Taking a moment to stop and reflect on the drafts gone by, the 2011 National Draft was a group that featured premiership players and All-Australians.
GWS' introduction into the competition ahead of the 2012 season resulted in a compromised draft where the AFL's newest club held eight of the first ten selections.
Port Adelaide (Pick 6) and Brisbane (Pick 8) were the only other clubs who possessed a single-digit pick.
The Giants selected key forward prospect Jonathon Patton with the prized opening pick of the draft.
As the 2024 AFL draft approaches, we've taken a look at the top 10 picks of the 2011 draft and look at what their life looks like now, nearly a decade and a half on.
1 - Jonathon Patton (GWS)
A member of the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) AFL academy and a dominant junior key forward, it was a no-brainer that the Giants would select Patton as a focal point in its future.
However, it was a career that barely took off the ground, condemned by persistent injuries and off-field issues.
Standing at an intimidating 198cm, the Eastern Ranges product was a ready-made footballer but didn't debut until the second half of his maiden season due to a knee injury. Forecasting what was to come.
Patton played 10 games in his first two campaigns at the Giants, struggling to get his body right.
A return of 19 matches in 2014 showcased his raw talent and how bright his future would be in the AFL, a reality that was never reached.
Patton was traded to Hawthorn at the end of the 2019 season after 89 games and 130 goals.
He managed to add a further six games to his tally before ultimately calling time on his career mid-way through 2021.
Patton featured in the Bendigo Football Netball League in 2023 for Kangaroo Flat Football Club and works as a real estate agent in Gold Coast.
2 - Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
The star midfielder is one of four players from the 2011 top 10 who is still competing in the AFL, and is the only one to remain at the club that drafted him.
Coniglio has been a consistent performer for the Giants since his draft year, playing the majority of each season.
The Swan Districts product was the sole captain of the club between 2020 and 2022 but struggled with form, ultimately leading to the stripping of the position.
Coniglio has bounced back in recent times and will add to his 217-game tally in 2025 whilst chasing that elusive premiership flag.
3 - Dom Tyson (GWS)
A highly touted prospect who returned to Victoria after two seasons - and 13 games - at the Giants.
Tyson was traded to Melbourne at the end of 2013, adding 94 games in five campaigns before falling out of favour.
In an attempt to continue his AFL career, the left-footer was traded to North Melbourne for another three seasons. Tyson ended with 113 matches under his belt.
After being delisted at the end of 2021, Tyson went on to hone his coaching craft, joining De La Salle College as the First XVIII football team head coach.
Now, the three-club player is building his coaching credentials and is an assistant coach at Collingwood's AFLW team, helping the backline.
4 - Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS)
The second of a quartet of draftees still playing in 2024 and is locked away for next year at Collingwood.
Hoskin-Elliott began his career at the Giants and was there for five seasons - and 52 games - before returning to his home state of Victoria.
The Pies came calling for a rangy forward who could roll up towards the wing and has an aerial presence.
The 31-year-old has played a crucial role since joining the Victorian powerhouse and has proven his durability, playing a minimum of 18 games a year.
Hoskin-Elliott redeemed the club's heartbreaking grand final loss in 2018 to West Coast last year when the Magpies beat Brisbane in the decider by four points.
5 - Matt Buntine (GWS)
Drafted from the Dandenong Stingrays, Buntine remained at the Giants for a decade, playing 67 games before being delisted at the end of 2021.
The medium-sized defender struggled to cement his spot at AFL level, battling form and injuries during his time.
Since then, Buntine has featured at VFL level for the Casey Demons (2022), Caulfield Grammar (2023) in the VAFA and Tooradin-Dalmore Football Club (2024) in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
6 - Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
The two-club star burst onto the scene in Port Adelaide colours, earning his first of two All-Australian blazers in his second season.
He also won a best and fairest medal at age 20.
Wingard had a swagger and confidence that most players dreamed of, and his talents matched it.
Rarely missing a game, the goal-sneak proved to be too difficult for the opposition but ultimately sought a move to Victoria, with Hawthorn securing his services.
Wingard played seven seasons and 147 games at the Power before making the switch, which didn't prove to be fruitful.
Achilles and calf issues limited the 31-year-old to 71 games in six years, with the two-time All-Australian recently hanging up the boots.
Wingard plays a pivotal role in advising the Hawthorn senior leadership on welfare relating to Indigenous players and has been a sounding board for the AFL.
7 - Nick Haynes (GWS)
At his best, Haynes was one of the competition's best intercept defenders and, in 2020, was rewarded with an All-Australian selection and the Kevin Sheedy Medal.
Spending 13 seasons at the Giants, playing 211 games under Sheedy, Leon Cameron and Adam Kingsley, the 32-year-old opted to explore free agency, landing at Carlton in the recent trade and free agency period.
Haynes was a consistent feature in the GWS backline but found himself on the outer during 2024, which prompted the move.
8 - Billy Longer (Brisbane)
The Lions were adamant Longer was going to be their next big man but ultimately lost out on the go-home factor.
Longer played nine games in two seasons for Brisbane before requesting a move to Victoria to be closer to family, with St Kilda scooping him up.
The Saints viewed the ruckman as a Ben McEvoy replacement and were immediately impressed with his work.
However, after playing 16 and 18 games in 2014 and 2015 respectively, Longer battled to hold onto his spot in the senior side.
The 2017 season saw the 201cm tall return to the fold but was moved aside once again to welcome Rowan Marshall.
Longer retired at the end of 2019 due to concussion issues.
9 - Adam Tomlinson (GWS)
The key defender is hopeful of finding a third AFL club, with Melbourne deciding against re-signing the ex-GWS backman.
Tomlinson was a key part of the Giants' surge into premiership calculations, but after 140 games - and a grand final loss in 2019 - he requested a move to a Victorian club, landing at Melbourne on a five-year deal.
The 31-year-old played his best football in defence but fell behind the likes of Steven May, Jake Lever and Tom McDonald.
Tomlinson has played 45 games in five campaigns at the Demons and is weighing up interest from Collingwood and Gold Coast in preparation for the 2025 season.
10 - Liam Sumner (GWS)
The last of the top 10 selections and the eighth for the Giants, Sumner never reached the heights his pick suggested.
At a club stacked with young talent, the young forward managed only 12 games in four seasons at GWS.
Seeking more senior opportunities, Sumner successfully requested a trade to Carlton, where he added 20 matches to his tally before being delisted at the end of the 2017 season.
Sumner has remained active on the football field, featuring in the VAFA for St Bedes (2018) in the Southern Football Netball League, East Malvern (2019), St Pauls (2022) and Blackrock (2024) while also playing for Lang Lang Football Club (2021) in the Ellinbank and District Football League and Warragul Football club in the Gippsland league.
