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Re-drafting the top 10 picks of the 2011 AFL Draft

The top 10 looks a whole lot different in our re-draft.

Published by
Aidan O'Carroll

The 2011 AFL draft saw GWS receive 11 of the top 14 picks in preparation for their first season in the AFL in 2012.

While there has proven to be some top-end talent to come out of that draft, most of the great players came outside of the top 10 and have since gone on to establish careers as some of the best players in the game.

Original top 10 of the 2011 AFL Draft:

  1. Jonathon Patton (GWS)
  2. Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
  3. Dom Tyson (GWS)
  4. Will Hoskin-Elliot (GWS)
  5. Matt Buntine (GWS)
  6. Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
  7. Nick Haynes (GWS)
  8. Billy Longer (Brisbane)
  9. Adam Tomlinson (GWS)
  10. Liam Sumner (GWS)

Check out what the top 10 would possibly look like ten years on if teams were to re-draft from 2011.

Brad Hill

(Originally: Pick 33, Hawthorn)

Hill was originally taken at pick 33 by Hawthorn and would go on to become a vital part of the Hawks three-peat from 2013 to 2015.

A dashing wingman who knows how to find the footy, Hill has gone on to average 19.6 disposals per game across his career, highlighted by his 2019 season at Fremantle when he produced a mean of 25.1 disposals throughout the year.

The Western Australian's highlights include the three premierships at Hawthorn and a best-and-fairest while at the Dockers in 2017.

Although he hasn't set the world on fire since arriving at St Kilda, the runs that he has put on the board prior to his Moorabbin move sees him rise into our top-10.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Bradley Hill poses for a photograph during a St Kilda Saints AFL media opportunity at RSEA Park on October 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Chad Wingard

(Originally: Pick 6, Port Adelaide)

Wingard was taken inside the top 10 at pick 6 by Port Adelaide and developed into an exciting small forward for the Power.

The South Australian made an impact very early on in his career, averaging 21.3 disposals and kicking 43 goals in just his second season which was enough for him to earn him All-Australian honours in 2013.

The slick forward would then have another stellar season in 2015, kicking 53 goals to claim another All Australian blazer.

Wingard has since developed into a handy midfielder after transferring across to Hawthorn. In his third season since making the move to Waverley Park, the now 28-year-old produced averaging a career-high 22.3 disposals per game in 2021.

The Murray Bridge man's career highlights include these aforesaid All-Australian honours, a best-and-fairest, his pair of Port Adelaide leading goalkicker titles, his trifecta of inclusions in the 22under22 team and the Mark of the Year award in 2014.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Chad Wingard poses during a Hawthorn Hawks AFL media opportunity at Waverley Park on October 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Nick Haynes

(Originally: Pick 7, GWS)

Haynes was taken with pick 7 by the GWS Giants and has become a leader for the club with his excellent intercept marking ability and defensive skills.

Since draft night a decade ago, the Dandenong Stingray has gone on to become a consistent and high-class player who is now seen as one of the best defenders in the game.

Haynes had a career-best year in 2020, averaging 16 disposals and 7.1 marks per game which saw him claim his first All-Australian jumper as well as a best-and-fairest at the club.

As he is still in the prime of his career, the man-bunned Giant could quite easily move up this list if he continues his stellar form in defence.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Nick Haynes of the Giants looks upfield during the round 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Elliot Yeo

(Originally: Pick 30, Brisbane)

Although Yeo was picked up by the Brisbane Lions with pick 30 in this draft, the midfielder would make a name for himself when he went back to his home state to play for the West Coast Eagles.

The dual All Australian is a bruising bull in the engine room who has the ability to turn a game on its head with his work inside the contest. Yeo's inspiring and courageous acts on the field are also ones that lift his teammates on a weekly basis.

Yeo has averaged 19.7 disposals across his career, with his best year coming in 2019 where he averaged 23.7 disposals and 7.3 tackles to go along with 17 Brownlow votes and an All-Australian jumper.

The East Fremantle product's highlights include the 2018 premiership, two All-Australians and two best-and-fairests.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Elliot Yeo of the Eagles kicks on goal during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Optus Stadium on July 27, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Stephen Coniglio

(Originally: Pick 2, GWS)

Coniglio was taken with pick 2 in the draft by the GWS Giants, and has turned into one of the most talented Giants players in their short history.

