Fox Sports AFL guru Julian de Stoop takes an in-depth look at some of the draftees who found themselves where many didn't expect.
THE AFL draft is done and dusted for another year, with clubs calling out the names of 94 players they hope to become stars. But who got it right, who got it wrong and what are recruiters still shaking their heads about? Read our special report.
SAM LANDSBERGER GIVES HIS 10 BIG DRAFT SURPRISES
THE STEAL
Magpie fans thought they were on a winner when West Coast agreed to send its first pick east for Sharrod Wellingham and last night added about five exclamation marks.
It's a wonder Derek Hine kept a straight face as he read out ruck beast Brodie Grundy at 18, with the slider of 2012 initially regarded as a top-three pick.
But with young ruckmen on the nose Grundy just kept on sliding. Word filtered out this week that Grundy would weave past GWS's first five choices, causing the Roos and Cats to reassess their draft plans.
When they both stuck to their guns and baulked, the 202cm All-Australian who can boot bags of goals officially became a Pie.
Collingwood recruit Brodie Grundy after the AFL National Draft. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
SuperFooty Draft Tracker: Your home of the AFL Draft
THE SLIDER
It was a case of mind over matter for clubs eyeing Dayle Garlett last night with the slick West Australian passed up by every club.
The All-Australian could not find a home and now he faces the serious realisation his AFL dream may never materialise due to repeated off-field issues, which saw him axed from the AIS-AFL Academy.
Social media photos which emerged late this year didn't help Garlett's cause, despite the 18-year-old rated as a top-10 talent on raw talent alone. Will someone take the punt on him as a rookie?
Pick Me: Exclusive video highlights of 20 of the hottest draft picks
HIGHLY RATED: Dayle Garlett has been impressive for Swan Districts since making his league debut this year. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
THE SAINTS
All the rage was the Saints needed to assess their bare key defensive stocks, so it came as a surprise when they plucked a forward (Spencer White) and a rebounding halfback (Nathan Wright) with their early pair of picks.
Adding to the intrigue was the best two key defenders – full-back Tanner Smith and centre half-back Tom Clurey – were both available at 24 and 25.
But the Saints took the punt on freakish Western Jets spearhead Spencer White earlier than expected before landing explosive halfback Nathan Wright.
That left Clurey and Smith to fall interstate, to Port Adelaide and Fremantle respectively. Do the Saints have something left up their sleeve to aid their undersized backline?
Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Tanner Smith in action
THE SWANS
Tim Membrey at pick 46? You'd be joking. Get the feeling the premiers will be laughing at that as soon as next year.
The power forward who will play as a third tall is ready-made, praised for his repeated efforts and boasts a golden right boot.
In fact, Gippsland Power coach Nick Stevens rates his set-shot better than Brendan Fevola's and said he thought Membrey was a top-10 talent.
The Dogs liked him at pick 21 but when Nathan Hrovat slipped he was simply too good to refuse, meaning the tattooed spearhead slipped into the 40s.
His questions marks are his size of only 189cm and his lack of endurance, but you get the feeling the SCG will quickly become his favourite ground.
Exclusive "Pick Me vision of Tim Membrey in action
Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Nathan Hrovat in action
Big wraps: Gippsland Power coach Nick Stevens says Tim Membrey is a more accurate kick for goal than Brendon Fevola. Source: Herald Sun
THE RAIDERS
Unfazed by Ben Jacobs' homesickness, Port Adelaide only took interstaters.
That despite the abundance of home-grown South Australian talent on offer in a clear sign the Power is not spooked by losing Jacobs for nothing.
Clearance king Ollie Wines was irresistible at No. 7 before centre half-back Tom Clurey appealed at 29. The endurance specialist will help cover Troy Chaplin, while WA boy Mason Shaw shores up Port's front half as a big target.
The Pies, Lions, Crows, Cats, Suns, Giants, Hawks and Swans also only drafted from outside their home states, while the Dogs and Eagles casted their nets locally.
Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Ollie Wines in action
Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Tom Clurey in action
AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,running across hay bails on his farm, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
CROWS CROW AFTER ALL
Maybe it's karma for all the "goodwill" the Crows apparently showed by handing back their first few picks, but, amazingly, they still finished big winners.
Sam Siggins at 62 is the key defender already exposed to senior footy they crave, while Rory Atkins at 81 bordered on ridiculous.
This ball magnet won Calders' best-and-fairest and was touted as a second-round pick with the Tigers and Bombers showing hot interest.
THE BOLTERS
The Herald Sun revealed last week Lachie Plowman was spearing towards the No. 3 pick, but he wasn't the only player to power up the order.
The Swans jagged VFL recruit Dean Towers at pick 22 with the explosive halfback aiding their ageing backline, while the Lions surprised plenty of clubs when they called out Marco Paparone at pick 23.
They rated the key forward above Membrey, Shaw and Mason Wood, while Spencer White at 25 also shocked some given a wrist injury he's carried.
The Dogs sprung a surprise when they plucked underexposed Josh Prudden at pick 50 but are confident they have a winner in the Assumption College midfielder.
A GIANT PIE
His old man played 115 games in black and white, but Eddie McGuire will have to watch James Stewart develop under the guise of nemesis Kevin Sheedy at GWS.
The Pies passed on the father-son prospect and the Giants are hoping to make them pay, snaring the mobile big man with pick 27.
Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Stewart, the man the Pies overlooked
Father son stars of the Victorian Metro U/18 players L-R, James Stewart and Lachie Hunter. James's dad Craig played for Collingwood while Lachie's father Mark played for Footscray Picture: Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun
THE VFL SURPRISE PACKET
Frankston Dolphins coach Simon Goosey holds a part-time recruiting gig at Essendon and he's again earned his coin.
The Dons continued their Peninsula extraction, scooping up unheralded defender Dylan Van Unen at pick 51.
The 189cm ready-made talent, who played three reserve flags at Box Hill, joins fellow defenders Michael Hibberd and Mark Baguley at Windy Hill.
THE UNLUCKY MISSES
Sam Colquhoun must be wondering what more he could have done.
The halfback earned All-Australian colours, averaged 28 possessions for South Australia and tracked at 78 per cent efficiency yet couldn't find a home last night.
One club said moments before the draft his club would take a good look, regarding the 17-year-old as a "running machine" who excels as a link-up player and tipping Colquhoun to graduate between picks 25-40.
Dandenong Stingray Jason Pongracic was also stiff after Collingwood showed strong interest, while beanpole Geelong Falcons ruckman Darcy Fort also had no luck.
Those boys were quick to be told to keep their chins up, keep working hard and look to the rookie draft.
Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger
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