With the AFL Draft looming, pundits and analysts of every pay grade have their focus set on this year's top-end talent.

Should you spend enough time examining phantom drafts, highlights packages and anything uttered by the guru Kevin Sheehan, it becomes glaringly evident who will be taken with a first-round selection.

But what then of those names that slip? What about those that will miss out altogether?

Since 1997, the league has implemented a secondary Rookie Draft for the project players, sliders and risky names that failed to have their names called.

Although the rookie list now appears to be a haven for ageing champions instead of a home for up and comers, here's hoping that when the competition finally settles post COVID-19, that it can return to its initial purpose.

Across the 23 seasons of the Rookie Draft there have been multiple names that never made the senior grade, but for the multitude of untried delistees, there have been a handful of diamonds excavated from the rubble.

Here are the 10 biggest names that found their way onto AFL lists via the Rookie Draft.

5. Matt Priddis

As the only Rookie to ever win a Brownlow Medal, Matt Priddis was always going to make this list.

Selected with the 31st pick of the 2006 Rookie Draft from WAFL club Subiaco, Priddis managed a pair of senior appearances in his first season.

Although he didn't appear for the Eagles again after Round 12 of the 2006 season, the curly haired midfielder finished the season at reserves level with another flag and a Sandover Medal.

Following his WAFL level dominance, Priddis was upgraded to the Eagles senior list in 2007 and never looked back.

With his noticeable hairdo and his ability to keep statisticians busy, Priddis caught the umpires eye in 2014 and was duly awarded the Brownlow Medal.

The Western Australian's annus mirrabilis saw him average 28.5 disposals and 6.6 clearances in his 22 appearances.

Despite this award-winning output, Priddis mystifyingly missed out on selection for the 2015 All-Australian team โ€“ a wrong that was righted twelve months later.

Although a Premiership eluded Priddis across his 240 AFL games, his 2014 season alone obliterated any early perceptions that he might not make the grade.