The 15 best value AFL National Draft selections of the last decade

When referencing an acquisition, a 'steal' can be defined as a bargain, purchased far below perceived value.

When referencing the AFL National Draft, a 'steal' refers to a player with proven talent slipping into the latter stages of night two before proving their worth in the coming years.

Every year, the National Draft contains a series of absolute steals.

Night one - or, the first round - always features the youngsters that you expect to see shine for years to come, with the best talents from the U18s making up the 20-odd names called out early on draft night.

Night two consists of the second round and beyond, with budding stars ranging from around Pick 25 to the late 70s landing on an AFL list.

From James Hird at Pick 79 in 1990, Dane Swan at Pick 58 in 2001, Simon Black at Pick 31 and Adam Goodes at Pick 43 in 1997, the second round and beyond has produced some of our game's greatest players.

Looking into the drafts of recent years, SEN.com.au has ranked the 15 greatest night two selections over the last 10 years, commencing from the 2015 Draft all the way through until last year's class.

See the list below:

1. Tom Stewart - Pick 40 (Geelong, 2016)

The undisputed top pick of the later rounds, Tom Stewart has been arguably the game's best defender of the last decade.

Taken with the 40th pick in 2016, Stewart has played 214 times for the Cats, claiming five All-Australian awards, two club best and fairest awards and a premiership in 2022.

Geelong's ability to find diamonds in the draft has been well reflected within this list, and none greater than the mature-aged carpenter that revolutionised the game from behind the ball.

He continues to play a crucial role in Geelong's continued premiership charge, proving nearly impossible to replace.

2. Jordan Dawson - Pick 56 (Sydney, 2015)

He may not have played his best football for the club that picked him, but Jordan Dawson's pedigree is one of the greatest overachievements in recent history.

Taken with the 56th pick by the Sydney Swans in 2015, Dawson was traded to the Adelaide Crows ahead of the 2022 season and hasn't looked back.

Four club best and fairest awards (all at Adelaide), three All-Australians including twice vice-captain, two Showdown Medals, two AFLPA Best Captain Awards and an AFLPA Most Courageous Player Award, the Crows' captain led his side to a minor premiership in 2025 and continues to prove his value as the best leader in the AFL.

All this from Pick 56.

3. Nick Larkey - Pick 73 (North Melbourne, 2016)

In the last decade, only 14 players have been selected with a pick later than Pick 73.

In 2016, North Melbourne decided to use their 73rd overall pick, taking a chance on key forward prospect Nick Larkey with the fifth last selection in the National Draft.

Now, Larkey stands as one of the game's best key forwards. Earning an All-Australian nod in 2023, the North Melbourne captain has booted 323 goals from his 157 games for the club.

A brilliant return from one of the latest picks in 10 years.

4. Errol Gulden - Pick 32 (Sydney, 2020)

A Sydney Swans academy product, Errol Gulden slipped beyond his projected range, taken with Pick 32 in the 2020 Draft.

Now, just six seasons into his AFL career, the Sydney native has cleaned up on the award front, and despite a number of injury issues, remains one of the game's most talented players.

A two-time All-Australian, AFLPA best first-year player in 2021 and a club best and fairest in 2023, Gulden is only just getting started.

At 24, a healthy season will undoubtedly see Gulden contend for a Brownlow Medal. In 2026, Gulden finished in 20th... despite missing 12 games. He polled in 11 of his 16 matches including five straight best-on-ground awards in all of the last five matches.

5. Chad Warner - Pick 39 (Sydney, 2019)

Making up three of the top five greatest night two selections of the last decade, the Sydney Swans hit again in 2019, taking WA talent Chad Warner with Pick 39.

An All-Australian in 2024 and one of the game's most damaging players with ball-in-hand, 25-year-old Warner has plenty of elite football ahead of him.

Incredibly, entering the 2019 Draft, Warner was not rated as a top 35 prospect, reflecting his selection at 39.

6. Sam Taylor - Pick 28 (GWS, 2017)

One of the best key defenders in modern football.

With the 28th pick of the 2017 AFL Draft, the GWS Giants selected Western Australian full back Sam Taylor - and what a pick it was.

Slipping from first round projections, the Giants selection of Taylor wasn't so much a punt as it was a shrewd selection. Entering the Draft, Taylor was projected as a pick in the early 20s.

However, his influence at the club cannot be understated. A two-time All-Australian and a club best and fairest, a fully fit Taylor remains one of the game's best key backs.

He enters as one of just two players selected within the top 30 on this list.

7. Logan Morris - Pick 31 (Brisbane, 2023)

Talk about a perfect pick.

