Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Hindsight is 20/20 but there’s nothing like looking back at national drafts with its benefit.
In the first of a series, here’s how the 2004 and 2005 drafts might have played out if we knew then what we know now...
2004
1. Richmond (Priority Pick)
Original pick: Brett Deledio
Do-over pick: Lance Franklin (Originally picked at No.5) Games: 221 Goals: 706.
What the 2004 Inside Football Draft Guide said: “Lance is a reasonable sized bloke who will end up a key position player but at the moment he’s still a bit light. He’s very athletic, agile and good below his knees for his size and can take a good mark. He’s a penetrating left foot kick and in the time he’s been with us, after coming from the country, his game has just got better.” – Perth youth development officer Wade Spilcker.
2. Hawthorn (PP)
Original pick: Jarryd Roughead
Do-over pick: Jarryd Roughead (2) Games: 231 Goals: 491
“He’s a centre half forward/centre half back and that’s where he’s played with us. He kicked 46 goals for the year and had a great national carnival and was a bit stiff not to be named All-Australian. He’s just a good body player who can take a mark, he’s a great athlete, is quick for his size and is a beautiful left foot kick.” – Gippsland Power development manager Peter Francis.
3. Western Bulldogs (PP)
Original pick: Ryan Griffen
Do-over pick: Brett Deledio (1) Games: 232 Goals: 173
“He’s a developing Chris Judd type. A very exciting footballer, very fast, can play midfield but can also go forward because he’s very strong in the air. He needs to put on some weight but that will come. Skill wise he is outstanding – he handles the wet ball like it’s a dry day. Potentially he’s the best player I’ve seen come through our program, that’s how high I rank him.”– Murray Bushrangers coach Xavier Tanner.
4. Richmond
Original pick: Richard Tambling
Do-over pick: Jordan Lewis (7) Games: 240 Goals: 133
“Jordan’s an interesting kid. I think he’s got one of the smartest footy brains I’ve seen at junior level. He reads the play, he sets it up and he can organise things. People think his pace is a worry but I don’t. Sometimes he looks slow because when he gets the ball he slows down but if he learns to accelerate it will help him be a better player. He’s as good a kick as we’ve had through the place and he’s an aggressive player and a lot of clubs would be stupid to ignore Jordan and think he won’t make it because he’s slow.” – Geelong Falcons coach Damian Christensen
5. Hawthorn
Original pick: Lance Franklin
Do-over pick: Ryan Griffen (3) Games: 223 Goals: 137
“Ryan’s a very quiet individual but I’ve got no doubt he’s got the footy brain to make it big in the AFL. He’s got a great field of vision and that’s his real asset – he sees things happen before they actually happen. He can play in the midfield, he’s got some size about him and he can play in a variety of positions.” – South Adelaide development manager Darren Mead.
6. Western Bulldogs
Original pick: Tom Williams
Do-over pick: Josh Gibson (Rookie Draft No.7) Games: 190 Goals: 2
“Josh is a strong forward/defender who came across from the Chargers did OK at stages. He will take time if he makes his way onto a senior list.” – Port Melbourne coach Gerard Fitzgerald.
7. Hawthorn
Original pick: Jordan Lewis
Do-over pick: Mark LeCras (37) Games: 154 Goals: 339
“A forward/midfield type who is very good around goals and strong overhead. He played Colts, reserves and three league games this year and was an All-Australian at the national championships. Kicked five goals in his first game in the reserves. Two years of state footy has helped turn him into a very good all-round player.” – West Perth youth development officer Ryan Lasscock.
8. Adelaide
Original pick: John Meesen
Do-over pick: Heath Grundy (RD 42) Games: 187 Goals: 23
“Heath played all year in our league side and played about six games in 2003 so he’s had two years of senior footy behind him. He started the year as the third tall forward and then played in the backline and for the last half of the year played up forward and did a fantastic job. He’s not a great athlete but he’s got great football smarts and reads the game really well. He’s what I call a genuine footballer but doesn’t fit the athlete mould.” – Norwood development manager David Oatey.
