AFL News

Re-drafting the top 10 picks of the 2009 AFL Draft

The podium is clear, but who takes top spot?

Published by
Michael Georgiou

The 2009 AFL draft has become famous for Melbourne having the first two picks and not selecting Dustin Martin.

In hindsight, it couldn't have been known the player Dusty would become, but this draft is one of many that saw the Demons use top picks for players that did not reach their potential.

However, they did select one player later on in the draft that they most definitely won't regret, more on that later in the piece.

Original top 10 of the 2009 AFL Draft:

  1. Tom Scully (Melbourne)
  2. Jack Trengove (Melbourne)
  3. Dustin Martin (Richmond)
  4. Anthony Morabito (Fremantle)
  5. Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
  6. Gary Rohan (Sydney)
  7. Brad Sheppard (West Coast)
  8. John Butcher (Port Adelaide)
  9. Andrew Moore (Port Adelaide)
  10. Jake Melksham (Essendon)

With only two of the original names making the updated list, check out what the top 10 would look like if teams were to re-draft today.

*Luke Ball did not make the list since he was originally drafted in 2001

David Astbury

(Originally: Pick 35, Richmond)

The recently retired Astbury was drafted at pick 35 by Richmond and would go on to become an important part of the Tigers' three recent flags.

A poor start to his career due to injury saw him only manage 24 games in five seasons. The 155-gamer eventually settled down back in 2016 and became a regular in the side.

His performances in all three premiership wins were outstanding. In 2017, he kept Adelaide's Taylor Walker goalless until late, when the game was out of reach.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: David Astbury of the Tigers handballs during the round eight AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

In 2019, the veteran led a defence that kept GWS to 25 points, the lowest in a grand final since 1960. He also kept his various opponents disposal-less, including Jeremy Finlayson, who finished with only one touch (not on Astbury).

Finally, in 2020, he began the match as a relief ruck before going back to defence mid-match, where he kept Tom Hawkins to one goal.

Ben Stratton

(Originally: Pick 47, Hawthorn)

Stratton was picked at 47 in 2009 as a mature-aged rookie at 21-years-old.

The former captain was part of the Hawks' three-peat team from 2013-2015. In 2013, he was named Hawthorn's most consistent player.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Ben Stratton of the Hawks breaks away from the defence during the round nine AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Hawthorn Hawks at The Gabba on May 20, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The defender was a consistent name in the team, playing 202 games. Stratton famously only kicked two goals in his 11-year career. One in his first season and the other in his very last game.

Lewis Jetta

(Originally: Pick 14, Sydney)

A top 15 pick in the 2009 draft at Pick 14, Jetta was overlooked in 2007 and 2008 before Sydney gave him a shot.

His debut season was infamous as he kicked 19 consecutive behinds before kicking his first goal in Round 19.

The speedster's career-best season came in 2012 where he was a crucial part of the Swans' premiership side.

The Swan Districts recruit was the club's leading goalkicker with 45 goals, and in the grand final famously outran Cyril Rioli from one end of the MCG to the other.

Jetta played 127 games for the Bloods and another 75 for West Coast, including a second premiership in 2018.

Daniel Talia

(Originally: Pick 13, Adelaide)

Another top 14 pick in 2009, Talia took a while to get going, but once he did, he never looked back.

It took a year and a half before his debut in Round 15 2011, after that he played ever game that season despite carrying an Achilles injury. The key defender broke out the following year in 2012, winning the Rising Star award.

From then on, Talia made the All-Australian team twice (2014, 2016) and the 22under22 team three times (2012-2014).

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Daniel Talia of the Crows handballs whilst being tackled by Jack Silvagni of the Blues during the round 16 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 10, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

An ankle injury restricted him from playing in 2021, and the veteran defender was subsequently was delisted.

The 30-year-old played 200 games for Adelaide and is noteworthy for having the most spoils of the last decade with 1283.

Mitch Duncan

(Originally: Pick 28, Geelong)

From top 30 to top 10, Duncan has enjoyed quite the unrewarded individual career.

He does have a premiership to his name though, having won the flag in 2011 as a substitute, the very first to do so.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Mitch Duncan of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 04 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The midfielder has averaged 22.4 disposals for his career thus far across 231 games.

In 2021 Duncan played just 13 games and averaged elite numbers, amassing 24.5 disposals and 7.5 marks per game.c

Ben Cunnington

(Originally: Pick 5, North Melbourne)

Keeping his spot at No.5, Cunnington holds his place among the top of the draft.

The Geelong Falcon is one of the most underrated midfielders of his generation. Finishing top two in the Syd Barker Medal count (best and fairest) for six out of the last eight years, the 227-gamer won the medal in 2014 and 2019.

It is unbelievable the consistency to stay at the top level year after year, with a big part of his game being contested work at stoppages.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Ben Cunnington of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal kicked by Cameron Zurhaar of the Kangaroos during the 2019 AFL round 16 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda at Blundstone Arena ground on July 07, 2019 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 30-year-old managed to still finish second in the best and fairest for 2021 despite missing seven games. His season was cut short due to a testicular tumour needing to be cut out.

