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)
4. Jake Lever
(Originally: Pick 14, Adelaide)
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.ย
The 25-year-oldโs 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.ย
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
A key cog in Melbourneโs 2021 premiership triumph, Lever figures to be a dominant presence within the Deesโ back six for seasons to come.
