Opinion
Welcome to a series on specialised, themed drafts, all hypothetical and a bit of fun.
Comment below who would make your team, who’s got the best team and which picks you would’ve made instead and maybe a theme for a future side. Working with close friend and fellow footy tragic Jake Smith, I’m Daz and we bring you the first draft.
The premise was simple: build the best team we can with players who won a premiership from 2010 to 2019. We are shooting for the best teams and not our favourites, so zero bias here and frankly, competitive.
This isn’t the All Australian selection process either, so players are picked in their positions. Smithy won the toss and got the first pick.
Pick 1: (Smithy)
Dustin Martin
The best finals player I’ve seen and a clear number one pick. Three Norm Smiths from three grand finals is madness, he takes over games by himself and I haven’t even mentioned his goal-kicking ability when forward.
Pick 2: (Daz)
Lance Franklin
It’s a genuine pleasure having the best key forward of the decade sitting pretty at centre half forward. Having the second pick wasn’t a curse really.
Pick 3: (Smithy)
Luke Hodge
The second-best finals player I’ve seen play in my lifetime, four premierships (three as captain) and a couple of Norm Smith Medals. He has skill, courage, leadership, toughness, game smarts and more. What a star.
Pick 4: (Daz)
Dane Swan
Genuine star, clearance machine and won’t stop all day, a set-and-forget kind of midfielder of the highest quality.
Pick 5: (Smithy)
Adam Goodes
The ultimate weapon. The two-time Brownlow medallist is starting forward, but will play all over the field. With his combination of size, skill, athleticism and leadership, Goodes will prove a match-winner.
Pick 6: (Daz)
Matthew Scarlett
The best defender of the century, without a shadow of a doubt and with two high-quality teams coming together, is a lock for mine.
Pick 7: (Smithy)
Sam Mitchell
Talk about a big game player. He was tagged out of two grand finals but his game in 2014 was the best I’ve seen that didn’t end in a Norm Smith.
Elite kick on both feet and nearly the best tight space operator to play in the 21st century.
Pick 8: (Daz)
Corey Enright
Somehow underrated but everyone knows he’s a genuine champion. Boris won two best and fairests in premiership teams and was never beaten. Welcome to the Devils.
Pick 9: (Smithy)
Joel Selwood
Made finals his playground from the ripe old age of 19 and nothing has changed. Expect him to be the last off the deck under every pack and with Mitchell’s class and Martin’s explosiveness, adds the perfect dynamic to the midfield.
Pick 10: (Daz)
Jimmy Bartel
Fun fact; Jimmy never won a best and fairest at Geelong. That is madness. The man oozes class and is the epitome of versatile.
Norm Smith helps as well.
Pick 11: (Smithy)
Scott Pendlebury
What a player. Won the Norm Smith in the 2010 replay and dominated. Never looks under pressure, even on the biggest stage and his polish will be a huge asset.
(Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Pick 12: (Daz)
Jarryd Roughead
Oh, sorry, versatile? The big Rough kicked goals in his sleep, won a Coleman and can pinch-hit as a ruck and a midfielder. What a weapon.
Pick 13: (Smithy)
Cyril Rioli
Talk about nightmares for defenders!
Cyril’s highlights package is the best you will see and with a mix of defensive pressure and speed, he will wreak havoc on the opposition’s small defenders.
Pick 14: (Daz)
Josh Gibson
Favourite of mine, the third up specialist. The second player I’ve chosen with two best and fairests in premiership sides, Gibbo was a genuine star and is a welcome addition to the backline.
Pick 15: (Smithy)
Steve Johnson
The Norm Smith medallist from 2007 is the definition of a big-game player. With one of the best goal senses ever seen and polish of the highest order, Johnson is a nightmare for defenders.
Pick 16: (Daz)
Joel Corey
Tough, strong, in and under accumulator who will be on the bottom of the packs for Daz’s midfield and didn’t stop all day.
Pick 17: (Smithy)
Shaun Burgoyne
Having a man who’s played in six grand finals in the back pocket? Yes, please!
He is known as Silk for a reason and will add a serious X-factor.
Pick 18: (Daz)
Alex Rance
Two of (at worst) the top five key backs of the 21st century to hold up the defensive pillars. A lazy five All Australians helps too.
Pick 19: (Smithy)
Andrew Mackie
Famous for his on-field chat, but man could he play. Beautiful foot skills coming off halfback, but his defensive work is what he was picked for.
Pick 20: (Daz)
Grant Birchall
The Tasmanian Devil joins the Devils as a lethal left-footer, who makes elite decisions and was a metres gained specialist. The most underrated Hawk of that generation.
Pick 21: (Smithy)
Luke Shuey
The 2018 Norm Smith medallist finds himself starting on the bench, his balance of inside and outside play makes him a key factor. Played one of the better grand finals you will see in 2018.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Pick 22: (Daz)
Jack Gunston
His finals record is genuinely impeccable (35 goals in 15 games, 12 in four grand finals), just won a best and fairest and is as footy smart as they come.
Pick 23: (Smithy)
Harry Taylor
The two-time premiership Cat was a pillar down back for a decade. Rarely loses a one-on-one contest and can even swing forward if things get desperate.
Pick 24: (Daz)
Ryan O’Keefe
The bolter of the draft, won a Norm Smith and every disposal was as good as gold. From 40+ metres out, kicked the ball like a bullet and was strong in the contest.
