When the 2015 NAB AFL Draft kicks off in Adelaide on Tuesday, November 24, Western Bulldogs Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple and his team will arrive armed with picks, 20, 21, 30 and 51.
In the lead up to the draft meeting at the Adelaide Convention Centre, westernbulldogs.com.au will take a closer look at the history of each selection going back to the first national draft in 1986.
Draft History – A glance at Pick 21
With five days to go until draft night, we continue our in-depth look with pick 30.
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The history of pick 30 is notable as much for unearthing young talent as it is for providing established players a second chance at another club, most of whom grasped the opportunity with both hands.
When Collingwood delisted Saverio Rocca in 1999 after 156 games and 514 goals, North Melbourne swooped, and the big forward would reward the Roos’ faith by adding a further 234 goals to his career tally which reached 748 in 2006, taking him to 13th on the AFL all-time goal kicking list.
Another player looking for a second chance after things turned sour at his original club was former St.Kilda captain and 2005 All-Australian, Luke Ball. The former Sandringham Dragon was snapped by the Magpies in 2009 and would go on to become a key member of the 2010 Collingwood premiership team.
The Bulldogs would provide a home for another former Saint when they picked up Nicky Winmar in the 1998 National Draft. Winmar would play just the one season for the Dogs but averaged a respectable 11 disposals, three marks and almost two goals a game.
But pick 30 isn’t just about the old guys.
When the Brisbane Lions took a young Jonathan Brown from the Geelong Falcons in 1999 as a father son selection, not even they could have known how inspired the choice would prove to be.
Over 256 games, Brown would be named in the All-Australian team twice, be awarded the Best and Fairest 3 times, win the Coleman Medal in 2007, would captain the club between 2007-2013 and was centre half forward in the Lion’s historic run of three flags between 2001-2003.
The Sydney Swans also struck gold at pick 30 when they drafted Daniel Hannebery in 2008. With the 2010 Rising Star Award, the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award, two All-Australian nods and a premiership medal already under his belt, the former Oakleigh Charger is rapidly amassing an impressive CV.
Brisbane pair Richard Champion and Daniel Merrett were notable selections in 1988 and 2002 respectively, as was West Coast young gun and former Lion, Elliot Yeo who had a breakout year for the Eagles in 2015.
ABOVE: Nicky Winmar was taken at pick 30 by the Western Bulldogs in the 1998 National Draft