9. Carlton
Original pick: Jordan Russell
Do-over pick: Eddie Betts (Pre-Season Draft No.3) Games: 229 Goals: 404
“Eddie is an All-Australian from the national championships of 2003 and played for Vic Metro again in 2004. He’s a quick, agile goalkicker who had an interrupted season this year with a bout of osteitis pubis and missed a fair chunk of the season early on and was nursed through. He’s a dangerous forward who could play in the midfield although he didn’t this year because of injury.” – Calder Cannons regional manger Ross Monaghan
10. Collingwood
Original pick: Chris Egan
Do-over pick: Heritier Lumumba (RD 20) Games: 218 Goals: 30
“Heritier played in the national carnival across half back as well as with us in the Colts, where he made the Team of the Year. He is a nice athlete and likes to take the game on.” – Claremont general manager Todd Shimmon.
11. Port Adelaide
Original pick: Adam Thomson
Do-over pick: Danyle Pearce (RD 16) Games: 226 Goals: 119
“Danyle is an indigenous boy from a basketball background. He set two records at the draft camp for speed and agility. He has a terrific kick and has played a few games of senior football with us this year. He’s very skilled and excels in the wet. Even though he’s only short in terms on AFL football he is a really good prospect who could have gone on in basketball if he wanted to.” – Sturt development manager Steve Rechner.
12. Richmond
Original pick: Danny Meyer
Do-over pick: Dale Morris (RD 19) Games: 207 Goals: 3
“He’s quick, he can play on the talls, he can play on the smalls and he just does a job for you. He went from a 5-10 possession player to a 10-15 possession player this year. He’d play on Stephen Milne one week and thrash Nick Sautner the next.” – Werribee coach Barry Prendergast.
13. Melbourne
Original pick: Matthew Bate
Do-over pick: Angus Monfries (14) Games: 210 Goals: 248
“Angus is a bit of a ball magnet who just keeps on finding the footy. He played a senior game with us in 2003 and several this year including the two finals we played. He’s got very good skills either side, has good hands and just hunts the footy. His light frame will be his biggest hurdle in the coming years.” – Sturt development manager Steve Rechner.
14. Essendon
Original pick: Angus Monfries
Do-over pick: Ivan Maric (40) Games: 154 Goals: 61
“Ivan’s a huge athlete who’s got a basketball background and didn’t play a lot of footy as a 15 and 16-year-old. We gave him some opportunities last year after he missed out on the Victorian Under 17 basketball side, which he was very disappointed about. He just improves with every game playing as a marking forward and he’s done it really well.” – Calder Cannons regional manager Ross Monaghan.
15. Melbourne
Original pick: Lynden Dunn
Do-over pick: Nathan van Berlo (24) Games: 202 Goals: 68
“Nathan is a half back/wing type who did really well at the national championships. Played league footy with us this year and captained the Colts side. He did really well in the agility testing at the draft camp and is a genuine athlete with a good football brain.” – West Perth youth development officer Ryan Lasscock.
16. Richmond
Original pick: Adam Pattison
Do-over pick: Lynden Dunn (15) Games: 161 Goals: 96
“He’s developed enormously as a bottom-age player this year. Played at both ends of the ground and did his best works in the finals as a hard working key position forward. He’s strong overhead, a good kick and dangerous near goals.” – Calder Cannons regional manager Ross Monaghan.
17. St Kilda
Original pick: Andrew McQualter
Do-over pick: Matt Rosa (29) Games: 168 Goals: 39
“Matt’s a very disciplined player with a great aerobic capacity. He’s become more of an inside player this year after going into the midfield but he’s probably about two or three years away from playing consistent AFL football.” – North Ballarat Rebels coach Anthony Rock.
18. Brisbane
Original pick: Cameron Wood
Do-over pick: Clinton Young (RD 18) Games: 137 Goals: 69
“Clinton’s a left footer who has really come on this year but is still developing. He mainly played as a forward but can play in a variety of positions. He’s pretty skinny and has a long way to go but is a naturally gifted footballer.” – North Ballarat Rebels coach Anthony Rock.
19. Port Adelaide
Original pick: Ryan Willits
Do-over pick: Scott McMahon (RD 38) Games: 124 Goals: 28
“He’s a very athletic player with a great leap who knows how to read the play. Played mostly in defence and a bit on the ball during the finals for our reserves side. Started the year in the Under 19s and came back after playing for SA at the national carnival and finished the year off in the reserves.” – Woodville-West Torrens development manager Kym Ireland.
