The 2018 National Draft was one of the more loaded draft classes of the past decade, with nine players being selected into an All-Australian squad at least once in their careers, while a further six have played key roles in premiership glory.
However, looking back, it's clear several clubs got it wrong with early selections and, had they had the luxury of seven years of hindsight, things would have played out very differently.
So, here's the first 10 picks of 2018 AFL draft re-selected, based off their career achievements thus far, fit into the respective clubs at the time and how likely they are to continue their star trajectory beyond 2025.
For context, here were the original first 10 selections in the 2018 National Draft:
1. Sam Walsh (Carlton)
2. Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)
3. Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
4. Max King (St Kilda)
5. Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
6. Ben King (Gold Coast)
7. Bailey Smith (Bulldogs)
8. Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)
9. Chayce Jones (Adelaide)
10. Nick Blakey (Sydney)
2Gold Coast select: Bailey Smith (+5)
Bailey Smith's career has had its fair share of controversy, but there's no doubt he's a star of the game, with his running and ball-winning capabilities truly coming to light since joining Geelong.
However, he's played a key role in two grand final sides - kicking a career-high 17 goals in the Western Bulldogs' 2021 runner-up season, which included a famous clutch goal against the Suns' archrivals at the Gabba.
Smith is the obvious replacement for Lukosius, who has had a solid career of his own thus far, though it pales in comparison to Smith's recent accomplishments. Seeing how well Smith has played with the likes of Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield in the middle suggests a trio of him, Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson, who were both drafted a year later at Picks 1 and 2, would be an enticing engine room to witness.
