AFL Draft

Re-drafting the first round of the 2013 AFL Draft

One club could’ve come away with one of the greatest midfield groups ever, while Pick 56 lands in the top four.

Published by
Frank Seal

The 2013 draft features perhaps the best top-end talent of any count since 2010.

The top three selections of this re-draft astonishingly hold well over 400 Brownlow votes between them, accompanied by multiple All-Australians and top-tier awards including a Brownlow Medal and premiership medallions.

Hindsight updates to this draft create a plethora of exciting changes and strange fits, and you can decide whether your club benefits or goes backwards.

But first, here is the original first round of picks:

  1. Tom Boyd (GWS)
  2. Josh Kelly (GWS)
  3. Jack Billings (St Kilda)
  4. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
  5. Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
  6. Matt Scharenberg (Collingwood)
  7. James Aish (Brisbane)
  8. Luke McDonald (North Melbourne) f/s
  9. Christian Salem (Melbourne)
  10. Nathan Freeman (Collingwood)
  11. Dom Sheed (West Coast)
  12. Ben Lennon (Ben Lennon)
  13. Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
  14. Cam McCarthy (GWS)
  15. Zak Jones (Sydney)
  16. Darcy Lang (Geelong)
  17. Michael Apeness (Fremantle)
  18. Luke Dunstan (St Kilda)
  19. Blake Acres (St Kilda)
  20. Jack Leslie (Gold Coast)

Note: All matched bids for Academy and Next Generation Academy prospects in this re-draft are based on what we know about how those players' careers have panned out, to date.

Jack Billings - Gold Coast (Originally: Pick 3, St Kilda)

The former Saint turned Demon moves up north joining two-time Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett jnr at the Gold Coast Suns.

While highly maligned in recent years and especially this off-season, few remember the prime years of Jack Billings at St Kilda, which saw him average close to 23 disposals and a goal per game over a three-year stretch.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Jack Billings of the Saints kicks the ball during the 2018 AFL round six match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the St Kilda Saints at UTAS Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

From about 12 months after his draft selection however, football fans knew the opportunity the Saints had squandered at Pick 3 with eventual Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli still on the table.

While Billings takes a somewhat dramatic slide down this re-do, blame goes to his perpetual injury history more than on-field performance.

Alex Pearce - St Kilda (Originally: Pick 37, Fremantle)

The updated draft sees St Kilda replace one injury-plagued selection in Billings with an injury-plagued tall at Pick 19, Alex Pearce.

While the majority of his 107-game career has been played in the last three seasons, Pearce's play from 2021 onwards saw him become the captain of Fremantle as their number one man down back.

Alex Pearce during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Few players would qualify for a first-round selection in an updated draft with the injury history Pearce has, but as a quality 200cm intercepter, he is a commodity that few teams would pass up with Pick 19.

Luke McDonald - North Melbourne, father/son (Originally: Pick 8, North Melbourne)

McDonald stays at the Kangaroos as a father/son prospect, but slides down to 18 with teams opting not to bid for the 190cm backman.

With 10 years in the AFL system, McDonald has been more than a valuable servant in North Melbourne's back six, yet hasn't broken away to become the All-Australian level play that teams want in a top 10 pick.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 28: Luke McDonald of the Kangaroos celebrates after kicking a goal as Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos looks on during the round 10 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on May 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Granted, playing in the Kangaroos' defensive end has done him no favours, and a best & fairest victory in 2020 to go with captaincy honours makes him one of the most reliable and trusted players in the group.

As North look to rise up the ladder over the coming years, look for McDonald to improve his status as the leader of a winning side.

Karl Amon - St Kilda (Originally: Pick 68, Port Adelaide)

One of two players in this draft to rise more than 50 picks up the order, Amon joins the Saints as the smooth-moving left-foot replacement for Jack Billings.

Amon took some time to become the fringe All-Australian level player he is now, but after three straight seasons of 23+ disposals per game, he may still be rising.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Karl Amon of the Power kicks the ball during the round six AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 25, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Polling 26 Brownlow votes across two seasons is a fine accomplishment and a surprising achievement for Amon to boast without being a household name.

