2016 Redraft: SEVEN changes to the Top 10

Ten years ago, one of the more interesting drafts took place with seven of the original top ten players failing to make it in the re-draft.

There were some huge hits at the back end of the draft and the rookie draft with premiership players, Norm Smith medallists and All-Australians all being selected well outside the original top ten.

2016 Original Draft

1 - Andrew McGrath (Essendon)
2 - Tim Taranto (GWS)
3 - Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
4 - Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
Traded to Carlton at the end of 2025 and has been a solid contributor, managing 158 games.
5 - Will Setterfield (GWS)
Traded to Carlton and then Essendon, was delisted at the end of 2025 but signed as an SSP for 2026. Delisted again at the end of 2026.
6 - Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton). Traded to West Coast before being delisted at the end of 2023.
7 - Jack Scrimshaw (Gold Coast)
Traded to Hawthorn and sits on the fringes of Sam Mitchell’s lineup.
8 - Griffin Logue (Fremantle)
Traded to North Melbourne and has been a solid contributor over his career so far.
9 - Will Brodie (Gold Coast)
Traded to Fremantle where he had a breakout season in 2022. Traded to Port Adelaide in 2025 and retired at the end of 2026.
10 - Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
Traded to Geelong where he struggled to find a spot in Chris Scott’s side before being traded to Essendon at the end of 2026.

2016 Re-draft

1. Hugh McCluggage (Essendon)
The man picks himself at number one. A three-time premiership player and All-Australian in 2025. Brisbane clearly rate him as one of their best having been named co-captain at the start of 2026 and finishing inside the top three of the best-and-fairest six times.

2. Tom Stewart (GWS)
Despite being drafted at the age of 23, Stewart has consistently been one of the best defenders in the competition and a mainstay of the Geelong backline. A premiership player, five-time All-Australian and two-time best-and-fairest winner, Stewart has had a decorated career. Clubs would give anything to have someone of his calibre manning their defence. Hard to believe Geelong got him at Pick 40.

3. Shai Bolton (Brisbane)
A dual premiership player at Richmond and of course, Norm Smith medallist in this year’s losing Grand Final for Fremantle. Bolton at his best is one of the most damaging players in the competition which is why he’s been recognised with an All-Australian blazer twice. He was an absolute steal for Richmond who took him at Pick 29 in 2016.

4. Josh Daicos (F/S - Collingwood)
The elder of the Daicos brothers, perhaps Josh doesn’t receive the flowers he deserves. An integral part of Collingwood’s premiership in 2023 saw him earn an All-Australian nod. Daicos is a highly skilful and intelligent footballer who remains central to Craig McRae’s midfield strategy, definitely worth much more than Pick 57 in 2016.

5. Tim Taranto (Gold Coast)
Taranto was originally taken at Pick 2 in the draft and still finds himself at the pointy end. He has won the best-and-fairest four times (once at GWS, three times at Tigers) and consistently racks up the disposals. Taranto’s leadership on and off the field saw him become vice-captain at Richmond, with a potential promotion to captain on the cards.

6. Darcy Cameron (GWS)
It seems like there’s a couple weeks every year where everyone asks, ‘Is Darcy Cameron actually the best ruck in the comp?’ His efforts often fly under the radar behind the likes of Max Gawn, Luke Jackson and Brodie Grundy but Cameron is right up there with the best big men. Originally Pick 48, Cameron is a premiership player and won Collingwood’s best-and-fairest in 2025 which is no mean feat in a stacked team.

7. Nick Larkey (Carlton)
Larkey is the best key forward in the 2016 draft. 323 goals across 157 games is a solid return, particularly when considering the level of service he’s been getting at North Melbourne. That looks set to change and hopefully Larkey can recapture the form that saw him receive an All-Australian blazer in 2023. Incredibly, Larkey was Pick 73 back in 2016, definitely a top ten player now.

8. Mitch Lewis (Gold Coast)
He’s been hampered by a slew of injuries, but Lewis has shown plenty of glimpses. He’s strong in the air and a reliable set-shot with the ability to break games open as displayed in this year’s Preliminary Final. Lewis has booted 172 goals from 102 games and play an important role in Hawthorn’s premiership push next year. Another steal in this 2016 draft having been taken at Pick 76.

9. Tim English (Fremantle)
Originally Pick 19 in 2016, English has been the Bulldogs’ first-choice ruck for some time. Whilst he’s been hampered by injuries in recent years, the 2023 All-Australian is a lock in the top ten.

10. Luke Ryan (Gold Coast)
Ryan might be one of the more underrated defenders in the competition, but Fremantle fans will know that he is crucial to their success. The Dockers swooped on him at Pick 66 and found an absolute gem. The hard-working defender is a two-time All-Australian and best-and-fairest winner at the club.

Honourable mentions: Jordan Ridley, Jack Henry, Zach Guthrie, Andrew McGrath, Jy Simpkin, Will Hayward, Josh Battle, Brennan Cox, Sam Draper, Rowan Marshall, Oscar McInerney

On their day, these players who earn an honourable mention can display the form that would see them in the top ten. Ridley likely finds himself in the ten if he can remain injury free whilst Henry and Guthrie are important players to Geelong. Former number one pick McGrath isn’t far off either, but falls just out of the top ten.