Fend-offs, goals and hangers: Harley Reid's highlights on nightmare evening for West Coast
The number one draft pick was still showing plenty of skill despite his team going down by 99 points to Adelaide.
It’s been 19 years since the 1998 AFL draft. Here’s how it should have looked, with the benefit of hindsight.
Pick 1 – Lenny Hayes – Brisbane (Originally Des Headland)
Hayes was a legend for the Saints across 16 years. He was originally taken with pick 11, playing 297 games and kicking 95 goals. He was the 2010 Norm Smith Medallist, three-time club best and fairest, two-time second in the club best and fairest, three-time third in the club best and fairest, three-time All-Australian, one-time third in the Brownlow Medal, Madden Medallist, and the St Kilda captain in 2004 and 2007. Imagine Hayes running around in a Lions midfield in the 2001-2003 three-peat.
Pick 2 – Brendan Fevola – Fremantle (Originally Justin Longmuir)
Fevola was a fantastic forward for the Lions and Blues across 13 years. He was originally taken with pick 38, playing 204 games – 187 for Carlton and 17 for Brisbane – and kicking 623 goals – 575 for Carlton and 48 for Brisbane. He is a seven-time club leading goalkicker, one-time Michael Tuck Medallist, two-time Coleman Medallist, and three-time All-Australian. Imagine Fev and Pav playing in the same forward line.
Pick 3 – Craig Bolton – Sydney (Originally Nic Fosdike)
Bolton was a fantastic player across 11 years. He was originally taken with pick 33, playing 199 games – 29 for Brisbane and 170 for Sydney – and kicked 25 goals – 10 for Brisbane and 15 for Sydney. He is a one-time premiership player, two-time All-Australian, and the Swans’ co-captain for 3 years.
Pick 4 – Brett Kirk – Sydney (Originally Ryan Fitzgerald)
Kirk was a great midfielder for the Swans across 12 years. He was originally taken with pick 40 in the rookie draft, playing 241 games and kicking 96 goals. He is a two-time club best and fairest, one-time All-Australian, two-time International Rules representative for Australia, one-time premiership player, Madden Medallist, and the Swans’ co-captain for 5 years.
Pick 5 – Brady Rawlings – Port Adelaide (Originally Michael Stevens)
Rawlings was a fantastic midfielder for the Kangaroos across 13 years. He was originally drafted with pick 15, playing 245 games and kicking 62 goals. He was a three-time club best and fairest, but unfortunately missed out on the 1999 premiership.
Pick 6 – Jude Bolton – Carlton (Originally Murray Vance)
Bolton was a fantastic midfielder across 15 years. He was originally taken with pick 8 by the Swans, playing 325 games and kicking 196 goals. He is a two-time premiership player, a one-time International Rules Series representative, a one-time Madden Medallist, and held the record for the most tackles in a career until Lenny Hayes surpassed him.
Pick 7 – Steven Baker – Port Adelaide (Originally Josh Carr)
Baker was a fantastic tagger across 13 years. He was originally drafted with pick 27, playing 203 games and kicking 35 goals for the Saints. He is a one-time club best and fairest and one-time third finish in the club best and fairest.
Pick 8 – Andrew Embley – Sydney (Originally Jude Bolton)
Embley was a great winger for the Eagles across 15 years. He was originally taken with pick 57, playing 250 games and kicking 216 goals. He is a one-time premiership player, one-time Norm Smith Medallist, and a one-time International Rules Series representative for Australia.
Pick 9 – Josh Carr – Essendon (Originally Mark McVeigh)
Carr had a nice career across 11 years at Port Adelaide and Fremantle. He was originally taken with pick 7 by the Power, playing 207 games – 124 for Port Adelaide and 83 for Fremantle – and kicked 109 goals – 65 for Port Adelaide and 44 for Fremantle. He is a one-time premiership player, one-time Peter Badcoe VC Medallist, one-time Ross Glendinning Medallist, Port Adelaide vice-captain for one year, and Fremantle vice-captain for two years.
Pick 10 – Brett Burton – West Coast (Originally Brandon Hill)
Burton had a great career across 12 years at the Crows. He was originally drafted with pick 16, playing 177 games and kicking 264 goals. He is a two-time club leading goalkicker and the 2009 Mark of the Year winner.