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.
Continuing on from last week’s efforts, we’ll 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!
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After travelling back to the 2011 draft yesterday, we now turn our attention to 2012, a year in which the Western Bulldogs found three gems that would eventually lead them to premiership glory.
2012 AFL National Draft top 10 as selected:
- Lachie Whitfield – GWS
- Jonathan O’Rourke – GWS
- Lachie Plowman – GWS
- Jimmy Toumpas – Melbourne
- Jake Stringer – Western Bulldogs
- Jack Macrae – Western Bulldogs
- Ollie Wines – Port Adelaide
- Sam Mayes – Brisbane
- Nick Vlastuin – Richmond
- Joe Daniher – Essendon
2012 AFL National Draft top 10 as selected by Zero Hanger:
The 22-year-old has been the standout performer from the 2012 draft after being selected with pick 26, as Jack Viney already has a Melbourne B&F trophy to his name (2016 season), and has also been named as the Demons’ co-captain in 2017.
2. Ollie Wines
An explosive part of Port Adelaide’s midfield, Ollie Wines’ power makes him stand out from other midfielders across the competiton and especially in the Port Adelaide ranks, as the youngster won the club’s award for the best player under 21 three years in a row.
A member of the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership side, Jake Stringer burst onto the scene in 2015 booting 56 goals to earn himself a spot in the All-Australian team that season, and continued on in 2016 with another solid year.
He’s the best ruckman to come from the 2012 draft after being taken with pick 18, as Brodie Grundy’s athleticism and agility around the ground could see the 22-year-old become one of the most consistent ruckmen in the league in the years to come.
5. Jack Macrae
Another member of the Bulldogs’ premiership side, Jack Macrae was an integral part of their fairytale run, and averaged 27.6 disposals in 2016 across 22 games.
A third Bulldog from their 2016 triumph, Lachie Hunter was taken at pick 49 in the draft and played all 26 games last season and averaged almost 28 disposals a game, the most at the club. He also finished third in their B&F count.
7. Joe Daniher
The Essendon forward is one of the more exciting young key position players across the competition, and Joe Daniher has led the Bombers’ goal kicking charts for the past three seasons.
The GWS midfielder has made a strong contribution to the Giants’ line-up since being drafted, although he won’t be able to play again until round eight following a six-month suspension during the off-season last year.
9. Mason Wood
Despite playing just 16 games in his career after being selected at pick 41, Mason Wood has impressed greatly in his short stint at North Melbourne as an important member of their forward line.
10. Tim Membrey
The 46th pick in the draft bagged 44 goals in 2016 to lead St Kilda’s goal kicking tally last season, and the 22-year-old has cemented himself as a strong key forward across the competition.
Notable absentees: Rory Atkins (pick 81), Sam Mayes (pick 8), Nick Vlastuin (pick 9), Dane Rampe (rookie draft, pick 37), Jack Frost (rookie draft, pick 41), Zac Williams (rookie draft, pick 54)
*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.
