The 2015 draft was a bumper draft, with many of the players who went in these proceedings going on to be stars of the competition.
Whilst there have been some who haven't exactly lit up the competition that were drafted highly, there have also been some massive movers who have come from later picks to achieve big things.
Here is the original first 18 of the draft for context:
- Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
- Josh Schache (Brisbane)
- 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)
- Wayne Milera (Adelaide)
- Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
- Matthew Kennedy (GWS)
- Eric Hipwood (Brisbane)
- Daniel Rioli (Richmond)
- Harrison Himmelberg (GWS)
- Tom Doedee (Adelaide)
- Jade Gresham (St Kilda)
For context, in this draft, several teams bid for Academy players and shuffled up the draft order (i.e. Sydney with Callum Mills). However, to avoid hypotheticals, the draft order will stay the same, so Sydney for example still will slide in at Pick 3 regardless of the player they draft. Teams will also be drafting for need, and not necessarily the best player.
Without further ado, here is the 2015 draft, re-done.
3. Callum Mills - Sydney (Original position - Pick 3)
The Swans poached Mills after bidding on him as an academy prospect, and in this hypothetical universe they will do the exact same.
The 25-year-old has been a stalwart for the Swans since his drafting, winning the 2016 Rising Star and cementing himself at the very core of John Longmire's side.
There is no uncertainty over whether the Sydney recruitment would go for Mills again if they had their chance, and the midfielder will be the face of the side for many years to come yet.
