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The undrafted team of the decade

16th April, 2020
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16th April, 2020
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The AFL’s national draft may provide an easier route to success for clubs and players, but finding gems that slip through the cracks has always been more rewarding.

As uncertainty only grows within the league and talk of cutting lists gets louder, it appears increasingly unlikely that AFL clubs will look to take as many risks with their selections.

In recent seasons, the importance of the rookie draft has diminished as other avenues have presented themselves.

That said, the undrafted talent that has shone in the AFL has been incredible, and the team of the decade would be more than competitive in matches against any all-star team.

To qualify for the team of the decade, a player has to have been initially selected outside the national draft between 2010 and 2019, barring any concessions for new clubs.

Fullback line

Dane Rampe (Sydney) (captain)
Pick 37, 2012 rookie draft – 160 games, Sydney Swans captain (2019-), one-time Bob Skilton Medalist (2019), one-time All Australian (2016)
Rampe continues to be one of the league’s most underrated defenders, often conceding at least two inches to his direct opponent, yet constantly winning contests.

His athleticism and versatility in defence have only grown stronger with age, spending equal time on talls and smalls, while his left boot continues to be one of the league’s most damaging.

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Rampe has been a regular since he was drafted as a rookie, and his appointment as co-captain in 2019 highlights how highly the 29-year-old is regarded.

A legacy not without its hiccups, Rampe will go down as one of the greatest mature-age recruitments in the history of the game.

Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
Pick 54, 2011 rookie draft – 159 games, two-time Carji Greeves Medalist (2015, 2018)
The novelty of an elite athlete who participated in steeplechase playing in the AFL has never worn off for commentators, but the Cats selecting Blicavs as a speculative pick due to his attributes has been an all-time win.

Very few players in the history of the game have truly played in each position on the field and found true success like Blicavs, which allows him to hold a unique place in the AFL.

Blicavs’ success is a testament to his willingness to learn and Geelong’s intelligent approach in educating him while playing senior games.

Adam Saad (Gold Coast, Essendon)
Pick 25, 2014 rookie draft – 93 games, seventh in 2015 Rising Star
As is the story with a number of draftees, Saad’s excellent performances in the VFL were too good to ignore, having been recruited by the Suns after featuring in the VFL’s 2014 team of the year, as well as winning Coburg’s best-and-fairest award.

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While all the focus tends to be on his blistering speed out of defence and his tendency to bounce the ball as if he’s in the NBA, Saad has established himself as one of the best small defenders in the league statistically, shutting down some of the best crumbing forwards the AFL has to offer.

Saad is Essendon’s most important player as a result of his defensive play, justifying the Bombers’ trade for him in 2017.

North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell chases Essendon’s Adam Saad

(Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Halfback line

Jake Lloyd (Sydney)
Pick 16, 2012 rookie draft – 138 games, one-time Bob Skilton Medalist (2018)
The Swans have always been excellent with their draft selections, and Lloyd was another shrewd move that has paid off handsomely.

Typically playing NEAFL for his entire first season at the club and starring, Lloyd has slowly but surely cemented himself as one of the best unaccountable defenders in the league.

Fresh off a 2019 season where he averaged 31 disposals per game, Lloyd is now a conduit between the final defensive line for the Swans and the halfback line, where he tends to try and allow more damaging teammates to get the ball forward.

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Despite not having made the All Australian team, likely due to his uncontested style of play, Lloyd is a key member of the Swans and is extremely good at what he does.

Jeremy McGovern (West Coast) (vice-captain)
Pick 44, 2010 rookie draft – 127 games, one-time premiership player (2018), four-time All Australian (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
It took five years for McGovern to establish himself as a genuine AFL-level player and all he needed was one extra year to commence a run of consecutive All Australian team appearances.

Jeremy McGovern

(Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fitness issues marred the early parts of McGovern’s career and if not for defensive injury issues at the Eagles in 2015, we may never have seen the best of him at AFL level.

A story of players making the most of an opportunity isn’t unique in AFL circles however, and McGovern never looked back when he turned himself from a fringe utility into the best contested-marking defender in the competition.

McGovern is the epitome of the new-age key defender, being an elite-level defensive player as well as an above average attacking threat.

The 27-year-old had 14 disposals and nine marks in the 2018 grand final, adding to an impressive career thus far.

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Rory Laird (Adelaide)
Pick 5, 2011 rookie draft – 144 games, one-time Malcolm Blight Medalist (2018), two-time All Australian (2017, 2018)
With an astonishing average of 25.65 disposals over his entire career, Laird has made a habit of collecting plenty of the ball across the defensive half of the field.

