Hawthorn will hold three live picks in Thursday night’s 2013 NAB AFL draft – selections 24, 38 and 56. hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at the history of players taken at each choice in the lead-up to the draft.
Pick 38 has produced some superstar AFL players and the Hawks will hope to pick a gem with the selection in Thursday’s National Draft on the Gold Coast.
Interestingly, pick 38 isn’t foreign to Hawthorn, having held the selection in 2010 and 2011 and also in 2005.
The Hawks picked up youngsters Jordan Kelly and Mitch Hallahan in 2011 and 2010 respectively and selected father/son prospect Travis Tuck in 2005.
While Tuck is no longer on the Club’s list, Hallahan in particular appears ready to make an impact at senior level following an outstanding year for VFL affiliate Box Hill in which he was the join winner of the J. J Liston Trophy as the VFL’s fairest and best player this year.
One of the most successful former number 38 draft picks is Geelong Premiership Captain, Cameron Ling.
Originally drafted as a key forward, Ling eventually turned into a powerful run-with midfielder who would become one of the best taggers in the game.
Widely respected for the way he went about his footy despite usually playing defensive roles on the league’s elite midfielders, Ling played in three premierships with Geelong in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
He captained the Club to the 2011 premiership after assuming the role following the retirement of dual premiership captain, Tom Harley.
He played 246 games for the Cats and won the best and fairest award in 2004.
Though his career ended prematurely following a string of off-field indiscretions, Brendan Fevola, in his prime dominated the competition.
Selected by Carlton with pick 38 in 1998, Fevola was a powerful goal kicking machine who could single-handedly turn games and snatch victory for his team.
He was the Blues’ leading goal kicker between 2003 and 2009, won the Coleman Medal twice (in 2006 and 2009) and was named in the All Australian team three times (2006, 2008, 2009).
Fevola was an enigma whose amazing on-field talents often softened the blow of his poor off-field behaviour before the Blues finally traded him to the Lions where he played just 17 games before being delisted following another off-field issue.
In isolation, Fevola’s on-field talent makes him the best pick 38 in the history of the game.
The Swans have also had success with selection 38, picking up 2012 Premiership player Sam Reid in 2009.
Brother of Collingwood’s Ben Reid, Sam Reid is a powerful tall marking forward whose athleticism and ability above and below his knees are his biggest strengths.
Although enduring an injury interrupted season in 2013, Reid was a key player in Sydney’s Premiership win in 2012 and had a bright future ahead of him because of his contested marking and ability to play in a variety of roles, including in defence.
Also taken with pick 38 was improving Port Adelaide defender/midfielder Matthew Broadbent whose powerful ball-winning ability was a key reason behind his team’s rise in 2013.
History of pick 38 since 1994
Jackson Ramsay (Collingwood)
Jordan Kelly (Hawthorn)
Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn)
Sam Reid (Sydney)
Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide)
Myke Cook (Adelaide)
James Hawksley (Brisbane)
Travis Tuck (Hawthorn, father/son selection)
Damian McCormack (Western Bulldogs)
Mark Blake (Geelong - father/son selection)
Blake Grima (North Melbourne)
Ashley Hansen (West Coast)
Michael Handby (Adelaide)
Cameron Ling (Geelong)
Brendan Fevola (Carlton/Brisbane)
Matthew Blake (Melbourne)
Sam Smart (Carlton)
Jason Cripps (St Kilda)
Matthew Collins (Adelaide)
