The No.1 number one: Meet the 32 contenders for footy's ultimate top draft pick

Martin Leslie

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1986	Brisbane Bears	Port Adelaide (SANFL)	107

The first ever No.1 draft pick and therefore the first ever draft pick, Leslie was a valiant key defender for the Brisbane Bears. At 187cm he was a touch undersized, but he was good enough to play regularly for South Australia and to win an All-Australian jumper in 1988. Leslie was synonymous with the battling Bears in their Carrara days.
Status: Eliminated by Clive Waterhouse in round of 16

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Richard Lounder

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1987	Richmond	Central District	4

Great bloke and he's a bit self-deprecating about it all, but if you were framing the market for the biggest bust of all the No.1 picks, Richard 'Flounder' would be the short-priced favourite. Kicked four goals on debut for the Tigers on debut in 1989 and managed just four games overall, 'Crackers' Keenan memorably referring to him as "the human tree". With the turning circle of the Queen Mary, the lumbering ruckman might have been too big to play league footy.
Status: Eliminated by Anthony Banik in first round

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Alex McDonald

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1988	Hawthorn	Ballarat YCW	107 (46 Haw, 61 Coll)

The boy from the farm near Ballarat, for whom Hawthorn pretty much traded the farm to grab with the first pick. Peter Russo, Paul Harding and Robert Handley all ended up at St Kilda in exchange for the slightly-built half-forward who failed to shine with the Hawks in 46 games over six years before departing for the Pies.
Status: Eliminated by Clive Waterhouse in first round

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Anthony Banik

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1989	Richmond	Won Wron Woodside	49

There was a touch of the 'man-child' about Banik. Physically imposing for his age, he was a skilful small defender out of Wron-Wron Woodside, but injuries and form kept him to just 49 games in four seasons. Banik had the misfortune to be at the Tigers at a time when they had no money, so there was zero player development of any sort.
Status: Eliminated by Drew Banfield in round of 16

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(l-r) Hooper, Hutton, Banfield and Gaspar. Pictures: AFL Media

Stephen Hooper

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1990	Geelong	East Perth	21

The Cats traded Shane Hamilton and David Cameron to Brisbane for the first pick in 1990, but received just 21 games in three seasons from the East Perth ruckman. After a time, it was hard to tell from the normally mild-mannered Cats fans whether that collective sound was an appreciative "Hooooper" or something less complimentary.
Status: Eliminated by Martin Leslie in first round

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John Hutton

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1991	Brisbane Bears	Claremont	36 (18 Bris, 5 Syd, 13 Frem)

Kicked 43 goals for the Bears in 1992, which included two bags of eight, but departed after just 12 months and joined the Sydney Swans, where he played just five games. Hutton lacked one key ingredient for a key forward – height – and at 185cm just wasn't a commanding presence playing out of the goal square at AFL level.
Status: Eliminated by Drew Banfield in first round

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Drew Banfield

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1992	West Coast	Subiaco	265

A powerful midfielder for whom the Eagles traded established players to the Sydney Swans to bring the Subiaco player to the club. And he gave West Coast outstanding service in 265 games over 13 seasons. Banfield was the only member of the 1994 premiership team to back up in 2006 and with Luke Hodge, one of just two No.1 picks to win a premiership.
Status: Eliminated by Nick Riewoldt in semi-finals

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Darren Gaspar

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1993	Sydney Swans	South Fremantle	tbc

In the early 2000s, Darren Gaspar was stingier than Scrooge. On the rare occasion an opponent did something productive – and felt like all their Christmases had come at once – Gaspar would bah-humbug in his quiet, determined way before resolving that there would be no repeat performance. The Tiger miser was at one point perhaps the best negating key defender in the game, stifling most of the game's power forwards.
Status: Eliminated by Michael Gardiner in round of 16

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(l-r) White, Waterhouse, Gardiner and Johnstone. Pictures: AFL Media

