We've scattered back through each National Draft of the past decade to uncover every club's bargain pickup.

This list looks at each club's ability to recruit young prospects in the National Draft, whether it be top-end talents or diamonds in the rough.

Each player was selected primarily by their value for pick, with many players being taken outside the first round. Some players have demanded a spot despite an early draft night selection, however these picks have been reserved for the absolute cream of the crop.

This list only includes National Draft selections - excluding Rookie and/or Mini Draft picks, while father-son and Academy selections have also not been considered.ย 

5. Essendon

Zach Merrett (pick 26, 2013)

AFL Rd 13 - Essendon v Richmond
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Zach Merrett of the Bombers kicks the ball during the round 13 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at TIO Stadium on August 22, 2020 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

After slipping to round two of the 2013 draft, Merrett immediately emerged as one of the league's best accumulators, rising quickly to average 30 disposals in his third season and now 27 for his career.

His ability to rack up effective disposals has earned him two All-Australian nods in 2021 and 2017 and his production has been sustained despite midfield teammate Darcy Parish's rise to stardom.

During Essendon's seemingly perpetual struggles, questions have been asked about Merrett's impact, with many football figures asking for more scoreboard production from the midfielder.

Nonetheless, he has been one of the most consistent Bombers of the last 10 years, playing 184 games over nine seasons and winning three consecutive best & fairest awards from 2016-2018 in the process.

Honourable mention/s: Jordan Ridley, pick 22 (2016), Darcy Parish, pick 5 (2015)