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.
On the other hand, Melbourne’s two top-three selections in 2014 (Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw) have panned out splendidly, with both recently becoming premiership players and Petracca’s arguable status as a top-five player in the competition.
We take a look at that draft seven years on and re-select what we feel is the top-10 from 2014.
Original top 10 of the 2014 National Draft:
Dale, one of the biggest climbers in our re-draft, was a revelation across half-back for the Doggies in 2021 with his dash and elite disposal use.
The 25-year-old, who was trialled in the forward-line early in his career (ranking ninth in the league in goals per game in 2019), ranked second in the league in 2021 in total kicks, fourth in total metres gained and 10th in total effective disposals, and capped it all off with a maiden All-Australian appearance.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Dale played a crucial role in helping the Bulldogs secure a Grand Final berth this past season and will continue to be a pillar in the Dogs’ defence for years to come.
Daniel, the silky-skilled, helmeted half-back, is another big riser in our 2014 re-draft.
Daniel’s 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).
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The South Adelaide product’s 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.
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.
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.
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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.
Andrews, a powerful key defender, is the biggest riser in our re-draft, climbing an enormous 54 spots to the No.7 selection.
The 24-year-old notched career-bests in marks per game (7.9) and rebound-50s (3.3) in 2021, and headlines a stout Lions defence which also includes Darcy Gardiner and Marcus Adams.
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The Lions may have suffered yet another straight-set finals exit in 2021, but Andrews is a crucial piece of the Brisbane puzzle who figures to be around for a long time and may factor into captaincy discussions post-Dayne Zorko.
The baby-faced Heeney, up 12 spots in our re-draft, has been a formidable presence in Sydney’s forward-line, especially in the injury absence of Lance Franklin.
The 25-year-old’s 1.7 goals and 3.1 inside 50s per game in 2021 are the best feats of the 25-year-old’s career-to-date.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Despite a crowded prospective 2022 Swans forward-line (which includes the likes of a hopefully-healthy Franklin and potentially new recruit Paddy McCartin), Heeney’s impact on games won’t be deterred, whether he’s playing up forward or through the midfield in stints.
De Goey, who holds his spot at Pick 5 in our re-draft, has developed into an utterly dominant forward who also has the ability to roll through the midfield and continue to have a significant impact on games.
The 25-year-old managed career-highs in disposals per game (21) and marks per game (5.4) in 2021.
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Despite De Goey’s all-conquering efforts on the field, his persistent off-field indiscretions have severely dented his reputation and may eventually cut his career short.
Lever, who thrusts himself into the top-four of our re-draft after being taken with Pick 14 in 2014, first turned heads as an elite intercept-marker in Adelaide before making a move to the Demons in 2017.
The 25-year-old’s breakout season came during that revered 2017 year with the Crows when he averaged career-highs in disposals (16) and tackles (1.8) per game. In 2021, Lever ranked first in the AFL in intercepts per game and spent the most time on the ground out of any player in the competition.
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A key cog in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership triumph, Lever figures to be a dominant presence within the Dees’ back six for seasons to come.
After beginning his career as a forward and producing mixed results (1.4 goals per game in 2014), Moore was rotated to the backline and has since had vast success.
The 25-year-old (up six spots to No. 3 in our re-draft) achieved career-highs in average disposals (17) and marks (8.2) per game in 2021, ranking third in the league in marks per game.
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Moore’s Magpies will be looking to bounce back in 2022 - with new coach Craig McRae at the helm - after a disappointing 2021 campaign.
Steele, up 22 spots in our re-draft, has undoubtedly been St Kilda’s best acquisition in recent memory.
The 25-year-old’s most impressive season came in 2021, when he averaged 29.1 disposals, 4.7 marks and a whopping 8.4 tackles per contest (ranking first in the AFL in total tackles).
Midfielder
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After a 2020 season filled with highs, Steele was one of St Kilda’s lone bright spots throughout a disappointing regression this year.
Petracca, up one spot to the hallowed No. 1 selection in our re-draft, had a relatively slow start to his Demons career, but since the end of 2019 has ascended into one of the premier midfielders in the competition alongside the likes of Dustin Martin, Marcus Bontempelli and Nat Fyfe.
The 25-year-old averaged 29.2 disposals, five marks and four tackles per game in 2021, ranking first in the AFL in inside 50s per game and total score involvements.
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Petracca’s thoroughly dominant 2021 campaign was an enormous reason why his Demons went on to defeat the Bulldogs in this year’s Grand Final, with the young bull looking more and more likely to go on and have a legendary career in the red and the blue.