Patrick Dangerfield

The best No. 10 picks of the last 25 years

See who made the top 10!

Published by
Aidan Cellini

We're counting down the best draft picks from the last 25 years.

Beginning with all the No. 10 picks and working our way down to No. 1, here are the best of the best from each selection.

Do you remember all of these names?

Joe Daniher

Drafter under the father-son rule, Joe Daniher has provided many highlights over his short time at the Bombers, including the Mark of the Year in 2017.

Since debuting in 2013, he has played 103 games with injuries preventing him from playing continuous football.

The year he won Mark of the Year was the same year he was awarded with All-Australian honours was well as a best-and-fairest win he shared with James Kelly.

That same year he won the Anzac Day medal for his performance against the Pies and also led the goal-kicking for the fourth straight year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Joe Daniher of the Bombers kicks a goal during the 2019 AFL round 05 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on April 19, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Jordan McMahon

Initially drafted to Western Bulldogs, the pacy left-footer made an impact on the wing, playing 114 games in seven seasons.

He started his career slow at the Kennel, but slowly found his feet to which he was labelled as an important member of the Bulldogs' defence.

McMahon was assigned the dangerous small forwards and battled diligently whilst also providing run and rebound from the back half.

From 2008 onwards, McMahon played for the Tigers under his original coach and Australian Hall of Famer, Terry Wallace.

He played some of his best footy at Richmond, including kicking a match winning goal in 2009 against the Demons.

McMahon struggled to find his place in the side with new coach Damien Hardwick and was ultimately delisted at the end of 2010, ending his career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Jordan McMahon of the Bulldogs celebrates the goal that put the Bulldogs in front late in the last quater of the round 20 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 19, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Nathan J. Brown

This bustling defender is renowned for his job he did on St Kilda skipper Nick Reiwoldt in the 2010 Grand Finals.

In his debut season (2008), he played 23 games and found himself as a key member of a Collingwood outfit.

Injury and selection woes kept him to 27 games over the 2009-10 period, which included his 50th game in the Grand Final replay.

The Premiership player did not return to the field in 2011 as he battled a serious knee injury.

2012-13, Brown played majority of those games and continued to show why he was a top 10 pick in his draft.

Brown then suffered multiple injuries to his shoulder which meant he sat out most of 2014.

His career at Collingwood ended in 2016 with 130 games under his belt and a Premiership medallion.

Brown then joined St Kilda as a restricted free agent and is pivotal to the guidance of young defenders as well as their current defensive line-up.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Nathan Brown of the Magpies kisses the Premiership Cup after the Magpies won the AFL Grand Final Replay match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 2, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Luke McPharlin

The Fremantle great was initially drafter to the Hawks, where he played 12 games in two seasons.

McPharlin, being a boy from WA, wanted to return home and was subsequently traded to the Dockers at the end of 2001.

His career at Fremantle started slow, with injuries and selection keeping his game time limited.

In 2005, McPharlin took a hanger against their arch rivals, West Coast, and was awarded Mark of the Year.

He was a consistent backman, who was rarely beaten as he went up against some of the games best.

McPharlin experienced a breakout year in 2012, where played his 200th game but was also awarded with All-Australian honours.

He was also a part of the Dockers' first ever AFL Grand Final appearance the following year, which unfortunately was on the end of a losing team.

Since that year, McPharlin struggled to gain continuity in his body as it slowly started to let him down.

The Fremantle veteran hung up his boots at the end of 2015 with 256 games next to his name.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Luke McPharlin of the Dockers spoils a mark for Lance Franklin of the Swans during the round four AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on April 25, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Simon Prestigiacomo

The well-known 'Presti' was loved and praised for his efforts both on and off the field.

He was loved by everyone, including opposing teams.

Prestigiacomo's career started in 1996 where he played 12 games in his debut season. The following year was a much quieter year as sickness kept him on the sidelines.

From 1999 onwards, Presti had emerged as Collingwood's key defender, who helped the Pies to back-to-back Grand Final appearances.

Although to no avail, Presti was listed as a key performer those days playing against some of the biggest forwards this game has seen.