White, Waterhouse, Gardiner and Johnstone

Jeff White

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1994	Fremantle	Southern U18	223 (21 Syd, 202 Rich)

Despite being short for a ruckman at just 195cm, the spring-heeled Fremantle and Melbourne big man still managed to have 5000 hit-outs – sixth-best since 1965. A foundation Docker, White didn't come into his own until he joined Melbourne, when his superb leap and athleticism made him an extra midfielder and resulted in some spectacular marks. He suffered serious facial injuries when accidentally kicked in the face by Geelong opponent Steven King.
Status: Eliminated by Nick Riewoldt in first round

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Clive Waterhouse

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1995	Fremantle	Port Adelaide (SANFL)	106

No.1 draft pick and cult figure. 106 games and 178 goals over nine seasons with the Dockers represented a reasonable return. English-born and a soccer player until he turned 17, Waterhouse could win a game off his own boot in one quarter, or go missing for weeks at a time. A flaky player who could murder you on his day.
Status: Eliminated by Drew Banfield in quarter finals

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Michael Gardiner

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1996	West Coast	Claremont	129

Could have been a contender here had his huge frame not been so injury prone. Off-field indiscretions also hurt him and the Eagles. A key figure in premiership tilts at both West Coast and St Kilda, 'Gardy' was a cult figure with his puppy-like enthusiasm and superb athleticism. And it's hard to forget his turbulent debut at Footscray when the then raw 17-year-old was set upon by a pack of Dogs.
Status: Eliminated by Nick Riewoldt in quarter finals

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Travis Johnstone

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1997	Melbourne	Dandenong U18	209 (160 Melb, 49 BL)

Johnstone's appearance underwent a significant transformation when he moved from Melbourne to the Brisbane Lions in 2008. Reasonably clean-cut Demon became hairy, beardy and headbandy Lion. Clearly Johnstone anticipated the hipster movement years before it hit, and should be commended. Won a Melbourne B&F in 2005 and finished fourth in the 2002 Brownlow.
Status: Eliminated by Brendon Goddard in first round

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(l-r) Headland, Fraser, Riewoldt and Hodge. Pictures: AFL Media

Des Headland

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1998	Brisbane Lions	Subiaco	129 (52 BL, 77 Frem)

Moving to Fremantle immediately after winning a premiership with the Brisbane Lions and getting 16 Brownlow votes in 17 matches in 2002 might not have been Headland's best career move. Then again, running unsuccessfully for Federal Parliament as a Palmer United Party candidate in 2013 might top that. Ultimately he will be remembered for one outstanding season.
Status: Eliminated by Luke Hodge in first round

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Josh Fraser

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
1999	Collingwood	Murray U18	136

Though often derided for failing to consistently influence games, the Collingwood ruckman/forward's 200-game career was still sprinkled with notable achievements. He rucked in 21 games in his debut season of 2000, tallied six goals in the preliminary and grand finals of 2002, was the Pies' best against overwhelming odds in another loss to the Brisbane Lions in 2003, and represented Victoria in the 2008 Australian Football Hall of Fame Tribute Match. Cop that, critics.
Status: Eliminated by Nick Riewoldt in round of 16

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Nick Riewoldt

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2000	St Kilda	Southport	281

Starting as the joint-fancy with Hodge, but the Saints skipper probably deserved outright favouritism because his excellence has stretched over a longer period, he has won more games off his own boot and more individual honours, and his team has relied upon him more heavily. The obvious disparity though is Hodge's two flags as captain, with Riewoldt leading the Saints to three grand finals for two losses and a draw. It's probably a choice between a Porsche and Ferrari.
Status: Eliminated by Luke Hodge in final

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Luke Hodge

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2001	Hawthorn	Geelong U18	250

