Article on the first draft

[markm106]

Interesting article by Emma Quayle. Draft has come a long way as well as the scouting.
http://australianfootball.com/articles/view/The+birth+of+the+draft/68

 

[35Daicos]

Interesting article by Emma Quayle. Draft has come a long way as well as the scouting.

It is a very well written article, and Emma Quayle an excellent writer. Yet it does strangely ignore the fact that there had been 2 previous VFL Drafts, held in 1981 and 1982. All 12 clubs took 2 players each from outside of Victoria in those drafts. The topic was covered here:- http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/draft-history-pre-1986.788375/

 

[markm106]

It is a very well written article, and Emma Quayle an excellent writer. Yet it does strangely ignore the fact that there had been 2 previous VFL Drafts, held in 1981 and 1982. All 12 clubs took 2 players each from outside of Victoria in those drafts. The topic was covered here:- http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/draft-history-pre-1986.788375/

Oh cool. Thanks for that. Did not realise those drafts occurred

 

[35Daicos]

Oh cool. Thanks for that. Did not realise those drafts occurred

It's very hard to find a mention of those early drafts even in the official AFL publications these days. It almost seems as if they are meant to be kept secret!

 

[loki04]

Seems pick 1 can be some what of a poison chalice, quite often the best player from the draft comes from 2-5 range. Obviously most #1 picks turn out to be ver very good players but rarely are the best player picked up that draft.

 

[Macca19]

Leslie was a gun. Could play CHB and CHF equally well. Pretty similar to a Chad Cornes in game style. Brutal in one on ones. All Australian, won a BnF at the Bears as well.

 

[footyfan1978]

First player truly drafted in league Alan Johnson of Melbourne.
Most of the guys that were drafted in 1981 and accepted the offer to play the next year were not 18 year olds but generally 23 to 25 years old as established young men.

Alan Johnson played with Dees. Was a wonderful player. 24 when selected by Dees with pick 1.
Craig Holden played with North in 1982.
Wayne Otway with Essendon and Ross Ditchburn probably the first draftee in Carlton trading history. Played in 1982 grand final but got a kicked to head so was out of it pretty soon.