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)
8. Touk Miller
(Originally: Pick 29, Gold Coast Suns)
Miller, a largely unheralded player during his time at the Gold Coast (having been in the shadows of the likes of Gary Ablett and David Swallow), finally earned some much-deserved recognition in 2021; securing his first All-Australian selection after a career-best year.ย
The 25-year-old averaged a blistering 31.8 disposals, 4.5 marks and 7.1 tackles per game (all career-highs) this past season while ranking fifth in the league in disposals per game and fourth in total tackles.ย
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Miller, alongside Swallow and improving youngsters Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, form a Suns midfield brigade that could make a lot of noise in 2022 and beyond.
