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For the 2002 AFL draft, following the 2001 ‘Super Draft’ was always going to be tough ask.
There were definitely the hits, such as Brendon Goddard, Jarrad McVeigh and Andrew Mackie, ut the three big misses in the top 10 define this draft as a bust.
Knowing what we know today, would you still pick Goddard with the number one pick and let Nick Malceski slip to number 63?
I will redraft the top 10 picks of 2002. I am not taking under consideration the father-son rule, because it ruins the fun.
I will start by listing the draft class in its real order, and then redraft them based on how who I think have had the best careers from this draft.
2002 draft
Pick 1: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda)
Pick 2: Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)
Pick 3: Jared Brennan (Brisbane)
Pick 4: Tim Walsh (Western Bulldogs)
Pick 5: Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)
Pick 6: Steven Salopek (Port Adelaide)
Pick 7: Andrew Mackie (Geelong)
Pick 8: Luke Brennan (Hawthorn)
Pick 9: Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne)
Pick 10: Jason Laycock (Essendon)
Redrafted
Pick 1 (St Kilda) – Jobe Watson
Watson was taken at pick 40 under the father-son rule by Essendon. This is a controversial pick, but Watson’s development has been the biggest of any player in this draft from 2002. He is the Essendon captain, a Brownlow Medalist and will hit the 200-game milestone this season.
When he first came into the league, Watson was overweight, criticised for his poor attitude and had a shocking kick. Fast forward to 2015 – yes, the Essendon supplements saga will define him for the rest of his career – and he is one of the best midfielders in the competition as well as one of the best captains.
Pick 2 (North Melbourne) – Andrew Mackie
Mackie was pick number seven in 2002 and has gone on to play more than 200 games for Geelong, the club that drafted him. Mackie has been one the league’s most efficient, well performing, consistent half backs since his debut. His interceptive play and defensive rebound play was crucial to Geelong’s dominant run from 2007-2011. He is a triple-premiership player and a very classy one at that.
Pick 3 (Brisbane) – Nick Malceski
Malceski was selected by the Sydney Swans with the 63rd pick in the 2002 draft. He was plagued by injury at the beginning of his career, however he has played consistent football since 2006. He is an attacking defender with one of the best kicks in the game.
Malceski played in three grand finals for the red and white, finally becoming a premiership winner in 2012. He will be remembered for his incredible last-minute snap in the grand final that sealed the flag for the Swans. What a steal he has turned out to be.
Pick 4 (Western Bulldogs) – Jarrad McVeigh
McVeigh was taken fifth overall by the Swans in 2002. Beginning his career as a tagger, he has gone on to play 244 games, kicking 172 goals as a tough goal-kicking midfielder. He is currently the co-captain of the Swans, and captained the red and white to the 2012 premiership. He is a versatile player and has been a great pick up for the Swans.
Pick 5 (Sydney) – Brendon Goddard
Goddard was the number one pick in this draft, selected by the Saints. He played 205 games for St Kilda, until he signed with Essendon in the 2013 Free Agency Period. Goddard has been a real consistent and solid performer throughout his career. He is the definition of a utility player in the AFL, having played almost every position in his career.
Goddard is a great kicker and an excellent mark, but slides down to pick number five due to his lack of finals play and no premiership. Although, in 2010, he almost singlehandedly carried St Kilda on his back to a premiership, which was eventually won by Collingwood the next week.
Pick 6 (Port Adelaide) – Tom Lonergan
Lonergan was pick number 23, taken by Geelong in 2002. Lonergan played a lot of VFL football for Geelong in his early years, before debuting in 2005. In just his seventh AFL game in 2006, Lonergan’s kidney was severely injured in a marking contest and he was hospitalised and had his right kidney removed, as well having his entire blood supply replaced three times.
After the surgery, Lonergan considered retirement but decided to continue his AFL career, in what has become one of the most courageous stories ever in the AFL. Following Matthew Scarlett’s retirement, Lonergan is Geelong’s best full back defender and a constant performer for the Cats since 2008. He is a premiership player and one of the most resilient, courageous players in the AFL.
Pick 7 (Geelong) – Daniel Wells
Wells was the number two pick, selected by the Kangaroos in this draft. Wells had a lot of buzz around him back in 2002, however I don’t think he has lived up to his expectations of a number two pick. Injuries have been a major factor throughout his career, but he has still managed 222 games and 145 goals for the Roos. He is classy, skillful, plays with flair and speed and will be crucial to North’s premiership hopes this season.
Pick 8 (Hawthorn) – Jay Schulz
The Tigers drafted Schulz at pick 12 in 2002. Early on, Schulz had injuries and off-field behavioural issues which restricted his playing time at Richmond. He was a raw talent who wanted to return to his home in Adelaide. Schulz’s wish was granted at the end of 2009 when he was traded to Port Adelaide.
Since the trade, Schulz has been a consistent forward threat for the Power. He has kicked 221 goals in his five years at Port, compared to his 58 goals in six seasons at Richmond. He has been Port’s leading goal kicker four times and is known for kicking a big bag of goals up at Adelaide Oval. What a great turn around for Jay Schulz.
Pick 9 (North Melbourne) – Jared Rivers
Rivers was the 26th pick in the 2002 national draft, selected by Melbourne. He played 150 games for the Demons, before crossing to Geelong in 2013 where he has since played 30 games. Key position players, especially defenders, are hard to come by and Rivers has been a solid, consistent player since his debut. The lack of success throughout his Melbourne career is poor, but he may get one last chance this year with Geelong to win a flag.
Pick 10 (Essendon) – Kade Simspson
Simpson was drafted at pick number 45 by Carlton in 2002. Simpson is not your average midfielder, he has always been considered skinny for his position. However, Simpson has been incredibly durable throughout his career, playing 222 games and kicking 121 goals.
He is a very skilled player and a tough midfielder, who tackles like he is ten kilograms heavier. Like many others in this list, the lack of finals success or premierships is a factor.
My next three redrafted picks
Pick 11: Ryan Crowley (originally pick 55)
Pick 12: Sean Dempster (originally F/S pick 34)
Pick 13: Jason Winderlich (originally pick 11)
The 2002 draft produced many quality players, but the lack of superstar power (compared to 2001 at least) is noticeable. Looking at the draft in its entirety, Geelong, Sydney and Essendon would be very happy with the players they recruited.
Did I get this right? Who would you redraft as the top 10 picks in the 2002 draft?
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