In his 15 games, he averaged 26.8 disposals, 4.9 tackles and 7.5 total clearances, the latter being an elite rating for his position.

Jack Gunston

(Originally: Pick 29, Adelaide)

Taken at Pick 29 by Adelaide, Gunston has become one of the premier forwards in the game.

This really began to take shape after his move to Hawthorn on the eve of their three-peat.

The Sandringham Dragon was a crucial part of each premiership campaign, starting with 2013, where he was one of the best in the grand final with a game-high four goals and came second in the Norm Smith Medal count.

In 2014, the key-forward was crucial to the season, with a career-high 58 goals. A season that saw him make the 22under22 team.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

2015 saw Gunston kick 57 goals to take home the club leading goal scorer award, which included four goals in the grand final win against West Coast.

Since the three flags, the Victorian has continued to shine, highlighted by another leading goalkicker award in 2016, a 2018 All-Australian nod and a club best and fairest in 2020.

In a season that had reduced game time and only 17 home and away games, Gunston had an outstanding season.

In a side that only won five games, the veteran kicked 31 goals, as the club's leading goal scorer. What makes this more impressive was he did it while also notching at least 30 inside 50s, the only player in the AFL to do so that year.

The Hawk also ranked number one amongst key forwards for metres gained, averaging 236.2 m

Only playing one game this year due to a back injury, Gunston is primed to return in 2022, possibly to add to an already illustrious career.

Max Gawn

(Originally: Pick 34, Melbourne)

The reigning premiership captain finds himself sky-rocketing from Pick 34 to Pick 3.

One of the most dominant ruckmen in recent memory, Max Gawn is renowned for not only his tap-work but his ability to utilise possession across all lines of the ground.

The former Sandringham Dragon could very well lay claim to be the best ruck in the competition.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Max Gawn of the Demons and Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs pose for a photograph during the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final Coaches and Captains Pre-Match Press Conference at Kings Park on September 24, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Not only that but after this year's flag, which arguably wouldn't be possible without him, Gawn has comfortably cemented himself as an icon of the Melbourne Football Club.

His 2021 season saw him make the All-Australian team for the fourth straight year, now claiming five overall after claiming his maiden jumper in 2016.

With season averages of 32.2 hit outs (10.2 to advantage), 18.5 disposals and 4.4 clearances, the No.11 finds himself amongst the elite.

The 159-gamer's accomplishments include the aforementioned premiership and five All-Australian, as well as two club best and fairest (2018, 2020), AFLCA Champion Player of the year for 2020 and the 2016 Neale Daniher Trophy.

Nat Fyfe

(Originally: Pick 20, Fremantle)

Originally picked toward the end of the first round at 20, Nat Fyfe finds himself in the top two in this re-draft.

Arguably could have been Pick 1, Fyfe has enjoyed a sustained period of excellence, making him one of the premier midfielders of this generation.

Despite injuries holding him down through the years, the Claremont export has been able to achieve a lot.

It didn't take Fyfe long to break out into the star player he is.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers is seen after winning the Brownlow Medal during the 2019 Brownlow Medal Count at Crown Palladium on September 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

In his second season, the midfielder came second in the Doig Medal (best and fairest) count and polled the most Brownlow votes for Fremantle.

The following season, in 2012, despite only playing nine games in the home and away season (two of which were compromised due to injury), he still polled the second-most votes for Fremantle at the Brownlow (14) and led the team for contested possessions (12.5 average).

From then on Fyfe had become one of the competition's best.

Two Brownlow Medals (2015, 2019), three All-Australian nods (2014, 2015, 2019), three Doig Medals (2013, 2014, 2019) and two Leigh Matthews Trophies (2014, 2015) add to the superstar's honours list.

In recent years, the Western Australian has played forward at times but still manages to be a leading ball winner at the Dockers.

This year, in 15 games, Fyfe was still above average despite injuries, averaging 24.1 disposals, 4.1 tackles and 5.7 total clearances.

Dustin Martin

(Originally: Pick 3, Richmond)

The No.1 player from the 2009 crop is Dustin Martin.

'Dusty' beats out Fyfe for what he brings to the table, not only an elite ball-winning midfielder but also an x-factor for the Tigers.

The face of the recent Richmond dynasty, Martin went on an absolute tear from 2016 onwards.

In 2017, Dusty potentially had the greatest season of any player in V/AFL history.

An All-Australian selection, club best and fairest, Leigh Matthews Trophy, AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. Those alone make for an all-time great season, but he won more.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Dustin Martin of the Tigers chases the ball during the AFL round six match between the Collingwood Magpies and Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

A record-breaking Brownlow win, on all fronts, votes and most three votes, followed by a Norm Smith and Gary Ayres Award (best finals player) in a premiership win.

The former Bendigo Pioneer further added to his legacy by helping the yellow and black to another two flags, where he won his unprecedented second and third Norm Smith Medals.

A big-game player, Martin plays his absolute best when it matters most, but he still gets it done in the regular season, his Brownlow will account to that. As would, his four All-Australian nods (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020).

Now this would be controversial, given the man is a polarising figure in the AFL community, but there is no denying his accomplishments.

Published by
Michael Georgiou