Re-drafting the first round of the 2001 'Super' Draft

With Luke Hodge retiring and Gary Ablett Jnr in the twilight of his career, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to take a look back at the 2001 AFL 'Super' Draft. The 'Super' Draft is widely regarded as one of the best of all time, boasting a number of stars all the way through it. It was also the draft that formed the nucleus of Geelong's triple-premiership side, one of the greatest teams of the modern era. Heck, we couldn't even squeeze in names like Jason Gram, Adam Schneider, Andrew Carrazzo and Brett Thornton this draft was so deep! Here is Zero Hanger's re-drafted first round of the 2001 AFL 'Super' Draft, including players taken in the Rookie Draft: Paul Medhurst (Brisbane) Originally selected by Fremantle with pick 56, Medhurst would go on to have a distinguished 168-game career. The small forward played five seasons for the Dockers, before moving to Collingwood to finish his career. During his time in the west, Medhurst kicked 166 goals, leading the club's goal-kicking in 2003 and 2004. At the Magpies, the crafty forward kicked 108 goals and earned an All-Australian selection in 2008, before finishing his career in 2010. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="484"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Dustin Fletcher of the Bombers attempts to tackle Paul Medhurst of the Magpies during the round five AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)[/caption] Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Essendon) Roberts-Thomson, who is affectionately known to fans as "LRT" or the "Hyphenator", was drafted by the Sydney Swans with pick 29 in the draft. Roberts-Thomson was a local product, hailing from the NSW/ACT Rams in the TAC Cup, which developed fellow Swans Craig Bird, Craig Bolton and Nick Davis. The lanky utility played 179 games for the Swans and played an important role in their 2005 and 2012 Premiership successes, operating out of the backline. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Lewis Roberts-Thomson of the Swans marks during the round four AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at the SCG on April 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] David Hale (Geelong) Hale is the first player to slip down the rankings after being selected by North Melbourne with pick seven. The 201cm ruckman played 237 games in his 13-year career including 129 at the Kangaroos. But it was at Hawthorn where Hale thrived, becoming a triple-premiership player after featuring in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 three-peat, featuring as a ruckman and tall forward. The Hobart native retired in 2015 after 108 games and 98 goals at the Hawks. Jarrad Waite (Hawthorn) Jarrad Waite was taken with pick 46 under the father-son rule by Carlton as the son of 153-game Blue, Vin Waite. He quickly established himself as a key forward in the Blues' senior side and would go onto play 184 games, kicking 252 goals and leading the goal-kicking in 2014. Later that year he would move to North Melbourne in free agency, where he spent the next four years, tallying a further 60 games and 125 goals before retiring at the end of 2018. [caption id="attachment_20401" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Jarrad Waite of the Kangaroos celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 10 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Optus Stadium on May 27, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Campbell Brown (Port Adelaide) The pint-sized defender was picked up by the Hawks with pick 32 back in 2001 and was infamous for his on-field violence and aggression. He was rewarded for a strong 2007 season at centre-half-back with an All-Australian jacket and in 2008, was a member of Hawthorn's premiership victory over Geelong. In the 2010 offseason, after 159 games for the brown and gold, Brown signed for the Gold Coast Suns ahead of their inaugural season. Brown's three-year career in Queensland was marred with suspensions and off-field incidents, recording just 46 games before ending his career in 2014. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Campbell Brown of the Hawks looks upfield during the round three AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at Etihad Stadium on April 11, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] Leigh Montagna (North Melbourne). Montagna was taken in the second round by St Kilda and made his debut for the club in round two 2002 against Collingwood. The versatile utility could play all over the field but did his best work in the guts, also serving as a run-with player when needed. He played 287 goals for the Saints and finished in the top three in the best-and-fairest on five occasions. Montagna was a figure of consistency for St Kilda and his stellar 2010 and 2011 seasons earned him two All-Australian jackets. "Joey" retired in 2017, capping off a superb 16-year career. [caption id="attachment_6776" align="alignnone" width="594"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Leigh Montagna of the Saints handballs away from a tackling Nick Dal Santo of the Kangaroos during the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on May 8, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] James Kelly (St Kilda) The former Calder Cannon was selected by Geelong with pick 17 in 2001 and made an immediate impact, playing 15 games in his debut season. The onballer would go onto play 273 games for the Cats, featuring in their 2007, 2009 and 2011 triumphs, also earning an All-Australian call-up in 2011. In 2015, Kelly retired from football but following the events of the Essendon drugs saga, signed for the Bombers as a top-up player. Kelly would play a further 40 games for Essendon, mostly as a defender, before retiring in 2017 with 313 games to his name. