Hindsight, in all it's gloriousness, is 20/20.
In seasons gone by, hits, steals and misses on AFL draft night has oft been a topic of discussion. While the early first round picks get all the fame and glory, others slide under the radar and are forced to wait idly by to hear their name read out on draft night.
Let's look into players league-wide who were chosen with later draft picks, who have turned out to be bargain pickups.
2014
Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) - pick 61
In his 73 games with the Brisbane Lions, Vice-Captain Andrews has displayed all the signs and signals of a competition star. His Athleticism, hunger, and ability to intercept mark and react accordingly are second to none. These traits led the young star to be among discussions for All-Australian honours, that is prior to injuries sustained at the season's half way mark. The young leader was nominated by Brisbane as an Academy Selection in 2014 Academy and Father-Son bidding, resulting in the club selecting him with their pick 61 overall.
Caleb Daniel (Pick 46, Western Bulldogs, 2014)
A member of the Western Bulldogs' Grand Final winning side in 2016, the 168cm tall South Australian native put his elite endurance on show in the NAB AFL Draft Combine, recording top honours in the beep test and scoring 25/30 in the clean hands test.
Daniel played 10 games in his debut 2015 season, and 24 games in season 2016. The midfield dynamo finished runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star award to Sydney's Callum Mills. We would have to presume the reason why Daniel was a draft slider was that for a contested ball winner, he has a distinct lack of size and was projected to struggle making it at the top level. To his credit, the crafty playmaker has managed to hold his own and compete with the bigger bodies.
Ed Langdon (Fremantle) - pick 54
The younger brother of Collingwood's Tom Langdon, Ed has progressivley gotten better and better every season.
But 2018 is when the 22-year old has really gone to another level, averaging 21.6 disposals and 5.3 marks, the former ranking fifth at the Dockers.