In 2023, Brisbane lost a heart-breaking Grand Final against Collingwood and entered the National Draft without a first-round pick - traded to the Western Bulldogs in an exchange that saw Josh Dunkley join the Lions.

With their first pick in the draft - Pick 31 - Brisbane selected key forward Logan Morris.

Three years later, Morris is one of the game's most promising key talents, with three AFL Premierships to show for it.

In just 71 games of football, Morris has booted 149 goals, earning his first All-Australian blazer in 2026 after booting 72 goals across the season - including the final two goals that saw the Lions home in the 2026 Grand Final.

The sky is the limit for the three-peat forward.

8. Josh Dunkley - Pick 25 (Western Bulldogs, 2015)

One of the greatest second-round picks in recent history.

While he didn't do all of his damage with the Bulldogs, Dunkley was a part of the club's drought-breaking Premiership in 2016, was named in the All-Australian squad in 2019 before winning a best and fairest in 2022.

Joining the Lions the following season, Dunkley has played in all four of the club's Grand Finals, winning three in his new colours while earning a best and fairest in 2025 and another All-Australian squad selection in the same year.

His resume speaks for itself. If he were taken lower than 25, he would push the upper echelon of this list.

9. Josh Daicos - Pick 57 (Collingwood, 2016)

He was always going to Collingwood... but to join with Pick 57 without a single bid from another club sees Josh Daicos slip into the top 10.

Working his way into a consistent role in 2020, Daicos has finished in the top eight of the club's best and fairest five times, winning the Copeland in 2023 - a highly coveted best and fairest in a Premiership year.

Adding to his career year in '23, Daicos has been a member of the All-Australian squad four times, including a maiden blazer in that very year.

A significant overachievement by the eldest Daicos.

10. Dylan Moore - Pick 67 (Hawthorn, 2017)

It took him a while to get going... but when he did, Dylan Moore became one of Hawthorn's most important players.

Selected with the 67th pick of the 2017 Draft, Moore played just 10 games across his first three seasons, demoted to the Rookie List ahead of the 2021 campaign.

'21 was a breakout year for the small Hawk, playing 20 games and booting 27 goals. From that point onwards, Moore developed into a star.

An All-Australian nod in 2024 felt fitting, kicking 36 goals from 25 games as a high half-forward.

11. Luke Ryan - Pick 66 (Fremantle, 2016)

A staple in the Dockers' defence from the minute he joined the club.

Drafted with the 66th pick, the apprentice carpenter has mounted an incredible career out West, winning a best and fairest and earning his first All-Australian blazer in 2020.

After another All-Australian squad call-up in 2023, Luke Ryan was credited with his second blazer in 2024, and continues to play a major role in Fremantle's back half.

So nearly added a Premiership to his already strong resume.

12. Tristan Xerri - Pick 72 (North Melbourne, 2017)

Finding a top-line ruckman in the draft is a difficult task. To do so at Pick 72 is nearly impossible.

Another project player, Tristan Xerri wasn't able to establish himself as a first-team lock until his seventh season at North Melbourne.

However, his breakout season in 2024 was exceptional. In 23 games, Xerri found himself in the All-Australian squad, dominating in the ruck with elite physicality and clearance power.

In 2025, Xerri backed up his breakout year with 72 coaches votes in 20 games, winning his first best and fairest award alongside Harry Sheezel.

13. Jake Waterman - Pick 77 (West Coast, 2016)

A man that deserves far more credit.

With the FINAL pick of the 2016 Draft, West Coast selected Western Australian key forward Jake Waterman.

And while it took him a while to establish himself at the level, Waterman put on a clinic in a highly limited Eagles forward line in 2024.

53 goals and an All-Australian blazer, Waterman proved himself as an elite level forward, and 2026 so nearly doubled his tally. 49 goals and 56 behinds, Waterman's 105 scoring shots was the equal most of any player this season.

Slightly better kicking and the Eagles could have a two-time All-Australian key forward... from Pick 77.

14. Lawson Humphries - Pick 63 (Geelong, 2023)

Five picks, five hits for Geelong in the 2023 Draft - this the best of the lot.

With the second-last pick of the Draft, Geelong selected 20-year-old Lawson Humphries from the Swan Districts.

Against all odds, Humphries would break into the senior side in his rookie season, featuring 11 times and establishing himself as an elite mover and user off the back flank.

Since his debut season, Humphries has played 49 games, featuring in the Cats' Grand Final loss in 2025.

From the lower divisions of WA football to the biggest stage with one of the land's biggest clubs - only Geelong could pull off a pick like this.

15. Connor Idun - Pick 61 (GWS, 2018)

Consistent improvement has been the model of Idun's game, developing into one of the competition's premier lockdown defenders.

