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:
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.
Finlayson's slender frame and his NEAFL performances throughout 2014 saw him slip down the draft order, taken as the second last pick in the draft. His first four years at AFL level were quiet, playing only 15 games. However, Finlayson cemented himself as a forward in 2019, kicking 44 goals, including seven in the finals series, to see GWS reach their first grand final.
Since crossing to Port Adelaide, Finlayson has also been a valuable asset up forward, kicking 59 goals in two years and playing as a supporting ruckman. Finlayson would have ended up at Essendon had he been taken at Pick 20 in what was a tumultuous time for the club amidst the Bombers' supplements saga.
Originally taken as a forward by Port Adelaide, Dougal Howard would have been drafted higher had he started his career down back, with his positional change to a permanent key defender at St Kilda showing that his best footy is played in the backline.
A third-place finish in the Trevor Barker Medal in his first year at St Kilda proves just how capable Howard could be down back.
It would've been interesting to see how his career would've started had he been drafted to Carlton at Pick 19, with Mick Malthouse sacked in 2015 and Carlton taking the wooden spoon. However, Howard potentially would have received more game time given the Blues were entering a rebuilding phase, after he didn't debut until Round 2, 2016 at the Power.
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.
Still a first-round pick but Wright falls down the order after what has been an interrupted career due to injury and form issues. Had Wright been taken at Pick 17, he would've ended up at Essendon where he is now, having sought a trade from the Gold Coast at the end of 2020 after he failed to play a senior game for the year.
2022 saw Wright's best form to date, kicking 53 goals and playing every game in the season for just the second time in his career to claim Essendon's leading goalkicker and best and fairest award.
Whilst this season was interrupted due to a shoulder injury on the eve of the season, Wright's first game in Round 13 saw him kick a bag of five goals. Wright still possesses all the potential to be the player that he was taken for at Pick 8.
Butler didn't break into the AFL until 2017, although it was somewhat of a fairytale season playing 23 games including Richmond's drought-breaking premiership.
A value pick in the draft, Butler was once again a value trade recruit for St Kilda after he was out of favour amongst the small forwards at Richmond from 2018-2019.
Butler's performances in his draft year were consistent and whilst taken as a third round pick, he performs to a much higher standard. He would have been drafted to North Melbourne if taken at Pick 16 but still would've missed out on debuting in 2015 due to injury.
Langdon's first three years in the AFL were slow compared to many taken in this draft, playing 28 games across three years and two games in his first year. However, Langdon's debut year was the same year that Fremantle secured the minor premiership so it goes to show how hard it would've been to get a game. Langdon emerged as a genuine wingman in 2018 and since moving back home to Melbourne has been a key contributor to the Demons' success. Potentially could have had more opportunities earlier on in his career had he been taken at Pick 15 by the Gold Coast Suns.
Whilst many phantom drafts predicted him to not be selected, the Bulldogs took Bailey Dale at Pick 45 with his goalkicking accuracy a standout factor. However, after struggling as a forward and stuck playing in the VFL, Dale's move to defence in 2021 has reignited his career and seen him selected as an All-Australian defender. Dale's positional change success slots him in as a first-round pick in this re-draft.
Interesting to see if he would've had much opportunity at Adelaide, with Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts, and Josh Jenkins all performing up forward. Perhaps the Crows would've moved him to defence earlier in his career.
If taken at Pick 13, Liam Duggan still would've headed West but to cross-town rivals Fremantle.
Originally drafted with the hopes of playing in the midfield, Duggan has become one of West Coast's most solid defenders. After debuting in Round 2, 2015 Duggan impressed early on to play 12 consecutive games before an ACL ended his first year. Whilst he wasn't a part of West Coast's grand final side that year, he played every game in 2018 and was a consistent performer throughout the Eagles' finals campaign.
He doesn't fall down the draft rank too much, only going down two spots purely due to the calibre of talent in this 2014 draft class.
After an inconsistent first few years at the Demons, Neal-Bullen cemented himself in Melbourne's best side, playing all 25 games in their 2021 premiership year and was a key contributor throughout their finals campaign, with his best performance a 27-disposal, six-mark and five-tackle game. Whilst it's easy to overlook his impact on the game given the big-name players at Melbourne, Neal-Bullen is easily one of their most solid contributors.
Neal-Bullen would've been a good pickup for Richmond at Pick 12, given they drafted four midfielders with their original selections in the 2014 Draft and another three in the rookie draft.
Originally tipped to feature between Picks 14-30 in the draft, Maynard's career to date pushes him up to Pick 11.
His team-first attitude has seen him earn the respect of his teammates, coach and fans, whilst his aggression and competitive nature mean he is involved at every contest. Maynard's development since being drafted is evident, having cemented himself in Collingwood's back six and debuting at a time when Collingwood were slipping down the ladder, meaning there was more opportunity for him to showcase his abilities.
