The original top-10 from 2014 is largely a story of unfulfilled potential, with Paddy McCartin (Pick 1), Jarrod Pickett (Pick 4), Caleb Marchbank (Pick 6), Paul Ahern (Pick 7) and Nakia Cockatoo (Pick 10) managing a mere 164 combined games.
McCartin, Marchbank, Ahern and Cockatoo have all had injury-plagued careers, while Pickett struggled with motivation after switching clubs and eventually being released by the Blues.
On the other hand, Melbourneโs two top-three selections in 2014 (Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw) have panned out splendidly, with both recently becoming premiership players and Petraccaโs arguable status as a top-five player in the competition.
We take a look at that draft seven years on and re-select what we feel is the top-10 from 2014.
Original top 10 of the 2014 National Draft:
- Paddy McCartin (St Kilda)
- Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
- Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
- Jarrod Pickett (GWS)
- Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
- Caleb Marchbank (GWS)
- Paul Ahern (GWS)
- Peter Wright (Gold Coast Suns)
- Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
- Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)
8. Touk Miller
(Originally: Pick 29, Gold Coast Suns)
Miller, a largely unheralded player during his time at the Gold Coast (having been in the shadows of the likes of Gary Ablett and David Swallow), finally earned some much-deserved recognition in 2021; securing his first All-Australian selection after a career-best year.
The 25-year-old averaged a blistering 31.8 disposals, 4.5 marks and 7.1 tackles per game (all career-highs) this past season while ranking fifth in the league in disposals per game and fourth in total tackles.
Miller, alongside Swallow and improving youngsters Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, form a Suns midfield brigade that could make a lot of noise in 2022 and beyond.
