It’s time to turn back to clock to relive some of Adelaide’s great draft successes from years gone by as we count down to this year's National Draft on November 25.
Brent Reilly (No.12 2001 National Draft)
Recruited from the Calder Cannons with Adelaide’s first selection in the 2001 National Draft, Brent Reilly emerged as one of the Club’s great draft finds.
The Victorian endured some early struggles with injuries and homesickness, managing just seven senior games through his first two seasons.
However, with the appointment of Neil Craig as Crows coach midway through the 2004 season, ‘Radar’ began to find his feet at West Lakes. He notched 14 games that year and earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 16 against Fremantle following a then career-best 22-possession performance.
Known for his versatility and elite kicking, Reilly played a variety of positions over the course of his 13-year career with Adelaide. Starting out as a wingman, Reilly was also deployed as a tagger before moving to half-back later in his career.
It was in this role in defence that Reilly earned himself an All-Australian nomination in 2012.
A consistent performer, ‘Radar’ finished top 10 in Adelaide’s Club Champion award in three consecutive seasons (2010-2012), including a fourth-place finish in 2010. He received Life Membership of the Club in 2012.
Reilly retired ahead of season 2015 after 203 AFL games – ranked 14th all-time at the Adelaide Football Club.
The Crows found another handy contributor through the 2001 Pre-season Draft in Chris Ladhams.
Originally selected by Essendon with selection No.23 in 1998 National Draft, Ladhams was delisted after three seasons with the Bombers but made his way to West Lakes with Adelaide’s opening pick in the Pre-season Draft.
A crafty utility, Ladhams played 54 games for the Crows between 2001-2004. His best year for Adelaide was 2003 when he kicked 20 goals and averaged nearly 15 possessions playing as an opportunist forward.
National Draft – Adelaide 2001
No.12 – Brent Reilly (Calder U18s)
No.44 – Ben Finnin (Northern U18s)
No.59 – Jacob Schuback (Gippsland U18s)
No.73 – Not utilised
Pre-season Draft – Adelaide 2001
No.5 – Chris Ladhams (Essendon Reserves)
No.12 – Adam Richardson (West Adelaide)
2001 National Draft Top Ten
No.1 – Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
No.2 – Luke Ball (St Kilda)
No.3 – Chris Judd (West Coast)
No.4 – Graham Polak (Fremantle)
No.5 – Xavier Clarke (St Kilda)
No.6 – Ashley Sampi (West Coast)
No.7 – David Hale (North Melbourne)
No.8 – Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
No.9 – Luke Molan (Melbourne)
No.10 – Sam Power (Western Bulldogs)
