AFL Editorial and Opinion

Ranking the top 10 number 4 draft picks since 2000

Who are the best to go fourth overall this century? Here’s our verdict 👇

Published by
Anthony Talliopoulos

Getting drafted at Pick 4 is generally seen as disappointing for youngsters since it doesn't come with the same level of recognition as the three picks above. However, it also comes with a reduced level of pressure which has worked wonders for some of the best players of this generation.

The players below have managed to pave themselves a successful career or show clear signs of the promising tenures they have to look forward to.

With the just days away, the forgotten No.4 pick could potentially follow the lead of those below and make themselves an amazing career.

However, there are many who did not live up to the hype, such as Tim Walsh, Anthony Morabito, Jimmy Toumpas and Jarrod Pickett, who all struggled to put more than one season of regular footy together.

With the likes of Sam Darcy, Neil Erasmus, Finn Callaghan, Ben Hobbs or Josh Ward all likely to land at Pick 4, whoever gets the fourth selection (either GWS or Gold Coast) is likely to strike gold.

Here are the top 10 draft picks since 2000.

Richard Tambling

Tambling was selected by the Tigers in the 2004 draft as a small forward from the Southern Districts Football Club. Whilst this has generally been seen as a shocking move by the Tigers since generational talent Lance Franklin was taken just after Tambling at Pick 5, Tambling had a decent career for the Tigers and Crows, playing a total of 124 games.

Averaging 14.9 disposals and 2.9 tackles per match, Tambling never really turned out to be the star that the Tigers were hoping for.

 

Will Hoskin-Elliott

In typical Pick 4 fashion, Hoskin-Elliott has gone under the radar accumulating 157 games thus far with GWS and Collingwood.

Averaging 13.7 disposals and 0.9 goals a game, Hoskin-Elliott has always been a solid contributor for both the Giants and Pies thanks to his great agility for a player of his height.

Had Dom Sheed have not kicked that goal in 2018, Hoskin-Elliott would have been a premiership player and probably a spot higher on the list.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Will Hoskin-Elliott of the Magpies in action during the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

 

Farren Ray

Farren Ray was recruited from the Peel Thunder to the Bulldogs in 2003 before moving to the Saints in 2008 and the Kangaroos in 2016.

Throughout his career, Ray averaged a solid 18 disposals whilst playing in three grand finals for the Saints. He was always a solid contributor without being the focal point of the team at any particular stage.

His career-best game was against Adelaide in Round 16 of 2009, where Ray collected 39 disposals in a big 57-point win.

 

Luke Davies-Uniacke

Luke Davies-Uniacke was taken by North Melbourne in 2017 from the Dandenong Stingrays. Before going to North Melbourne, he was part of Matthew Lloyd's extremely successful Haileybury College side.

So far, Davies-Uniacke has averaged 17.5 touches and 3.1 clearances a game whilst showing glimpses of his unique mix of explosiveness and skill.

He has so far collected seven Brownlow votes, including three against the Tigers in Round 21 this year where he amassed a career-high 38 disposals. Star of the future.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos kicks during the round three AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

 

Hamish Hartlett

The 2009 No.4 draft pick had himself a great career which lasted from 2009 all the way to 2021. Throughout his career, the hard nut Port star averaged 19 disposals and 3.6 tackles a game.

A highly-reliable individual and celebrated member of the Power's recent premiership contention, Hartlett departed Alberton Oval as a key cog in their recent era.

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA - MAY 28: Hamish Hartlett of Port Adelaide runs with the ball during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Max King

Max King has had a terrific start to his career with the Saints despite some early injury concerns in his first year. He is the prototype of a forward in the future due to his towering height in conjunction with his great athleticism.

So far, King has kicked 60 goals and averaged 2.05 contested marks a game across his 38 games.

If he can fix his kicking woes and continue to develop, King has a chance to be right near the top of this list with several Coleman Medals and All Australian blazers to his name.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Max King of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round four AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Andrew Gaff

Since coming into the league in 2010 from the Oakleigh Chargers, Andrew Gaff has made himself into one of the best wingers in the competition.

Gaff accumulates the ball so easily thanks to his amazing endurance, averaging 26.6 disposals across his 236 game career.

Gaff has collected many accolades in his time with the Eagles, picking up two All Australian blazers, finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal in 2016 and winning the John Worsfold Medal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Andrew Gaff of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL First Semi Final match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 13, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Josh J. Kennedy

Josh Kennedy's AFL career began in 2005 after being drafted by the Blues from East Fremantle. After limited game time at the Blues, Kennedy ended up being traded to West Coast in 2007 alongside Picks 3 and 20 in exchange for Brownlow medallist Chris Judd and Pick 46 in one of the most famous trades ever.

To say Kennedy has flourished at West Coast since this trade is an understatement, with the key forward kicking 675 of his 686 goals in 256 of his total 278 games career games with the Eagles.

Throughout his career, the key forward has collected two Coleman Medals, three All Australian blazers and a premiership on his road to becoming West Coast's all-time leading goalkicker.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

 

Clayton Oliver

After being drafted from the Murray Bushrangers to the Melbourne Demons in 2015 as a contested ball beast, Oliver has well and truly exceeded expectations at just the age of 24.

In his 124 game career to date, Oliver has managed to average a whopping 28.4 disposals, 6.6 clearances and six tackles a game.

Just six years into his career, Oliver is one of the most decorated midfielders in the game, boasting a resume that includes an AFLCA Player of the Year Award, two All Australian blazers, two Best and Fairests and being an integral part of Melbourne's premiership this year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Clayton Oliver of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium on July 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Marcus Bontempelli

After being drafted by the Bulldogs from the Northern Knights in 2013, Bontempelli has quickly become one of the premier midfielders in the game.

In his 171-game career so far, the Bont has averaged 23.2 disposals, 4.9 tackles and 0.9 goals a game thanks to his ability to do the job on both the inside and out.

The Bulldogs' skipper is currently a four-time All Australian, four-time best and fairest, AFL MVP and an AFLCA Player of the Year to go along with his 2016 premiership.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 10 match between the Western Bulldogs and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on May 22, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Published by
Anthony Talliopoulos