Relive some of Adelaide’s great draft successes from years gone by as we count down to this year’s National Draft in Sydney on November 25.
Graham Johncock (No.67 2000 National Draft)
When Graham Johncock’s name was still on the board at pick No.67 in the 2000 National Draft, Adelaide’s recruiting team knew it was an opportunity too good to pass up.
The Club originally planned to only use four selections and save their fifth pick for the Pre-season Draft, but then Crows’ Recruiting Manager James Fantasia and Football Manager John Reid shuffled their strategy late in a move that paid handsome dividends.
Crows fans had to wait to see Johncock in action at senior level. He fractured his jaw during his SANFL debut for the Port Magpies and missed a number of weeks due to dental surgery, but made his AFL debut the following season in 2002.
Johncock had an immediate impact playing as a lively forward, winning the Club’s Emerging Talent award, and was one of only six Adelaide players to feature in all 25 games that year.
He quickly established himself as a fan favourite. ‘Stiffy’ led Adelaide’s goalkicking in 2003 and captured the Showdown Medal in Round Five, but is perhaps best remembered for his damaging work rebounding off half-back.
Over the course of the next decade, Johncock became one of the AFL’s best and most consistent small defenders, finishing in the top five of Adelaide’s Club Champion award on six occasions.
Johncock retired midway through the 2013 AFL season after 227 games with the Crows – 11th on the all-time list at the Club.
Another handy late pick up for Adelaide in 2000 National Draft was Hayden Skipworth.
Despite being delisted after two seasons and just five games, the small forward was given another lifeline in 2003 and would eventually go on to play a total of 44 games for Adelaide.
Skipworth’s best year came in 2005, where he played 21 matches, including three finals.
Adelaide also selected Andrew Crowell with pick No.12 in the 2000 Pre-season Draft. He played 44 games for the Crows over four seasons before injury cut his career short.
National Draft – Adelaide 2000
No.7 – Laurence Angwin (Dandenong U18s)
No.38 – Michael Handby (Dandenong U18s)
No.48 – Matthew Smith (Oakleigh U18s)
No.53 – Hayden Skipworth (Woodville-West Torrens)
No.67 – Graham Johncock (Port Adelaide)
No.77 – Not utilised
Pre-season Draft – Adelaide 2000
No.4 – James Byrne (Glenelg)
No.12 – Andrew Crowell (Woodville-West Torrens)
2000 National Draft Top Ten
No.1 – Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
No.2 – Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda)
No.3 – Alan Didak (Collingwood)
No.4 – Luke Livingston (Carlton)
No.5 – Andrew McDougall (West Coast)
No.6 – Dylan Smith (North Melbourne)
No.7 – Laurence Angwin (Adelaide)
No.8 – Daniel Motlop (North Melbourne)
No.9 – Kayne Pettifer (Richmond)
No.10 – Jordan McMahon (Western Bulldogs)