It shows that he is capable of being a standout performer on a good team, which St Kilda hope to become in the near future.

Daniel McStay - Fremantle (Originally: Pick 25, Brisbane)

This is the player Fremantle are searching for on their current list, and in this re-do they draft the eventual replacement for the soon-to-be-retired Matthew Pavlich.

A young Dan McStay will eventually back-up Matt Taberner and Jye Amiss in the distant future, improving a forward line severely lacking key targets.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Daniel McStay of the Lions handballs during the round 12 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers at The Gabba on June 10, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

This change probably doesn't impact future results like the 2015 prelim or the 2022 semi-final, but it gives Justin Longmuir much more to work with entering 2024, adding a capable clunker with goal-per-game potential.

George Hewett - Geelong (Originally: Pick 32, Sydney)

Geelong pick up a developing big-bodied midfielder to grow under the leadership of Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly, potentially being a key piece of the 2022 flag.

Hewett couldn't quite squeeze into Sydney's stacked midfield in the era of Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery, but immediately displayed his knack for the contest once traded to Carlton.

He averaged 28 disposals and five tackles in his first year as a Blue, thriving in a midfield of bullies where he could showcase his in-and-under clearance prowess alongside Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: George Hewett of the Blues kicks a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 01 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 17, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

This re-draft sees him potentially become a key cog in a premiership side, assuming the Cats develop him the way they typically develop their young stars.

Blake Acres - Sydney (Originally: Pick 19, St Kilda)

Acres has always been a tough player to judge, seemingly never getting the most out of his lofty potential as a 190cm power-running winger.

Before the 2023 finals series, there's a chance he doesn't even rise from his original spot in this draft, being a career 19 disposal-per-game player notorious for his poor ball use.

Blake Acres during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

His match-winning performances in back-to-back weeks against Sydney and Melbourne in front of nearly 190,000 fans combined has just about flipped the Acres narrative completely, now being recognised as a clutch performer for a side on the rise to premiership glory.

This draft sees him start his career at Sydney, however, where he likely slots into the Swans' wing position and potentially tears up the SCG under John Longmire.

Perhaps the early finals experience at Sydney from 2014 onwards would have laid the foundations for an illustrious All-Australian career at the Swans.

Christian Salem - GWS (Originally: Pick 9, Melbourne)

Salem hasn't done much wrong in his career to slide down this draft, but in this world he joins the Giants to make room for the cream of the crop in the top 12.

Post-2021, Salem may have stayed at his original pick or even featured higher, coming off a brilliant Grand Final performance as the skilful half-back ball user in a 74-point victory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Christian Salem of the Demons kicks during the round four AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

He averaged 25 disposals and six marks in this premiership year, but has since fallen, partly due to nagging off-season injuries but also an apparent lack of confidence through the back half of 2023 in particular.

For the Giants, he adds precision out of defensive 50 besides Lachie Whitfield, and is eventually joined by a fellow half-back runner in Lachie Ash, possibly giving Whitfield more midfield minutes as the team challenges for flags through 2017-2023.

Darcy Byrne-Jones - Carlton (Originally: Pick 52, Port Adelaide)

Byrne-Jones is one of the major risers and is the first All-Australian featured in this re-draft, being named on the back flank in 2020 after a quality home & away season.

This same year he took home Port Adelaide's best & fairest in a minor premiership season for the Power, an astonishing feat for a player not in his side's top five players.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Darcy Byrne-Jones of the Power warms up during the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Port Adelaide Power at Cazalys Stadium on April 30, 2022 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Who knows what would happen to his career had he joined the Blues, fans can only assume he adds some quality dash off half-back while locking down dangerous opponents and taking the occasional intercept.

Though it's safe to say Carlton fans are happy with the original selection of Patrick Cripps with this pick.

Dom Sheed - Richmond (Originally: Pick 11, West Coast)

Strangely, Dom Sheed ends up at Richmond using the same pick he was taken with a decade ago.

