AFL Draft

Where are they now? The top 10 picks of the 2014 AFL Draft

All-Australians, a Norm Smith medallist and a premiership captain. We look back at the top picks a decade later.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

The 2014 AFL Draft saw a host of the competition's biggest names come through, whilst some never reached the heights their pick suggested.

Unfortunately, two of the first three selections were forced into retirement.

However, in this group, we can see a premiership captain, a Norm Smith medallist, and so much potential that is still in the elite system.

As the 2024 AFL draft approaches, we've taken a look at the top 10 picks of the 2014 draft and look at what their life looks like now a decade on.

1 - Paddy McCartin (St Kilda)

Touted as the next big thing, unfortunately for McCartin, his AFL career didn't pan out how he'd hoped.

Victim to persistent concussion problems, the prized No.1 Pick was limited to 35 games for the Saints across five years.

Delisted by St Kilda at the end of 2019, McCartin used the following two years to right himself, joining Sydney's VFL team in the hope of re-emerging as an AFL star.

The Swans took a punt on the Geelong Falcons product, which proved to be a stroke of genius. He played 24 games in 2022, including the grand final.

However, concussion reared its ugly head once again, putting an end to McCartin's football career the following year.

For the past few years, he's been a director at Helping Hands and a volunteer at Sacred Heart Mission.

2 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

A star in his own right, the Demons midfielder always had the potential to take the competition by storm, and it started in 2020.

As the club was making a charge to the 2021 premiership, Petracca claimed an All-Australian blazer and best and fairest the year before.

He added another AA guernsey and a Norm Smith Medal alongside his premiership medallion.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Christian Petracca and his Demons teammates celebrate winning the round four AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

After 189 games, Petracca has four AA blazers and two best and fairests in a stacked CV.

However, he faced a turbulent season following a life-altering injury that saw his spleen lacerated during a match.

This resulted in Petracca initially exploring a move to a rival club but was ultimately held to his long-term contract, ending in 2029.

Rivals will keep a close eye on the superstar in the coming years.

3 - Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)

The heart and soul of the Demons left a void due to his medical retirement.

Brayshaw was a Mr. Fix It for Melbourne, put in just about every position on the field where the club needed.

But with a history of head knocks and subsequent concussions, the 28-year-old faced a nervous playing future, which unfortunately was called time on following an infamous incident with Collingwood's Brayden Maynard.

Before that, Brayshaw played 167 games for the Demons and was a pivotal member of its premiership-winning side.

He spent time assisting the club throughout 2024 in a coaching capacity in a part-time role.

Brayshaw also opened up a popular wine bar in Richmond.

4 - Jarrod Pickett (GWS)

Another Giants prospect who never reached his full potential at the elite level.

Joining a stacked expansion team, it's safe to say it was hard for Pickett to crack into the senior side, resulting in a trade request to Carlton after two years.

The former Pick 4 featured 17 times in the navy blue, unfortunately spending significant periods on the sidelines due to injury.

During the 2019 season, Pickett was released from his contract.

He returned to Western Australia and continued playing for local club Northam Railways in the Avon Football & Netball Association.

Pickett moved to High Wycombe (Perth Football League) in 2023, then joined Willetton for the most recent campaign.

5 - Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)

The Pies superstar has teased both fans about the competition of his stardom, never quite reaching the heights of what people expect of him.

De Goey burst onto the scene with his power and forward craft, likened to Richmond champion Dustin Martin.

In 2018, the goal sneak kicked a remarkable 48 goals from 21 games as the Pies stormed into the grand final to fall short to West Coast.

De Goey's career came to a crossroads as rivals came hard for his signature, namely St Kilda.

However, a fresh voice through Craig McRae and a new direction saw the Oakleigh Chargers product re-sign, playing a pivotal part in seeking redemption for their close loss in the decider in 2018.

De Goey became a premiership player in 2023, showing up on the biggest stage with two goals that have etched themselves in folklore.

He battled with injury in 2024 and has played 169 games for the Pies.

6 - Caleb Marchbank (GWS)

A key defender who couldn't get onto the park often.

Marchbank began his time at the Giants but, like Pickett, moved after two seasons to Carlton due to a lack of opportunity.

The 27-year-old impressed when he joined the Blues, playing 41 games in the first three campaigns at the club.

However, a serious neck injury and multiple ACL tears saw Marchbank sit out over two years.

Caleb Marchbank of the Giants watches on during warm-up ahead of the 2016 AFL NAB Challenge match between the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Drummoyne Oval on March 4, 2016, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

He returned to play in 2022 but faced more injury woes.

At the end of 2024, after 63 AFL games, Marchbank was delisted by Carlton.

7 - Paul Ahern (GWS)

A third Giant who departed the club shortly after being drafted.

Ahern didn't feature for GWS and moved to North Melbourne ahead of the 2018 season.

With a history of serious knee injuries, getting his body right was always going to be an uphill battle.

Ahern played 24 games for the Kangaroos and was one of 11 players delisted at the end of 2020.

He continued his footballing career at the Northern Bullants (2021) in the VFL whilst also signing with local club Pascoe Vale in the EDFL.

Ahern has been at the Panthers since.

8 - Peter Wright (Gold Coast)

Drafted out of the Calder Cannons, Wright was an impressive key forward prospect that the Suns wanted to build their team around.

Standing over 200cm, the 28-year-old was a dominant force, barely missing a game following his debut in Round 10, 2015.

However, a knee injury during 2018 almost wiped him out for the entire year, whilst 2020 saw the writing on the wall as Ben King was the new kid in town.

Returning to Victoria, Wright requested a trade to Essendon, which proved to be a positive move for both.

He claimed the 2022 Crichton Medal after kicking 53 goals from 22 games.

Since then, he's battled both form, injury and suspension, which includes a four-game ban for his hit on Sydney's Harry Cunningham.

Wright has played 133 games and kicked 205 goals to date.

9 - Darcy Moore (Collingwood)

Taken as a father-son selection to follow in the footsteps of club legend Peter Moore, Darcy was always destined for great things.

Moore initially began his career as a lead-up forward, with coach Nathan Buckley enjoying his athleticism and courage to fly at the ball.

Playing 47 games in his first three seasons, Moore ran into some serious hamstring trouble, limiting him to seven matches in 2018, which didn't include the grand final.

A switch to defence saw the Pies' backline strengthen as they returned to the finals for the following two years, seeing Moore claim his first All-Australian jumper in 2020.

With leadership written all over him, Scott Pendlebury stepped aside for the next generation of leaders, with Moore becoming his successor ahead of the 2023 campaign.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Darcy Moore of the Magpies leaves the field injured during the round 10 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 29, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

After 12 months in the role, Moore lifted the premiership cup as Collingwood captain, which fittingly was handed to him by his father, who played in five grand finals without a victory.

He also added another AA blazer.

10 - Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)

A Northern Territory talent, Cockatoo posed as an exciting prospect for the Cats, who missed the finals for the first time since 2006.

Cockatoo showed glimpses of brilliance but never played more than 11 games in one season, battling with injury and consistent form.

After six seasons at the Cats, the forward, with ties to Queensland, requested a move to Brisbane, where he added another 15 matches in three seasons.

After the 2023 campaign, Cockatoo retired from AFL football.

He continued playing in the AFL Queensland League for Morningside AFC.

Cockatoo also featured for Southern Districts in the NTFL league during the warmer months.

Published by
Aidan Cellini