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: James Kelly of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round eight AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 13, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Aaron Sandilands (Adelaide) The tallest player to ever play AFL, the 211cm giant has been a crucial member for Fremantle since his debut back in 2003. Sandilands was taken with pick 33 in the draft and spent his rookie year developing in the WAFL. The ruckman would go onto play 271 games for the Dockers, earning four All-Australian jackets (2008-10, 2011) and two best-and-fairest awards (2009 and 2015). Sandliands led the league in hit-outs per game in six seasons and played a crucial role in taking Fremantle to their first grand final in 2013. He retired at the end of 2019, with injury marring his final few years in the league. Arguably the second best ruckman of the century. [caption id="attachment_13606" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Aaron Sandilands of the Dockers and Tom Hickey of the Saints contest a boundary throw in during the round 15 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Fremantle Dockers at Patersons Stadium on July 7, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Luke Ball (Collingwood) The former number two pick has fallen to number 11 in our re-draft, but don't be mistaken, he enjoyed a stellar career. Ball played 142 games for St Kilda from 2003 to 2009, earning All-Australian and best-and-fairest honours in 2005, before being named captain in 2006 and 2007. At the end of 2009, Ball requested a trade to Collingwood and eventually found his way there via the draft, spending the next five seasons with the Pies. In his first year he was a part of Collingwood's premiership team and featured prominently in the 2011 grand final side. After significant injuries hampered his final three years with the Pies, Ball retired in 2014 with 223 games and 91 goals to his name. [caption id="attachment_23943" align="alignnone" width="2048"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 29: Luke Ball of the Magpies handballs during the round 23 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 29, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) The former number 23 rookie draft pick was an absolute steal for the Bulldogs and at the time of his retirement, he held the record for the most games played by a rookie drafted player (292). The hard-running defender and midfielder won three club best-an-fairest and three All-Australian selections during his distinguished career, also serving as club captain from 2011 to 2013. But it was the 2016 Premiership which was the most rewarding accolade of his career, after 14 years at the highest level, Boyd had finally tasted the ultimate glory. After a 10-game season in 2017, Boyd decided to call it quits and retired as one of the Bulldogs' greatest ever players. [caption id="attachment_8146" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Matthew Boyd of the Bulldogs celebrates the win on the podium during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Brian Lake (Melbourne) Brian Lake, formerly known as as Brian Harris, was selected by the Western Bulldogs with pick 71 in the 2001 draft. The lockdown defender played 197 games in the red, white and blue, winning a best-and-fairest medal in 2007 and two All-Australian call-ups in 2009 and 2010. During the 2012 trade period, Lake was moved onto Hawthorn where he would play just 54 games, but have an immense impact. Lake's performance in the 2013 Grand Final earned him a Norm Smith Medal and his role in the 2014 and 2015 grand final wins could not be understated. He retired in October following the 2015 victory, bringing his 251-game career to an end. [caption id="attachment_18455" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Brian Lake of the Hawks celebrates with the Premeirship Cup during the 2014 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Nick Dal Santo (Geelong) The second 300-game player on our list, Nick Dal Santo was one of the games premier midfielders for much of the late 2000s-early 2010s. The creative on-baller played 260 games for the Saints, kicking 140 goals and picking up three All-Australian selections. Dal Santo was a crucial figure in the club's successful 2009 and 2010 seasons and tallied a career-best 28 Brownlow votes in 2011 to finish third. In 2013, Dal Santo moved to North Melbourne in free agency and played 62 games for the club before retiring in 2016 on 322 games. [caption id="attachment_9177" align="alignnone" width="707"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Nick Dal Santo of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on May 26, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Steve Johnson (North Melbourne) "Stevie J" was one of the most exciting players of the modern game. Throughout his 293-game career, Johnson managed to pull off the impossible and was the pioneer of the check-side and snap kicks. The mercurial forward played 253 games for Geelong, after being drafted with pick 24, and featured in all three of the Cats' recent premierships. Johnson also earned three All-Australian selections, led Geelong's goal-kicking twice and won a Norm Smith Medal for his dominant performance in the Cats' record-breaking 2007 Grand Final victory. After 14 seasons at Geelong, Johnson finished his career at Greater Western Sydney where he played 40 games across two seasons. Johnson retired in 2017 with 517 goals to his name and is currently fourth on Geelong's all-time goal-kickers list. [caption id="attachment_14628" align="alignnone" width="594"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Steve Johnson of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2011 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)[/caption] Jimmy Bartel (West Coast) Bartel was a big-game player for Geelong in its dominant 2007-2011 era, claiming three premierships, two All Australians, a Brownlow medal and a Norm Smith Medal. Originally taken with pick 8, Bartel climbs up a couple of spots but would easily be a top three pick in a lesser draft. His emergence as a star of the competition came in the midfield, but he later dominated all over the ground, stamping himself as one of the classiest players of the modern era. The star Cat was just as good in his twilight days and probably could've gone on for a few more years, but ultimately hung up the boots at the end of 2016 [caption id="attachment_25558" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Jimmy Bartel of the Cats thanks fans after his 300th match during the 2016 AFL Round 19 match between the Geelong Cats and the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium on July 29, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Mitchell (St Kilda) The four-time premiership Hawk will go down as one of the most decorated players, not just of the modern era, but of all time. Mitchell