Greatest hits

1. Aaron Davey (Rookie draft, 2003)

2. Jared Rivers (pick 26, 2002)

3. Cameron Bruce (pick 64, 1999)

4. Matthew Whelan (pick 50, 1999)

5. Nathan Jones (pick 12, 2005)

6. Scott Thompspn (pick 16, 2000)

7. Brad Green (pick 19, 1999)

8. Brock McLean (pick 5, 2003)

9. Clint Bartram (pick 60, 2005)

10 . Ricky Petterd (pick 30, 2006)

i agree with all of them...addam maric pick 21

Greatest hits

1. Aaron Davey (Rookie draft, 2003)

2. Jared Rivers (pick 26, 2002)

3. Cameron Bruce (pick 64, 1999)

4. Matthew Whelan (pick 50, 1999)

5. Nathan Jones (pick 12, 2005)

6. Scott Thompspn (pick 16, 2000)

7. Brad Green (pick 19, 1999)

8. Brock McLean (pick 5, 2003)

9. Clint Bartram (pick 60, 2005)

10 . Ricky Petterd (pick 30, 2006)

Not bad. I'd have Bruce at one, then Rivers, then Davey... Bartram higher, buut that's about it...

Davey should hardly be counted, almost threw him away by taking phil read in the psd.

2 years time, addam maric will be top 3

Davey should hardly be counted, almost threw him away by taking phil read in the psd.

No that is where you have missed the point. Davey should definitely be counted because Craig was very confident that Aaron would still be there for our Rookie pick.

This is the true value of a good recruiter, we got both of the players that we wanted. They know or have got a very good understanding of what other people will do.

I asked Neale in the leadup to the PSD who we were going to look at (not really thinking that I would get a direct answer) and he said we would take Read, I then asked what about Davey, his answer was "We're reckon that he will be there for our first Rookie pick"

Greatest hits

1. Aaron Davey (Rookie draft, 2003)

2. Jared Rivers (pick 26, 2002)

3. Cameron Bruce (pick 64, 1999)

4. Matthew Whelan (pick 50, 1999)

5. Nathan Jones (pick 12, 2005)

6. Scott Thompspn (pick 16, 2000)

7. Brad Green (pick 19, 1999)

8. Brock McLean (pick 5, 2003)

9. Clint Bartram (pick 60, 2005)

10 . Ricky Petterd (pick 30, 2006)

Early days yet, but if Newton continues to perform even at his current level, he's a top pick in terms of value-for-position (pick 53, wasn't it?).

Was Alistair Nicholson a CAC selection or before his time? After all, best ever pick 22!

I guess most of the rest of the options have been just 'appropriate value', rather than standouts.

Carroll from the rookie list, after being dumped from Freo's list, was a good call in the end.

Number 1 would be James McDonald. He was taken at 78 in the rookie draft. 2 club B&F's, AA and 197 games later I reckon he wins hands down,

The fourth last pick - pick 78 - in the 1997 Rookie Draft.

James McDonald - 198 games, AA and twice B&F with the clock still running.

Is there an echo around here?

With God as my witness I have not discussed this with Fan. Spooky!!!

I dont think Craig was in charge in the 1997 drafts

If I am wrong, then I will definitely put Junior up top

I dont think Craig was in charge in the 1997 drafts

If I am wrong, then I will definitely put Junior up top

You're very wrong.

And yes, you don't think.

1. Luke Molan (pick 9, 2001)

2. Chris Lamb (pick 13, 1998)

3. Nick Smith (pick 15, 2002)

4. Stephen Armstrong (pick 25, 2001)

5. Aaron Rogers (pick 26, 2001)

6. Troy Longmuir (pick 22, 1997)

7. Matthew Blake (pick 39, 1997)

8. Gary Moorcroft (pick 39, 2002)

9. James Cook (pick 3 psd, 2000)

10. Trading early picks for B.Holland & B.Pickett

Thought I'd do a reverse top 10, and this just highlights how much CAC has improved when comparing his last 5 years to his first 5. No real wasted picks from 2003 onwards, sue his missed out on some late ones but that's to be expected when you take a gamble with a speculative pick. All the way through though he's been able to pick up very good late picks.

One thing I don't understand, if he's been so great then why do we have to rebuild the team around the U23's?

One thing I don't understand, if he's been so great then why do we have to rebuild the team around the U23's?

Think you said it yourself Jarka; his first 5 years were... not so great, and then from about 2002/2003 onwards he has lifted his game out of sight. The players drafted in 02/03 will mostly be 22-23 next season. It matches up quite nicely really.

