Imagine a Super League, a new-look AFL where all existing player contracts are ripped up and every player nominates for the biggest draft ever held.
Where would the players land? Who would be the pivotal player at each club, the generational player setting the agenda for the future, such as Harley Reid at West Coast?
Young guns: Sam Darcy, Nick Daicos and Chad Warner.Credit: Getty/Monique Westerman
How would the clubs react to building their lists from scratch? Should they opt for a long-established, older player with a proven track record but potentially a short run left? Or should they gamble on a young star who could offer a decade or more of high-level play?
A club could overlook Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, arguably the best player in the game, because of his age and limited time left in the game.
I’ve put on the hat of a list manager for this dream draft scenario. So much has to be considered: immediate influence versus long-term potential, age, career longevity, peak performance and injury risk.
My nominees are all players who have at least 10 seasons to offer their new club.
And who is the No.1 pick?
There are two exceptional talents: Collingwood’s third-year sensation and premiership player Nick Daicos, and Reid. While Reid’s explosive potential and excitement have taken the competition by storm and made the Eagles relevant again, Daicos is still the prime choice.
So let’s delve into my top 18 picks and why I picked them.
1. Nick Daicos
He is the AFL’s most valuable player, and a transformative force for Collingwood since his arrival at the end of 2021. He was crucial in lifting the Magpies from 16th place before his arrival to winning the premiership last year. He is the most skilful and the best clutch player in the game, thriving in big moments. His versatility and endurance sets him apart. In just his second season, he registered 28 Brownlow votes before being injured in round 21, which denied him the accolade. Daicos is humble, media savvy and the ultimate teammate who will, in time, excel as a captain. An easy first pick.
West Coast gun Harley Reid fends off a tackle from Collingwood’s Harvey Harrison.Credit: Getty Images
2. Harley Reid
If you were building a footballer in a lab, Reid would be as close as it gets to having every attribute you could ask for: speed, power, forward craft, toughness and an intangible competitiveness reminiscent of legends such as the Brisbane Lions’ Michael Voss and Geelong’s Joel Selwood. Reid is an incredible asset for any club with his marketability and broad appeal across all demographics. It’s only a matter of time before Reid becomes the highest-paid player in the game’s history.
3. Sam Darcy
There is a slight risk with this selection due to unknown injury factors and the fact that we have never seen a player quite like him before. However, the upside is too great to ignore. Standing at 208 centimetres, Darcy is already becoming a nightmare for opposition defences, having taken 19 contested marks and kicked 18 goals in nine games this season. He is a reliable set shot for goal and his ability to play in the ruck is a bonus. Darcy looks hungry and competitive and with three or four more pre-seasons under his belt, his potential is limitless.
4. Jason Horne-Francis
The No.1 pick in the 2020 draft is blossoming into one of the AFL’s most dangerous goal-kicking midfielders. Only 20, Horne-Francis is the top centre-bounce player this season, and his precise kicking and delivery inside forward 50 set him apart from other midfielders. He has breakaway speed and is a constant threat when sent forward. Possessing an unwavering will to win, he aspires to be the best and inspires his teammates with brilliance in crucial stages.
5. Sam Taylor
Every team dreams of having a key defender with Taylor’s attributes. At 25, Taylor is entering his prime, and you can confidently build a back line around him. His capacity to tame the league’s best forwards, win crucial contests and excel as an interceptor make him the game’s premier key defender. There is a slight injury risk with hamstring and concussion issues, but he would not fall below selection five.
Sam Taylor of the Giants and Sam Darcy of the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
6. Zak Butters
At 23, Butters is blossoming into one of the game’s best and most courageous hybrid midfielders, and his stellar form has continued after receiving All-Australian honours and collecting 27 Brownlow votes last year. He thrives in the contest but can break from congestion and split games open, is a beautiful user by foot, and is an inspirational on-field leader.
7. Errol Gulden
Only 21, the brilliant midfielder was an All-Australian and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal in just his third season last year. Gulden is one of the league’s smoothest and hardest-running players and is arguably the best distributor by foot. He exudes leadership and is a safe top-10 pick in this draft.
