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)
3Gold Coast select: Izak Rankine (-)
Gold Coast opt to maintain their selection of Izak Rankine in this redraft, given he filled an important list need for them at the time and played such an important role at the club in his time there.
In fact, until 2025 when Bailey Humphrey emerged as the X-factor forward for the Suns, his absence was as noticeable as it gets. In 48 games, Rankine kicked 57 goals and averaged just shy of five score involvements per game, leading the metric twice (2020, 2022).
Losing Rankine in the 2022 trade period was unfortunate for Gold Coast, but his importance in those rebuilding years is unquestionable, and hence, he is selected again in this redraft.
