IT HAS been a little more than 30 years since the then-VFL held its first national draft. While footy fans are well-versed in the feted number-one pick since Martin Leslie became the first back in the inaugural 1986 draft, the chances of picking an out and out champion the later the pick, are indeed lessened.Given the national draft now has more than 30 years of history to look back on, as an exercise we will examine the most successful draft picks taken in the low 30s. Like the lottery that is drafting at times, many names drafted over the years are now long-forgotten by most fans. However, there have been some true draft gems secured in hindsight for outstanding value. As follows, here is a selection of the best players drafted in the low 30s since 1986.

Shaun Hart, 1989

Drafted from Shepparton United with pick 33 to the Brisbane Bears, Hart was small in stature, but earned the respect of the football world over 273 games in 15 seasons with the Bears, then Lions. Hart was a key member of all three Lions’ premiership sides from 2001-2003, but in particular, his performance in the 2001 Grand Final against Essendon saw him awarded the coveted Norm Smith Medal. Unfortunately, Hart’s career ended on a sad note finishing injured in the Lions 2004 preliminary final win over Geelong, denying him the chance to finish his career in the Brisbane Lions historic attempt for a fourth successive premiership.

Simon Black, 1997

When it comes to football greats, Simon Black’s resume more than fills the required criteria. A triple-premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, Black played 322 games, was named All-Australian on three occasions, won three best and fairest awards, and is one of the few players to have won the Brownlow Medal and a Norm Smith Medal.  Drafted with pick 31 in the 1997 National draft via East Fremantle, Black debuted for the Lions the following year, and it didn’t take long before he found himself in the Lions’ best 22, playing 22 games in the 1999 season.

Black won his first best and fairest award in 2001, tying with skipper Michael Voss, and he added two more in 2002 and 2006. In addition, Black was runner-up five times, including four years in a row from 2008-2011. Along with his 2002 Brownlow win, Black was also runner-up in the 2007 Brownlow count (with Brent Harvey and the ineligible Daniel Kerr), and again the following year, falling just one vote short of eventual winner Adam Cooney. Black may have suffered an injury-plagued final season in 2013, but he was still good enough at the end to poll two Brownlow votes in his last AFL game. One thing is for sure, as soon as he is eligible, Simon Black will be a walk up start for the Australian Football Hall of Fame. 

Paul Chapman, 1999

Hailing from the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Chapman was drafted by Geelong with pick 31 in 1999 via the Calder Cannons. Debuting with the Cats in 2000, Chapman played 251 games in the blue and white hoops, and was a member of Geelong’s three premiership sides in 2007, 2009 and 2011. But it was the 2009 season that was the highlight of his career, Chapman was named in the All-Australian team for the first time, kicked the goal to put the Cats in front late in the 2009 Grand Final, then was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for his performance that afternoon. Proving he wasn’t a one-season wonder, Chapman backed up again with another All-Australian selection in 2010. At the end of 2013, Chapman departed Geelong, but still feeling he had some senior footy left in him, moved to Essendon where he played a further 29 games over the course of 2014/15. 

Daniel Hannebery, 2008

Current Sydney Swan, Dan Hannebery has already carved out an impressive resume so far in his nine-year senior career, highlighted by his win in the 2010 AFL Rising Star award, playing in the Swans’ 2012 premiership win over Hawthorn, and being named a three-time All-Australian. Hannebery was drafted via the Oakleigh Chargers with pick 30 in the 2008 National draft, making his senior debut with the Swans in round 16, 2009 and has now accumulated 193 games with the Swans. Hannebery’s form as one of the games premier midfielders was also recognised with his win of the AFL Coaches Association award for the 2015 season. As Hannebery moves towards the 200 game milestone later this year and beyond, he has the chance to see more success for the Swans and personally enhance further his reputation before his time in the game is over. No doubt he has the ability to.