In any AFL season the number one pick is coveted by all clubs. In 2014 it had an added advantage for St Kilda. With one decision, they could affect the entire draft.
Some have argued that the number one pick did not have the same importance due to the evenness of the top few picks, however what St Kilda were able to do was go into the draft knowing who they would pick and from there form an opinion on where the draft would go.
They went for key position prospect Patrick McCartin.
What was intriguing about McCartin going number one was that until a few days before the draft it was expected that tough on-baller Christian Petracca would be the number one pick.
Only in the day or two before the draft did the draft experts get wind that St Kilda had flipped to McCartin.
St Kilda has been adamant that McCartin was always the man they wanted, but certainly something changed between the end of the season and draft night. Perhaps the most logical explanation was that the Western Bulldogs raised the stakes on key position players.
St Kilda has been bullish in that they believed that the research they had conducted meant they were on the right path to build a premiership squad.
They continued to highlight the profile of Hawthorn and the draft picks they obtained as a key benchmark. However, the noticeable difference between St Kilda and Hawthorn from a decade previous was that Hawthorn obtained two generation-defining forwards within a handful of picks of one another.
For all of St Kilda’s belief that they were well placed, they needed to get key position players.
With a number of clubs, headlined by GWS, holding a stack of key position prospects, St Kilda’s belief appeared to be that they would be able to trade for a potential game-winning key forward at value.
That belief was snuffed when the Bulldogs offered a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal to Tom Boyd. It could be that this draft swung on St Kilda recognising that they needed a key forward to continue with their premiership-building profile. Paddy McCartin is perhaps that key forward.
Maybe it was this uncertainty that St Kilda had created in the draft lead in that allowed a popular name a second chance in the red, black and white. Hugh Goddard, long considered a top 10 pick, was one of the draft day sliders before ending where cousin Brendon had a decade previous, the Saints.
Goddard complimented the solid selection of Daniel McKenzie a pick later in what ended up being a successful top 25 for St Kilda. St Kilda’s draft day ended at pick 41 when they added Jack Lonie, who is a small forward who had a knack for finding the goals at TAC and underage level.
St Kilda’s losses over the past three seasons have been noticeable, but what is clear from their direction over the past two drafts is that they do have a plan.
They believe in the premiership blueprint that they have researched and created. Last year, they picked up a range of versatile midfield talent. This year they have complimented with athletic big-man talent.
The game is likely to change in style and substance before St Kilda next contend for a premiership but what they have done with this draft is allow themselves to move with the times.
It is hard to know where exactly St Kilda are or even where they believe they are in regards to that premiership blueprint, but what is for sure, the 2014 National Draft helped add a few more of the right pieces. For that the Saints have reason to smile
Cameron Palmer
Roar Guru
All great points. Of all the clubs I think that St Kilda have been the most open and transparent with what they are doing and where they are going. For Saints fans that has to be somewhat refreshing given previous experiences.
Josh
Expert
I definitely think the Saints made the right choice with McCartin, the next few drafts appear to be very heavy on the midfielders and you have to nab those KPFs when you can. Petracca I think will turn out to be a pretty good player but isn't at the level where you would turn down a potential long term no. 1 forward for him. It's a bit like that draft you mentioned with the Hawks - they nabbed Roughead and Buddy only because Richmond picked the likes of Deledio and Tambling over them. If you miss out on KPFs of that quality you curse it forever.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Disagree, McCartin will be a much rarer breed than Petracca. Those big tall forwards are gold nuggets. Plus, they've made it clear they want to rebuild by the draft. With so many clubs trying to trade their way to success, it's a crowded market. The draft might be more risky, but it's also a lot cheaper. And the rewards are potentially much greater as well.
Gecko
Guest
The other thing the Saints should have learned from the Boyd deal is that big players are a big risk. You have to spend more time developing them than smaller players, then they could walk out on you when they're ready to play good football. Also, because they're several years away from being good footballers, it's probably harder to know at this early stage whether they'll become top footballers or flops. Saints should have gone for Petracca and brought in someone like Luke Ball, Brad Sewell or Ryan O'Keefe to play for a year to mentor him. Then later pinch a good, proven tall from another club. Less risky.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Everyone seems to think McCartin was either the right or wrong choice. For mine it's the right choice, forwards that big and that strong need to be picked. Sure Petracca might be good but development is the key in these kids and McCartin is going to be mentored by Riewoldt. Which is part of why I think they drafted him as Roo only has two years left in him. I love the selection of Goddard as a swing man. What a lot of people forget is that next year's draft is peppered with midfielders and not much tall attacking forwards. That's why guys like McCartin and Wright were gold this year. I think the club still knows there is about 3-4 years before we will be back in the 8 but I'm happy because finally the kids are getting games. It's something Freo fans will soon endure with an aging list and Ross Lyon's negative draft tactics.