Re-drafting the first round of the 2016 AFL Draft

With three years of development under their belt, we look back at who your club should have recruited in the first round of the 2016 AFL national draft. Here is Zero Hanger’s re-drafted first round of the 2016 AFL national draft: Jake Waterman (GWS) Waterman is one of the biggest movers in our reordered draft. The forward was selected with the last pick in the 2016 national draft. But with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling both suffering injuries in 2018, Waterman was called into the team. The 20-year-old played 16 games and kicked 13 goals in an impressive debut season and has continued to deliver ever since as a future hallmark for the club's forward line. [caption id="attachment_20389" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Jake Waterman of the Eagles marks the ball during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at HBF Arena on March 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Ben Ronke (Western Bulldogs) Another of Sydney's impressive talents from the 2016 draft. Ronke was taken with pick 17 in the rookie draft and failed to play a game in his first season. In 2018, Ronke established himself as a senior player, kicking 24 goals in 18 games. Ronke will long be remembered for his third game when he kicked seven goals against Hawthorn at the MCG. Ronke's pace is crucial to the Swans' forward setup. [caption id="attachment_21904" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Ben Ronke of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round15 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Ben Ainsworth (Port Adelaide) Ainsworth was selected with pick four in the 2016 national draft. He made his debut in a two-point loss against the Brisbane Lions in the opening round of the 2017 season. Ainsworth played 13 games and kicked 14 goals in his first season. He then played 16 games and kicked six goals in his second season and continued to show improvement in year three. [caption id="attachment_23140" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Ben Ainsworth of the Suns runs the ball during the round 13 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Powell-Pepper (Brisbane) A year ago, Sam Powell-Pepper would have been in the top handful of players from this draft. However, off-field incidents and a lack of form have seen him slide. The big-bodied midfielder has the capacity to be the next Dustin Martin. In his first season, he formed a successful partnership with Ollie Wines in the midfield. But he has since failed to back up his impressive rookie campaign, being dropped to the SANFL on several occasions. Alas, he remains a bright prospect for Port's future. [caption id="attachment_19448" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Sam Powell-Pepper of the Power celebrates kicking a goal during the round two AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at the Sydney Cricket Ground on April 1, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Shai Bolton (Port Adelaide) The Western Australian became a regular in Richmond's best 22 last year during their injury crisis. And once all the regulars returned he held his spot, providing flare, leg speed and energy through the midfield and forward line. The 21-year old is now a premiership player and figures to be a key piece for Damien Hardwick's side moving forward. [caption id="attachment_33728" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Shai Bolton of the Tigers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Jy Simpkin (Adelaide) Simpkin is slowly developing into the player North Melbourne hoped he would be when they selected him with pick 12 in the 2016 national draft. A shoulder injury curtailed him to 13 games in his debut season. Simpkin showed star potential in his third year without consistently delivering, averaging 18.6 disposals, 3.6 tackles and 3.7 clearances per game. He looks set to take major strides forward in 2020 as a full time midfielder. [caption id="attachment_20675" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 11 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 03, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Mitch Lewis (GWS) The Hawks prodigy went one pick before Waterman in the original draft, sliding all the way to 76. After playing just two games over the first two years of his career, Lewis finally cracked into the Hawks' best 22 last year, booting 20 goals from just 12 games. In a draft littered with midfielders, Lewis is our number one key forward. And he could be the Hawks' long-needed replacement for Buddy Franklin and Jarryd Roughead. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1147136765779517440 Zac Fisher (West Coast) Though short in stature, Fisher's blistering agility and superb kicking efficiency make him one of Carlton's classiest midfielders. Fisher has shown improvement every season and you feel like the penny could drop for him in 2020 to breakout as one of the genuine guns of the competition. Originally taken with pick 27, but in our reorder he falls just outside the top 10. [caption id="attachment_22087" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Zac Fisher of the Blues handballs during the round nine AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Jack Graham (North Melbourne) Has anyone had a better start to their career than Jack Graham? The young Tiger played a major role in Richmond's drought-breaking 2017 premiership, kicking three goals in only his fifth game of senior football. Graham is a big-bodied midfielder who averages career 6.6 tackles per game. Graham finally established himself as a regular in the Tigers' engine room last season before suffering a shoulder injury in the preliminary final and missed the grand final. [caption id="attachment_17677" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jack Graham of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Will Hayward (Sydney) Hayward impressed in his debut season, booting 22 goals in 17 games. The forward was again in the thick of the goals in 2018, kicking 28 goals in 23 games. Unfortunately, injuries hampered the forward's 2019 campaign, restricting him to just 13 games. But look for him to bounce back and have a bog 2020. [caption id="attachment_10915" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 14: Will Hayward of the Swans poses during a portrait session at the SCG on February 14, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Petrevski-Seton (Gold Coast) Petrevski-Seton is as classy as they come and has star potential, and like his Carlton teammate Fisher, you feel like a breakout is coming any season now. The silky midfielder averaged 19.1 disposals, four marks, and 4.4 tackles last year and has been extremely durable, playing 20, 22 and 22 games over the last three seasons. [caption