A classy midfielder who can find the footy on the inside and out, the Western Australian has averaged 24.3 disposals across his career with his best seasons coming in 2016 and 2019 where he polled 17 Brownlow votes in each of those seasons.

While unlucky to have not won a best-and-fairest at the club, this is more than likely due to the star power within a midfield that includes the likes of Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto, Callan Ward and Jacob Hopper.

A quality leader who has taken the captaincy since last year, Conliglio has been struck down with injuries recently but he is still a sublime player who has the capability to get back to his usual high standards.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants leads his team out during the round 7 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Sam Docherty

(Originally: Pick 12, Brisbane)

Docherty was chosen with pick 12 by Brisbane but would only play 13 games with the Lions in his first season before requesting a trade back to Victoria where he landed at Carlton.

From there, Docherty has evolved into a star defender of the game when he is healthy.

Back-to-back ACL injuries ruled him entirely out of the 2018 and 2019 seasons but before that, he was sublime in defence for the Blues.

In 2016, Docherty won the Blues best-and-fairest averaging 25.7 disposals before going even better in 2017, averaging 27.9 disposals and 9.1 marks per game which saw him claim All-Australian honours.

When fit and firing, Docherty is a great player, and a clean bill of health will only improve his standing in the game.

Blues star Sam Docherty Image: Colleen Petch

Taylor Adams

(Originally: Pick 13, GWS)

Adams was taken with pick 13 by GWS as part of the inaugural Giants squad and has developed into a hard-nosed and consistent midfielder since moving to Collingwood.

Consistently averaging near the 27 disposal mark year in year out, the Victorian's form in 2018 almost took his Magpies side to the promised land, where he was awarded best finals player throughout that September.

2020 was Adams' personal best season where he averaged 22.7 disposals and 5.4 tackles in condensed game time. These figures were enough to see him awarded an All-Australian blazer and a club best-and-fairest.

If this draft was done again, Adams would be hard to look past for many clubs as you know what you're getting from him every week.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 6: Taylor Adams of the Magpies thanks fans after his 100th game during the 2018 AFL round 03 match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Tom Mitchell

(Originally: Pick 21, Sydney)

Mitchell was picked up by the Swans with pick 21 as a father-son selection and has turned into one of the best ball-winning midfielders of the modern era.

With his ability to win the ball almost unmatched across the league, Mitchell took out the 2018 Brownlow medal averaging a whopping 35.3 disposals per game whilst also averaging four marks and 6.3 tackles.

The current Hawk averaged even more disposals the year before with 35.8 disposals and collected 25 Brownlow votes in both 2017 and 2021.

Mitchell is a seriously talented midfielder whose highlights include the Brownlow Medal, an AFL MVP award, two All Australians and three best-and-fairests.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Tom Mitchell of the Hawks celebrates the win on the final siren during the round 20 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 4, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Toby Greene

(Originally: Pick 11, GWS)

Greene was taken by GWS with pick 11 and is a crafty mid-sized forward who can kick goals, play in the midfield and do a bit of everything.

Greene is more important to GWS than any other player is to their team in the league due to his ability to make impact plays and drag his team over the line.

The Victorian has a fiery personality which has held him back a bit with his careless actions leading to suspensions and costing his team in big games.

However, he is also by far and away one of the most talented forwards as highlighted by two All-Australians, a best-and-fairest and two-time GWS leading goal-kicker.

Unlucky not to get the top spot, but someone else pipped him for the top gong of the re-draft.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Toby Greene of the Giants celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL First Semi Final match between the GWS Giants and the West Coast Eagles at Spotless Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

 

Lachie Neale

(Originally: Pick 58, Fremantle)

Neale was taken with pick 58 by Fremantle and has been one of the marquee players in the competition after taking out the 2020 Brownlow Medal.

In his Brownlow year, Neale averaged 26.9 disposals in condensed playing time for the Brisbane Lions and cemented himself as one of the best midfielders of the modern era.

The South Australian has averaged upwards of 27 disposals per game since 2015 and averages 26.9 disposals per game over the course of his career.

A silky midfielder with sublime skills with foot and hand, Neale is without doubt an amazing player.

His highlights include the aforesaid Brownlow, two All-Australians, four best-and-fairests and an AFL MVP award.

If this draft was re-done, Neale should be at the top of everyone's list.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Lachie Neale poses during a Brisbane Lions AFL Media Opportunity at the Swan River on October 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Published by
Aidan O'Carroll