Ranking top 10 number 3 draft picks since 2000Judd vs Martin. In one of the closest decisions, who will be ranked the best number 3 pick?
Ben Lawless
zerohanger.com
November 11, 2021 While the third pick of the draft is the bronze medal selection, that doesn't mean that clubs aren't able to strike gold with the pick. While two clubs get to draft a player first, often a few hidden gems slip through this miniature crack.
Looking over the picks since 2000, there isn't the same depth as the first two selections. However, at the top end of the board, two of the greatest and most damaging players of all time find themselves selected at the 3rd pick.
In what was considered the hardest decision, the choice between Martin vs Judd went back and forth with little separating the two superstars.
Even further down the list, there are multiple club B&F winners, All-Australians and even a player with an (unofficial) award named after them.
After plenty of thought and collaboration, we now take a look at the 10 best players selected with the 3rd selection of every draft since the 2000 draft.
1. Chris JuddDrafted by: West Coast
Appearances: 279-games
The Melbourne-born Judd was selected by the West Coast Eagles in 2001 and immediately proved to be an excellent choice.
By winning the AFLPA Best First-Year Player and earning runner-up honours in the Rising star, Judd quickly became one of the Eagles' most important and talented players.
After flashing brilliance early in his career, Judd took a leap in 2004. This helped solidify himself as one of the league’s best players at a young age. Being the leader of one of the best midfields of all time, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox joined him to create a devastating line-up.
Over his 279-game career, he spent roughly half his time at both the Eagles and the Blues, ending his career averaging 22.9 disposals, 0.82 goals, 4.0 tackles, 5.3 clearances and 4.6 inside 50s.
Judd is also one of the rare examples of a player who was awarded the Norm Smith Medal on a losing team in 2005.
While often remembered for his time at Carlton, it is often forgotten just how good Judd was while at West Coast.
Early on, his speed, explosiveness and strength were unrivaled and provided him the ability to take over a game. In the latter half of his career, injuries began to plague Judd. Due to this, he had to change his game style. Judd was able to play through this and still managed to be one of the league’s best players.
His versatility made him an incredible player that managed to obtain a range of accolades. He was a six-time All-Australian (2004, 2006, 2008-2011), two-time AFLPA MVP (2006, 2011), five-time B&F winner (2004, 2006, 2008-2010) and won a Brownlow at both clubs he played at (2004, 2010).
In what was a close decision, Judd’s best football, and extended success, helped him just edge out Dustin for the best number three selection since 2000.
2. Dustin MartinDrafted by: Richmond (2009)
Current appearances: 260-games
Martin was selected by Richmond in 2009 and has since become one of the game's most important and talented players.
In what was the most debated selection, there is a genuine case for Martin to be the number one selection.
'Dusty' has been a durable player, rarely missing a game of footy until the back half of 2021. Over his career, he turned himself from a solid player into the league’s best since 2017.
With current averages of 24.8 disposals, 1.1 goals, 4.1 clearances and 4.8 inside 50s, his statistics are impressive but don’t tell the whole picture. His ability to dominate a game (especially in the finals) is unmatched in the league, with the tattooed Tiger proving able to change the tide of a game off his own boot.
Since 2017, there has been no better player in the league than Martin. This is especially true in the biggest games of the season. In all three of the Tigers Premiership seasons, he won the Ayres and Norm Smith Medal being the best player throughout the finals and on Grand Final day.
Martin has also been selected for the All-Australian team four times, the All-Australian squad a further three times and was the winner of the 2016 and 2017 club B&F.
With such an incredible career, he would be a consensus number 1 at most other selections, however, Martin has been beaten out by a worthy advisary.
3. Alan Didak
4. Ryan Griffen
5. Hugh McCluggage
6. Angus Brayshaw
7. Callum Mills
8. Stephen Hill
9. Chris Masten
10. Xavier Ellishttps://www.zerohanger.com/ranking-top-10-number-3-draft-picks-since-2000-94162/10/
