One thing St Kilda have done extremely well in their tumultuous history is nail the No.1 AFL draft pick.
Midfielder Christian Petracca or key forward Paddy McCartin will join some illustrious company when the Saints announce the top pick at Thursday night’s draft on the Gold Coast.
All-time St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt was the first pick in 2000 and Brendon Goddard, now starring at Essendon, was the top selection two years later.
After weeks of speculation, it has emerged that the Saints will take either Petracca or McCartin.
It will be a moment rich with symbolism and hope for St Kilda, who finished last this season.
They have been in decline on and off the field since making the 2009 and 2010 grand finals for a draw and two losses.
“It’s the tall forward or the dynamic midfielder – they both have great prospects to be stars of the game,” said AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan.
“When you reflect, 10-12 years on, they (Riewoldt and Goddard) stood up, didn’t they?
“St Kilda have had the formula so far.
“Either way, we think they’re going to get a 200-game player.”
The build-up to this draft has been unusual in that there has been so much uncertainty about how the top few picks will play out.
Sheehan is rapt with the depth of young talent in this year’s crop.
“Arguably, it will be the deepest draft we’ve had,” he said.
“You’re going to see players going in the late 20s and 30s who some people might have said are in the teens.
“We reckon there’s great depth of class for a couple of rounds and we don’t often say that.
“That’s why it’s unclear what the top 10 is going to look like, because there are many, many combinations.”
Indeed, the only certain pick among the top 10 is Darcy Moore, who will go to Collingwood as a father-son nomination at No.9.
Midfielder Angus Brayshaw, the son of AFL Coaches Association chief executive Mark and the nephew of North Melbourne president James, is another player certain to be among the top few selections.
It will also be a shock if ruckman Peter Wright is not among the first few selections.
There should be some familiar surnames called out in the first round – Hugh Goddard is Brendon’s cousin.
Jarrod Pickett is related to former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide star Byron.
Jarrod Garlett similarly is the cousin of former Carlton player Jeff, who is now at Melbourne.
While clubs such as St Kilda, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney will be major players in this year’s draft, others have shown different recruiting priorities.
Brisbane traded away top picks to secure stars Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen so their first selection is not until No.44.
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