Footy’s a funny business.
We’re all sitting around this week, mulling over which teams ‘won’ the 2024 AFL Draft, and we do that whilst knowing very little about how the careers of those picked will pan out.
Still, you take a win whenever you can get one if you’re a team that spends a fair bit of time in the cellar, I guess.
It is only after a few years in the system that we get a true picture of who won and lost any given draft.
Last year, around this time, we covered the 2019 AFL Draft, with the real winners emerging as Fremantle and Gold Coast. You can read more about it, here.
As I always like to do, I enjoy looking back to see what Chris Doerre (with an emphasis on the ‘err’ from ESPN thought of the process. He is one of the best at jumping the gun and labelling clubs a winner at this time of year).
In 2020, he labelled Carlton’s draft haul an A+.
Do you know who Carlton drafted?
Jack Carroll and Corey Durdin.
Maybe I’ll take the emphasis off the “err” and put it on the “dur” for that assessment.
The Cats got a D+ for drafting Shannon Neale and Max Holmes. Nice work again, Chris. Whilst North were handed the A+ for their drafting of Will Phillips, Tom Powell, Phoenix Spicer, and Eddie Ford.
Prime examples of why handing out draft grades immediately following a draft is not only pointless, but involves nothing but complete guesswork.
But enough bashing ESPN and Chris… even though they’re apparently the worldwide leader in sports.
Cheap shots aside, it’s time to use the benefit of hindsight and patience, and after four years in the system, look at who really won the 2020 AFL Draft.
And yes, there will be some F-Grades.
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