Former Tigers great Matthew Richardson has re-drafted the top 10 picks of the 2004 AFL Draft on Sportsday.
See Richoโs other re-drafts:ย 2000,ย 2001,ย 2002, 2003
See also:ย Zero Hanger's re-draft of the first round of the 2004 AFL draft
To no surprise, topping Richardson's re-draft is Sydney Swans superstar Buddy Franklin. Originally taken by the Hawks with pick 5, Franklin has been arguably the most dominant forward of the modern era.
The veteran is a two-time premiership player, eight-time All Australian, four-time Coleman medallist and 11-time club leading goalkicker.
โNumber one by a fair way, when youโve been All-Australian eight times, thatโs just incredible," Richardson toldย Sportsday.
"I think heโll end up kicking 1000 goals because this break might be good for him.โ
With his second pick Richo took former Richmond and GWS star and original pick 1 Brett Deledio, who hung up the boots at the end of last season after 275 AFL games.
One of Richardson's former teammates, the end of Deledio's career is one of the most tragic in football, with the silky utility getting traded from Richmond to GWS at the end of 2016 to pursue a premiership.
The Tigers would go on to defeat Deledio's Giants in the preliminary final the following year and again in the grand final in 2019 to claim two of the last three flags since his departure.
โIโve had to drop Brett Deledio from number one to number two, so Iโll be expecting a text message from him any minute now, but not even he can argue with me here. Lids had a great career mind you and would have played 300 games if not for some calf injuries late in his career.โ
Richardson went with former Hawthorn champion and original pick 2 Jarryd Roughead with his third pick, who retired last year after 283 AFL games, including four premierships, a Coleman Medal and two All Australians.
โIโve left Roughead at three. This is a bit contentious. We know what he achieved, one of the best guys in footy.โ
Rounding out Richo's top five picks was former Bulldog and Giant Ryan Griffen and All Australian Magpie Travis Cloke.
See the full top 10 below....
Richardsonโs re-drafted top 10 picks of the 2004 AFL Draft
1. Buddy Franklin
2. Brett Deledio
3. Jarryd Roughead
4. Ryan Griffen
5. Travis Cloke
6. Jordan Lewis
7. Dale Morris
8. Josh Gibson
9. Mark LeCras
10. Heath Grundy
Top 10 picks of the 2004 AFL draft
1. Brett Deledio (Richmond)
2. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
3. Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
4. Richard Tambling (Richmond)
5. Buddy Franklin (Hawthorn)
6. Tom Williams (Western Bulldogs)
7. Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
8. John Meesen (Adelaide)
9. Jordan Russell (Carlton)
10. Chris Egan (Collingwood)