Take one No.1 pick, add two Norm Smith medals, three flags (two as captain), two best-and-fairest awards and three All Australian nods. That's quite a hodgepodge for Mr Hodge. Remember, too, that Fremantle handed over the top draft pick in 2001 for Trent Croad, who eventually returned to Hawthorn and won a premiership, and Luke McPharlin. Whoopsie.
Status: Winner

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(l-r) Goddard, Cooney, Deledio and Murphy. Pictures: AFL Media

Brendon Goddard

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2002	St Kilda	Gippsland U18	247 (205 St K, 42 Ess)

A fine career with St Kilda – highlighted by a 2010 Grand Final performance that easily could have been rewarded with a North Smith Medal – ended in 2012. Goddard promptly came out and won his first ever best-and-fairest award with Essendon in his inaugural year in red and black. Probably the narkiest on field of all the number ones.
Status: Eliminated by Luke Hodge in quarter finals

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Adam Cooney

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2003	Western Bulldogs	West Adelaide	219 (WB 219, Ess 0)

Our only Brownlow Medal winner, Cooney's fine 11-year career at the Whitten Oval ended in October 2014 when he was traded to Essendon. It remains to be seen if his red hair goes well with the red and black. Memorable moments include kissing Gazza's bald noggin when presenting the Brownlow in 2009 and palming off a raging bull in that season's AFL promo video.
Status: Eliminated by Brett Deledio in first round

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Brett Deledio

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2004	Richmond	Murray U18	214

Tiger fans have had Lids' lid off and on over the years. He's copped some flak from the demanding Richmond faithful, but has won two Jack Dyer Medals, a NAB AFL Rising Star award, represented his country in the International Rules Series, and finished third in the Rexona Australia's Greatest Athlete TV show behind a rugby league player and a car driver. What more could you ask for?
Status: Eliminated by Brendon Goddard in round of 16

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Marc Murphy

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2005	Carlton	Oakleigh U18	185

Chose the Blues over the Lions, where he could have gone as a father-son selection. Good call, as he wouldn't be in our contest otherwise. Murphy has at various times been favourite for the Brownlow and the NAB AFL Rising Star award, only for injury to strike. Won the Blues' B&F in 2011 along with the AFLCA player of the year award. Also managed an own goal in the International Rules Series in 2008.
Status: Eliminated by Luke Hodge in round of 16

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(l-r) Gibbs, Kreuzer, Watts and Scully. Pictures: AFL Media

Bryce Gibbs

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2006	Carlton	Glenelg	177

Can we say 'the much-maligned Bryce Gibbs' any more? A win in the Blues' John Nicholls Medal in 2014 might have put that one to bed. Like Kreuzer, had a football match named after him – the Bryce Gibbs Cup between Carlton and Essendon in 2006 – and was named in the Blues' leadership group before he had played a single AFL game. Has also had some very funky haircuts.
Status: Eliminated by Marc Murphy in first round

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Matthew Kreuzer

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2007	Carlton	Northern U18	106

Carlton was accused of deliberately losing 'The Kreuzer Cup' against Melbourne in the final round of 2007 to secure the ruck prodigy, but so far performance hasn't matched potential as an assortment of injuries have taken their toll. Can ruck strongly, follow up at ground level like a ruck-rover, take contested marks and kick goals like a power forward, but rarely appears niggle-free. At 25, he is entering prime time.
Status: Eliminated by Josh Fraser in first round

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Jack Watts

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2008	Melbourne	Sandringham U18	95

Perhaps the most maligned in our Young Ones category, Watts has teased for five years with flashes of brilliance after a punishing debut against Collingwood. He produced his most consistent season under the watchful eye of new coach Paul Roos in 2014, being used in a variety of roles. At his best he is capable of anything.
Status: Eliminated by Tom Scully in first round

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Tom Scully

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2009	Melbourne	Dandenong U18	83 (31 Melb, 52 GWS)

