Getting taken at number 1 in the AFL draft comes with its pros and cons. It serves as an honour to be recognised as the best player in your draft class, but that also comes with extra pressure to perform at a high level on a consistent basis.
These players listed below were able to channel that duress and either become wildly successful players in the AFL or lay an obvious platform or things to come.
With only a month to go until the draft, the buzz surrounding the consensus first cab off the rank in Jason Horne-Francis is almost at its crescendo.
RELATED: "I can make an impact straight away': Horne-Francis speaks on looming Roos selection
Should the hype prove to be real, you can expect the South Australian's name to be up in lights on lists like this within the very near future.
Here's the top 10 number 1 draft picks since 2000:
1. Luke Hodge
Hodge was drafted by Hawthorn in the 2001 draft and thoroughly deserves the top spot on this list.
His resume is the most impressive of the lot, which includes four premierships [three as captain], two Norm Smith Medals, three All-Australians and two best-and-fairests.
Hodge was the ultimate leader who led the Hawks to a three-peat from 2013 to 2015, and was always a tough competitor who could perform on the biggest stage.
A legend of the game and without a doubt the best number 1 pick since 2000 and possibly even in the history of the league.