8. Jed Walter
Selecting Walter at eight may be seen as slightly risky, given the 18-year-old has only played seven games and is far from a proven prospect. However, his performances, combined with the high praise from those within Gold Coast, warrant the comparison to West Coast champion Josh Kennedy. Possessing speed and power on the lead and courage in the air, Walter also demonstrates a keen desire to contribute defensively and hunt the opposition when he does not have the ball. While he may require some time to develop, key forwards with these attributes are exceedingly rare.
9. Chad Warner
The 23-year-old match-winner has emerged as one of the most exciting and formidable players this season. Warner’s style evokes comparisons to dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd, particularly his ability to burn off opponents with breakneck speed. He is equally comfortable inside the stoppage, winning clearances, as he is on the outside. Warner has significantly enhanced his forward craft and aerial ability this season, with 15 goals from 10 matches.
Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.Credit: AFL Photos
10. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Despite a slightly frustrating season, the fourth-year Bulldog, at 22, remains one of the most promising young key forwards in the competition. His speed, marking prowess and goal-kicking ability make him a certainty for selection within the top 10.
11. Ben King
Only 23, King has showcased his goal-scoring prowess by kicking an impressive 116 goals in his past 52 games and there is significant upside for further improvement. While he has only played in 27 wins in his 83-game career, King is poised to thrive in a more competitive team. Standing at 202cm, he will become a more potent threat by adding size to his frame, a natural progression as he completes more pre-seasons. While there is a slight concern regarding his durability, key forwards with as much upside as King don’t remain on the draft board for long.
12. Noah Anderson
Anderson, also 23, is evolving into one of the premier inside/outside midfielders. His draft stock has soared due to improved goal-kicking across the past two seasons. Anderson is a ball magnet and a significant portion of his disposals result in scores for the Suns. He represents an incredibly safe pick at No.12.
13. Luke Jackson
Some clubs may rank Jackson higher due to his valuable ruck craft and versatility. The 22-year-old is already one of the premier high-possession and clearance winners as a ruckman. He loses some value for Fremantle when they force him to play forward, which he hasn’t taken to naturally. However, he remains one of the most valuable young players every club would love to have.
Port Adelaide skipper Connor Rozee.Credit: AFL Photos
14. Connor Rozee
The Port Adelaide captain is enduring a frustrating season following two consecutive All-Australian years. But Rozee would be drafted high up due to his agility, ability to break tackles and versatility to play midfield and forward roles. With three seasons of kicking 20 goals or more on his record, Rozee’s star power is obvious. His standout performance against Essendon in round five underlines this.
15. Nick Blakey
Blakey possesses two exceptional talents: electric speed and outstanding ball use. Equally notable is his ability to compete effectively against small and taller opponents. At 24, his courage to take risks and break games open makes him one of the most captivating players to watch.
Sydney’s Nick Blakey can go on damaging bursts.Credit: Getty Images
16. Izak Rankine
Some clubs may harbour concerns about his two recent hamstring strains. But since Adelaide finally moved Rankine into the midfield this season, he has blossomed into one of the game’s most dangerous players. He combines toughness, lightning speed, skill and brilliance around goals. Champion Data rates him as the sixth-best player this season, and at 24, he has another decade to unfold.
17. Sam Walsh
The 23-year-old Carlton champion, while lacking the upside of players selected before him and dropping down the order due to injury concerns, remains as consistent as any current player. The prolific midfielder exudes character and courage, making him the ideal leader for any young side.
18. Mac Andrew
This selection comes with some risk, as Andrew has not established himself as a reliable AFL player. However, the 20-year-old Gold Coast defender possesses the most upside of any player, with his untapped athleticism and intercept-marking ability. Fast-forward three seasons and Andrew is poised to become the AFL’s leading intercept defender.
While opinions will differ on the order of selection, and the players left out, this exercise highlights that we are in a golden era for the AFL.
Never has there been a period with so many brilliant young players emerging at the same time.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