After struggling to deal with the pressure of being the No.1 draft pick, Scully took off up north on a lucrative contract after only two seasons, earning himself permanent pantomime villain status among Demon fans. His ability to spot his opponent's weaknesses and exploit them as a close-checking tagger perhaps helped him overcome the ire of the red and blue faithful in our round one vote.
Status: Eliminated by Jaeger O'Meara in round of 16

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(l-r) Swallow, Cameron, O'Meara and Patton. Pictures: AFL Media

David Swallow

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2010	Gold Coast	East Fremantle	73

Capped off his best season in the AFL by winning his first club best and fairest award in 2014, dethroning a little-known Gold Coast ballwinner by the name of Gary Ablett. Capable of doing the flashy stuff, but like his brother at North Melbourne is a genuine hard competitor at his best in a contest.
Status: Eliminated by Jeremy Cameron in round of 16

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Jeremy Cameron

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2011	GWS	North Ballarat U18	51

Had Cameron not bypassed the draft, arriving at Greater Western Sydney as part of the expansion club's allocation of 17-year-olds, he could easily have been a No.1. In the game's history, left-footed key forwards have been a rarity rather than the norm, but Cameron has proved a little gem for the competition’s newest club.
Status: Eliminated by Jaeger O'Meara in quarter finals

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Jaeger O'Meara

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2011	Gold Coast	Perth	44

The top pick in 2011's GWS mini-draft, O'Meara has lived up to his lofty reputation on entering the big time. A shining star in his two AFL seasons, the West Australian thrives on centre stage, even overshadowing his captain Gary Ablett on occasion. In time he could be the best of all, a mouth-watering prospect for his new coach Rodney Eade.
Status: Eliminated by Luke Hodge in semi-finals

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Jon Patton

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2011	GWS	Eastern U18	29

A young man-mountain forward in the Tom Hawkins mold, 'The General' looks like Clark Kent and can play like Superman. He's been cursed by a series of serious knee injuries, recently undergoing a second reconstruction on his right knee that will sideline him for all of next season. Endured a disappointing 2014, slotting 25.17 from 19 games.
Status: Eliminated by Michael Gardiner in first round

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(l-r) Daniher, Martin, Whitfield and Boyd. Pictures: AFL Media

Joe Daniher

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2012	Essendon	Calder U18	26

The Dons used their No.10 pick on Daniher, a rolled-gold bargain for a key forward many rated as a potential No.1 pick in that year's draft. He's already a big boy – and the athletic son of former Swan and Bomber Anthony showed glimpses of his immense talent in 2014. While big Joe is still maturing, he starts life at Essendon with a much-loved status because of his family connections.
Status: Eliminated by Jeremy Cameron in first round

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Jack Martin

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2012	Gold Coast	Claremont	11

Prodigiously talented, Martin topped the GWS mini-draft the year after O'Meara and showed enough in his debut season to command plenty of respect. He is a smooth operator who can only improve with experience and surrounded by the right role models and coaching staff. The sky's the limit for this Sun.
Status: Eliminated by Jaeger O'Meara in first round

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Lachie Whitfield

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2012	GWS	Dandenong U18	25

Appeared a class act when he burst on the scene with plenty of fanfare in 2013, but foot and shoulder problems held back his progress this season. While it's too early in his career to make a definitive judgment on his quality, the early signs are positive. He will be a better player with more experience and when his teammates are more accustomed to handling the pressure of the elite level.
Status: Eliminated by David Swallow in first round

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Tom Boyd

Draft year	Selected by	Club of origin	Career games
2013	GWS	Eastern U18	9

Might well be in contention for our unofficial honour by the time he fulfills his recently-inked seven-year, $7 million contract with the Western Bulldogs – a deal that doesn't quite match Lance Franklin's with the Sydney Swans but is certainly unprecedented for someone with just nine AFL games to his name. Seen as the great hope of the Dogs' attack and doesn't seem to mind the massive expectations.
Status: Eliminated by Darren Gaspar in first round

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