id="attachment_12092" align="alignnone" width="683"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Sam Petrevski-Seton of the Blues looks upfield during the round seven AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 6, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Oliver Florent (Gold Coast) The third Swan to feature, Florent brought consistency to his game over the last couple of seasons. The young Swan averaged 16.7 disposals and kicked 13 goals in 23 games in 2018. He received a Rising Star nomination in round 11 for his performance in the Swans 30-point win over Carlton. The youngster took further steps forward, averaging 19.2 disposals from 21 games in 2019 and has the potential to be one of the stars of the league. [caption id="attachment_21349" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Oliver Florent of the Swans kicks the ball during the round 12 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on June 9, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Jarrod Berry (Fremantle) The rising midfielder moves forward nine spots, with Brisbane taking him with pick 17. Berry enjoyed a breakout 2019, playing a key role for the revamped Lions, averaging 19.6 disposals, 4.5 marks and 3.8 tackles per game. He is set to be one of the key cogs of Brisbane's engine room over the next decade. [caption id="attachment_30080" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Jarrod Berry of the Lions attempts to break away from the defence during the round one AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the West Coast Eagles at The Gabba on March 23, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Luke Ryan (Gold Coast) Ryan is one of the biggest bolters in our re-draft, originally getting taken by Fremantle with pick 66. The Coburg product enjoyed a stellar 2019 campaign, averaging 20.4 disposals and 5.2 marks per contest, ranking second in the league in intercepts per game. Now one of the best half backs in the AFL, don't be surprised if Ryan is an All Australian in the coming years. [caption id="attachment_28468" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Blake Acres of the Saints chases Luke Ryan of the Dockers during the 2019 AFL round 03 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the St Kilda Saints at Optus Stadium on April 07, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Tim English (Carlton) The Bulldogs ruckman was originally snapped up with pick 19 the 2016 draft as a young skinny kid out of South Fremantle. English still has ways to go physically but is making progress as each pre-season passes. If he can put on another 5-10 kilos and maintain his athleticism, the sky is the limit for the youngster. While he hasn't been as consistent as some of the players we had lower in the re-draft, English has the potential to be one of the best ruckman in the league. [caption id="attachment_28351" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Tim English of the Bulldogs contests the ball with Jarrod Witts of the Suns during the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Western Bulldogs at Great Barrier Reef Arena on March 03, 2019 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Alex Witherden (GWS) Alex Witherden had a breakout year in 2018, playing 21 of a possible 22 games for Brisbane and averaging 22.4 disposals per game. The 20-year-old has been a ball magnet since making his debut for the Lions in 2017. Witherden wasn't quite as impressive in 2019, playing more of a lockdown, team-first role, but with Luke Hodge retired, look for the youngster to become the new rebounding general. [caption id="attachment_18742" align="alignnone" width="683"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Alex Witherden of the Lions looks to pass the ball during the round 19 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Lions at Domain Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Andrew McGrath (Gold Coast) The number one pick in the 2016 national draft didn’t look out of place in his first season of football, playing 21 games and winning the Rising Star award. He played a further 20 games in his second season and spent more time in midfield. McGrath has not yet taken his game into the elite ranks, but he is the ideal player for the Bombers, providing run and carry off half back and is now set to grow in the midfield. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane) The third Lion in both the original draft and ours, McCluggage remains the third overall pick coming off a massive third-year breakout in 2019, playing a key role in Brisbane's meteoric rise into the top four. The young gun averaged 22.6 disposals and four marks per game to become one of the elite wingmen of the competition and was named in the All Australian squad for his efforts. McCluggage is set to be one of the key pieces for the Lions over the next decade for Chris Fagan's revamped lineup. [caption id="attachment_17229" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Hugh McCluggage of the Lions handballs from Daniel Rioli of the Tigers during the round 17 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on July 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Tim Taranto (GWS) Consistency is key for Taranto, who has not put a foot wrong since making his AFL debut. The Giant enjoyed a career-best year last season, averaging 27.7 disposals, 6.3 tackles and 5.3 clearances per game, cementing himself in the club's midfield amidst an injury crisis. The gun midfielder goes at pick 2 in our re-draft, which is where the Giants originally grabbed him. [caption id="attachment_19932" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Tim Taranto of the Giants takes a mark during the round four AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Fremantle Dockers at UNSW Canberra Oval on April 14, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Tom Stewart (Essendon) The 26-year-old defender burst onto the scene after winning two premierships at South Barwon. Stewart is a no-nonsense defender, who can play on the tall or small forward and has fast developed into one of the game's genuinely elite players. A favourite down at the Cattery, Stewart is already a two-time All-Australian and one of their most important players. He skyrockets from pick 40 all the way up number one in our re-draft! [caption id="attachment_20539" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Tom Stewart of the Cats is tackled by Mark LeCras of the Eagles during the round three AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	WB	6	4	2	16	102
8	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3

Re-drafting the first round of the 2016 AFL Draft

We’ve re-drafted the first-round of the 2016 draft. SEE WHO WENT WHERE 👇

5.
Alex Witherden (GWS)

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5. Alex Witherden (GWS)