If taken at Pick 11, Maynard would have landed at West Coast and potentially not had the same opportunities given West Coast reached the grand final that year and had the likes of Shannon Hurn, Brad Sheppard, Will Schofield and Jeremy McGovern down back.
Lever was originally tipped to be taken as Melbourne's pick 2 or 3 but slipped to be Adelaide's first draft selection (however, he has now ended up at Melbourne). Lever didn't play footy during his draft year due to a knee reconstruction in December 2013, so potentially would have been taken a lot higher had he been able to continue playing for Vic Metro and the Calder Cannons.
Lever struggled between 2018-2020 after moving to the Demons from the Crows but is now one of their most important players, forming a key defensive partnership with Steven May. Just like his partnership with May, Lever could've been a strong pairing with Geelong defender Tom Stewart had he been taken at Pick 10.
Another bargain player, Daniel quickly rose up the ranks at the Western Bulldogs after finishing runner up in the NAB AFL Rising Star Award in 2016 whilst also playing a part in the Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership.
Daniel's height saw him fall down the draft order to Pick 46, standing at only 168cm to be the smallest player in the league - however, it hasn't hindered his abilities at AFL Level.
Originally drafted by GWS, Steele now finds himself the captain of St Kilda, spending only two seasons at GWS. Since crossing in 2016 Steele has been a crucial player for the Saints with 2020 marking his breakout year as Steele was selected for the All-Australian team and won the Saints' best and fairest, replicating the same feat in 2021.
Steele may have had a similar early career experience had he been selected at Pick 8, as he would've joined the other expansion club in the Gold Coast Suns.
Brayshaw has produced a strong career to date, contributing to Melbourne's premiership success and was one of their most important players in 2021.
However, Brayshaw is bumped down the draft rankings slightly due to the individual success of the top five as well as the opportunities he has missed due to ongoing concussion issues.
Brayshaw's hard-bodied midfield efforts would've seen him slot in well at GWS at Pick 7, however he would've potentially been competing against the likes of Taylor Adams and Josh Kelly for further midfield time.
Heeney's AFL debut set the standard for the type of player he would become, debuting in Round 1, 2015 with 17 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and a goal.
Heeney is a valuable all-rounder for the Sydney Swans and was a crucial player in their 2022 finals campaign, playing his best season to date.
He would have joined cross-town rivals GWS who were still establishing themselves in the competition, having only been around for two seasons. However, he would've played with the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Taylor Adams, Josh Kelly, and Adam Treloar with a strong crop of young talent all coming through.
Originally not chosen in the first round, looking back with hindsight Miller would've been a top 5-10pick.
Miller finished third in last year's Brownlow Medal count, only two votes behind winner Patrick Cripps. 2021 marked a breakout season for the Gold Coast captain, winning his first best and fairest and earning an All-Australian blazer.
He would've slotted into Collingwood's stacked midfield alongside Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Dane Swan with the Magpies requiring younger talent due to their older playing list.
Brisbane's co-captain has become one of their most important players and perhaps the best intercept defender in the league - which is clearly why he has been elevated from Pick 61 to Pick 4 if a re-draft were to occur.
A great get for Brisbane at his original pick given his Academy status, he has been a key pillar at the club since Chris Fagan took over.
Andrews capped off a strong season as co-captain this year, taking home a maiden best and fairest award.
After years of behaviour-driven off-field incidents and flashes of the box office player that he promised to be, De Goey finally showed his true potential in 2023 and was arguably in Brownlow Medal contention prior to suspension for his bump on Elijah Hewett.
A crucial player to Collingwood and arguably a better side when he is in the team, De Goey moves into the top three picks.
De Goey would've ended up at Melbourne had he been drafted at Pick 3, and would've been a scary combination alongside Clayton Oliver and Max Gawn.
He's potentially the midfielder Melbourne requires given his abilities to slot goals when required and can be a straight shooter in attack.
A father-son selection to Collingwood as dad Peter Moore played 172 games for Collingwood, Darcy Moore moves up to Pick 2.
Whilst hamstring injuries and positional changes affected the early years of his career, Moore has only missed one game since 2020 after travelling to Germany for hamstring treatment in 2018.
Moore has thrived in the Craig McRae era, captaining Collingwood to a premiership this year and earning his second All-Australian blazer, quickly rising to be one of the best defenders in the competition.
Without a father-son rule in place for this re-draft, Moore makes his way to Melbourne alongside De Goey.
Petracca has barely missed a game since debuting for Melbourne in 2016, having been nominated for the Rising Star and making the AFLPA 22Under22 Team in that year.
He has now won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in 2020, 2022, and 2023 to cap off a stellar run of seasons, alongside a Norm Smith Medal, Premiership medallion and All-Australian selection in 2021.
St Kilda would've loved a player like Petracca in a time where they'd just come off the back of the wooden spoon. Even now, Petracca is the star midfielder St Kilda require to pair with captain Jack Steele