With all the wheeling and dealing of the AFL exchange period, draft picks were shuffled between clubs across the board.
While North traded its first-round selection to Hawthorn in a deal for Jed Anderson, it was able to gain pick 17 in an exchange involving Ryan Bastinac.
Also part of the Bastinac deal was the 28th selection at the 2015 National Draft, which arrived from Collingwood as it looked to bargain for the Lions’ James Aish.
The Roos boast three picks in the top 30, the third of which will be vitally important come November 23.
It was the pick that changed hands five times during trade week and some research sheds some light the troubled early history of pick 28.
Remarkably, the 28th selection at the first six VFL/AFL Drafts combined for a grand total of zero games.
Thankfully, for North’s sake, things have turned around since.
Among those landed at pick 28 are former Essendon midfielder Jason Johnson, who went on to play 184 games for his club, and Rohan Jones, who lined up 158 times for the Eagles throughout the 90’s and 2000’s.
Of those still running around, Chris Dawes boasts 115 senior appearances at the Magpies and Demons, while Mitch Duncan has played for the Cats 111 times.
But perhaps the most famous pick 28 of all is Brent Guerra, formerly of St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, with 255 games and two premierships to his name.
From a North point-of-view, Matt Riggio is the only player to have been selected with the pick, almost ten years ago to the day.
Riggio ended up at Arden Street after Daniel Motlop was traded to the Power in exchange for picks 28 and 46.
Across three seasons, the midfielder played 10 games.
Overall, 29 players have been taken with selection 28 since 1986, averaging 43 career games.
Those who passed on the pick in 2015, Geelong, Adelaide, Carlton, GWS and Collingwood will no doubt be keeping a close eye on whoever North ends up taking with the pick.
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* Still playing. Totals current as at end of 2015 season.
F/S = Father/Son selection
Prior. = Priority selection
