Drafted: 1988
Recruited from: Ballarat YCW (Vic)
Clubs: Hawthorn/Collingwood
Games: 107
Career achievements
McDonald had been carving up for Ballarat YCW in country Victoria when Hawthorn swooped in the 1988 national draft. But upon arriving at Glenferrie Oval, and battling for a midfield berth with the likes of John Platten, Robert DiPierdomenico and Darren Pritchard, it soon became apparent the midfielder was not ready for VFL/AFL action.
He made his debut for Hawthorn as a 20-year-old, in round 11 of the 1990 season, and played two matches that year. He would go on to play 46 matches in the brown and gold over seven seasons, but he never really asserted himself as a regular.
He was then traded to Collingwood at the end of 1995, where he found a more permanent role. Playing as a run-with player, he became a regular for the Pies in '96 and '97. He then played the opening four matches of 1999 but soon developed hip problems, and retired at the end of that season.
The older brother of James, who retired after a long and distinguished career with Melbourne, later went into AFL player management, and today is a prominent figure in the industry with Stride.
20. ANTHONY BANIK
Drafted: 1989
Recruited from: Won Wron Woodside (Vic)
Club: Richmond
Games: 49
Career achievements
Banik was just 17 years old when he ran onto Princes Park for Richmond in round three of the 1990 season.
Big things were expected of the Won Wron youngster, who had been an outstanding junior and Tiger officials believed would be a 10-year player. But despite a promising debut season, his AFL career ended after five years at Punt Road for 49 senior matches. The former No.1 draft pick was still just 21 years old when delisted.
Injury and illness did hamper his progress, but it's fair to say the half back flanker never really set the world on fire.
21. TOM SCULLY
Drafted: 2009
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
Club: Melbourne
Games: 21 (2010-)
Career achievements
The hype around Scully started more than six months in advance of the Demons selecting him in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.
Melbourne had secured a priority selection as a result of its disappointing '09, so it was simply a matter of who was the best junior in the country - and the hard-running Scully from the Dandenong Stingrays was deemed to be just that.
In 2010, his maiden year at the top level, he looked every bit a prospective 200-gamer. While it's too early to have him too high on this list after just one year in the system, Scully looks certain to overtake several above him once his career is over.
This year he averaged more than 21 possessions a match, the highlight coming in the wet against the Western Bulldogs in round seven. The tenacious runner had 18 final-term possessions and 39 for the game as he collected three Brownlow Medal votes.
Follow our complete coverage of the 2010 NAB AFL Draft on November 18. Join the AFL draft conversation on Twitter: use #AFLdraft in your tweets.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
