Thanks again to Sam the Stats Man for providing the history of ... 

SELECTION 52

If it's hard to pick a winner with selection 36, then it's a hell of lot tougher in the 50s. 

Most Demon fans would be pleased so far with the results of Barry Prendergast's efforts last year with Troy Davis (#50) and Tom McDonald (#53) and a repeat with 52 and 54 would enhance his growing reputation as a recruiter.

After all, anyone can pick a Jack Watts or a Tom Sc... Jack Trengove at the pointy end of the draft but only the best can regularly find quality around these parts.

Amon Buchanan of the Swans (2000) is probably the best of this lot but he was delisted early in his career (after only 6 games) before being redrafted. He went on to play more than 100 games at Sydney before crossing to the Lions. 

Matthew Dent (1993) was a solid footballer who played 118 games with three clubs but made his mark with the Western Bulldogs.

Defender Rod Jameson was drafted by North Melbourne at 52 in 1989 but never came across from SA. Two years later, he was in Adelaide's inaugural squad and he played 153 games with the Crows and was full back in their first premiership team in 1997.

Last year's pick 52 was Cameron O'Shea who played 18 games with Port Adelaide - a fine effort for such a late choice.

The only past Demon connection with pick 52 is the fact that Tony Campbell was redrafted at that number by the Bulldogs in 1995 but that was long after he finished up at Melbourne.

The only time in history that the club held national draft pick 52 was in 2003 when it passed on that selection after taking Colin Sylvia (3), Brock McLean (5) and father/son selection Chris Johnson (36).

1986 - Robin McKinnon, West Adelaide (Hawthorn): 0 games

1987 - Stephen Gemmill, Cobram (Carlton): 0 games 

1988 - Darren Bartsch, West Adelaide (West Coast): 0 games 

1989 - Rod Jameson, Glenelg (North Melbourne): 0 games (Adelaide 153 games)

1990 - Brendon Retzlaff, Swan Districts (Collingwood): 0 games (Brisbane 15 games, West Coast 3 games, Fremantle 6 games)

1991 - Matthew Henderson, Morwell (Hawthorn): 0 games

1992 - Paul Bullus, Woodville- W T (Richmond): 97 games

1993 - Matthew Dent, Northern Knights (Fitzroy): 47 games (Western Bulldogs 63 games, Hawthorn 8 games)

1994 - Danny Stevens, Northern Knights (North Melbourne): 15 games

1995 - Tony Campbell, Perth (Western Bulldogs): 8 games (previously Melbourne 75 games, Western Bulldogs 35 games)

1996 - Damien Lock, Bendigo Pioneers (Carlton): 18 games

1997 - Jordan Doering, Bendigo Pioneers (Essendon): 0 games (Carlton 18 games)

1998 - Ryan O'Connor, Essendon (Sydney) 24 games (previously Essendon 63 games)

1999 - Andrew Mills, Murray Bushrangers (Richmond): 14 games

2000 - Amon Buchanan, Geelong Falcons (Sydney): 6 games (Sydney 110 games, Brisbane 17 games)

2001 - Andrew R. Browne, Claremont (Fremantle): 29 games

2002 - Pass (Geelong)

2003 - Pass (Melbourne)

2004 - Dean Limbach, Calder Cannons (Richmond): 0 games

2005 - Pass (Collingwood)

2006 - Brock O'Brien, Peel (Fremantle): 3 games

2007 - Brad Dalziell, East Fremantle (Brisbane): 15 games (Fremantle 9 games)

2008 - Jordan Jones, Geelong Falcons (West Coast): 2 games

2009 - Justin Bollenhagen, South Adelaide (Fremantle):  4 games

2010 - Cameron O'Shea, Eastern Ranges (Port Adelaide): 18 games

Why couldn't we have drafted Cam O'Shea?

I have no problems with neither Davis nor McDonald with our two 50's picks last year...

I have no problems with neither Davis nor McDonald with our two 50's picks last year...

Both ripper picks for the 50's if they live up to their early potential.

Why couldn't we have drafted Cam O'Shea?

As the thread suggests, he was taken with pick 52.

We had 53 so if we wanted to take him we were pipped at the post.

In the event, we went for Tom McDonald and I'm glad that we did. He might not have played 18 games but he is a genuine prospect and many of those who have seen him at Casey and then late in the season in his two games for Melbourne wouldn't be keen on changing things now.

Holding my breath for Pick 54 the history ;) ............still miracles do happen.......don't they?