It is astounding that West Coast was able to land Jobe Shanahan at Pick 30 in the 2024 draft.
The "Shanahan Slide" came in one of the most compromised top ends of the draft in recent memory, with seven selections in the first round coming from free agency or father-son and academy links.
Shanahan was invited to the opening night of the 2024 intake, but eyebrows were raised when no one heard his name called out.
He addressed some serious needs in the key position category, knowing that the Bendigo Pioneers product was capable at both ends of the ground.
And in his 12 AFL matches, he has shown that.
Walking through the selections prior to Shanahan's name being called out, there were five clubs that had perfect reasoning for drafting someone of his talent and potential.
Richmond's myriad of picks addressed many needs as the powerhouse club opted for an immediate rebuild. Aside from midfield talents Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie and Taj Hotton, the Tigers also snared Jonty Faull (Pick 14), Luke Trainor (Pick 21), Harry Armstrong (Pick 23) and Tom Sims (Pick 28).
North Melbourne desperately wanted Finn O'Sullivan at Pick 2, while trading back into the 2024 draft with Richmond gave them another bite at the cherry, grabbing Matt Whitlock (Pick 27) before anyone else could.
Melbourne double-dipped in the top 11, Sydney welcomed two medium-sized forwards and Port Adelaide wanted to add to the bevy of smalls, welcoming Joe Berry (Pick 15).
But did each of these clubs miss a trick given their key position issues?
Shanahan's under-18s Bendigo Pioneers coach, Danny O'Bree, told Zero Hanger why the versatile tall may have been overlooked by clubs, which has been to the Eagles' benefit.
"He was so talented but he had this real laconic nature about him," O'Bree said.
"We thought if he improved his work rate, we know his athletic qualities were so good that it was going to improve his footy tenfold.
"It wasn't that he didn't want to do the work, but it was more he didn't know how to."
In Shanahan's dozen outings, he has shown plenty of aerial dominance, highlighted by his game-saving mark in defence against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Jobe Shanahan came up CLUTCH 😤#AFLPowerEagles pic.twitter.com/IZel4yqc3p
— AFL (@AFL) March 29, 2026
It shouldn't come as a shock to those who have followed his trajectory from the Bendigo Pioneers to the big time, with a brief pit stop at Essendon's VFL and the AFL Academy.
He kicked 11 goals in three games for the Bombers reserves side; he was a standout for the Pioneers, slotting 23 majors in 11 outings; he played seniors for Moama, and his goal-kicking nous locked in his AFL future.
But Shanahan's versatility added more sting to his bee, proving his worth as an intercepting defender, and winning most of his possessions in the back half of the ground.
The proof was in the pudding.
You can excuse the Swans now given they landed Charlie Curnow and Jai Serong to bolster their key position stocks.
But the Tigers, Kangaroos, Demons and Power? What happened?
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Why did Richmond overlook Shanahan on multiple occasions, putting faith in the development of Faull, Trainor, Armstrong and Sims?
Recruiters indicated to O'Bree and the Pioneers that Shanahan's contested work needing improving as well as positioning in a bid to prepare him for the AFL.
"We thought he was a potential high draft pick," O'Bree added.
"There was indications like getting invited on the first night of the draft that he could've been right up there in calculations. But lucky for West Coast, they were able to take him on night two.
"Sometimes, (clubs) might not be able to see the forest through the trees."
Shanahan became "impatient" in his maiden year, wanting to debut early and make an immediate difference.
However, O'Bree has credited the Eagles coaching group and their development of the youngster.
"I know he had some expectations last year, playing early and wanting to get there a bit quick," O'Bree said.
"You've got to get the work done. Get the right process around your development. But sometimes these players get a little bit impatient.
"Now that he's settled, and is really clear what he has to do, it's been really impressive to watch his journey but also, in discussions with him, that he really understands what's required of him, so credit to the West Coast coaching group."
Shanahan is among the new-age Eagles coming through the ranks.
And his progress could make rivals regret letting him slip through their fingers.