Laird’s reading of the play has allowed him to become a key intercepting cog in Adelaide’s defence over the past season despite his smaller stature, while his one-on-one work is often overlooked for as good as he is, often using his on-field IQ to position himself better than his opponent.

One of the league’s most consistent players, Laird has always been one of the top small defenders regardless of Adelaide’s on-field performance.

Centre line

Sam Gibson (North Melbourne, Adelaide)
Pick 63, 2011 rookie draft – 135 games
Debuting at 26 years of age, Gibson played the second-most consecutive games of any player post-debut, with his 130 games at North Melbourne coming from when he started to when he was delisted.

With an engine that could have him running for days, Gibson performed with metronomic consistency in a team that was anything but.

While his career ended with a whimper in 2018, Gibson made the most of his opportunity and provided great return on investment for the Kangaroos.

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Zac Williams (GWS)
Pick 54, 2012 rookie draft – 102 games, Rising Star nominee (2013)
While Williams was a part of the Giants’ academy program, it’s always a shock to see that Williams was one of the final selections in the 2012 drafts.

A well balanced player with a penetrating kick and as equally as effective on the inside as he is off halfback and on the wing, it took Williams four seasons to become the damaging player we see today.

The fact the Giants were able to keep an eye on him through his formative years as a youth, the natural progression may be unsurprising to some, however pundits would not have seen his midfield dominance coming when GWS struggled for numbers in 2019.

Williams will likely see greater individual success as his career wears on if he can stay on the park, and is going to be a key member of the successful GWS team going forward.

Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs)
Pick 39, 2010 rookie draft – 127 games, one-time premiership player (2016), one-time Norm Smith medalist (2016)
From the rookie list to Norm Smith medalist, the journey of Jason Johannisen has been extraordinary.

The 27-year-old’s 2016 season was brilliant, averaging 24 disposals and seven marks per game and polling ten Brownlow votes despite playing just over half a season.

Johannisen has averaged at least 21 disposals per game over the past four seasons, and has been one of the league’s best assist-providers during that time.

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His pace and skill sparked a Bulldogs success story and as he remains in the peak of his career, Johannisen is still one of the league’s most damaging players.

Jason Johannisen kisses the AFL Premiership Cup

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Half forward line

Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs, Geelong)
Pick 22, 2010 rookie draft – 179 games, 125 goals, one-time premiership player (2016)
Another rookie turned premiership player, Dahlhaus had a three-season golden period from 2015 to 2017 where he was one of the club’s best midfielders.

Having averaged 26 disposals, five tackles, four tackles and kicking 39 goals over these seasons, Dahlhaus graduated from his tackling half-forward role against all odds.

His move to Geelong and return to his former role has come with decent success, but his success at the Bulldogs means Dahlhaus is a safe selection in the undrafted team of the decade.

Brody Mihocek (Collingwood)
Pick 22, 2017 rookie draft – 41 games, 68 goals, one-time Collingwood leading goal-kicker (2019)
No one could have predicted the incredible impact Mihocek has had on Collingwood since arriving at the club in the rookie draft from Port Melbourne.

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Mihocek was one of the best defenders in the VFL, who played spurts in attack when required, but had made a name for himself in the back line and was drafted seemingly as a defensive reinforcement.

The 27-year-old, however, has played exclusively in attack for his entire time at Collingwood and has been one of the hardest-working forwards in the league over the past two seasons.

Mihocek is excellent overhead, is an accurate set shot for goal and like an old-school centre half forward, he runs hard up the ground and uses his work rate to create space for himself.

While he won’t play an enormous number of games, very few rookie selections have had the immediate impact on their club that Mihocek has.

Kane Lambert (Richmond)
Pick 46, 2014 rookie draft – 96 games, 64 goals, two-time premiership player (2017, 2019)
It may have been the incredible 2013 VFL semi-final performance of Lambert that finally got him recruited, where he had 32 disposals, 17 tackles, 15 inside-50s and four goals to lead his team to an unlikely victory.

Since debuting in 2015, Lambert’s performances in the midfield and across half forward have offered Richmond a versatile and flexible option with an elite footy brain that has improved the club’s attacking prowess exponentially.

Lambert is one of a number of success stories of Fothergill-Round medalists (the award for the VFL’s best young player) making it to the AFL and with two premierships next to his name, he may go down as the best.

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Full forward line

Charlie Cameron (Adelaide, Brisbane Lions)
Pick 7, 2013 rookie draft – 109 games, 163 goals, one-time Brisbane leading goal-kicker (2019), one-time All Australian (2019)
Another player selected more for his raw attributes rather than a prolonged and acclaimed showing of junior success, Cameron’s exponential growth in the league has been remarkable.

