This year marks the 15th anniversary since Hawthorn has had a top five pick in the national draft. 

Geelong and Adelaide have also not participated in the top five over this period, while, at the other end of the spectrum, Greater Western Sydney have taken an alarming 14 selections in the elite areas of the nine drafts it has participated in. 

With Pick 4 currently residing in the Hawks' possession, this decade-and-a-half long streak may be set to come to an end in less than a month's time.

But, while the Hawks may not have had a chance to flex their recruiting muscle at the pointy end of recent drafts, the club's record in the top five speaks for itself.

McKenzie: We like what we have in Pick 4

Take a look at our last five top five picks whilst also keeping in mind it might be considered near-on irresponsible to place the expectations on this hypothetical Pick 4 player based on those who have come before him. 

Trent Croad (Pick 3 in 1997 draft)

A key-position talent from the Dandenong Stingrays, the Hawks committed their third pick to Croad who barely missed a beat in his transition to the elite level, playing 84 games across his first four years as a Hawk. A shock trade at the end of the 2001 season saw Croad spend the next two years at Fremantle, before he made a return to the brown and gold in 2004. He would go on to play another 100 games for the club over the next five years, becoming a premiership player in 2008.

Luke Hodge (Pick 1 in 2001 draft)

In order to bring in a top five pick, they had to send out a top five pick. The reason Croad was traded was so the Hawks could secure Pick 1 in the 2001 'Super Draft' - and with it, acquire the services of Luke Hodge, the chubby kid from Colac. Hodge would go onto become one of the greatest leaders our game has seen, playing in four premierships, captaining the Hawks in three of them, and becoming one of just four people to have won dual Norm Smith Medals. The Hawks got 16 seasons of incredible service from Hodge, who registered 305 games in the number 15. After a short-lived retirement in 2017, Hodge continued his career for a further two seasons with the Lions, where he was renowned for his mentoring ability.

Jarryd Roughead (Pick 2 in 2004 draft)

Haven't we been blessed over the past decade? Jarryd Roughead is one of those names that is synonymous with Hawthorn. After being selected with the second pick in the 2004 draft, 'Roughy' went on to play 283 games in the brown and gold, including five grand finals and four premierships. A force to be reckoned with in the forward line, Roughead won the Coleman Medal in 2013, and was the Hawks' leading goal kicker in three separate seasons (2013, 2014, 2017). Known as a great leader, a beloved teammate and a loyal clubman - Roughead is one of those rare gems recruiters are hoping to uncover come draft night.

Lance Franklin (Pick 5 in 2004 draft)

This man's praises have been sung since the day he first stepped foot on the AFL stage. Arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Hawthorn nabbed Lance 'Buddy' Franklin for what could now be considered a steal at Pick 5 in the 2004 draft (behind Brett Deledio - Rich, Roughead, Ryan Griffen - WB and Richard Tambling - Rich). He dedicated nine seasons to the brown and gold - a tenure that saw two premierships, four All Australian selections, six seasons as club leading goal kicker, two Coleman medals and two AFL Goal of the Year awards - not a bad rap sheet. His legacy has only grown since departing for the Swans in late 2013, adding another two Colemans, four All Australians and five leading goal kicker honours, though - to the satisfaction of a small contingent of Hawthorn fans - no additional premierships.

Xavier Ellis (Pick 3 in 2005 draft) 

A highly touted youngster from the Gippsland Power, Xavier Ellis was selected with the third pick in the 2005 draft, behind Marc Murphy (Carlton) and Dale Thomas (Collingwood). He didn't play a game in his first season, due to injury and focusing his time on completing his year 12 studies. But when he got his opportunity, Ellis' impact was instantaneous, with the midfielder taking home the club's best first year award in 2007. Just 12 months later, he earned his maiden premiership medallion after an impressive performance against the Cats on the big stage, as he topped the Hawks' disposal count with 28. Though his last few years at the Hawks were marred with injury before finishing his career west, Ellis remains a favourite among the brown and gold faithful.

Number of top five draft picks since the 2006 national draft

Greater Western Sydney 14

Melbourne 9

Gold Coast 9

Brisbane 5

Carlton 4

Essendon 4

Fremantle 4

St Kilda 4

North Melbourne 3

West Coast 3

Port Adelaide 3

Western Bulldogs 3

Richmond 2

Sydney 2

Collingwood 1

Adelaide 0

Geelong 0

Hawthorn 0