20. Richmond
Original pick: Dean Polo
Do-over pick: James Gwilt (63) Games: 137 Goals: 25
“The draft smokey from last November. A long kick who runs the lines well from half back he could prove to be a John Beveridge ‘special’.” – Inside Football editor Russell Holmesby, post-draft
Who would you have taken (in hindsight) at No.1 in 2004 if you were Richmond?
— Inside Football (@InsideFooty) February 25, 2016
2005
1. Carlton (PP)
Original pick: (Marc Murphy
Do-over pick: Josh Kennedy (4) Games: 165 Goals: 368
What the 2005 Inside Football Draft Guide said: “Josh is a very athletic player who played both centre half forward and centre half back. Has very solid hands, is a really good kick and had a great national carnival. He could go pretty early.” – East Fremantle Colts coach Andrew Lockyer
2. Collingwood (PP)
Original pick: Dale Thomas
Do-over pick: Scott Pendlebury (5) Games: 214 Goals: 141
“Scott’s from a basketball background and actually accepted an AIS scholarship for basketball but changed his mind and decided to play footy. Had a great year on the wing with his raking left foot. He’s very quick, has wonderful ball skills and has great evasive skills, no one seems to be able to tackle him.” – Gippsland Power regional manager Peter Francis
3. Hawthorn (PP)
Original pick: Xavier Ellis
Do-over pick: Matt Priddis (RD 31) Games: 197 Goals: 63
“Matt is a big ball winner who won our best and fairest as well as the Simpson Medal for the best player in the state game. He is a likely type who has size and experience to play at the next level if he gets the chance.” – Subiaco coach Peter German
4. Carlton
Original pick: Josh Kennedy
Do-over pick: Nathan Jones (12) Games: 201 Goals: 95
“Nathan possesses an enormous work ethic … he’s one of the hardest working kids I have ever seen and he’s only 17. We used him down back and onball and he seems to read it pretty well from behind the footy. Physically he’s a ready-made AFL player and mentally he will get there in time.” – Dandenong Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats
5. Collingwood
Original pick: Scott Pendlebury
Do-over pick: Marc Murphy (1) Games: 204 Goals: 150
“Marc’s a well-balanced onballer who I think is a lot like a Ben Cousins. Gets heaps of the footy but is also very good defensively. He has good body size despite being relatively small height wise. I can see him playing senior footy next year depending on where he goes.” – Oakleigh Chargers coach Rohan Welsh
6. Hawthorn
Original pick: Beau Dowler
Do-over pick: Grant Birchall (14) Games: 216 Goals: 31
“A tall midfielder who is a fantastic kick of the footy. Has good size and is sub three seconds for 20 metres. Performed really well in the under-17 tour of Ireland and was emergency for the Tasmanian VFL side about five times.” – Tasmanian under-18 coach Hamish Ogilvie
7. Essendon
Original pick: Patrick Ryder
Do-over pick: Kieren Jack (RD 58) Games: 185 Goals: 131
“Kieran was our best player at the national championships purely because of his enormous work ethic. He’s only pretty small which might go against him but he works his arse off, is very hard at it and his skills over the past couple of years have really come on.” – NSW/ACT coach Daniel McPherson
8. Richmond
Original pick: Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
Do-over pick: Bernie Vince (32) Games: 172 Goals: 104
“A bit of a smokey but Bernie had a good year for us after returning from the bush, including a big preliminary final against Port Adelaide Magpies. He is a versatile player with a bit of style.” – Woodville-West Torrens coach Ron Fuller
9. Brisbane
Original pick: Mitch Clark
Do-over pick: Dale Thomas (2) Games: 182 Goals: 135
“A top age player who plays to his personality. He’s got a very bubbly-type personality and that’s the way he plays – very jumpy and lively. He’s super quick, has a big spring, has a wonderful goal sense and is a really exciting player. Can play at either end of the ground.” – Gippsland Power regional manager Peter Francis
10. Fremantle
Original pick: Marcus Drum
Do-over pick: Mitch Clark (9) Games: 105 Goals: 111
“Mitch can play all key positions as well as in the ruck. He is very athletic, can take a good mark and is a great kick when he gets it.” – East Fremantle Colts coach Andrew Lockyer
11. Western Bulldogs
Original pick: Shaun Higgins
Do-over pick: Andrew Swallow (43) Games: 186 Goals: 76
“Andrew is a midfielder who can play defensively or offensively as an onballer. Very, very quick, very strong over the ball and has good hands. Might be a bit suspect with his kicking but than can be rectified.” – East Fremantle Colts coach Andrew Lockyer
12. Melbourne
Original pick: Nathan Jones
Do-over pick: Shannon Hurn (13) Games: 177 Goals: 46
“Shannon’s a long raking right-foot kick who is a ready-made senior footballer. He had a great SANFL final series and was named among the best in the Grand Final win. He can play down back but can also run on the ball. The interesting thing about Shannon is that he could have played cricket for the Redbacks but chose to give footy a crack.” – Central District development assistant Simon Arnott
13. West Coast
Original pick: Shannon Hurn
Do-over pick: Mathew Stokes (61) Games: 189 Goals: 203
“Matt is an onballer/forward who came to us via Darwin. He uses the ball well when he gets it and knows where the goals are when playing deep in attack.” – Woodville-West Torrens development manager Ben Scales.
