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)
6. Isaac Heeney
(Originally: Pick 18, Sydney)
The baby-faced Heeney, up 12 spots in our re-draft, has been a formidable presence in Sydneyโs forward-line, especially in the injury absence of Lance Franklin.ย
The 25-year-oldโs 1.7 goals and 3.1 inside 50s per game in 2021 are the best feats of the 25-year-oldโs career-to-date.ย
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), Heeneyโs impact on games wonโt be deterred, whether heโs playing up forward or through the midfield in stints.
