SINCE the first NAB AFL Draft was held in 1986, clubs have been trying to perfect the inexact science of identifying and recruiting the best young talent each year.

So, with the 2008 NAB AFL Draft fast approaching afc.com.au presents part three of its six-part review of Adelaide’s biggest hits (and misses) in drafts gone by.

1998 NAB AFL Draft
Adelaide, coming off back-to-back premierships, got its first-round selection absolutely spot on in 1997 when it signed up exciting local talent Brett Burton.

Unfortunately, the selection of Burton at number 16 was somewhat overshadowed by the non-selection of superstar Matthew Pavlich.

The clubs were offered the chance to take one under-age player in the draft, and then recruiting manager James Fantasia opted for Ken McGregor, who had already experienced senior footy at Woodville West-Torrens, over the Pavlich.

McGregor forged a solid 150-plus game career in his own right, but has forever been the subject of comparisons with the Fremantle skipper, who in the end was passed over completely in the 1998 draft.

West Australia onballer Tyson Stenglein joined the club via pick number 29 and Adelaide punted on local talent, Bryan Beinke (pick number 34), Lucas Herbert (pick 48) and Brodie Atkinson (pick 80) with its latter selections.

The AFL also introduced the NAB AFL Rookie Draft in 1997, where the Crows picked up ruckman/forward Ben Marsh.

Overall pick of the draft…
Des Headland went to Brisbane at pick number one in what was another unpredictable draft. Justin Longmuir (Fremantle), Nic Fosdike (Sydney), Ryan Fitzgerald (Sydney) and Michael Stevens (Port Adelaide) rounded out the top-five.

Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola fell through to pick 38 and West Coast snared a gem with premiership star Andrew Embley at pick number 57.

1999 NAB AFL Draft
This was a fairly successful draft for the Crows, who picked up ruckman Rhett Biglands and tagger Robert Shirley with two mid-range picks.

However, Adelaide was less successful in selecting Ricky O’Loughlin -- brother of Sydney’s Michael -- as well as Justin Cicolella and Matthew Shir, who played a combined total of 25 games.

Trade week attracted two experienced campaigners with Scott Welsh and Matthew Clarke heading to West Lakes to further bolster Adelaide’s list.

Overall pick of the draft…
Collingwood chose ruckman Josh Fraser with its prized number one pick, leaving Pavlich to go to Fremantle at pick number four, Joel Corey to Geelong at pick number eight, Darren Glass to West Coast at pick number 11 and Robert Murphy to the Western Bulldogs at pick 13.

Cats Cameron Ling (pick number 38) and Corey Enright (number 47), as well as Bulldog Lindsay Gilbee (43) and Collingwood livewire Leon Davis (34) were other brilliant pick-ups.

2000 NAB AFL Draft
The Crows, with the benefit of hindsight, would probably want to go about things in this draft a little differently. Expectations were huge as Adelaide entered the selections with its highest ever pick (number 7) but fans were left feeling let down when the club’s first choice, Victorian teenager Laurence Angwin, failed to play a game for the Crows.

The 200cm athlete had undeniable talent, but a series of misdemeanours saw him delisted. Angwin was eventually re-drafted as a rookie by Carlton in 2004, but his contract was terminated after he tested positive for an illicit drug.

The Crows also made the decision to give up pick number 12 (Shaun Burgoyne) to Port Adelaide in exchange for Matthew Bode.

Defender Graham Johncock, who slipped through to number 67, was a shining light for Adelaide in the 2000 draft.

Former rookie Michael Doughty was also promoted to the club’s senior list in this year.

Best picks of the draft overall…
St Kilda duo Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke headlined the selections in 2000, which also produced such talents as Alan Didak, Daniel Motlop, Daniel Kerr, Scott Thompson and Kane Cornes. But it’s fair to say the Saints got it right with superstar Riewoldt at number one.

The views of this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club