A pretty handy crop when looking back on it.
The top 10 from the 2016 National Draft has all but one player still listed on an AFL list.
However, only three have remained at the clubs that drafted them.
And yet, one side took four from the first ten selections.
As the 2024ย AFL draft approaches, we've taken a look at the top 10 picks of the 2016 draft and look at what their life looks like now, nearly a decade on.
1 - Andrew McGrath (Essendon)
He was taken by the Bombers after dominating throughout his junior days.
McGrath joined the club with a wealth of leadership, touted as a future captain.
The 26-year-old made his presence known immediately, claiming the 2017 Rising Star award and AFLPA best first-year player.
McGrath has rarely missed a beat, playing 157 games, including joining the leadership group ahead of the 2021 season.
Developing into an elite small defender, the Sandringham Dragons product is the perfect understudy to Zach Merrett and will likely take his place at some point, with a contract locking him away at the Bombers until the end of 2030.
2 - Tim Taranto (GWS)
A star midfielder in his own right and didn't miss a beat when he walked into the GWS doors.
Taranto was much-loved by coach Leon Cameron and regularly featured on the stacked expansion side, which had started to make a footprint on the competition.
The inside on-baller was awarded the Kevin Sheedy medal in 2019, the year the Giants made the grand final and lost to Richmond.
Taranto, in seeking more midfield opportunities, opted to return home to Victoria, signing a seven-year deal to powerhouse club Richmond.
In his maiden season at the Tigers, he was awarded a second best and fairest in 2023.
Taranto is now the face of the rebuilding club, facing a long road back to premiership contention after securing the wooden spoon in the most recent campaign.
3 - Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
A game changer who reaped his rewards in 2024.
McCluggage was crowned a premiership player after the Lions were victorious over Sydney on the last Saturday of September.
The Vic Country star plays an elusive and skilful midfield role that Brisbane saw yesteryear: Simon Black.
McCluggage is unlucky to yet make an All-Australian team after four consecutive nominations (2019-2022).
He's become a durable and high-performing star for the Lions and will be for many years to come, signing a monster deal lasting until the end of 2027.
4 - Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
One of four the Suns took in this draft but is the only one to remain.
Ainsworth is a hard-working small forward who took his game to new heights in 2024.
Starved of consistent ball inside 50, Ainsworth has battled away impressively to assist with the club's desires to make finals for the first time.
He's played 134 games, kicking 114 goals and suits the gameplay Damien Hardwick is trying to instil at the Gold Coast.
The 26-year-old is committed to the cause long-term, shying away from plays by rival clubs in his home state (Victoria).
5 - Will Setterfield (GWS)
Slowly becoming a journeyman across the competition, Setterfield has played for three clubs.
After only two games at GWS, the Victorian requested a trade to Carlton, where he spent learning from Patrick Cripps.
However, during that time, the Blues lured George Hewett (Sydney) and Adam Cerra (Fremantle) to the club, making it tight for senior spots.
Setterfield played four years - and 55 games - for Carlton before making the switch to arch-rivals Essendon.
More of a role player, the 26-year-old is rarely seen under Brad Scott but when himself a new deal for 2025.
6 - Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton)
The only player from this crop that isn't playing at the elite level.
Petrevski-Seton came with a rush when he joined Carlton, playing 94 quick games in five seasons as a utility.
However, the lure back home in Western Australia was enough for the club to broker a trade with West Coast at the end of 2021.
The Claremont product didn't recapture his early form, playing another 27 games but ultimately falling out of favour, and was delisted by the Eagles two years later.
Petrevski-Seton finished with 121 games to his name.
7 - Jack Scrimshaw (Gold Coast)
Like many who start at either expansion club, Scrimshaw couldn't find his feet and, after two years, requested a trade to Hawthorn.
With only four games under his belt but a lot of potential, the Hawks thought they found one.
In his first two campaigns at the club, Scrimshaw struggled to cement a spot in the senior side, playing 23 games.
However, once COVID-19 subsided, that was when the classy left-footer flourished.
And in 2024, Scrimshaw took his game to new heights, combining his aggressive nature with his smarts to intercept the ball and turn defence into attack.
Hawthorn's defence was largely undermanned for the entire 2024 season but made a semi-final.
Scrimshaw has played 107 games and is no doubt part of the furniture at Hawthorn.
8 - Griffin Logue (Fremantle)
At his best, Logue can be a dominant defender, but unfortunately, fans have yet to see the best of him.
The key defender made his debut at Fremantle but, by the end of the year, was winning a premiership for WAFL club Peel Thunder.
Since then, injuries have mounted up for the 26-year-old, missing the entirety of the 2018 season as well as adding 15 games over the next two years.
However, as the Dockers started to mount a charge toward September, Logue found himself playing more consistent football, with coach Justin Longmuir utilising him in many roles.
However, the lure of a bigger payday and more security from North Melbourne was enough for the left-footer to pack his bags and head east.
Unfortunately, he tore his ACL halfway through his maiden season at the Kangaroos and returned late in the 2024 campaign.
9 - Will Brodie (Gold Coast)
He is a crafty midfielder who has shown with senior opportunities that he can perform at the level.
The Suns liked what they saw from Brodie but opted to use veterans David Swallow and Touk Miller instead, whilst the arrival of Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson pushed the Victorian further down the line.
After five seasons and 25 games, Brodie sought a trade to Fremantle and was an immediate influence in 2022.
Paired alongside Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, the Murray Bushrangers product played all 24 games for the Dockers before they bowed out in the semi-final.
Since Brodie has rarely been sighted but still holds a place on the list.
10 - Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
A unique part of a salary dump deal to see the Suns alleviate some financial pressure, which ultimately benefitted Geelong.
Bowes began at Gold Coast and was a relatively consistent feature in the senior side up until the end of the 2021 season.
However, due to a flurry of big contract deals and incoming academy players, the Suns opted to put the Queenslander on the market, along with its prized Pick 7.
Many clubs came hard for the pairing, but as Geelong did, they won out, securing Bowes and the high-end pick, which they used on Jhye Clark in the 2022 National Draft.
With a clearer role under Chris Scott and more opportunities, Bowes has benefitted from the Cats style, playing 39 games across two years.
Likely to assume more responsibility once Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie retire, the 26-year-old is starting to pay dividends on his top 10 selection, of which Geelong will benefit.