will largely be remembered for his uncanny ability to kick on both feet. Does anyone even know what his preferred side is to this day? Originally taken with pick 36, Mitchell would prove to be an absolute steal for Alastair Clarkson's unit. On top of the flags, Mitchell was a Rising star medallist, Brownlow medallist, five-time best and fairest winner and three-time All Australian. The star midfielder even moved into a half back role in his latter years and showed he could be just as dominant there. He joined West Coast in 2017 for one final season before hanging up the boots. [caption id="attachment_9715" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Sam Mitchell of the Hawks in action ahead of Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs during the 2016 AFL Second Semi Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 16, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Dane Swan (Fremantle) Swan is one of the game's best characters off the field, which seems to overshadow just how good he was on it. The superstar midfielder was originally selected by Collingwood with pick 58 in what has proven to be one of the biggest draft steals of all time. After a slow start to his career, Swan eventually worked his way into the club's best 22, going on to play 258 games in the black and white. Swan has some sort of football resume and from 2008 onwards, was one of the league's best players. The tattooed onballer won three best and fairests and five All-Australian selections between 2008 and 2013. In that same period, he won a Premiership in 2010 and a Brownlow in 2011. An unstoppable accumulator, Swan led the league in disposals for four consecutive seasons from 2009 and 2013. He retired in n 2016 with a career disposal average of 26.85 per game, which was then the second highest average of all-time. [caption id="attachment_12736" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Dane Swan of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the round six AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essesdon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Chris Judd (West Coast) It feels so wrong putting Judd at pick 3 in a re-draft, but it is simply a reflection of just how good the 'Super' Draft was. Judd ultimately goes where he was originally taken, getting picked up by West Coast with pick 3 from the Sandringham Dragons. The gun midfielder was one of the most explosive, game-breaking midfielders of all time, consistently jolting away from packs with a trademark burst of speed. His signature clearance work is widely regarded to have innovated the game in the mid 2000s. Judd's trophy cabinet is as polished as any, claiming a premiership (2006), two Brownlow Medals, six All Australians and five best and fairests. He was sensationally traded to Carlton at the end of 2007 to return to Melbourne, where he helped build the struggling club back into a finalist. Judd retired at the end of 2015. [caption id="attachment_613" align="alignnone" width="650"] Chris Judd has announced his retirement. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia.[/caption] Luke Hodge (St Kilda) No player is as respected as Luke Hodge. Originally taken with the first overall pick, the chubby youngster looked like a bust in his first three seasons, averaging 15.5, 12.9 and 15.7 disposals respectively. But in 2005 Hodge broke out, culminating in his first All Australian jumper plus selection for Australia in the International Rules series. Things only went up from there for Hodge, finishing his career with four premierships (three as skipper), two Norm Smith Medals, three All Australians and two best and fairests. Being best on ground in the biggest game of the year twice is Hodge's biggest badge of honour, cementing his legacy as the ultimate big-time player. The veteran further enhanced his reputation when he moved to Brisbane at the end of 2017 to help the lowly Lions climb back up the ladder, having not played finals since 2009. In his second season at Brisbane in 2019, he helped them become a genuine premiership contender, finishing second before bowing out of the finals in straight sets. Hodge's dismissal to get carried off the field in his last game is a true testament to his character - a team player. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - OCTOBER 03: Luke Hodge of the Hawks kicks the ball during the 2015 AFL Grand Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Gary Ablett Jnr (Hawthorn) There was some absolute stars in this draft, but none greater than Gary Ablett Jnr. Widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, the son-of-a-gun has done it all. And it's only fitting that he is the last remaining active player from the 'Super' Draft. Originally taken with pick 40 under the father-son rule, Ablett displayed flashes of brilliance in his early days as a small forward, but no one could've predicted that he would live up to his legendary name. Like a lot of Cats, it was 2007 where Ablett took his game to new heights, making a permanent move to the midfield to help Geelong win its first premiership since 1963. From 2009-2014, Ablett averaged 33.8, 31.5, 30.2, 33.8, 31.2 and 32.1 disposals respectively, while booting at least 1.3 goals a game in five of those six seasons. A monster accumulator that boasts electric speed, kicks goals and makes good decisions under pressure with pinpoint disposal, Ablett really is the ultimate modern day footballer. The Little Master is a two-time premiership player, two-time Brownlow medallist, five-time Leigh Matthews trophy winner, eight-time All Australian, six-time best and fairest winner and led his club's goal kicking three times. He moved to the Suns in 2011 before returning to the Cattery in 2018, now spending his twilight days how it all begun - kicking bags of goals up forward. [caption id="attachment_26244" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GEELONG, VICTORIA - AUGUST 25: Gary Ablett of the Cats celebrates after a goal during the round 23 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption]

Re-drafting the first round of the 2001 ‘Super’ Draft

Who should your team have taken 18 years ago, in arguably the best draft of all time?

8. Nick Dal Santo (Geelong)

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	23	19	4	76	137.2
2	SYD	23	18	5	72	136.1
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10	CARL	23	12	10	50	101.5