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)
7. Harris Andrews
(Originally: Pick 61, Brisbane Lions)
Andrews, a powerful key defender, is the biggest riser in our re-draft, climbing an enormous 54 spots to the No.7 selection.ย
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.ย
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
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-Dayneย Zorko.
