If was the beginning of both a new century and a new dawn for some AFL clubs. The eyes were focused on our proud sporting nation as we held the Sydney Olympics.
2000 also saw the opening of the ever controversial Colonial Stadium open, Essendon dominate the AFL, Brew winning the Melbourne Cup, the Broncos winning the NRL and Anthony Mundine decided to take up boxing.
The National draft in 2000 not only brought hope for 74 footballers, but fans around Australia.
St Kilda were given two priority picks, and Collingwood one as all clubs were chasing Essendon who had convincingly won the Grand Final and only lost one game for the season. It must have looked bleak for all club recruiters as Essendon, like Carlton in 1995 had dominated the season, start to finish.
History shows us that St Kilda and Collingwood used their priority picks to great effect, with Nick Riewoldt (No.1 Pick) and Alan Didak (3) becoming genuine superstars in the last few seasons.
Now captain, Riewoldt has turned into the dominant forward of the last few seasons and is leading the St Kilda charge for their first taste of Premiership glory since 1966. Koschitzke (2) has shown glimpses of brilliance, and greatness for the big man may be just around the corner if current coach Ross Lyon’s confidence is enough to go by.
Carlton and Adelaide recruiters would have been scratching their heads when they knew how Luke Livingstone (4), and Laurence Angwin (7) turned out, most players didn’t fulfil their potential playing only 50 games between them. Out of the 74 players drafted only 6 didn’t fulfil the dream of playing AFL football, two from the Adelaide football club. 33 players have played over 100 games so all in all, a very successful draft.
There were plenty of players who have forged great careers, West Coast picked up Premiership superstar Daniel Kerr (18). Shaun Burgoyne (12), Dominic Cassisi (50), Chris Newman (55), and Daniel Cross (56) have all proved great value for their pick in the draft but I think that the recruitment of Martin Pike (33) by Brisbane after being delisted by North Melbourne.
Pike was a great asset to Brisbane in their pursuit of the 2001-03 Premierships.
Here is my team of the 2000 draft:
B Josh Hunt Shane Wakelin Graham Johncock
HB Chris Newman Martin Pike Ashley McGrath
C Kane Cornes Scott Thompson Daniel Cross
HF Alan Didak Nick Riewoldt Daniel Motlop
F Justin Koschitzke Saverio Rocca Kayne Pettifer
FOLL Jamie Charman Daniel Kerr Shaun Burgoyne
INT Daniel Harris Drew Petrie Mark Coughlan Mark Williams
Like any draft, 2000 has produced Premiership heroes, club best and fairest, and plenty of 8-10 year players. Supporters will be scratching their heads at some of the decisions, but that is the magical lottery that we call the draft.
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