With Luke McDonald being a father/son prospect originally selected with Pick 8, his slide down to Pick 18 forces the 10 picks in between to move up, allowing Richmond to take Sheed and change one of the most dramatic moments in AFL history.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dom Sheed of the Eagles kicks a goal late in the final term 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 Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

West Coast no longer hold the key to the 2018 flag, but Sheed suddenly becomes part of one of the great AFL eras on the wing.

It's hard to see this move changing Richmond's 2018 fortunes despite the addition of the Collingwood killer to the shock preliminary final upset.

The update creates quite the conundrum for Sheed, however, who either sits with the glory of winning one flag off his own boot, or three flags as a potential role player.

Toby Nankervis - West Coast (Originally: Pick 35, Sydney)

This selection doesn't make a heap of sense given the presence of Nic Naitanui in West Coast's midfield, but it drastically changes the career of Nankervis, who is no longer part of Richmond's storied three-flag era.

Of course, there's always the chance of a trade and indeed, Nankervis' career at Richmond began with a trade from Sydney.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Toby Nankervis of the Tigers looks upfield during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on February 24, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Though one can imagine West Coast hold onto him as Naitanui's backup, meaning he likely features on the big day in 2018 over Nathan Vardy.

Nankervis would certainly prefer the original unfolding of his career, being a three-time premier and eventual captain of the Tigers.

Ben Brown - Collingwood (Originally: Pick 47, North Melbourne)

Brown is another dramatic riser in this draft after exceeding all career expectations with 353 goals from 169 games.

Recent seasons have not helped his career record, despite being a key member of Melbourne's premiership, it seems his prime is well past him.

Many forget just how good his prime was, however, booting a whopping 188 goals over three seasons from 2017-2019.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Ben Brown of the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The addition of Brown to Collingwood significantly lifts an already capable forward line, providing them a focal point where he can thrive as the main man, and Brody Mihocek can thrive as the second option.

This move could well be the missing piece in Collingwood's 2018 heartbreak, where one straight kick was the difference.

Matt Crouch - Melbourne (Originally: Pick 23, Adelaide)

Here is another name who few recognise as a star of the competition anymore.

Matt Crouch's prime years at Adelaide were something to behold, bursting into his 2016 breakout year with 27 disposals per game before lifting further with a best & fairest and All-Australian effort in a Grand Final year for the Crows in 2017.

He averaged 33 disposals that season, establishing himself as one of the highest-accumulating midfielders in the league before backing it up with two more 32+ disposal seasons in 2018 and 2019.

Matt Crouch during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

His career has since taken a downturn with the Crows undergoing a rebuild under Matthew Nicks.

It seemed he was ostracised from the Adelaide midfield to make room for newcomers Jordan Dawson, Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo, though the seven games he managed in 2023 suggest he still has plenty to give.

For Melbourne, he adds to an already stacked midfield led by Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney, likely winning a flag in the process.

Should he stay at Melbourne for his entire career in this updated world, he maintains the depth that the Demons lost in the recent trade period with James Harmes and James Jordon departing.

Aliir Aliir - Brisbane (Originally: Pick 44, Sydney)

This change significantly lifts Brisbane's premiership credentials in their window from 2019 onwards.

In a side that has lost big finals thanks in part to a lacklustre defence, the addition of Aliir Aliir alongside Harris Andrews and Brandon Starcevich leaves Brisbane's list without an exploitable hole.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Aliir Aliir of Port Adelaide celebrates at full time during the round four AFL match between Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 08, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

He becomes a secondary intercepter behind Andrews, who can thrive in the air with the confidence of having Aliir there to support.

This list change is likely the difference in the 2023 Grand Final, but could even change the fortunes of their previous seasons, having bowed out narrowly to the Bulldogs in 2021, the Giants in 2019 and the Cats in the 2020 prelim.

Tom Barrass - Collingwood (Originally: Pick 43, West Coast)

If the addition of Ben Brown wouldn't be enough for Collingwood in 2018, then swapping Tom Barrass' jersey on Grand Final day surely would be.