Pick 25: (Smithy)
Dylan Grimes
Has turned himself into one of the highest regarded modern lockdown defenders. Can take on the best forward regardless of height and size and will give anything for his teammates.
Pick 26: (Daz)
Marcus Bontempelli
A need for outside class in the midfield was provided from the current Dogs captain and 2016 premiership star. Joel Corey is my tackler here, no doubt.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Pick 27: (Smithy)
Jeremy McGovern
Started the infamous chain that led to the Andrew Gaff game-winner in 2018 after taking an absolute hanger and hitting a 50-metre bullet. Will play his role defensively but also slingshot attacking plays with his intercept prowess.
Pick 28: (Daz)
Mitch Duncan
Perhaps one of the most underrated footballers on the planet, Duncan can play inside or outside and is a brilliant finisher too.
Pick 29: (Smithy)
Luke Breust
The rags to riches story, Breust was a rookie draft selection who’s turned into one of the best small forwards of the 2010s. Doesn’t miss in front of goal and his tackling is extremely underrated.
Pick 30: (Daz)
Shannon Hurn
An elite user of the pill, leadership up the wazoo, will take the kick-outs and can still hold down a defensive post.
Pick 31: (Smithy)
Ben McEvoy
Has been an outstanding servant for the Hawks, his toughness along with his ability to drift forward and hit the scoreboard is key. Wonder what the TAB odds are regarding which quarter his head gets taped up.
Pick 32: (Daz)
Brad Ottens
‘Pill’ was one of the worst trade decisions in Richmond’s history, but a great pickup here. Three flags for the Cats and a genuine superstar ruckman, unlike anyone they’ve had since.
Pick 33: (Smithy)
Tom Hawkins
Announced himself to the AFL world in the 2011 grand final and has been elite ever since. With his Tarzan-like strength, good luck stopping him from marking everything coming his way.
Pick 34: (Daz)
Liam Ryan
Didn’t pick up Cyril and made the crucial error of forgetting about Breust, so Flying Ryan jumps on board for his flair and beautiful finishing skills.
Pick 35: (Smithy)
Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)
Making the case to be regarded as West Coast’s greatest ever forward, Kennedy has hands like vice grips and doesn’t squander opportunities in front of goal.
Pick 36: (Daz)
Jake Stringer
Stringer is unfairly treated by footy fans, he’s the epitome of a burst player who can jump into a centre bounce as well as be the deepest forward at times.
Strong, good below his knees and a good kick on goal, ‘The Package’ has been delivered.
Pick 37: (Smithy)
Trent Cotchin
Imagine being a three-time premiership captain and ending up outside the centre bounce! Talk about stiff.
Trent Cotchin. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
An incredible leader with toughness and hunger for victory hard to match, Cotchin will go down in Richmond history.
Pick 38: (Daz)
Jordan Lewis
The Hawthorn star adds some midfield depth and like Mitch Duncan in a way (even though they’re different players), can play in the snout of the contest or on the outside.
Pick 39: (Smithy)
Isaac Smith
Run off the bench is key in energy-sapping grand finals, so what better man to provide it? Can play forward and kick goals, midfield and break lines or back and run and carry. Pick your poison, opposition!
Pick 40: (Daz)
Paul Chapman
In a star-studded Geelong side, Chapman stood up in September in ways others couldn’t. Could find the goals in the Sahara.
Pick 41: (Smithy)
Jack Riewoldt
Jumping Jack is a good player to have coming in fresh, using his fresh legs to jump over packs and take big marks. He’s an elite kick for goal and will run the after-party post-victory.
Pick 42: (Daz)
James Kelly
This midfield is taking shape magnificently with another Geelong star added to the mix. Played on a halfback flank for Essendon when he was a top-up player, so can play multiple roles.
Pick 43: (Smithy)
Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
The Hawks would have loved to see the Kennedy bloodline involved in the three-peat, but Josh has carved out a magnificent career in the Harbour City. Has an incredible record in grand finals statistically, despite being 1-2.
Pick 44: (Daz)
Shane Edwards
Finishing off with a Richmond star here who can pinch-hit in the middle but really reminded modern fans what a half forward flank is like. Quality chain player to link the mids to the forwards and can finish off his good work.
Smithy’s Stars
B:
Shaun Burgoyne
Harry Taylor
Dylan Grimes
HB:
Luke Hodge
Jeremy McGovern
Andrew Mackie
C:
Scott Pendlebury
Sam Mitchell
Luke Shuey
HF:
Adam Goodes
Tom Hawkins
Steve Johnson
F:
Luke Breust
Josh Kennedy
Cyril Rioli
R:
Ben McEvoy
Dustin Martin
Joel Selwood
Int:
Trent Cotchin
Isaac Smith
Jack Riewoldt
Josh Kennedy
Daz’s Devils
B:
Shannon Hurn
Matthew Scarlett
Josh Gibson
HB:
Corey Enright
Alex Rance
Grant Birchall
C:
Jimmy Bartel
Joel Corey
Mitch Duncan
HF:
Ryan O’Keefe
Lance Franklin
Jack Gunston
F:
Liam Ryan
Jarryd Roughead
Paul Chapman
R:
Brad Ottens
Marcus Bontempelli
Dane Swan
Int:
Jordan Lewis
Jake Stringer
James Kelly
Shane Edwards
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Outstanding from Nicholas Madden!
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