The 2009 draft was a blessing or a curse for a number of clubs, as stunning selections and unlucky injuries would soon write as a major theme for many draftees.
A year Demon fans will try to forget for most parts, the club was gifted the first two selections of the crop. After two season their prized No.1 selection had departed and eventually their trusty number two would be plagued with injuries, leaving the club after just 86 games across eight seasons. However, an early third-round selection would soon turn those sour fans.
For many others however, they left draft night not knowing they had found a star they were soon to call their own. Many selections outside of the first round went on to become Brownlow medalists, premiership players and All-Australians - leaving many clubs to wonder "what if?".
Across the entire field, the 17-man first-round shapes very differently when given the chance of a do-over, and that's exactly what we've done.
*Certain player movements were negotiated in this draft (eg. Luke Ball to Collingwood, Matt Maguire to Brisbane), these players who arranged moves were not included in our list.
Let's begin...
Fremantle
Pick 4. Jack Gunston
A massive 'what if' for the Crows after giving away Gunston for a handful of picks, the Hawks were the eventual winners of the trade with their spearhead having booted 347 goals across his nine seasons since departing South Australia.
The three-time premiership Hawk has become a key figure in 2010's dominance, pairing with either Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead or Luke Breust and proving to be a great utility in his side's forward 50.
Gunston was selected into the All-Australian 40-man squad on three straight occasions and was eventually named in the 22 in 2018.
Originally taken at 29th overall, Gunston funds himself close to the podium on our list after five seasons with at least 45 goals to his name.
