Righto, I'll have a crack. As far as I can tell the only phantom drafts I've participated in were 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, so there's a big gap of players who'd be in their prime. I did get Gold Coast's abundant 2010, and had both Carlton and Geelong in 2016.
1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
2. Sam Day. The dislocated hip really derailed him. Still a handy KPP who can play at both ends and is still in the league after a dozen years but might have been even better. Not my fault. Tick.
3. Harley Bennell. If not for that KHunt introducing him to powders, could have been a top-5 player in the league, a better Daniel Wells. Wouldn't have happened under my watch.
3. Cam Rayner. Impactful, good finals player. Fat (improvement still to come). Tick.
6. Tim Taranto. The hits keep coming. Second-best player from his draft now united with the best.
7. Shaun Atley. 200-game half-back-flanker my biggest fail so far.
9. Daniel Gorringe. He can host our podcast.
10. Tom Lynch. Home run.
10. Nick Coffield. Ugh.
11. Jack Darling. Boo-yah!
13. Pat McCarthy. Was list-building in Gold Coast's first draft so favoured KPPs. AA junior but only 1 AFL game. Fail.
18. Sam Butler. Promising first season in 2022 with 9 games/6 goals for Hawthorn.
27. Alex Witherden. Never became the midfielder I projected him to be, and maybe thanks to his draft year broken leg, too slow for the HBF he has played. Still listed after six years but meh.
28. Brandon Parfitt. Just played in a flag so I guess that's alright.
30. Nathan Murphy. Established himself as a key part of one of the best defences in the comp. Another tick.
34. Judson Clarke. I think we can all agree this kid will be a star. Joined the illustrious first two kicks two goals club on debut.
35. Viv Michie. Played 22 AFL games and won a state league B&F. Not bad but probably a fail.
39. Ben Newton. 17 AFL games, 12 goals. GTFO.
40. Marlion Pickett. Bada-BING!
40. Cooper Murley. First year at Collingwood this year, yet to debut.
43. Jordan Ridley. B&F winner, All-Australian squad member. Pretty good pick.
45. Angus Anderson. Undrafted last year, played as an overager this year. Don't think he makes it. Spewing I took him ahead of one of my faves in Arthur Jones.
48. Isaac Cumming. I reckon this guy is one of the more underrated players in the comp. After a slow start to his career he played 24 games in 2021, averaging 21.8 disposals off half-back, improving to 23.5 in 21 this year. Great size, beautiful kick. Big tick.
49. Tyler Chalwell. Classic youtube fan favourite draft smokey. Never made it to the AFL, spent many years at East Fremantle in the WAFL but no star at that level. Buh-bow.
52. Jamie Hampton. As talented as his brother Curtly. Achieved even less. Say no more.
61. Tom Williamson. The only player younger than Shai Bolton to be drafted in 2016. Played 44 games for the Blues but just 1 this year before being delisted. Great size and pace at 190, wouldn't be surprised if someone picks him up unless he has an injury I don't know about. Okay pick for the 60s.
62. Elliott Himmelberg. Career-best 11 games, 14 goals this year for 38 games/40 goals total. Okay forward, reckon he could make a key defender if settled there.
63. Zac Foot. 2 games for Sydney, now I think playing for Southport in the VFL and doing pretty well. Turns 22 in December but probably unlikely to get another go.
66. Ben Ronke. Played 8 games for the Swans this year (6 goals) to give him 44 games/39 goals over six seasons. Looks like he peaked in his second year on the list when he kicked 24 goals in 18 games, including 7 in his third-ever match. This late, you'd take it.
71. Darcy Cameron. Forced Brodie Grundy out of the club. Boom!
73. Adam Sambono. Swing and a miss.
74. Ed Phillips. Managed 15 games for the Saints.
75. Josh Williams. 2 games for Norf.
79. Jack Ross. You might have heard of him.
81. Oscar Junker. Rookie-listed by Norf, never played.
91. Mitch McCarthy. Rookie-listed by Collingwood, never played.
Rookie: Kane Farrell. Ask @The Big Richo what a good pick this was. Swish.
B: Ridley Himmelberg Murphy
HB: Cumming Day Atley
C: Pickett Taranto Farrell
HF: Rayner Darling Bennell
F: Ronke Lynch Clarke
R: Cameron Swallow Parfitt
I: Ross Butler Williamson Coffield Witherden
Not bad from 37 picks. Bit thin on mids but I would have drafted Oliver, Bont, Stringer and Lever in those drafts I missed,
Please don't bombard me with suggestions I send my resume to Blair Hartley. He knows where I am.*
*He doesn't.
