The 2017 AFL Draft had a host of talent that would be future stars of the competition.
Fremantle secured two guns in the top five, while St Kilda had a pair of prospects in the second half of the top 10 selections.
Carlton also welcomed a duo of youngsters, which ultimately didn't pan out that well.
As the 2024ย AFL draft approaches, we've taken a look at the top 10 picks of the 2017 draft and look at what their life looks like now, seven years on.
1 - Cam Rayner (Brisbane)
Likened to Richmond's Dustin Martin, Rayner showed all the attributes of being a future star of the AFL.
Fast forward seven years and the answers would be a mixed bag.
Rayner has yet to win a best and fairest nor claim an All-Australian blazer, but he had a heavy hand in redeeming the 2023 heartbreaking grand final loss 12 months later.
Throughout the years, the Western Jets product has shown plenty of promise but has struggled with consistency.
His match-winning abilities rival the league's best, but unfortunately for Lions fans, they don't see it enough.
However, there's no doubt that they're glad with the selection.
Played 140 games and kicked 135 goals for Brisbane, and there'll be plenty more to come.
2 - Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
Shockingly, the Dockers traded out Lachie Weller to Gold Coast for Pick 2, and ultimately, they won the trade.
Brayshaw is a hard-working midfielder who is the perfect prototype for a youngster to mould his game off.
A future captain of Fremantle, on an individual level, the Victorian has a handy CV: Leigh Matthews Trophy, Doig Medal and an All-Australian selection in 2022.
Brayshaw has been a pillar of consistency and durability, rarely missing a match and will bring up his 150th game early into 2025.
He'll need to reassess his future entering the last year of his current contract, with rivals beginning to circle.
3 - Paddy Dow (Carlton)
A pick that Carlton will see as a bust, especially given the talent that surrounded Dow.
The 25-year-old struggled to crack into the midfield but was a consistent feature as the Blues hovered at the bottom of the ladder.
However, once the club started playing better football, Dow was often seen in the VFL.
The writing appeared on the wall at IKON Park, and when the chance to reunite with former Blues list boss Stephan Silvagni at St Kilda arose, he jumped.
Dow played ten games in his first season with the Saints, finishing the season strongly.
Dow has played 83 AFL games.
4 - Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
A Kangaroos star that has made an impression since he walked through the doors at Arden Street.
Davies-Uniacke is a crafty midfielder who has attributes in his game that little do.
Early on, he battled with injury and form that prevented him from a permanent spot in the senior side, but he was quickly realised to be the future of the football club.
Since 2021, Davies-Uniacke has rarely missed a game and topped off an incredible 2024 season with a maiden Syd Barker Medal. He also polled 18 Brownlow votes this year.
Davies-Uniacke has played 108 games for the Kangaroos but is currently weighing up his future beyond 2025, given the lack of success at the club.
5 - Adam Cerra (Fremantle)
The second midfielder the Dockers picked up to lead the future after David Mundy and Nat Fyfe.
Cerra made a good fist of his time in Western Australia, but when he had the opportunity to return to Victoria, he jumped at the chance. He played 76 games for Fremantle before joining Carlton.
When up and running, the 25-year-old is a hard-edged midfielder who can get involved in scoring chains.
However, the Blues have been dealing with the constant hamstring problems that have plagued Cerra for the past 24 months.
He played 13 games (career-low) in 2024 with fears that the coaches may not trust his ability to stay healthy.
Cerra has 129 games to his name.
6 - Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)
Arguably the best first season by a player, the goalkicking youngster was exactly what Collingwood needed.
In their historic run to a grand final, Stephenson was the difference maker in a revamped Pies outfit. The forward kicked 38 goals - two in a grand final - and comfortably won the Rising Star Award.
However, off-field antics and troubled form saw Stephenson already reaching his peak, and, at the end of 2020, found himself placed on the trade table to relieve Collingwood's financial pressure despite holding a lucrative contract.
North Melbourne scooped up the former Eastern Ranges forward, where he added 68 games, playing in multiple roles.
It was obvious that Stephenson was struggling to cement his spot in the side and didn't enjoy the game like he once did, which subsequently led to his retirement.
He may continue his football career at the local level, potentially joining junior club Ferntree Gully.
7 - Hunter Clark (St Kilda)
A laconic-type midfielder who sees things before they happen.
Clark's talent is undoubted, but unfortunately for St Kilda, his prone to injury has limited him to 83 games.
He is yet to play a full season, with 19 matches a career-high in 2023.
Clark's strength is his versatility, playing a key role behind the ball, but, when needed, can go into the midfield to break the rut.
His ball use is top-line, and he can usually make something happen when most others can't.
Hopefully, 2025 will be more fruitful than the past. Otherwise, the patience of St Kilda may start to wear thin.
8 - Nick Coffield (St Kilda)
Drafted as a midfielder but quickly switched to defence to good effect, Coffield, like Clark, was supposed to be the next generation of St Kilda, but injury got in his way.
Hamstring, shoulder and knee injuries were frustrating for both the 25-year-old and St Kilda, which ultimately led to a trade request at the end of 2023.
The Western Bulldogs came calling, with Coffield playing eight games in his maiden season at the club, although more injury pain came calling.
Coffield's tally of 60 games in seven seasons is disappointing, to say the least, especially given his talent.
9 - Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
The only non-midfielder in this bunch.
Naughton has answered a lot of questions for the Western Bulldogs since being drafted. The club has cried out for a genuine marking target up forward, and they got one at Pick 9.
Naughton's versatility means he can play at either end, but his strengths have suited the Bulldogs in the front half.
Born in Victoria, the left-footer has gone about his career to date in a no-fuss manner, doing what is required of him.
He led the club's goalkicking in 2022 and 2023 and has rarely missed a game, totalling 143.
10 - Lochie O'Brien
Another disappointing top 10 pick for the Blues, with O'Brien playing 66 games in six seasons.
He struggled to make an imprint on the club despite his high-end selection.
The left-footer was regularly picked in the senior side but made little impact on the field during a trying time for Carlton.
However, in 2022, O'Brien filled a specific role as the Blues stormed towards a first finals appearance in a decade, albeit was ripped from their grasp by arch-rivals Collingwood in the final round of the home and away season.
In the space of 12 months, he was delisted by the club.
Since then, O'Brien joined the Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray Football League and also featured in the Northern Territory Football League.
