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IT IS likely we have seen the last of the pre-season draft, with the introduction of free agency making it all but redundant in an era when delisted players can move to a new home of their choice. 

Some greats of the game have got their start or second chance through the PSD and gone on to be 200-game players or premiership stars, but these days there are plenty of new avenues for them to make such moves.

2015 was the first time clubs decided not to take part in the pre-season draft, either drafting players they had their eyes on as rookies or securing them before the final draft as delisted free agents.

Brian Winston, who moved from Essendon to St Kilda, was the first of 56 players taken in the first PSD in 1989 and up to this year there were 565 players taken. 

But 531 of those came in the first 20 years of the system (an average of more than 26 a season), with only 34 players moving through the PSD in the past six years (less than six a season).

Greater Western Sydney's Jed Lamb (2014) and Carlton's Jason Tutt (2015) were the only players recruited in each of the past two pre-season drafts.    

So who were the pick of the pre-season draftees? We've selected the top 10 in an extensive group that contains some genuine stars. 

1. Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) Pick No.18, 1996  
A two-time premiership player within his first 25 games, and one of the best players in the League later on, Goodwin was a steal for the Crows. Recruited from South Adelaide, the ball-winner proved himself on the finals stage in his second and third seasons to win premierships and by 2000 he was an All Australian when he evolved from a half-back to a midfielder. In 2006 Goodwin was seen by his peers as the best player of the season and he went on to win five All Australians and three club champion awards. A club captain who played 275 games, he is part of the fabric of Adelaide and a member of the club's Hall of Fame.

2. Tyson Edwards (Adelaide) Pick No.21, 1994
Chronically underrated through his career, Edwards took his chance at Adelaide and went on to play 321 games for the club. Recruited from West Adelaide, he started as a defender but developed into a midfielder later in his career and was a member of the 1997 and 1998 premiership teams. Remarkably consistent, Edwards finished runner-up in the Crows' best and fairest three times and third once. He was never All Australian, but his selection in both the Crows' and the South Australian Football Hall of Fame show his achievements.

The Crows hit the jackpot with pre-season picks Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin. Picture: AFL Media

3. Craig Bolton (Sydney Swans) Pick No.3, 2003
A member of the Swans Hall of Fame and now the ACT Sports Hall of Fame, Bolton started his career with 29 games for the Brisbane Lions. A humble and highly respected defender, he went on to play 170 games for the Swans, playing a key role in the 2005 premiership. All Australian twice (2006 and 2009), Bolton was co-captain of the Swans from 2008 until he retired at the end of the 2010 season. He was reliable, courageous and rarely beaten one-on-one.    

4. Tim McGrath (Geelong) Pick No.12, 1992
After making a false start to his career with North Melbourne, the red-haired defender was given a second chance at Geelong, where he went on to play 219 games. A member of the 1992, 1994 and 1995 Grand Final teams, McGrath was part of an unlucky Geelong generation that ultimately missed out on the ultimate prize. He was known for his battles with North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey, particularly in finals. He finished top three in the Cats' best and fairest three times. 

Tim McGrath might not have grabbed a flag but he notched 219 games for Geelong. Picture: AFL Media

5. Ben Graham (Geelong) Pick No.40, 1992  
Delisted by Geelong without playing a game, the Cats would be thankful they gave Graham a second chance. The left-footer, known for his booming kick, went on to play 219 games and captained the club from 2000-2002. He was a member of the 1995 Grand Final team and won the best and fairest in 1999, but he chose to retire from the game early to pursue a punting career in the NFL. He was signed by the New York Jets and became the first person to play in both an AFL Grand Final and an NFL Super Bowl.

6. Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions) Pick No.5, 2009
Likely to climb higher up this list as his career progresses, Rockliff has achieved a lot in his seven AFL seasons playing in a struggling team that is yet to feature in finals since he debuted. The ball-magnet became captain this year and has won two club champion awards. He earned wider praise as an All Australian in 2014 and led the AFL for average disposals that year with 32.7 a game. At 25, he is in the prime of his career and should be a star for years to come.     

7. Shane O’Bree (Collingwood) Pick No.1, 2000 
A change of environment was all O'Bree needed to kick-start his career after two lacklustre years with the Brisbane Lions. A clearance specialist and prolific ball-winner with the Magpies, O'Bree made up for a lack of speed with ferocious tackling and smarts. He featured in the 2002 and 2003 Grand Final losses to the Lions and was incredibly durable, finishing his career on 246 games (227 with the Magpies). A quiet achiever, O'Bree's best finish in Collingwood's best and fairest was fourth in 2001, but he was loved by the faithful.   

8. Michael Johnson (Fremantle) Pick No.8, 2004 
A member of the 2013 All Australian team, Johnson found his best football late in his career. A swingman before the arrival of coach Ross Lyon, the 31-year-old has settled into a member of one of the AFL's best defensive units the past three seasons. He has an ability to play on tall opponents but also rebound with poise, and his versatility was a key ingredient in the Dockers' push to the 2013 Grand Final. The right-footer overcame a drug controversy to become a role model at Fremantle and is still playing after 205 games.  

9. Eddie Betts (Carlton) Pick No.3, 2005
Plucked from obscurity by the Blues, Betts became one of the game's best specialist small forwards and led the club's goalkicking in 2010 and 2012. An intelligent player who can get free on the lead or make the most of half chances from the boundary, he thrilled Carlton crowds for 184 games before moving to Adelaide, where his game has gone to another level, resulting in All Australian selection for the first time. Betts finished second in the Blues' best and fairest in 2012. 

Livewire Eddie Betts lit up the Blues forward line for nearly a decade. Picture: AFL Media

10. Michael McLean (Brisbane Bears) Pick No.1, 1991
After 95 games with the Western Bulldogs, 'Magic' McLean was discarded after suffering ankle and calf injuries. The Bears were quick to pounce, however, and snapped the wingman up with pick No.1 in the PSD. McLean went on to captain the Lions from 1993-95 and won the best and fairest in 1991 and 1993. He played 88 games with the Bears, but made a big impact and became an activist fighting racism in football. McLean was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century.