14. Hawthorn
Original pick: Grant Birchall
Do-over pick: Patrick Ryder (7) Games: 188 Goals: 135
“Patrick is a tall indigenous boy who plays in the ruck but can play key position. He’s very athletic, a good mark and kick and has had a terrific year with us, including playing some senior footy. Had a great under-18s carnival and I expect him to go pretty early.” – East Fremantle Colts coach Andrew Lockyer
15. Geelong
Original pick: Travis Varcoe
Do-over pick: Shaun Higgins (11) Games: 153 Goals: 167
“Shaun is probably our first pick. His dad Mick played for Geelong’s VFL side in the early 1980s so he has a very good pedigree. He’s only an under-17 player and in the game between Vic Country and Vic Metro this year he looked the best player. An inside and outside centreman who can kick a goal.” – Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner
16. Adelaide
Original pick: Richard Douglas
Do-over pick: Alipate Carlile (44) Games: 165 Goals: 5
“A very strong defender, a bit of a Mal Michael lookalike. Runs off well and is an attacking type defender who can play key position. Touch and go as to whether he gets drafted. If he does, he’ll go late.” – Murray Bushrangers coach Xavier Tanner
17. Adelaide
Original pick: Darren Pfeiffer
Do-over pick: Travis Varcoe (15) Games: 160 Goals: 140
“Travis is a lightning quick who has the ability to tear a game apart with his speed. He also has good endurance, which allows him to play a role in the middle. Made his debut for the seniors on ANZAC day but got injured his foot, which hampered his year.” – Central District development assistant Simon Arnott
18. Hawthorn
Original pick: Max Bailey
Do-over pick: Richard Douglas (16) Games: 171 Goals: 114
“Richard’s a quality onballer who can go back and forward and was unlucky not to be selected All Australian as a small defender. A skilful player who won our best and fairest by more votes than any other player in our history. His only query is his size.” – Calder Cannons regional manager Chris Gleeson
19. Essendon
Original pick: Courtenay Dempsey
Do-over pick: Xavier Ellis (3) Games: 118 Goals: 36
“A private school boy from Melbourne Grammar so he didn’t play every game for us. A left-footer who is a very classy player. Reads the play very well whether it’s down back on the wing or half forward. Had a terrific finals series.” – Gippsland Power regional manager Peter Francis
20. Carlton
Original pick: Paul Bower
Do-over pick: Garrick Ibbotson (26) Games: 151 Goals: 22
“Garrick plays a lot like Guy McKenna. He took up footy only four years ago and can play anywhere from half back through the midfield. A good athlete who can take a great mark and has a fantastic vertical leap.” – East Fremantle Colts coach Andrew Lockyer
Who would you have taken (in hindsight) at No.1 in 2005 if you were Carlton? #AFLDraftDoOver
— Inside Football (@InsideFooty) February 25, 2016
Note:
- A club's positional needs at the time is not considered – it is purely "best player available." However positional value (key position players being the most sought after) was taken into consideration.
- Players who had been formerly listed by an AFL club were not considered.
- A player's past performances were a key factor, but so too was their future outlook.
Follow Brett Anderson on Twitter @BrettAndersonIF.