Zero Hanger's first instalment of 'start, bench, cut' to kickstart the 2024 pre-season sees us examine three polarising midfielders who will always be associated because of their status as top-ten draft choices in 2018.

Sam Walsh (Pick 1; Carlton), Connor Rozee (Pick 5; Port Adelaide), and Bailey Smith (Pick 7; Western Bulldogs) were each chosen among the first ten selections at the 2018 National Draft and have gone on to stage impressive, yet changing, five-year AFL stints.

As we dissect the careers and recent form of the trio of ball-winners, we ponder who to hypothetically 'start' (our number one choice of the three), 'bench' (our runner-up) and 'cut' (our odd man out).

We reviewed the cases of Smith, Rozee, and Walsh before revealing our final verdict.

3. Sam Walsh

Have we saved the best for last?

In case there was any doubt about Sam Walsh's big-game abilities, they were categorically eradicated following his three-peat of astounding performances during this year's finals series.

Walsh lodged 29 disposals, six tackles, and nine inside-50s in the elimination final win against the Sydney Swans, substantiated that with another 34 possessions and eight tackles against Melbourne on semi-final weekend, before registering another heroic outing in Carlton's heartbreaking preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Lions, logging 33 disposals, six tackles, and eight inside-50s.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Sam Walsh of the Blues in action during the 2023 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Carlton Blues and the Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 23-year-old has a dangerous knack for finding the footy and is typically a sound user when it's in his hands; culminating in plenty of forward entries and scoring opportunities for the likes of Carlton's dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow and one-timer Harry McKay.