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While I’m sure there have been analyses of the best recent picks from the rookie draft, I can’t remember seeing such an examination of the best late-round picks.
As such, I’ve come up with a list of the top ten players taken in the fourth round or later since 2006.
My rankings are based upon an assessment and prediction of who, when their AFL career ends, will have made the most significant on-field contribution to the club which first drafted them.
Eligibility criteria
In order for this exercise to reward genuine diamonds in the rough, certain eligibility criteria need to be established.
– Players can’t have been previously drafted to another club
– Can’t have been a father-son selection
– Can’t have been a zone, academy, or scholarship Selection
– Can’t have been a rookie upgrades
With my methodology out of the way, let’s get into the interesting part!
10. Neville Jetta (Round 4, Pick #51, 2008)
Jetta has clocked up 85 games for the Melbourne Demons. For this reason alone, he beats out the likes of Josh Hill, Jesse White, Shane Savage and Paul Seedsman for a spot in the top ten.
9. Cameron Sutcliffe (Round 4, Pick #71, 2011)
Sutcliffe has played 80 games out of a possible 95 since his debut. He has developed into a solid defender, and has plenty of years ahead of him at Fremantle.
8. Tyson Goldsack (Round 4, Pick #63, 2006)
138 games, 2010 premiership
Goldsack has been a solid if unspectacular player for Collingwood. Should still have a couple of good years in him at the Pies if he can avoid any further injuries.
7. Justin Westhoff (Round 5, Pick #71, 2006)
194 games, 244 goals, 2011 Showdown Medal
A somewhat inconsistent player, Westhoff has nonetheless had some spectacular days out over the course of his career. He should play his 200th game later this year.
6. Lindsay Thomas (Round 4, Pick #53, 2006)
186 games, 301 goals, twice Leading goalkicker (2010, 2013)
While obviously drawing a lot of unwanted attention at present, Lindsay Thomas has kicked over 300 goals for the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
5. Michael Walters (Round 4, Pick #58, 2008)
85 games, 163 goals, twice leading goalkicker (2013, 2015)
Walters has already contributed plenty to the Fremantle Dockers, and at 25, should have a lot of good footy left in him.
4. Taylor Duryea (Round 5, Pick #69, 2009)
67 games, premiership winner 2014, 2015
While not considered to be one of Hawthorn’s most important players, Duryea had a terrific finals series last year, and as a dual premiership winner, deserves a high ranking on this list.
3. Cale Hooker (Round 4, Pick #54, 2007)
133 games, 2014 All-Australian, 2015 best and fairest, 2014 runner-up
Hooker took his game to another level in 2014, and thoroughly deserved his WS Crichton Medal win last year.
2. Paul Puopolo (Round 4, Pick #66, 2010)
115 games, 103 goals, premiership winner 2013, 2014, 2015
Triple premiership winner – enough said. Bruce McAvaney would rank him at the top of this list.
1. Robbie Gray (Round 4, Pick #55, 2006)
136 games, 186 goals, AFLCA Player of the Year 2014, All-Australian 2014, 2015, best and fairest 2014, 2015 , Showdown Medal 2010, 2015, leading goalkicker 2011
Hands down the best late-round draft pick of the past decade. If he played for a Victorian team, or a team that was good for more than six months, he’d achieve far greater recognition.
Future potential
Of course, there are plenty of recent late-round picks who are still at the start of their AFL careers. While these players didn’t make my top ten, time is on their side as they seek to carve out an AFL career.
Rory Atkins (2012)
Sam Lloyd (2013)
Tom Langdon (2013)
Jayden Hunt (2013)
Mitch Honeychurch (2013)
Jono Freeman (2013)
Karl Amon (2013)
Brady Grey (2013)
Logan Austin (2014)
Sam Collins (2015)
Ben Crocker (2015)
What do you think, Roarers? Let the discussion flow!
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