Imagine if every AFL club had to build their list from scratch and all players went into one big super draft.
Theย Zero Hangerย have undertaken this massive project, continuing today with the second round. The club with the worst record from 2019, Gold Coast, got the first overall pick of the draft, while the premiers, Richmond, got the final pick of the first round.
See also: The First Round
Our re-draft operates under a โsnake draftโ format for equality, meaning the Tigers got the first pick of the second round (pick 19) and the Suns got the last pick of the second round (pick 36).
All pick swaps effecting the 2020 draft have been disqualified and reset to 2019 finishing positions.
So letโs see which players would go where, if the draft happened today.
Pick 19. Richmond select Tom Mitchell
The 2018 Brownlow Medalist kicks off the second round of selections. Coming back from a broken leg there are some queries on Mitchell's future, but he is in the prime of his career and hasn't lost the ability to win the football. His ball-winning ability is unparalleled.
Pick 20. GWS select Dion Prestia
The star onballer been a crucial player in Richmond's recent success. Prestia is an elite inside midfielder and has good outside skills to match. Prestia slips through the net sometimes at Richmond and can seriously dominate a game of football.
Pick 21. Collingwood select Jack Darling
Darling has taken the reigns at West Coast as their number one forward over the last two seasons, announcing himself as star in the 2019 Grand Final and exercising the demons from his quiet 2015 Grand Final performance. Since then, Darling has been ever consistent - he can kick goals from anywhere and is almost an impossible matchup.
Pick 22. Geelong select Charlie Cameron
The man widely regarded as the best small forward in the game todaty, Cameron is as dangerous a player one-on-one in the competition. Electrifying pace and an elite goal sense make the lively forward a joy to watch and worth the price of admission alone.
Pick 23. West Coast select Jordan De Goey
De Goey is the hybrid forward/midfielder that the current game is raving about. An ability to outmark most defenders and beat just as many on the ground, he also has the engine to play in the guts when needed. It's a rare mix that makes De Goey a value pick.
Pick 24. Brisbane select Michael Walters
Walters has become Mr Clutch for the Dockers over the past few years, coming up big when needed. And that kind of player is worth their weight in gold. Heading to Brisbane will allow Walters to take the spot left open by Charlie Cameron and keep the Lions' fans on their toes.
Pick 25. Western Bulldogs select Ben Brown
A club that has long hunted for the big full-forward type, finally gets their man. No one defines the traditional full-forward like Ben Brown. Brown was unlucky not to win the 2019 Coleman Medal and proved himself a major goalkicking asset. A strong cog to build around.
Pick 26. Essendon select Harris Andrews
The Bombers pick up the 2019 All-Australian with pick 26, and what a get it is! The young defender is a brilliant type to bring into the doors with an early pick. Andrews can intercept mark well and has a good balance of knowing just when to lock down.
Pick 27. Hawthorn select Jack Riewoldt
At 31 Riewoldt slides down the draft but finds himself under the guidance of a coach who can help experienced players stay at their peak. Jack has become a more complete forward in recent years and is one of the most reliable set shots in the game - a skill that is timeless.
Pick 28. Port Adelaide select Brad Hill
Hill is arguably the competition's number one running player and brings skills and finesse to the table to round it off. A valuable selection who will give you everything and set a really high standard inside the four walls.
Pick 29. Adelaide select Dylan Grimes
Not the sexiest pick in the draft but one that will go over well with most fans - Grimes is a pure lock down defender and is very very good at it. Almost like white on rice, Grimes becomes attached to his opponents side and never seems to leave. Will help lockdown most forwards both big and small.
Pick 30. North Melbourne select Tom Papley
Papley wants his homecoming and gets it through this draft. The small forward is rated highly amongst the league and showed what he can do on the big stage with four goals in the 2020 State of Origin game. Only 23 years old, Papley has his best years ahead of him.
Pick 31. Fremantle select Toby Greene
A difficult one, Toby Greene could probably could go higher but is a hard sell to supporters. A player that divides opinion amongst fans and can polarise even those who are fans of him. At his best he is a star prospect but when he's misbehaving on or off-field it's hard to use an early pick on him. Worth the risk?
Pick 32. St Kilda select Josh Dunkley
Dunkley has the rare ability to both attack and defend with elite results. Can accumulate the ball at will and kick goals going forward, and also lockdown as a tagger. Happy to use his ball winning ability when tagging to hurt opposition stars, Dunkley is one of the game's most versatile mids.
Pick 33. Sydney selectย Issac Heeney
Some things never change...Heeney is another hybrid player that can float forward and kick a bag while managing to accumulate the ball in the midfield. A player that doesn't need to find much of it to hurt opposition is what makes him such a valuable asset to Sydney.
Pick 34. Carlton select Nic Natinui
Natinui is one of the game's best ruckmen when fit...the problem is he's not always fit. Serious injuries have haunted Natinui's career over the years but the flashes of his best have been incredible. An elite highlight package to get the members excited.
Pick 35. Melbourne select Rory Laird
Laird is a terrific intercept defender, especially for someone undersized. His elite rebounding and ball use is what makes him great, Laird brings a massive bag of tricks to the table. Has a lot of football ahead of him too. Good get at pick 35.
Pick 36. Gold Coast select Clayton Oliver
A hard nosed midfielder and the Gold Coast engine room is starting to take shape. Paired with Patrick Cripps, the ball winning ability of the Suns will be hard to match. Oliver can find the ball inside at will and is very creative by hand.
