The Crows will be hoping to unearth another gem like Rory Sloane with their third pick in the 2014 AFL National Draft to be held on the Gold Coast on Thursday, November 27.
Adelaide currently has four selections inside the draft top 60: 14, 35, 43 and 59. Another late pick will be used to formalise rookie Charlie Cameron’s promotion to the senior list.
Read about the history of pick No.14 and also pick No.35
The Club has never previously held pick No.43, but pulled off one of the great recruiting coups by snapping up vice-captain Sloane at No.44 in the 2008 National Draft. Read Rory’s Recruiting File.
The greatest-ever player selected at No.43 in a national meet is Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes. A two-time premiership player and Brownlow Medallist, Goodes was drafted to the Swans in 1997. The four-time All Australian and Indigenous Games record holder has played 351 games and will continue his decorated career in 2015.
North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow is also a product of pick No.43. Swallow joined the Kangaroos with the third-round selection in 2005. The dual best-and-fairest winner has played 164 AFL games.
Forward Mark Williams won a premiership with Hawthorn after being recruited with pick No.43 in the 2000 AFL National Draft, while Lindsay Gilbee played 206 games for the Western Bulldogs after being drafted with the same pick the year prior (1999). Pick No.43 was most recently used by West Coast, who selected Tom Barrass at No.43 in last year’s National Draft.
The Crows have experienced success picking in the 40s in the past.
Forward Ian Perrie joined the Club with pick No.49 in the 1997 National Draft, while ruckman Ivan Maric was a good find at No.40 in 2004. In the inaugural 1989 National Draft, Matthew Robran was recruited by Hawthorn at No.42. The goalkicker went on to play 137 games, including 130 for the Crows, where he won two premierships.
Current Crows David Mackay (No.48 in 2006) , Sam Shaw (No.45 in 2009) and Mitch Grigg (No.41 in 2011) were all selected in the third round. Last year, Adelaide used selection No.46 to secure local half-forward Riley Knight.
Other notable AFL players picked in the 40s include current Crows defensive coach Darren Milburn. Milburn became a Cat with pick No.48 in the 1996 National Draft and played a total of 292 games. Milburn was selected immediately after Brent Harvey, who was one of the greatest draft steals of all-time at No.47 in ‘95’. Star Swan Michael O’Loughlin (No.40 in 1994), Roos premiership player David King (No.46 in 1993), Saint Austinn Jones (No.48 in 1994) and modern-day greats Corey Enright (No.47 in 1999) and Kade Simpson (No.45 in 2002) National Draft were also drafted in the 40s.
