Jared Crouch (Sydney - 1995) and Daniel Harford (Hawthorn - 1994).
7 - LEON CAMERON (FOOTSCRAY)
Recruited from: South Warrnambool (1988)
Cameron gave the Dogs top service, playing 172 games from 1990-99, during which he won the 1993 club championship. He then finished with 256 to his name after crossing to Richmond. As a No.7 selection, Cameron has played the most matches directly from this pick, followed by Josh Carr (Port Adelaide - 1998), who played 105 of his 170 AFL games here. Joel Selwood (Geelong - 2006) looms as a beauty long-term, after his top debut year in 2007.
6 - JAMES WALKER (FREMANTLE)
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels (1997)
Walker is the only No.6 to play over 100 AFL matches, hence getting the vote. He made 151 appearances with Fremantle - the fifth most in the club's history. Clearly the most talented, Allen Jakovich (Melbourne - 1990) was remarkably close, after a super, yet brief, stint with the Demons. He booted 201 goals in just 47 matches at the incredible average of 4.27 goals per game. Long-term, Steven Salopek (Port Adelaide - 2002) appears on track to be the best.
5 - LUKE POWER (BRISBANE LIONS)
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers (1997)
The 195-gamer played in a hat-trick of flags, been All-Australian once and finished in the top-three of the club champion award on three occasions, earning him the gong as the best No.5 pick. There is some outstanding talent coming through, with Lance Franklin (Hawthorn - 2004) leading the charge long-term, followed by Brock McLean (Melbourne - 2004), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood - 2005) and Travis Boak (Port Adelaide - 2006).
4 - PETER MATERA (WEST COAST)
Recruited from: South Fremantle (1989)
Four players clearly stood out at No.4, so nominating the best was a tough task. In the wash-up, Peter Matera (West Coast - 1989), who played 253 matches (the most games from this number), took the prize. He was a dual premiership player, Norm Smith Medallist in 1992 and runner-up twice in the Brownlow Medal. He eclipsed three other beauties - Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle - 1999), Scott Lucas (Essendon - 1994) and Justin Leppitsch (Brisbane - 1992).
3 - CHRIS JUDD (WEST COAST)
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons (2001)
He may not have passed the 200-game milestone like Steven Febey (Melbourne - 1986) and Graham Wright (Collingwood - 1987), but few could compete with Judd. Although his chapter at No.3 has concluded since joining Carlton, Judd achieved just about every possible accolade with West Coast and is widely regarded as the best player in the game today. Alan Didak (Collingwood - 2000) is another first-class pick at No.3.
2 - NIGEL LAPPIN (BRISBANE)
Recruited from: Chiltern (1993)
Lappin has been a dynamo for Brisbane, playing 275 matches since 1994. He is a three-time premiership player, four-time All-Australian, club champion and has also finished in the top three in the Loins' best and fairest three times. Several others stood out, with Paul Hasleby (Fremantle - 1999), Brad Ottens (Richmond - 1997) and Luke Ball (St Kilda - 2001) following. Anthony Rocca (Sydney - 1994) played just 22 of his 230 AFL matches after being taken at this selection.
1 - NICK RIEWOLDT (ST KILDA)
Recruited from: Southport (2000)
Riewoldt stands out as the best No.1 AFL Draft pick, as he has won several key accolades, including four club champion awards, two All-Australian nominations in 134 matches since 2001 - a super achievement. He was also voted the AFLPA's most valuable player award in 2004. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn - 2001) followed, although several others made strong cases including West Coast duo Drew Banfield (1992), Michael Gardiner (1996), Travis Johnstone (Melbourne - 1997) and Josh Fraser (Collingwood - 1999).
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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