The top three selections in the 2016 National Draft – Andrew McGrath, Tim Taranto and Hugh McCluggage – have all developed into fine young midfielders.
Essendon selected McGrath with the first pick overall with Taranto (pick 2) and McCluggage (3) landing at GWS and Brisbane respectively.
McGrath was named the 2017 Rising Star, Taranto won his first best and fairest in a star-studded Giants side in 2019, while Lions gun McCluggage has twice made the All-Australian squad of 40.
Former Geelong midfielder Liam Pickering would select McCluggage with pick No.1 if he was redoing the 2016 draft.
“He’s an inside player but he can also hurt on the outside, that’s what I really like about him,” Pickering told The Oval Office.
“He’s an absolute jet. He has been for I think two years, this is his third year of it.
“I reckon last year was his breakout year, the year before he was really good, and this year he’s gone up again.
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“They’re all bloody good players. Taranto has won a best and fairest and McGrath I’m a big fan of.
“But if I was redoing that (draft) … I’d probably take McCluggage at No.1.
“There was a lot of talk that he was going pick No.1 at various stages that year. But take nothing away from the other two, they're unbelievably good players.”
McCluggage is putting up career-best numbers as he strives for a maiden All-Australian blazer in 2021.
The 23-year-old is averaging 26.4 disposals per match and is ranked in the top five in the AFL for goal assists and score involvements.