CARLTON has made the choice and taken Sam Walsh with its prized No.1 pick – the club's fifth first choice since 2005.

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But who would other clubs have taken if they held the pick? AFL.com.au surveyed 13 club recruiters for their take and Walsh was the most popular choice, with nine saying they'd have taken the Geelong Falcon.

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Two recruiters nominated Izak Rankine, South Australia's dashing half-forward, and another two said they would go with talented key forward Jack Lukosius.

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Club 1: "It would be out of Sam Walsh or Jack Lukosius for us, and I'd probably go with Walsh. He's a very good player. You know what you're going to get from him. He'll play 200 games if his body holds up and he's just so consistent. His work rate is phenomenal. People might question if his kicking is penetrating enough but I think it's fine. There's not much wrong with him."

Club 2: "We might rank Izak Rankine a little higher in some areas, but we'd take Sam Walsh. He's just a well-oiled performer every week. He hasn't put a foot wrong and he probably never will." 

Club 3: "Sam Walsh has been one of the best I've seen at just producing every week, but I'd be taking Rankine. He can do things that nobody else in this draft can. He's a special talent. He can win games off his own boot. You can generally get a Walsh type every draft – and he's a great midfield prospect – but a player like Rankine is rare."

Club 4: "It's Jack Lukosius. It's very rare you get a versatile tall like him who can kick the ball like he does. Next year you'd be able to find a similar player to Walsh or Rankine, but not Lukosius. It's hard to find the talls at that pick and he's proven his quality at senior level."

Club 5: "Walsh. Consistency, character and competitiveness. I don't think he's too dissimilar to Josh Kelly. He kicks it better than some think, his running patterns are good. He's never not played well."

Club 6: "We'd take Sam Walsh at No.1. His work ethic is first class and just his overall package would be a great addition to our club. He's such a fantastic kid, too."

Club 7: "I have Jack Lukosius at No.1. Not by much, because I think Izak Rankine could be the most talented player. But I see the upside of Lukosius with his forward running ability plus he can go back as well which we've seen. He changes the game with his footy smarts and ball use. He's taller than him, but he might be a bit James Hird-like with his ability to play anywhere and impact."

Club 8: "Walsh is the full package. Holistically, I don't think you could ask for much more. His character and work ethic is top-end, and then you add his footy stuff and he's the No.1." 

Club 9: "Walsh is No.1. He's probably one of the most consistent midfielders I've seen as an under-18 with the way he plays at every level, and he's been recognised by his peers as being a standout leader. That's something I can see continuing at AFL level. He's a future captain."

Club 10: "Rankine. It's so hard to find someone as special as Izak. That real rock-solid midfield lock you can find in most drafts – Andrew Brayshaw last year, Sam Walsh this year and Matt Rowell next year. But you can't find many like Rankine. I think he's going to be a forward who can pinch-hit in the midfield."

Club 11: "On talent alone I'd be picking Rankine every day of the week. But if I actually had the No.1 pick I'd be going with Sam Walsh he's just the full package. He's done it all and would be a great character to bring into your club."

Club 12: "I'd be very tempted to take Rankine, but in the end I think I'd choose Sam Walsh. His body of work over a couple of years is too good."

Club 13: "Given the safety of that pick, I'd be taking Walsh. It's a risk vs reward situation, but Walsh is less risky and he still might end up captaining your club. He'd be my pick because you know what you're getting."