While the third pick of the draft is the bronze medal selection, that doesn't mean that clubs aren't able to strike gold with the pick. While two clubs get to draft a player first, often a few hidden gems slip through this miniature crack.
Looking over the picks since 2000, there isn't the same depth as the first two selections. However, at the top end of the board, two of the greatest and most damaging players of all time find themselves selected at the 3rd pick.
In what was considered the hardest decision, the choice between Martin vs Judd went back and forth with little separating the two superstars.
Even further down the list, there are multiple club B&F winners, All-Australians and even a player with an (unofficial) award named after them.
This list also looks to get even stronger over the next few years, with Luke Jackson, Izak Rankine and Will Phillips.
Even though each of these names are highly talented players who could someday make their way onto this list, they currently don't have the sustained success to find themselves on this list.
Given a few other star players such as Trent Croad and Shannon Grant were both selected before 2000, this has rendered them ineligible for this list.
We have already looked at the top 10 number 1 and number 2 selections since 2000.
After plenty of thought and collaboration, we now take a look at the 10 best players selected with the 3rd selection of every draft since the 2000 draft.
7. Callum Mills (2015)
Drafted by: Sydney
Current appearances: 110-games
Callum Mills grew up in Sydney and was a member of the Swans academy. In the 2015 draft, he was bid on by Melbourne and subsequently matched by the Harbour City side. In doing so, he became the first player to attract a bid under the league's new system.
Receiving the famous number 14 guernsey made famous by Bob Skilton and Paul Kelly, the redhead was quick to live up to his potential. With a stellar first season, he was awarded the 2016 Rising Star Award in which he received 49 out of a possible 50 votes.
Mills has already put together a solid career averaging 19.7 disposals, 3.04 tackles, 2.75 one-percenters and 3.17 rebound 50s. He has also continued to improve throughout his 110-game career, with his 2021 campaign seeing him listed in the All Australian 40-man squad.
By spending more time in the middle, the 24-year-old increased his averages to 27.5 disposals, 5.3 tackles, 4.8 clearances, and 4.2 inside 50s. With 18 Brownlow votes and earning a top-five finish in the club's B&F count, this breakout season could lead to Mills moving higher up the list by the end of his career.
