Trying to ascertain the strength of a club’s draft haul can be fraught with danger.

But with the benefit of time, not to mention a dose of hindsight, it’s easier to decipher where and when clubs hit the jackpot.

Brad Johnson will be revisiting past drafts ahead of this year’s two-night event, with the Western Bulldogs legend reordering the top-10 picks. Here, he takes a look at 2015.

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Finals Week 1



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Let me start off by saying this has been the toughest top-10 to pen because, collectively, this draft has serious strength.

Even picking the best player from the bunch was difficult, but it was ultimately too hard to go past Melbourne young gun, Clayton Oliver.

At 22, Oliver has already claimed two best and fairests, while also having earned All-Australian honours.

He’s tough, brings his teammates into the game and is a huge accumulator whose workrate and footy smarts are first class.

Oliver just edges out dual premiership Tiger, Daniel Rioli, in the 2015 draft.

Brad Johnson says Clayton Oliver is the best player from the 2015 draft. Photo: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

So much of what Rioli does goes unnoticed, whether it be his running ability up and down the ground or his chasing pressure on opponents.

Like all Riolis, Daniel was born for the big stage. His uncanny ability around goal is almost unrivalled.

Up next come three midfielders: Jacob Hopper, Jade Gresham and Josh Dunkley.

Hopper and Dunkley have emerged as two of the most impressive midfielders from their draft class.

Both of their 2019 campaigns were particularly eye grabbing.

While Hopper has a hard edge and Dunkley has all but belied his selection at Pick 25, Gresham has a class that separates him from the pack.

Arguably the Saints’ best player, his goal nous makes him a dangerous opponent.

Some key position players come next.

Charlie Curnow is the sixth best player from the 2015 draft. The big Blue is an excitement machine, with a huge tank and unbelievable power.

He can – and will continue to – win games off his own boot.

Adelaide defender Tom Doedee had to pick up where Jake Lever left off in 2018. He did it with aplomb, and therefore, comes in at number seven.

We haven’t seen the best of Doedee either – just like we haven’t seen the best of Callum Mills.

There’s calls for the Swan to get more midfield minutes, but I like him across halfback, where his courage comes to the fore.

Wayne Milera follows Mills in ninth position. He’s really grown in the past two years and his drive and skill of halfback is as good as any player from the 2015 draft.

Rounding out my top-10 was the original No. 1 draft pick, Jacob Weitering.

Weitering’s development was slightly stunted when he was thrown forward, but he appears to have settled into the Carlton defence.

It’s only up from here.

Jacob Weitering was the No. 1 draft pick in 2015. Source: News Corp Australia

ORIGINAL 2015 DRAFT

1. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)

2. Josh Schache (Brisbane)

3. Callum Mills (Sydney)

4. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

5. Darcy Parish (Essendon)

6. Aaron Francis (Essendon)

7. Jacob Hopper (GWS)

8. Callum Ah Chee (Gold Coast)

9. Sam Weideman (Melbourne)

10. Harry McKay (Carlton)

BRAD JOHNSON’S 2015 TOP 10

1. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

2. Daniel Rioli (Richmond)

3. Jacob Hopper (GWS)

4. Jade Gresham (St Kilda)

5. Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)

6. Charlie Curnow (Carlton)

7. Tom Doedee (Adelaide)

8. Callum Mills (Sydney)

9. Wayne Milera (Adelaide)

10. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)