1. Luke Molan (pick 9, 2001)

2. Chris Lamb (pick 13, 1998)

3. Nick Smith (pick 15, 2002)

4. Stephen Armstrong (pick 25, 2001)

5. Aaron Rogers (pick 26, 2001)

6. Troy Longmuir (pick 22, 1997)

7. Matthew Blake (pick 39, 1997)

8. Gary Moorcroft (pick 39, 2002)

9. James Cook (pick 3 psd, 2000)

10. Trading early picks for B.Holland & B.Pickett

Thought I'd do a reverse top 10, and this just highlights how much CAC has improved when comparing his last 5 years to his first 5. No real wasted picks from 2003 onwards, sue his missed out on some late ones but that's to be expected when you take a gamble with a speculative pick. All the way through though he's been able to pick up very good late picks.

One thing I don't understand, if he's been so great then why do we have to rebuild the team around the U23's?

Another thing you don't understand is that trades and draft selections of recycled players are not the domain of the recruiting dept. Recruiting officers don't spend their time watching AFL games. I'd suggest it's the senior coach who'd make the call on trades and drafting of recycled players.

those 10 picks are why we are where we are today...

look at the players drafted in the 2001 draft, and we got molan and rogers

put 2 decent players around those picks into our team, with 100+ games with them, and we would be alright, even the surrounding years, thompson, smith and arma, both gone

CAC's record from 2003 has been alright, but the 2-3 years of duds has cost us a fair bit

Another thing you don't understand is that trades and draft selections of recycled players are not the domain of the recruiting dept. Recruiting officers don't spend their time watching AFL games. I'd suggest it's the senior coach who'd make the call on trades and drafting of recycled players.

I'm pretty sure that CAC had the final say in the drafting of recycled players, but I'd agree with you about the trades. Honestly I only put that #10 in there because there weren't any more low picks that was a failure and I didn't believe that a pick in the 50's and above that didn't work out deserved to be on the list.

I think the coach has a fair input into player trades so I don't think CAC is responsible for bringing Ben Holland to the club. Anyway it's hard to see why Ben is regarded as a "failure", he's listed for his 5th year at the club has played 54 games and performed a range of roles very effectively. Jed Adcock is the only player in 2003 2nd round that gives cause for concern ...

Round 2 20 West Coast SAMUEL BUTLER CENTRAL DISTRICTS 14/01/1986 185 75

Medium, inside midfielder/forward with clean hands and good foot skills. Rarely goes to ground and reads the play well. AIS-AFL Academy member and SA U/18 representative in 2003. Member of Central Districts Reserves Premiership side this year. From South Gawler FC. Year 12 student at Xavier College in Gawler.

Round 2 21 Richmond ALEX GILMORE TASSIE MARINERS 29/06/1986

Round 2 22 Geelong CAMERON THURLEY TASMANIA 26/11/1981 181.7 75

Small inside midfielder who is excellent front and square. Hard runner who uses the ball extremely well.

Round 2 23 Brisbane Lions MATTHEW MOODY SOUTH FREMANTLE (WAFL) 23/09/1985 187 81.8 Medium, outside forward who finds space and is a penetrating kick. Smart near goals. All-Australian U/18 in 2002. AIS-AFL Academy in 2002. Vice-captain of WA at 2003 National AFL U/18 Championships. From Kelmscott FC.

Round 2 24 Kangaroos CHAD JONES CLAREMONT (WAFL) 15/06/1984 195.9 80.8

Tall, outside defender/forward – very athletic player who is a penetrating right foot kick. Was in the top 10% for the 10 metre sprint at the 2003 National Draft camp.

Round 2 25 Hawthorn HARRY MILLER PORT ADELAIDE (SANFL) 11/06/1985 174.2 77.5 Small, outside midfielder/forward with a great leap. Good speed and knows where the goals are. SA u18 representative this year. Had the best sit and reach (flexibility) at the 2003 National Draft. From Mallee Park F.C.

Round 2 26 West Coast DANIEL MCCONNELL EASTERN RANGES 21/06/1986 189.7 84

Inside defender or forward – has excellent pace and endurance for his size. Extremely good in the air and has got sound skills. AIS/AFL Academy in 2003. Was in the top 10% for the shuttle run at the 2003 National Draft camp. From Vermont F.C.

Round 2 27 Fremantle ADAM CAMPBELL NORTH BALLARAT REBELS 25/01/1985 191.9 78.2 Tall, inside key forward who continually presents himself. Has speed off the mark and is a good kick. Versatility and leadership qualities are strengths. From Hamilton F.C.

