For the next seven years he gave his all, setting the standard for youngsters such as Justin Leppitsch, Chris Scott and Nigel Lappin. As such, the Leslie name is held in high regard at the Lions. After Leslie, the next five No 1 picks were, collectively, a disappointing bunch. Richard Lounder played four games, Alex McDonald (107), Anthony Banik (49), Stephen Hooper (21) and John Hutton (36). The recruiters got it badly wrong with this quintet. From 1992, the recruiters started to get it right. The next three prize picks all played more than 200 games: Drew Banfield (265), Darren Gaspar (228) and Jeff White (268). In 1997, Travis Johnstone took the spotlight. He was a good player who totalled 209 games but 1997 was a draft in which the riches came late. Simon Black was taken at 31, Adam Goodes at 43 and Richmond took Andrew Kellaway at 71. He would go on to play 172 games and earn All-Australian selection. At 78, the Hawks took Nathan Thompson, who amassed 179 games. There were plenty of hidden gems in 1997.

From 2000, the No 1 draft pick has proven to be a seriously good player. Nick Riewoldt was followed by Luke Hodge, Brendon Goddard, Adam Cooney, Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs. The standard was set. Will Matthew Kreuzer, Watts, Tom Scully, David Swallow and Jonathon Patton measure up? Last year's No 1 pick was Lachie Whitfield. He has yet to play in a winning team with GWS, which begs the question: would you rather the honour and exposure of being the No 1 pick and get to the worst team in the competition, or is it better to be like Mathew Stokes who was pick 61 for Geelong in the 2005 draft? Stokes went to an extremely well-run club and has become a two-time premiership player. So, of the 27 No 1 picks since 1986, who have been the best value? These are my top 10 in order of preference. 1 – LUKE HODGE The footballer's footballer. Everyone would like to be like Hodge. He is tough, courageous, skilful and versatile. His ability to know what to do when the game is in the balance sets him apart from the rest. A superb leader and committed team player. Winning the Norm Smith Medal in a premiership team says it all. 2 – NICK RIEWOLDT

His courage to run hard and to put his body on the line could never be questioned. A string of best and fairest and goalkicking awards at St Kilda over the past decade puts him in the same bracket as club legends Darrel Baldock, Ian Stewart and Robert Harvey. 3 – BRENDON GODDARD Gave more than a decade and 200 games to the Saints and showed he could play anywhere and perform at his best when it counted. Sublime skills and a fine reader of the play, by the end of his time with Essendon he will be a 300-game player. 4 – DREW BANFIELD Gave 14 seasons and 265 games to the Eagles. Part of the 1994 premiership team. Only two other No 1 draft picks have played in premierships – Des Headland in 2002 and Hodge in 2008. Rarely out of the Eagles' best in the 16 finals that he played.

5 – JEFF WHITE Started as a teenage ruckman with Fremantle but came home to Melbourne to carry the Demons' ruck responsibilities for more than a decade. Would regularly average more than 16 disposals and 25 hitouts a game. All-Australian in 1994. 6 – MARC MURPHY The Carlton captain has just passed the 150-game mark and could be near 300 by the end of his career. Is quality as an inside and outside midfielder and dangerous as a forward. A real value player as he consistently plays near his best. 7 – BRETT DELEDIO

The Richmond midfielder has best and fairest and All-Australian credits to his name but the biggest test is looming. After nearly 200 games he will play his first finals match in September. He has all the physical attributes to be a star. A challenge will be to beat the tag he will surely get. 8 – DARREN GASPAR Recruited by Sydney but after two seasons arrived at Punt Road and held down the tough full-back position for more than a decade. Most weeks the lightly-built defender gave away size but earned respect with his courage and will. 9 – ADAM COONEY At his best, the Bulldog is brilliant but his career gas been curtailed by injury. Won a Brownlow and All-Australian selection in 2008 but has never won a club best and fairest and averages below a goal a game.

10 – BRYCE GIBBS Nearing 150 games, the Carlton utility is consistently among his team's top five players. His development has suffered because he has been used to plug holes in a weak defence. Sense his next 100 games will be his best. Loading Of all the drafts, the top three choices in 2001 are the best. Hodge, followed by Luke Ball and then Chris Judd. So far between the trio there are three premierships, multiple best and fairests and All-Australian selections and two Norm Smith medals, and each has captained their club.

TOP GUNS:

The No.1 draft picks, with club and games played



1986 Martin Leslie Brisbane 107

1987 Richard Lounder Richmond 4

1988 Alex McDonald Hawthorn 107

1989 Anthony Banik Richmond 49

1990 Stephen Hooper Geelong 21

1991 John Hutton Brisbane 36

1992 Drew Banfield West Coast 265

1993 Darren Gaspar Sydney 228

1994 Jeff White Fremantle 268

1995 Clive Waterhouse Fremantle 106

1996 Michael Gardiner West Coast/St Kilda 181

1997 Travis Johnstone Melbourne 209

1998 Des Headland Brisbane 166

1999 Josh Fraser Collingwood 218

2000 Nick Riewoldt St Kilda 250

2001 Luke Hodge Hawthorn 216

2002 Brendon Goddard St Kilda 217

2003 Adam Cooney W. Bulldogs 192

2004 Brett Deledio Richmond 184

2005 Marc Murphy Carlton 154

2006 Bryce Gibbs Carlton 143

2007 Matthew Kreuzer Carlton 97

2008 Jack Watts Melbourne 63

2009 Tom Scully Melbourne 62

2010 David Swallow Gold Coast 45

2011 Jonathon Patton GWS 10

2012 Lachie Whitfield GWS 11