Joining the Giants as the 61st pick in 2018, it took Idun just two seasons of development to lock himself into the first team, playing over 20 games in all but one season since 2021.

In the last two seasons, Idun has racked up back-to-back podium finishes in the club's best and fairest count, finishing in second place in 2026 after a stellar season.

All-Australian considerations remain year-in, year-out, as Idun continues to prove his worth behind the ball. An excellent pick at 61.

Honourable Mentions

These picks were exceptional value, just missing out on the top 15.

Mitch Lewis - Pick 76 (Hawthorn, 2016)

While injuries have plagued his career, Lewis has shown time and time again that when fit, he has an ability to dominate games that few key forwards possess.

Shaun Mannagh - Pick 36 (Geelong, 2023)
AFLCA Young Player of the Year award

Yet another product of the Cats' successful 2023 crop, selected out of Werribee as a mature-aged recruit.

Josh Worrell – Pick 28 (Adelaide, 2019)
1x All-Australian squad

An All-Australian level key defender from the second round.

Nathan Broad - Pick 67 (Richmond, 2015)
3x Premiership player

Just 70 games into his career, Broad claimed his third Premiership, playing 191 total games for the Tigers.

Tim Kelly - Pick 24 (Geelong, 2017)
AFLPA Best First Year Player, AFLCA Young Player of the Year, 1x All-Australian, 1x Best and Fairest

A second-rounder and a late bloomer, Kelly took the league by storm in his early Geelong days.

The best of each year (2015-2025)

2015
Pick 56: Jordan Dawson (Sydney)
Pick 25: Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)
Pick 67: Nathan Broad (Richmond)
Pick 55: Sam Collins (Fremantle)
Pick 48: Bailey Williams (Western Bulldogs)
Pick 53: Jack Silvagni (Carlton)
Pick 44: Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)

2016
Pick 40: Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Pick 73: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
Pick 76: Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)
Pick 57: Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
Pick 77: Jake Waterman (West Coast)
Pick 29: Shai Bolton (Richmond)
Pick 66: Luke Ryan (Fremantle)
Pick 39: Josh Battle (St Kilda)
Pick 48: Darcy Cameron (Sydney)

2017
Pick 28: Sam Taylor (GWS)
Pick 67: Dylan Moore (Hawthorn)
Pick 72: Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne)
Pick 24: Tim Kelly (Geelong)
Pick 31: Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne)
Pick 57: Gryan Miers (Geelong)
Pick 73: Sam Switkowski (Fremantle)
Pick 33: Tom McCartin (Sydney)
Pick 45: James Worpel (Hawthorn)
Pick 69: Lloyd Meek (Fremantle)
Pick 51: Kane Farrell (Port Adelaide)
Pick 76: Matt Guelfi (Essendon)

2018
Pick 61: Connor Idun (GWS)
Pick 75: Toby Bedford (Melbourne)
Pick 57: Lachie Schultz (Fremantle)
Pick 44: Justin McInerney (Sydney)
Pick 55: Noah Answerth (Brisbane)
Pick 43: Jack Ross (Richmond)
Pick 65: Darcy Fort (Geelong)
Pick 33: James Jordon (Melbourne)

2019
Pick 39: Chad Warner (Sydney)
Pick 28: Josh Worrell (Adelaide)
Pick 37: Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
Pick 32: Trent Rivers (Melbourne)
Pick 61: Michael Frederick (Fremantle)

2020
Pick 32: Errol Gulden (Sydney)
Pick 44: Beau McCreery (Collingwood)
Pick 33: Shannon Neale (Geelong)
Pick 28: Sam Berry (Adelaide)

2021
Pick 35: Paul Curtis (North Melbourne)
Pick 60: Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
Pick 47: Marcus Windhager (St Kilda)
Pick 34: Matt Roberts (Sydney)
Pick 36: Jake Soligo (Adelaide)
Pick 33: Mitch Owens (St Kilda)
Pick 43: Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs)

2022
Pick 48: Joe Richards (Collingwood)
Pick 30: Lachie Cowan (Carlton)

2023
Pick 31: Logan Morris (Brisbane)
Pick 63: Lawson Humphries (Geelong)
Pick 36: Shaun Mannagh (Geelong)
Pick 54: Archie Roberts (Essendon)
Pick 50: Hugo Garcia (St Kilda)
Pick 45: Joel Freijah (Western Bulldogs)
Pick 59: Harvey Thomas (GWS)

2024
Pick 30: Jobe Shanahan (West Coast)
Pick 42: Ty Gallop (Brisbane)

2025
Pick 45: Talor Byrne (Carlton)
Pick 57: Angus Anderson (Collingwood)