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)
4St Kilda select: Sam Walsh (-3)
St Kilda took a gamble on Max King in the 2018 AFL Draft, and while he still shapes to become a damaging key forward in the future, he has been unable to get his body right and ultimately played the second-fewest games of a top 10 pick from this draft class.
Therefore, the decision to take the best available talent in Sam Walsh is a no-brainer, considering their mediocre midfield depth at the time and Walsh's proven resume as one of the best onballers in the league.
Walsh's last few seasons of injuries and inconsistency on the field have seen him lose his claim as the first overall selection, but he still has proven to be a legitimate midfield force - and a Brownlow contender at that, too.
