AFL Draft: Pick 2 - who has been the best and who will be selected this year?

Mick Stirling

AFL Draft: Pick 2 - who has been the best and who will be selected this year? image

The 2018 AFL NAB National Draft kicks off its two-day affair this year with the first round selected on Thursday November 22nd and the rest of the draft completed on Friday November 23rd.

In the lead up to the draft, Sporting News will bring you the history of each pick - including who got it right (or wrong) through the years.

Pick 2: GOLD COAST SUNS

Who are the Suns likely to draft?

The general consensus is that Gold Coast will take South Australian key forward Jack Lukosius at pick two, but it’s no fait accompli.

Carlton likes Lukosius and there’s a chance - albeit a slim one - they’ll grab him with the opening pick on Thursday night. 

If so, then the Suns’ SA plan will be blown apart and they could opt for Victorian midfielder Sam Walsh, or alternatively rewrite the whole night by live-trading picks six and 24 for St Kilda’s pick four, then locking in a trio of Sandringham Dragons teammates, Bailey Smith and the King twins, Ben and Max. 

However, the smart money will be on the Blues taking Walsh and Gold Coast grabbing Lukosius.

Jack Lukosius (SA): 194cm, 85kg
Draft experts spent a lot of 2018 talking up Lukosius as the standout number-one choice, but Carlton will likely opt for local boy, Walsh. Lukosius is a natural forward but has the athleticism to go through the midfield, and the smarts and discipline to play down back. The one knock is whether he’s got the size to be a genuine key forward, which leaves a little bit of Jack-Watts worry.

#Jack Lukosius

Sam Walsh (VIC): 183cm, 74kg
It’s hard to see Walsh anywhere other than Princes Park next year, but if the Blues opt out the Suns will jump. The Geelong Falcons captain is close to a complete footballer – speed, skill, agility, natural leadership qualities and a desire to stand up when needed.

Sam Walsh

History of AFL draft pick 2

Most games played: 
279 Nigel Lappin (Brisbane 1993)

Nigel Lappin

Least games played: 
0 Steven Sims (St Kilda 1986)

Games by players selected with pick 2
Average: 138.9

Games played in completed careers
0-49: 4
50-99: 2
100-149: 3
150-199: 3
200+: 7

The best pick 2s

Nigel Lappin (Brisbane 1993): 279 games, best and fairest winner (2004), four-time All Australian (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), three-time premiership player (2001, 2002, 2003), Brisbane captain (2007 – 2008)

Trent Cotchin (Richmond 2007): 220 games, Brownlow Medal (2012), three-time best and fairest winner (2011, 2012, 2014), All Australian (2012), AFLCA MVP (2012), Premiership player (2017 captain), Richmond captain (2013 – present), AFLPA Best Captain (2018)

Trent Cotchin

Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn 2004): 275 games, two-time All Australian (2013, 2014), Coleman Medal (2013), four-time premiership player (2008, 2013, 2014, 2015), Hawthorn captain (2017 – present)

#Jarryd Roughead

Brad Ottens (Richmond 1997): 245 games (129 at Richmond, 116 at Geelong), All Australian (2001), three-time Geelong premiership player (2007, 2009, 2011)

Brad Ottens

Daniel Wells (North Melbourne 2002): 257 games (243 at North Melbourne, 14 at Collingwood), two-time North Melbourne best and fairest winner (2011, 2013)

#daniel wells

Something to tell the boys at the pub

There’s been some gun players taken with the second overall selection, but it’s the only pick in the top five never to have produced a 300-gamer. Jarryd Roughead (2004, 275 games) could reach the milestone in 2019 if Hawthorn goes deep into the finals and he doesn’t miss a game, but with the Hawks skipper out of contract in 12 months’ time it looks like he may finish his career painfully short. 

Trent Cotchin (2007, 220 games) looks the most likely to get the ‘triple ton’ up first. Dale Thomas (2005, 238 games) and Daniel Wells (2002, 257 games) are closer, but it would take a miracle for either to get the opportunity.

#Dale Thomas

Mick Stirling