The Western Bulldogs hold picks #9, #16 and #79 heading into the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.
There have been some pretty handy #16 draftees in AFL history, westernbulldogs.com.au takes a look at the best.
1992 AFL National Draft – Martin Pike
After previous stints at Melbourne, Fitzroy, and North Melbourne, Martin Pike proved that his best was still to come.
He went on to play 106 matches in five seasons with the Brisbane Lions to take his career tally to 247.
After playing in North Melbourne’s 1998 Premiership winning team, Pike’s recruitment directly coincided with the Lions’ historic hat-trick of premierships and the South Australian played a key role in each of them.
The Pike Files:
Brisbane Lions Premiership player: 2001, 2002, 2003
North Melbourne Premiership player: 1998
Mitchell Medal (Fitzroy Fairest and Best Award): 1996
1997 AFL National Draft – Chad Cornes
Chad Cornes carved out a career that spanned 14 seasons at Port Adelaide, before finishing his career at the Giants in 2013.
Cornes was a two-time All-Australian and 2004 Premiership player, playing 239 games for Port Adelaide before his retirement in 2011.
He returned to the AFL as a playing assistant with the GWS Giants, where he played 16 matches, retiring again in 2013.
The Cornes Files:
Port Adelaide Premiership player: 2004
All-Australian: 2004, 2007
1998 AFL National Draft – Mark McVeigh
Drafted to Essendon in 1999, Mark McVeigh played 232 games over 14 seasons at the Bombers.
An important cog in Essendon’s midfield, McVeigh was a member of the Bombers’ Leadership Group later in his career before retiring in 2012 due to persistent hip, knee and hamstring injuries.
In 2016, McVeigh was named as one of 34 past and present Essendon players found guilty over their use of illegal supplements during the 2012 AFL season.
The McVeigh Files:
- Archer-Hird Medal: 2008
2008 AFL National Draft – Jack Ziebell
Taken at pick #9 in the 2008 National Draft, Jack Ziebell made his debut in his first season at the club and had an instant impact.
Ziebell has played 166 games for North over nine seasons. He was announced as North Melbourne’s captain in 2017.
The Ziebell Files:
North Melbourne Captain: 2017 - present
Other notable pick 9s: Dale Kickett, Dion Prestia
