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...
Melbourne
Pick 11. Brad Sheppardย
Originally taken one selection after Rohan at 7th overall in 2009, Sheppard holds the bragging rights in our list after a prolonged career with the Eagles so far.
A season-ending hamstring injury meant Sheppard missed his side's Grand Final victory in 2018, but he looked to bounce back the next year with a selection in the All-Australian 40-man squad.
