With the 2015 AFL National Draft looming (November 24), Tony Greenberg reflects on Richmond’s record with its first picks over the three-decade duration of the competition’s draft system.
Richard Anderson is symptomatic of the ills that beset Richmond in the formative years of the AFL National Draft.
Anderson, a quality midfielder from SANFL club Norwood, was the first player the Tigers drafted (at pick 4 overall) in the inaugural Draft of 1986.
Unfortunately, Anderson didn’t feel comfortable with a move to Victoria, and he subsequently took on a country teaching position in SA.
“It was all going too fast. I remember feeling like I had no control, and that was very unnerving, Anderson told ‘The Age’ years later.
“A lot of people thought I was mad, that I had this fantastic opportunity, and here I was, running away from it.
“I wish I could say I had played VFL, I really do, and I live with that regret.”
Anderson proved to be the first of five top Tiger picks, throughout the initial two decades of the National Draft, who never played a senior game with the Club (Todd Hawes, Bradley Smith, Pat Steinfort and Alex Gilmour were the others).
Also among those opening 18 National Drafts were eight first picks that later left Richmond to play for other league clubs (Chris Naish, Justin Murphy, Damien Ryan, Bradley Smith, Brad Ottens, Aaron Fiora, David Rodan and Jay Schulz).
From 1986-2003, Richmond’s first picks in the National Draft averaged 40.9 games per player.
In the 11 drafts since then (2004-14), the Tigers’ first picks have averaged 96 games per player – a substantial difference, to say the least.
And, there’s been a swag of football honors harvested by the Club’s top picks of the past decade, including Jack Dyer Medals, Coleman Medals, Michael Roach Medals, Rising Star Medals and All-Australian selection.
Here’s the full list of Richmond’s first picks in the National Draft and their achievements at Tigerland . . .
1986: No. 4, Richard Anderson (Norwood, SANFL) – 0 games.
1987: No. 1, Richard Lounder (Central District, SANFL) – 4 games, 5 goals.
1988: No. 5, Chris Naish (Wangaratta) – 143 games, 212 goals.
1989: No. 1, Anthony Banik (Won Wron Woodside) – 49 games, 0 goals.
1990: No. 16, Todd Menegola (Swan Districts, WAFL) – 19 games, 13 goals.
1991: No. 49, Todd Hawes (Swan Districts, WAFL) – 0 games.
1992: No. 7, Wayne Hernaman (South Fremantle, WAFL) – 20 games, 9 goals.
1993: No. 3, Justin Murphy (Central Dragons) – 12 games, 9 goals.
1994: No. 11, Damien Ryan (Eastern Ranges) – 30 games, 6 goals.
1995: No. 35, Bradley Smith (Claremont, WAFL) – 0 games.
1996: No. 16, Pat Steinfort (Oakleigh Chargers) – 0 games.
1997: No. 2, Brad Ottens (Glenelg, SANFL) – 129 games, 152 goals.
1998: No. 40, James White (Oakleigh Chargers) – 4 games, 1 goal.
1999: No. 3, Aaron Fiora (Port Adelaide, SANFL) – 78 games, 25 goals.
2000: No. 9, Kayne Pettifer (Murray Bushrangers) – 113 games, 132 goals.
2001: No. 33, David Rodan (Calder Cannons) – 65 games, 43 goals.
2002: No. 12, Jay Schulz (Woodville-West Torrens, SANFL) – 71 games, 58 goals.
2003: No. 21, Alex Gilmour (Tasmania under 18s) – 0 games.
2004: No. 1, Brett Deledio (Murray Bushrangers) – 232 games, 173 goals, dual Jack Dyer Medallist, AFL Rising Star winner.
2005: No. 8, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (East Perth, WAFL) – 13 games, 1 goal.
2006: No. 13, Jack Riewoldt (Tasmania under 18s/Clarence) – 180 games, 435 goals, dual Coleman Medallist, Jack Dyer Medallist, six-time Michael Roach Medallist (Richmond’s leading goalkicker award).
2007: No. 2, Trent Cotchin (Northern Knights) – 153 games, 91 goals, triple Jack Dyer Medallist.
2008: No. 8, Ty Vickery (Sandringham Dragons) – 102 games, 132 goals.
2009: No. 3, Dustin Martin (Bendigo Pioneers/Castlemaine) – 131 games, 141 goals, Jack Dyer Medal runner-up.
2010: No. 6, Reece Conca (Perth, WAFL) – 74 games, 21 goals.
2011: No. 15, Brandon Ellis (Calder Cannons) – 88 games, 34 goals, Jack Dyer Medal runner-up.
2012: No. 9, Nick Vlastuin (Northern Knights) – 61 games, 14 goals.
2013: No. 12, Ben Lennon (Northern Knights) – 16 games, 8 goals.
2014: No. 12, Corey Ellis (Western Jets) – 6 games, 3 goals.
Brandon Ellis, Brett Deledio, Ben Lennon and Trent Cotchin celebrate a goal during the 2015 season
