Leading into the 2017 season, we at Zero Hanger have decided to dive back into the history books and look at some of the drafts since the turn of the century.
Over the course of the next two weeks, weโll be re-drafting the top 10 from these drafts, so feel free to let us know what you think of our selections, and even comment your own!
Today we look back at the 2008 draft after checking in on the 2007 draft on Thursday, and this re-draft saw a lot of changes to the top 10.
2008 AFL National Draft top 10 as selected:
- Jack Watts - Melbourne
- Nic Naitanui - West Coast
- Stephen Hill - Fremantle
- Hamish Hartlett - Port Adelaide
- Michael Hurley - Essendon
- Chris Yarran - Carlton
- Daniel Rich - Brisbane
- Ty Vickery - Richmond
- Jack Ziebell - North Melbourne
- Phil Davis - Adelaide
2008 AFL National Draft top 10 as re-drafted by Zero Hanger:
- Nic Naitanui
He was selected behind Jack Watts in the original draft, but Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui has turned out to be the most damaging player from the talent pool that year, The 2012 All-Australian will miss most of 2017, but there's no doubt he can get back to his best next season.
2. Dan Hannebery
A three-time All-Australian and a member of the Swans' 2012 premiership side, Dan Hannebery was taken at pick 30 and has since cemented himself as a key component of one of the league's strongest midfields.
3. Rory Sloane
Taken at pick 44 in the draft, the two-time Adelaide B&F winner and 2016 All-Australian member has become one of the Crows' best players in recent years, and Rory Sloane is a leader in their engine room.
4. Jack Ziebell
He has been named North Melbourne's captain for 2017, and Jack Ziebell is widely known across the league as one of the toughest and hardest midfielders going around.
5. Steele Sidebottom
Selected at number 11 in the draft, the 2010 premiership player will enter the 2017 season as Collingwood's vice-captain for a third straight year, as Steele Sidebottom continues to excel in Pies colours.
6. Luke Shuey
West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey has been a consistent performer in the Eagles' midfield for years now, and even won their 2016 B&F award, all after being taken at 18 with West Coast's priority pick.
7. Michael Hurley
One of the banned Bombers returning in 2017, Michael Hurley was hitting his straps before the suspension having been named to the 2015 All-Australian side.
8. Dayne Beams
The 29th pick was a premiership player for the Pies in 2010, and Dayne Beams made the move north to Brisbane in 2015 and is now the captain of the club. He's also won a B&F award with both sides (Pies in 2012, Lions in 2015).
9. Phil Davis
The former Adelaide defender has been a co-captain of GWS since 2012, their inaugural season in the league, and has been a rock down back in a young back six.
10. Michael Walters
Fremantle's leading goal kicker for three of the past four years, pick number 53 Michael Walters has solidified himself as one of the game's best small forwards, and was recently rewarded with a contract extension until 2020.
Notable absentees: Hayden Ballantyne (pick 21), David Zaharakis (23), Daniel Rich (7), Hamish Hartlett (4), Liam Picken (rookie draft pick 30), Luke Breust (rookie draft pick 47)
*Disclaimer: Despite players being selected in the rookie and pre-season drafts, we have chosen to select only players in this list who were drafted in the National Draft for the purpose of this series.
