The ones that slipped through...

[Cain]

The RFC for may years now has been slammed for messing up draft picks. I think the next few years will see some of our kids named  in the  "... could've had..." lists of the other clubs. I think Tuck might be at the top of the list for one club at the moment.
Anyone care to gaze into their crystal balls ?

[mightytiges]

Our performance in the 2000 draft is looking far better this year in hindsight. All first 5 picks are now regulars.

9. Pettifer
24. Cogs
40. Hyde
41. Krakouer
55. Newman

Cogs is the gun with probably Hyde now up to second best followed by Newman. All other clubs would be kicking themselves over allowing these 3 through. Hyde was a third round pick and Newman a 4th rounder.

There's no question we got the better deal out of Cogs vs Jason Cloke.

I won't mention the previous 3 (97-99) or next 2 (01,02) drafts  . Only 6 players - Kellaway, Hall, Sarge, Rodan, Johnson and Hilton (who'll most likely be delisted) from 5 drafts in 6 years from 35 draft picks . Tivs was elevated from the rookie list. Only one from 7 of them to remain. And that's why we have a middle age gap on our list thanks to Geischen and Spud .

The 2003 draft is still early to be judged. Take another year or two to tell how well we actually did.

21. Gilmour
38. Roach
53. Jackson
64. Morrison
70. Hartigan
73. Tuck
76. Raines
79. Fletcher
81. Archibald

Trade: Browny
PSD: Marsh, Weller

Browny is of course a star. We look to have done well with some our later picks - Tuck is killing them and Hartigan is virtually a regular. Jackson and Raines look to have what it takes to be an AFL player. The jury is still out on Gilmour, Roach and Archibald. Fletcher was a waste of albeit a late pick and Morrison looks to be
VFL standard. Tuck and Hartigan would have other clubs going "what a bargin at pick 70ish which is around a 6th round pick  . IMO in the future getting Jackson at 53 and Raines at 76 will also make other clubs do this -> .

Finally 2004: Way to early to tell although this should be the one if we've chosen right where we  get more than one gun.

1. Deledio
4. Tambling
12. Meyer
16. Pattison
20. Polo
36. McGuane
52. Limbach
64. Graham

Trade: Simmonds
PSD: Knobel

Deledio is already a regular. He and Tambo, Meyer look all class. What a centeline in the near future  . Pattison is killing them at Coburg and should be lose to a AFL debut. A good find as a tall to go with Sarge. Polo, McGuane and Limbach are a fair way off and  moreso speculation picks at ths stage. Graham is being serviceable and doing the job asked of him. Simmonds and Knobel have made us a better and more balanced side as they should for experienced players.

We had early picks last year so unless one or two of the speculated kids comes though the other clubs will just be jealous of us having first crack at these quality kids.