This move thoroughly improves Collingwood's defence in 2018, and gives them an embarrassment of riches come 2023, with Barrass, Darcy Moore, Nathan Murphy, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard, Isaac Quaynor and Billy Frampton forming a plethora of defensive lockdown and intercept options.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Tom Barrass of the Eagles in action during the round 18 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 17, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Following his premiership-winning performance in 2018, Barrass has since developed into one of the competition's premier key defenders, with a 2022 best & fairest and All-Australian squad selection to his name.

He has suffered recently as part of the worst side in the league, and will remain a contracted player at West Coast until 2027.

Josh Kelly - Gold Coast (Originally: Pick 2, GWS)

From one expansion club to the other, this updated draft sees Josh Kelly join the Gold Coast Suns in a three-pick slide.

This move doesn't create much excitement, essentially being a downgrade for Josh Kelly in a side that may not develop him as well as the Giants did.

Kelly obviously adds class and skill to a side lacking it but probably doesn't change much of Gold Coast's fortunes.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Josh Kelly of the Giants kicks the ball during the round three AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Blundstone Arena on April 8, 2017 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Instead of averaging at least 26 disposals every year, winning All-Australians and best & fairests in a side challenging for premierships, Kelly is stuck on a non-finalist, receiving even less plaudits than he currently does in the AFL's newest expansion club.

James Sicily - Western Bulldogs (Originally: Pick 56, Hawthorn)

Sicily is the biggest riser in this re-draft and adds defensive prowess to a side begging for some.

Taken late in the fourth round of his draft, Sicily has defeated all odds to become one of the competition's premier interceptors and captain of a side on the rise in Hawthorn.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: James Sicily of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 13 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

This change sees him become the Bulldogs' defensive leader, holding the fort and giving the rest of his side assurance down back.

With Liam Jones joining the back six, the Bulldogs suddenly boast a capable defensive end and add an All-Australian to a list many see as a top-four-worthy one anyway.

Zach Merrett - St Kilda (Originally: Pick 26, Essendon)

St Kilda finally add the outside class they have been missing in their midfield for close to a decade.

Assuming he could become a similar level of player to what he is at Essendon, we could expect Merrett to become the captain of St Kilda ahead of Jack Steele and provide high-quality professionalism and work ethic for young Saints like Mitch Owens and Mattaes Phillipou to look up to.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Zach Merrett of the Bombers kicks the ball during the round 13 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at TIO Stadium on August 22, 2020 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

This addition wouldn't change St Kilda's fortunes in 2020 or 2023 when they reached finals, but removes an ever-present list need, allowing them to build quicker under Ross Lyon.

Patrick Cripps - GWS (Originally: Pick 13, Carlton)

Most footy fans would agree that this change would hurt the competition, removing a Brownlow medallist from the most discussed team in the AFL and placing him in an expansion club.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Patrick Cripps of the Blues runs with the ball during the 2023 AFL Round 07 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium on April 29, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It may hurt, but for Cripps, his chances of reaching premiership success drastically improve, joining a stacked list with superstars on all lines and a fellow generational talent taken at Pick 1 in this redraft.

This change alone is probably enough to flip the result of the 2016 preliminary final between GWS and the Western Bulldogs, shockingly giving us a Sydney derby at the MCG as the decider.

As for Cripps' Brownlow Medal chances, it's hard to conclude whether his chances are worsened, given the excessive talent by his side, or better, given the likely top four finishes and winning seasons.

Marcus Bontempelli - GWS (Originally: Pick 4, Western Bulldogs)

This pick gives the Giants a comical midfield, led by Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Cripps, Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield, among others.

The Giants become an undeniable superteam almost certain to win at least one flag, raising all sorts of questions about what the AFL could look like come 2023.

Marcus Bontempelli during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Does Jeremy Cameron leave a situation like this? How many All-Australian players can one team hold? Do the legacies of Bontempelli and Cripps improve or decline with these changes?

With two picks, the Giants add 310 Brownlow votes, eight All-Australians, nine club best & fairests, three MVPs, an AFLCA Award and a Brownlow Medal to a side capable of reaching a Grand Final without them.

Published by
Frank Seal