It may not have been realised at the time by the larger football community, but the introduction of the national player draft – held for the first time in 1986 by the then-VFL – was the start of what is now one of the most important days on the AFL calendar.

Borrowing heavily from the player recruitment system used in US sport, the AFL Draft is the main vehicle for AFL clubs injecting some of the country's finest young talent. It was introduced with the aim of evening up the competition – along with the introduction of the salary cap – after the open player transfer market threatened to bankrupt many clubs.

Back in 1986, when the AFL Draft was conducted, the resources thrown into recruiting were far less than what we know it today. Still, it didn't mean quality players were not selected, even if the well streamlined pathways of today were still some way off from being implemented.

Although many players from the inaugural AFL Draft never played at the highest level, there were still some top-liners taken – including the first ever No.1 selection Martin Leslie (Brisbane).

Along with Leslie, the likes of Alastair Lynch (Fitzroy), Darrin Pritchard (Hawthorn), Craig Kelly (Collingwood) and Melbourne duo Steven Febey and Andy Lovell were drafted.