The original top-10 from 2014 is largely a story of unfulfilled potential, with Paddy McCartin (Pick 1), Jarrod Pickett (Pick 4), Caleb Marchbank (Pick 6), Paul Ahern (Pick 7) and Nakia Cockatoo (Pick 10) managing a mere 164 combined games.
McCartin, Marchbank, Ahern and Cockatoo have all had injury-plagued careers, while Pickett struggled with motivation after switching clubs and eventually being released by the Blues.ย
On the other hand, Melbourneโs two top-three selections in 2014 (Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw) have panned out splendidly, with both recently becoming premiership players and Petraccaโs arguable status as a top-five player in the competition.ย
We take a look at that draft seven years on and re-select what we feel is the top-10 from 2014.ย
Original top 10 of the 2014 National Draft:
- 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 Suns)
- Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
- Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)
9. Caleb Daniel
(Originally: Pick 46, Western Bulldogs)ย
Daniel, the silky-skilled, helmeted half-back, is another big riser in our 2014 re-draft.
Danielโs best season thus far came in 2019, when he averaged 26.5 disposals, 3.9 marks, 3.1 tackles and 5.9 rebound 50s per game. In 2021, the 25-year-old ranked ninth in the competition for total effective disposals and accumulated a career-best 631 possessions across 25 games (also a career-high).ย
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
The South Adelaide productโs vision and calmness under pressure have been invaluable traits throughout his seven-year career. With the 168cm defender set to become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2022 season, the Dogs will surely look to snap him up on a long-term contract.