2005 saw the demise of Collingwood, as their defenders were constantly under the pump against the opponents. However, in 'Presti' fashion, he'd be the one to stand tall.

From then on, Presti was able to play consistent footy, albeit, minor injuries that would rule him out a few games.

He missed out on the finals in 2007 through injury and almost all of 2008.

Prestigiacomo played every game in 2009 including the Preliminary loss to Geelong and was put in the 40-man AA squad but wasn't selected for the team.

In what happened to be his final year, Collingwood made the Grand Final in 2010, which he missed through injury.

When he was asked to play in the Grand Final during the parade, he gave a concerned look as all fans knew he wouldn't be able to get up for it.

He retired as a Collingwood great with 233 games. His famous number of 35 is now given to the top pick of each draft.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Simon Prestigiacomo #35 Collingwood and Kent Kingsley #18 for Geelong in action during the round eight AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground May 20, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Sean Garnsworthy/Getty Images)

Phil Davis

Davis started his career at Adelaide and was there for three seasons before joining the Giants as a marquee player.

His time at Adelaide didn't equate to much, but was under the instruction of veteran Ben Rutten, which Davis had learned a lot from.

Since coming across from the Crows, David was awarded captaincy from the moment he joined the club, as he was going to lead this team for the foreseeable future.

Although the first few years at the Giants were disappointing and frustrating given they'd only won 15 games in four years, all that turmoil and stress led to something.

The rise of the Giants was upon us as their first finals appearance came in 2016, where they were fell short by only a kick against the Bulldogs in that famous Preliminary final.

Although very disappointing, the Giants showed promise and heart the following year, to again make the Prelim, only to be beaten convincingly by the eventual premiers, Richmond.

Davis had played a pivotal part in all this as he continued to show his consistency and durability, as well as his leadership around the club.

2018, the club then lost a semi-final to Collingwood in a scrappy and hard-fought match.

Davis continues to impress with his do-or-die efforts and last-second lunges to ensure he gives his teammates the best shot at Premiership glory.

He has played a total of 157 games and doesn't look like slowing down, given that he hasn't sustained many injuries over his career so far.

Davis usually goes under the radar for the work he does, but the AFL society are slowly starting to realise what this guy does for his team.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: dPhil Davis of the Giants gestures uring the 2017 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Nathan G. Brown

The crafty forward started his illustrious career at the Bulldogs. He played alongside Brownlow medallist Chris Grant and Bulldog legend Brad Johnson.

He showed flash and class in front of goal and proved to be a livewire in front of the big sticks, proving to be a difficult match-up for any defender.

Brown managed to play 137 games in his seven seasons at the Dogs, including two 50-bag hauls and two All-Australian honors in 2001-02.

He then left the kennel in hope for a more lucrative contract, which he was able to find at Richmond.

Brown was reunited with former coach Terry Wallace and continued to perform at a high level, despite the lack of wins the Tigers were getting.

He struggled with injury for the rest of the time at Tigerland, including a frightening leg break which shocked the AFL world.

In his five seasons at Richmond, Brown only managed to play 82 games and was never really at his best like we saw at the Bulldogs.

He is still renowned for his craft around goal and is revered by the Tiger faithful.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Nathan Brown #7 for the Tigers breaks a tackle during the round two AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the St Kilda Saints at the Telstra Dome April 7, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

 

Shane O'Bree

Although many people think O'Bree is a one-club player, he did previously play for the Brisbane Lions for two seasons in the late 90s, playing 19 games.

He impressed many, including coaching great Leigh Matthews who tried to keep O'Bree at the Lions.

O'Bree left to go to Collingwood at the end of 1999, as Mick Malthouse was able to persuade him.

His first two seasons at the Pies saw O'Bree establish himself as a starting midfielder along with Buckley and Burns.

His ability to win the ball in tight and on the outside made O'Bree a pivotal part of the Collingwood midfield.

He played in both losing Grand Finals, where he didn't show his best.

O'Bree continued to notch up games for the black and white which resulted in 246 appearances.

He was known for his constant ability to win clearances and his work around the ground, which helped the Pies to finals appearances toward the end of his career.

