Some of the best talent in today's competition came from the 2014 AFL Draft, many of which were selected outside of the first round.
In this re-draft of the first round of picks, 11 of the 20 players find themselves premiership players, including one premiership captain, whilst many others have earned individual success such as All-Australian blazers and first place finishes in club best and fairest counts.
11 players from the original top 20 selected didn't earn a spot in our re-draft in what was a hit-and-miss opening round of selections.
Here is the original first round of picks:
- Paddy McCartin (St Kilda)
- Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
- Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
- Jarrod Pickett (GWS)
- Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
- Caleb Marchbank (GWS)
- Paul Ahern (GWS)
- Peter Wright (Gold Coast)
- Darcy Moore (Collingwood)ย f/s
- Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)
- Liam Duggan (West Coast)
- Corey Ellis (Richmond)
- Lachie Weller (Fremantle)
- Jake Lever (Adelaide)
- Jarrod Garlett (Gold Coast)
- Sam Durdin (North Melbourne)
- Kyle Langford (Essendon)
- Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
- Blaine Boekhorst (Carlton)
- Jayden Laverde (Essendon)
Note: All matched bids for Academy and Next Generation Academy prospects and Father-Son prospects in this re-draft are based on what we know about how those players' careers have panned out, to date. Those picks won't be permitted in this re-draft, however clubs that acquired Academy or father-son selections will hold their place in the order.ย
18. Kyle Langford - Sydney Swans (Originally: Pick 17, Essendon)
Langford falls down one spot in the draft order, given he only played his first full season at AFL level for the first time this year. However, it was a career-best season that deserves recognition, kicking 51 goals to be Essendon's leading goalkicker whilst also finishing second in the Crichton Medal and being awarded the Most Improved Player.
Still 17 when he was drafted, Langford's age was a big factor as clubs recognised that his best footy was still ahead of him.
Langford would've slotted in well at Sydney had he still been available for selection at Pick 18 and would've potentially received more game time given Heeney had 14 senior appearances in his first year.