The 2018 draft has been one of the most highly debated draft classes since the 2001 super draft, headlined by Chris Judd, Gary Ablett jr. and Luke Hodge.
There has been countless experts re-draft their top 10's with the talent of that draft seemingly never ending.
Kane Cornes has been the main driver of the debate but a new voice has had their say.
Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney has named Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith as the best second-year player in the competition at the moment.
The debate about who the best player to come out of the 2018 draft has always surrounded number one draft pick Sam Walsh, Gold Coast’s Jack Lukosius, Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee, key position twins Max (St Kilda) and Ben (Gold Coast) King and Smith.
Walsh collected the most disposals by any first year player ever last season, and while accepting the Blues midfielder has had a good year, McAvaney said Smith's year was the gold standard.
“Last year Sam Walsh was clearly the number one first-year player and Bailey Smith wasn’t far behind him I felt,” he said on Channel 7.
“With all respect to everybody else in the competition, (Smith) is the best player in the competition right now (playing) in their second season.”
The 19-year-old has been stellar for the Bulldogs in 2020, averaging 21 touches and three inside 50s per match.
Smith put in his best performance of his career when he collected 37 disposals and had 10 inside 50s in the Dogs’ win over Adelaide back in Round 12.