Aside from 2010 where injury and lack of form kept him out of the side, his prior years saw him play most, if not all games at a high level.

He continued to impress those around him, as he drove players to better themselves.

O'Bree retired at the end of 2010 as a much loved player of the Collingwood Football Club.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Shane O'Bree of the Magpies kicks during the AFL First Elimination Final between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 10, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Blake Caracella

Caracella started his career at Essendon, where he played 126 games in six seasons.

His slow start to his career was due to the lack of size he had - only weighing 74kg - when he arrived to the club.

Caracella was quickly able to rectify this problem by adding size and strength. The Bombers knew the potential he had as a goalsneak.

The skills and poise he possessed is what made him a top 10 pick and what made the Bombers continue to pick him in the senior side.

In 2000, Caracella proved to be a vital part of Essendon's premiership win, where he contributed 35 goals for the season and averaged just over 20 touches a game.

Controversially, he was traded to the Lions in time for the 2003 premiership win against the Magpies.

In his two seasons at the Lions, he played 34 games, which also included the 2004 Grand Final loss to Port Adelaide.

Salary cap restrictions meant that Caracella was on his way to his third club and the Pies picked him up.

His first year in the black and white, he played all but one game and showed to be important to their lineup.

He had kicked 34 goals that season and was a livewire alongside Leon Davis and Alan Didak.

The following year saw the end of Caracella's career given he only played six games due to injury and opportunity.

The club parted ways with him and his retirement was imminent.

Caracella finished his AFL career with 187 games and two Premiership medallions at two teams.

 

MELBOURNE - MAY 24: Robert Copeland #30, Michael Voss #3 and Blake Caracella #1 of the Lions celebrate their win after the round nine AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Brisbane Lions on May 24, 2003 at Optus Oval in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images).

Patrick Dangerfield

Labelled as one of the best midfielders in the game as we speak, Dangerfield actually started his Adelaide career studying at home in Geelong, meaning he only played two games.

In 2009-10 he started to emerge as a potential player to watch with his attack on the ball and break away speed up there with the best.

From then on, Dangerfield was given more time in the midfield, which he relished in. In 2012, he was awarded his first All-Australian honours for his output, which almost saw the Crows make the Grand Final, but fell devastatingly short of the Hawks.

The following year saw another AA honour and this was the beginning of something special. 'Danger' would start to tear apart games, whether it be with his elite strength and burst from stoppages or on the scoreboard.

2013 saw him kick 31 goals from 20 games as a starting midfielder.

2014 saw Dangerfield step in as co-captain of the Crows and he continued his stellar form over the years with another top five finish in the Brownlow.

Sadly for Adelaide fans, 2015 was Danger's last season at the Crows, albeit he returned to the AA team to receive his third award and his first and only B&F award at the Crows.

He was traded to his hometown Geelong for the start of the 2016, where he started off with a bang. It its annual Easter Monday Clash with Hawthorn, Danger amassed 43 touches for the Cats and helped them to a 35-point win.

That year was something special for Dangerfield as he won his first Brownlow Medal with an average of 32 touches a game and his ability to change the outcomes by himself.

He was awarded with his fourth AA honour, Herald Sun Player of the Year, Lou Richards medal, AFLCA player of the year, the Leigh Matthews trophy and his first B&F for Geelong.

The following year, he continued his form and even got more forward of the ball to impact the scoreboard more. He kicked 45 goals and averaged 30 touches a game that season.

He didn't reach the same heights as the previous year from an individual perspective, but was given his fifth AA honour.

Dangerfield's 2018 was another highlight reel with his speed and ability to extract the ball from stoppages making it hard for fans to turn away and not watch.

He received his sixth AA honour, including being the vice-captain of the team. His unbelievable consistency has proven why he's rated as one of the best players in the game.

Dangerfield has been involved in many Prelim losses, both with Adelaide and Geelong but has never been to the big dance.

Dangerfield and the Cats are primed for 2019 as they sit two games clear on top of the ladder heading toward finals.

Maybe this is the year that Dangerfield has it all?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats handballs during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Published by
Aidan Cellini