He cemented his spot at Adelaide as an excellent medium foil to Eddie Betts, playing higher up the field as a tackling inside-50 specialist, with his final season at the Crows resulting in an average of 14 disposals, four tackles and four inside-50s a game, as well as kicking 29 goals.

Yet his exploits at Brisbane have allowed Cameron to become the best medium forward in the competition.

Charlie Cameron

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kicking 57 goals in an extraordinary 2019 season, the 25-year-old is a dangerous threat in every facet of the game, and the fact he is only just entering his prime suggests Cameron has the potential to clean up multiple awards for years to come.

Josh Jenkins (Essendon, Adelaide, Geelong)
Pick 12, 2010 rookie draft – 147 games, 296 goals, one-time Adelaide leading goal-kicker (2018)
Adelaide managed a steal when they secured Jenkins after one season at Essendon, where he didn’t feature.

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Jenkins may be known for his ability to find space in the goal square behind defenders, but no one can question the athleticism and work rate the 31-year-old possesses.

A perfect key forward slash second ruck, Jenkins has averaged at least two goals a game over the last six seasons and been a league leader in contested marks.

The final stanza of his career will be spent chasing the premiership glory at Geelong that eluded him at Adelaide.

Tom Papley (Sydney)
Pick 14, 2015 rookie draft – 83 games, 121 goals, one-time Sydney leading goal-kicker (2019)
Papley is the best small forward in the AFL with the upside to be one of the greatest in the modern era.

Another Sydney stroke of genius, Papley has been a regular since he was drafted, completing no season with an average of less than 1.2 goals per game.

The 23-year-old took his game to new heights in 2019, when he averaged 15 disposals, five marks, three inside-50s and a goal assist per game, while leading the Swans in their goal-kicking award.

A move to Carlton may have afforded him more midfield time, where Papley may look to Dahlhaus as inspiration, but for the time being, the Swans picked up a steal with their pick in the 2015 rookie draft.

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Ruck line

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Pick 10, 2016 rookie draft – 34 games, Champion Data most improved player (2019)
It’s a small sample size, but Marshall can be the third-best ruckman in the league as soon as the next full AFL season if 2019 was anything to go by.

Named Champion Data’s most improved player, Marshall averaged 18 disposals, 28 hit-outs, six clearances and four marks a game, producing the revolutionary ruck type of numbers we’ve grown accustomed to thanks to Stef Martin and Brodie Grundy.

The 24-year-old earns the ruck spot in this team ahead of the likes of Reilly O’Brien and Callum Sinclair based on the potential he has to be his team’s best player and having a lasting effect on the club, which should only be assisted by the recruitment of Paddy Ryder.

Hugh Greenwood (Adelaide, Gold Coast)
Pick 48, 2015 rookie draft – 52 games, 36 goals
A point guard that had a better eye for rebounding than assisting thanks to his vertical leap, Greenwood has developed into a nice player at AFL level.

We’ve only seen one game out of Greenwood at the Suns, but his new club will give us the first real look at the 28-year-old as a full-time midfielder, where he should be extremely damaging.

Statistically one of the best players in contested situations in the AFL, Greenwood’s appetite for the contest and relentless attack on the ball makes him an eye-catching player on the field.

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A career average of 17 disposals, 11 contested possessions and six tackles a game is quite extraordinary when he has only played more than 80 per cent of game in six of his 52 games.

James Harmes (Melbourne)
Pick 2, 2013 rookie draft – 92 games, 56 goals
Despite commencing his career as a half forward, Harmes has been Melbourne’s most consistent midfielder over the past two seasons, resulting in two top-five finishes in the best-and-fairest count.

Harmes was one of the few rookie selections on this list to actually be selected in the rookie draft of his draft year, his junior days replicated his eventual senior output, where he went from being a solid role player to a key player through the centre.

An aggressor in a Melbourne team that has lacked ferocity in recent times, Harmes’ combination of being able to attack the opposition while getting the ball forward will be a greater weapon for the Demons when their forward line clicks.

If the 24-year-old can produce what he did throughout 2019 regularly, he will enjoy a good career at Melbourne.

Interchange

Jack Crisp (Brisbane Lions, Collingwood)
Pick 40, 2011 rookie draft – 135 games
While the Lions may not have seen much in their late rookie pick in 2011, Crisp has proven to be a very good AFL player, not missing a beat since joining Collingwood in 2015.

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Crisp was a decent midfielder, and his big body and aggressive tackling was trialed for the first few years of his career, but he has found much greater success since moving into a role in the back line.