1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
2. Sam Day. The dislocated hip really derailed him. Still a handy KPP who can play at both ends and is still in the league after a dozen years but might have been even better. Not my fault. Tick.
3. Harley Bennell. If not for that KHunt introducing him to powders, could have been a top-5 player in the league, a better Daniel Wells. Wouldn't have happened under my watch.
3. Cam Rayner. Impactful, good finals player. Fat (improvement still to come). Tick.
6. Tim Taranto. The hits keep coming. Second-best player from his draft now united with the best.
7. Shaun Atley. 200-game half-back-flanker my biggest fail so far.
9. Daniel Gorringe. He can host our podcast.
10. Tom Lynch. Home run.
10. Nick Coffield. Ugh.
11. Jack Darling. Boo-yah!
13. Pat McCarthy. Was list-building in Gold Coast's first draft so favoured KPPs. AA junior but only 1 AFL game. Fail.
18. Sam Butler. Promising first season in 2022 with 9 games/6 goals for Hawthorn.
27. Alex Witherden. Never became the midfielder I projected him to be, and maybe thanks to his draft year broken leg, too slow for the HBF he has played. Still listed after six years but meh.
28. Brandon Parfitt. Just played in a flag so I guess that's alright.
30. Nathan Murphy. Established himself as a key part of one of the best defences in the comp. Another tick.
34. Judson Clarke. I think we can all agree this kid will be a star. Joined the illustrious first two kicks two goals club on debut.
35. Viv Michie. Played 22 AFL games and won a state league B&F. Not bad but probably a fail.
39. Ben Newton. 17 AFL games, 12 goals. GTFO.
40. Marlion Pickett. Bada-BING!
40. Cooper Murley. First year at Collingwood this year, yet to debut.
43. Jordan Ridley. B&F winner, All-Australian squad member. Pretty good pick.
45. Angus Anderson. Undrafted last year, played as an overager this year. Don't think he makes it. Spewing I took him ahead of one of my faves in Arthur Jones.
48. Isaac Cumming. I reckon this guy is one of the more underrated players in the comp. After a slow start to his career he played 24 games in 2021, averaging 21.8 disposals off half-back, improving to 23.5 in 21 this year. Great size, beautiful kick. Big tick.
49. Tyler Chalwell. Classic youtube fan favourite draft smokey. Never made it to the AFL, spent many years at East Fremantle in the WAFL but no star at that level. Buh-bow.
52. Jamie Hampton. As talented as his brother Curtly. Achieved even less. Say no more.
61. Tom Williamson. The only player younger than Shai Bolton to be drafted in 2016. Played 44 games for the Blues but just 1 this year before being delisted. Great size and pace at 190, wouldn't be surprised if someone picks him up unless he has an injury I don't know about. Okay pick for the 60s.
62. Elliott Himmelberg. Career-best 11 games, 14 goals this year for 38 games/40 goals total. Okay forward, reckon he could make a key defender if settled there.
63. Zac Foot. 2 games for Sydney, now I think playing for Southport in the VFL and doing pretty well. Turns 22 in December but probably unlikely to get another go.
66. Ben Ronke. Played 8 games for the Swans this year (6 goals) to give him 44 games/39 goals over six seasons. Looks like he peaked in his second year on the list when he kicked 24 goals in 18 games, including 7 in his third-ever match. This late, you'd take it.
71. Darcy Cameron. Forced Brodie Grundy out of the club. Boom!
73. Adam Sambono. Swing and a miss.
74. Ed Phillips. Managed 15 games for the Saints.
75. Josh Williams. 2 games for Norf.
79. Jack Ross. You might have heard of him.
81. Oscar Junker. Rookie-listed by Norf, never played.
91. Mitch McCarthy. Rookie-listed by Collingwood, never played.
Rookie: Kane Farrell. Ask @The Big Richo what a good pick this was. Swish.
B: Ridley Himmelberg Murphy
HB: Cumming Day Atley
C: Pickett Taranto Farrell
HF: Rayner Darling Bennell
F: Ronke Lynch Clarke
R: Cameron Swallow Parfitt
I: Ross Butler Williamson Coffield Witherden
Not bad from 37 picks. Bit thin on mids but I would have drafted Oliver, Bont, Stringer and Lever in those drafts I missed,
Please don't bombard me with suggestions I send my resume to Blair Hartley. He knows where I am.*
*He doesn't.