Re-drafting the top 10 picks of the 2015 AFL Draft

The 2015 National Draft saw the Blues hold the opening pick in what has turned out to be a very successful draft for the club. Whilst the 2015 Draft may not have as many superstars as some others, 19 of the top 20 picks have made it to 50 games with Sam Weideman the only exception on 49. Once Weideman reaches this milestone, it will be the first time in AFL history where all top 20 picks will have played 50 games or more. We take a look at the 2015 draft six years on and redraft the top 10 selections. Original Top 10 of the 2015 AFL Draft: Jacob Weitering (Carlton) Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs) Callum Mills (Sydney) Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) Darcy Parish (Essendon) Aaron Francis (Essendon) Jacob Hopper (GWS) Callum Ah Chee (Gold Coast) Sam Weideman (Melbourne) Harry McKay (Carlton) Ben Keays (Originally: Pick 24, Brisbane Lions) Keays is up 13 picks since being taken at Pick 24 in the draft by the Brisbane Lions. After limited game time for the Lions, Keays was traded to the Crows at the end of 2019. Whilst the 24-year-old had a slow start at the Crows, averaging just 16.6 disposals a game, Keays has since become one of the most improved players in the competition, averaging 28.1 disposals and 6.1 tackles per game. http://gty.im/1234805742 Eric Hipwood (Originally: Pick 14, Brisbane Lions) Often compared to the likes of Buddy Franklin and Joe Daniher due to his athleticism and penetrating left foot, Hipwood has consistently shown his ability to impact games. So far, the 24-year-old has kicked 163 goals in 110 games for the Lions with an average of 1.5 goals a game. Unfortunately, Hipwood suffered an ACL injury in July to put a premature end to his season. This injury is likely to keep the big forward out for the majority of the 2022 season as well. [caption id="attachment_34256" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Eric Hipwood of the Lions celebrates during the 2019 AFL round 23 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Menegola (Originally Pick 66, Geelong Cats) Menegola is by far the biggest mover on this list, moving up 58 spots. The mature-aged recruit has proven to be a great investment for the Cats with his ability to accumulate the ball and find the loose player. Having been trialled as an inside midfielder before, Menegola has now solidified himself a spot on Chris Scott's wing. Highlighting his importance to the Cats was his 2020 season which saw him named as part of the All-Australian squad of 40 on the back of averaging 21 disposals in limited minutes. [caption id="attachment_24740" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Sam Menegola of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal during the round 15 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Jacob Hopper (Originally: Pick 7, GWS) Hopper has been anything but disappointing for the Giants, holding onto his place at seventh overall in our re-formed draft. Having played 107 games, Hopper had a breakout season this year to average 26.4 disposals per game on his way to making the All-Australian squad of 40. Expect him to be in and around the All-Australian team in the next few years. [caption id="attachment_13220" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Jacob Hopper of the Giants leaps for a mark during the roUnd 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Fremantle Dockers at Spotless Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption] Josh Dunkley (Originally: Pick 25, Western Bulldogs) Having been likened to Luke Parker early into his career due to his ability to win the ball in the contest and take big marks, Dunkley was taken at pick 25 from the Gippsland Power. Despite being plagued by injury, Dunkley has managed to become a premiership player and runner-up whilst playing as an inside midfielder and forward. Had Dunkley not have gotten injured against the Giants, he would have probably been in conversations for the All-Australian midfield. The star Pup will be a huge part of the Bulldogs' shot at redemption if he can stay healthy. [caption id="attachment_82404" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs in action during the 2021 AFL Round 04 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Mars Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Callum Mills (Originally: Pick 3, Sydney Swans) Despite being trialled at half-back for the Swans throughout his career, Mills showed us all why he was drafted in the guts this year. The rough nut midfielder managed to poll 18 Brownlow votes this year off the back of accumulating 27.5 disposals and 5.3 tackles per game. His ability to crash into contests and win the ball sees him as a future star of the competition. [caption id="attachment_7114" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Callum Mills of the Swans handballs whilst being tackled by Nick Graham of the Blues during the NAB Challenge AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 11, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Darcy Parish (Originally: Pick 5, Essendon Bombers) In our re-draft, Parish moves up one spot thanks to a magnificent season with the Bombers this year. In 2021, Parish collected an average of 30.5 disposals a game to go along with 7.5 clearances a game which saw him finish equal fifth in the Brownlow with 26 votes. The midfielder's ability to win the ball in the contest and spread it out to open teammates makes him such an important player for the Bombers going forward. [caption id="attachment_82665" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Darcy Parish of the Bombers wins the ANZAC Day medal for best of ground during the round six AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )[/caption] Harry McKay (Originally: Pick 10, Carlton Blues) 'The Big H' has always been seen as a promising player but this year showed exactly what all the hype was about. The All-Australian managed to kick 57 goals whilst leading the competition in contested marks on his way to collecting the 2021 Coleman Medal. His combination of height, skill and agility provides the Blues with the platform to really excel going into the future. [caption id="attachment_84057" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Harry McKay of the Blues is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the round 3 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on April 04, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Jacob Weitering (Originally: Pick 1, Carlton Blues) Whilst Weitering doesn't have as many accolades as his Blues teammate in Harry McKay, Weitering has been the more consistent player over the journey of their careers and gets the nod for Pick 2 in our re-draft. Despite a shaky start to his career, Weitering has quickly become one of the elite defenders in the competition. He possesses the rare ability to shut down his man whilst also peeling off his opponent to intercept when necessary. With the absence of Liam Jones, Weitering will be especially important for Michael Voss' side in 2022. [caption id="attachment_80927" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Jacob Weitering of the Blues kicks the ball during the round 7 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba on July 19, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Clayton Oliver (Originally: Pick 4, Melbourne Demons) Here he is, the best player from the 2015 draft. Whilst the others below Oliver in the top 10 warranted their selections following stellar 2021 campaigns, Oliver had the best year of his career to date to take the top spot. In his 124-game spell with the Demons, Oliver has managed to average a whopping 28.4 disposals, 6.6 clearances and six tackles a game. Just six years into his career, Oliver is one of the most decorated midfielders in the game, boasting a resume that includes an AFLCA Player of the Year Award, two All Australian blazers, two best and fairests and being an integral part of Melbourne's premiership this year. The scary thing is, he's only just getting started. [caption id="attachment_33130" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Clayton Oliver of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium on July 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	COLL	17	14	3	56	136.1
2	BL	17	12	4	50	116.8
3	ADEL	17	12	5	48	136.1
4	GEEL	17	11	6	44	127.6
5	GC	16	11	5	44	121.8
6	HAW	17	11	6	44	116.8
7	GWS	17	11	6	44	113.1
8	FRE	17	11	6	44	109.3

Re-drafting the top 10 picks of the 2015 AFL Draft

An abundance of stars have emerged from arguably the AFL’s most consistent draft.

Original Top 10 of the 2015 AFL Draft:

6. Josh Dunkley

(Originally: Pick 25, Western Bulldogs)

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