A well rounded player, Crisp rates above average in almost every statistical category and has a good record when held accountable against opposition players.

The 26-year-old averaged 26 disposals and six marks per game in 2019 and is the reliable option for Collingwood in any situation.

Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide)
Pick 16, 2010 rookie draft – 140 games, Port Adelaide captain (2019-)
In a similar mould to Dane Rampe, Jonas has turned himself into Port Adelaide’s reliable defensive presence, playing on both key and small forwards as well as becoming an intercepting option and key rebound player.

Jonas returned to the game as almost a new player following the incident with Andrew Gaff in 2016, becoming a better and more damaging player compared to his former, more dour self.

The honour of captaincy as well as defensive stability means that Jonas earns his spot in the team of the decade, allowing for the flexible defence to go about their business.

Mason Cox (Collingwood)
Pick 60, 2014 rookie draft – 59 games, 73 goals, one-time Neale Daniher Trophy winner (2018)
After much deliberation, I decided Cox deserves the spot in a team needing another key forward slash second ruck option.

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Mason Cox

(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Cox’s story is one of the most well known, but to earn the honour of receiving the Neale Daniher Trophy on Queen’s Birthday for his 16-disposal, five-goal performance in 2018 speaks volumes of the success the American has had.

His domination of a seemingly unflappable Richmond defence in the 2018 preliminary final was also a sight to behold and while we will never see consistency out of Cox, his recruitment must be labelled a success given the match-winning big-game performances he has had.

Sydney Stack (Richmond)
Pre-season Supplemental Selection, 2019 – 18 games, ten goals, third place Rising Star award (2019)
The final selection of the undrafted team of the decade may be one on pure potential, but Sydney Stack could be the second-best player associated with the 2018 draft class behind Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee.

Stack kept his doubters quiet with a strong work ethic allowing him to play 17 games for the premiers in his debut season, having an impact in every single one of them.

The 19-year-old played the first half of the season in defence, where he was an elite interceptor despite his small frame, while his move to attack in the second half of the season brought great scoreboard impact and a lot of score involvements.

Playing as a midfielder as a junior, Stack was renowned for his tackling and competitive nature, which was seen in dribs and drabs throughout 2019.

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In playing Stack at both ends of the ground, the Tigers have allowed Stack’s decision making and ball use to develop far quicker than many scouts would have believed, making him a threat in all areas of the ground and increasing his potential to be a star of the game.

Emergencies

Michael Hibberd (Essendon, Melbourne)
Pick 4, 2010 pre-season draft – 143 games, one-time All Australian (2017)
Another Fothergill-Round Medalist, Hibberd is the unluckiest player not to make the undrafted team of the decade.

The pre-season and rookie drafts have bred incredibly talented halfbacks and Hibberd burst onto the scene as one of the better flankers in the league.

Towards the end of his stint at the Bombers, Hibberd was the club’s main distributor and it carried on into his best ever season, when he averaged 27 disposals, five marks and seven rebound-50s per game in 2017 at the Demons.

Over the past two seasons, his role has completed changed at the Demons, and his ability with ball-in-hand has dropped off considerably. Hibberd remains one of the original success stories and will end up with an AFL career to be proud of.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon)
Pick 22, 2015 rookie draft – 90 games, 100 goals
McDonald-Tipungwuti is one of the AFL’s best ever success stories and an inspiration to many young children.

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The 26-year-old’s ball use when moving at blistering pace is incredible, and at times, he has proven to be the only reason Essendon has stayed competitive and won certain matches.

A regular in the team since debuting in 2016, McDonald-Tipungwuti’s output has been extremely solid in each AFL season he has played, whether it be higher up the ground and setting up teammates or applying pressure inside the forward 50.

Consistency tends to be an issue with McDonald-Tipungwuti, which keeps him a level below the best small forwards in the competition, finishing without a goal in ten of 23 games in 2019 and going scoreless in six of these matches.

Jayden Short (Richmond)
Pick 11, 2014 rookie draft – 72 games, one-time premiership player (2019)
Short pips out the likes of Conor McKenna and Dan Houston for the final emergency spot in the team of the decade, having played a vital role in a premiership season for the Tigers.

While all the attention is focused on Bachar Houli, his partner in crime on the opposite halfback flank has developed into an offensive weapon, ranked fifth for metres gained per kick in 2019.

Short has found himself in the perfect spot for a player with his skill set, with his ability to launch the ball a key reason why Richmond can create so much chaos over the top of defences.

The 24-year-old is the type of player that is far more appreciated by Richmond fans than opposition fans, but his impact cannot be underestimated on one of the great teams over the past 20 years.

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