Round 2 28 Essendon JAY NASH CENTRAL DISTRICTS 21/12/1985 185 75

Medium, outside defender/midfielder with terrific work rate and excellent finishing skills. Has good football brain. AIS-AFL Academy member in 2002. SA U/18 representative in 2002 and 2003. Was in the top 10% for the standing vertical jump at the 2003 National Draft camp, state screening session. Another member of Central Districts Reserves Premiership team this year. From Nuriootpa FC. Year 12 student at Nuriootpa High School.

Round 2 29 Sydney TIM SCHMIDT WEST ADELAIDE 14/03/1986 179.2 77.6 Small, inside midfielder with clean disposal skills and strong in the air. Joint u16’s B & F medal winner in 2002. AIS/AFL Academy and SA u18 rep in 2003. From Robertstown F.C

Round 2 30 Port Adelaide BRADLEY SYMES CENTRAL DISTRICTS 7/03/1985 185 75

Medium defender/midfielder who is strong over the ball. Good hand and foot skills. AIS-AFL Academy in 2002. Named South Australia’s most valuable player in the 2003 National AFL U/18 Championships, and won All-Australian U/18 honours, member of Central Districts Reserve Premiership side in 2003. From Gawler Centrals FC. First year student at Adelaide University.

Round 2 31 Adelaide JOSHUA KRUEGER GLENELG (SANFL) 27/10/1983 195.3 91.1 Tall, inside ruckman – athletic player who can take a strong contested mark. Excellent work rate. From West Gambier.

Round 2 32 Collingwood BRAYDEN SHAW NORTHERN KNIGHTS 16/09/1985

Round 2 33 Brisbane Lions JED ADCOCK NORTH BALLARAT REBELS 15/11/1985 184 81.8 Disciplined, medium, inside defender who is defensively very good. Smart footballer who plays a physical game, but can provide plenty of run. A real competitor finishing 3rd in Rebels B & F this year after representing Vic Country in the National AFL U18’s. Was in the top 10% for standing vertical jump and 10 metre sprint at the 2003 National Draft camp. From Maryborough FC. Year 12 student at Maryborough Regional College.

You're very wrong.

And yes, you don't think.

You are a meanie

Would anyone care to look at the record of CAC's predecessor at the club? I think he had very few hits and as a result CAC had an enormous job to do in those early years in an occupation that inevitably bring your club some misses over time.

I have a feeling Cameron Schwab was head of recruiting for he 95-96 drafts, craig took over mid 1997 when schwab was made CEO. Richard griffiths was in charge before that I believe. Schwab got us Woewodin in the PSD and James McDonald in the first rookie draft. He got Robbo at pick 60-odd in the 1996 draft but he was redrafted thru the rookie draft after being delisted.

The rookie draft was introduced in 1997.

Craig presided over it for Melbourne.

He drafted Nathan Basset, Matthew Bishop, Daniel Ward, Robbo, Junior and a bloke named Duncan O'Toole. Fair day's work.

I think the coach has a fair input into player trades so I don't think CAC is responsible for bringing Ben Holland to the club. Anyway it's hard to see why Ben is regarded as a "failure", he's listed for his 5th year at the club has played 54 games and performed a range of roles very effectively. Jed Adcock is the only player in 2003 2nd round that gives cause for concern ...

It's clear that we have a different understanding of what 'very effectively' means. It's without a doubt that Holland wouldn't get a gig with any other club if he was delisted by us.

6. Troy Longmuir (pick 22, 1997)

Thought he showed promise before he left us. We managed to get pick 19 for him (Brad Green) a couple of years later, so all in all, not such a bad selection

It's clear that we have a different understanding of what 'very effectively' means. It's without a doubt that Holland wouldn't get a gig with any other club if he was delisted by us.

Holland has done a job. He was recruited to fill a positional need as a big fullback gorilla keeper, and extra tall in the forward line. He's done so with full commitment and has produced a satisfactory perfomance.

Bulldogs with their height crisis would have accepted him, for the same reasons. Hawthorn (Mark Williams at one end, Zac Dawson at the other) might have found him useful, too. So there's two possible lists he could be on, and I've spent as much time thinking about it as I have typing it.

He is now 5 years older than when we got him, of course his options would be very limited if we delisted him. But remember that when we picked him up we really were just a little excited about him being able to fill a role. I think it was a fair decision to grab him at the time, and a fair decision to keep him on the list for 08.

If Carroll hadn't turned it right up when Nicho faded out into retirement, Holland would have been our only fullback for two years now - Far from ideal but we would be glad we had him!