Eagles the big winners

season for a career total of 181 and was one of just four recycled players taken in this year's draft. There is also a query on the Pies' top draft pick in Steele Sidebottom for pace and size but his stunning performance in this year's TAC Cup under 18 grand final when he kicked an astonishing 10 goals in one of the best performances ever seen in junior ranks elevated him up the pecking order.

Essendon: Rating 6/10: The Bombers got just what it needed - a key defender - following the retirement of Mal Michael with versatile big man Michael Hurley from the Northern Knights at its first pick at selection five. Despite the tempting prize of still-available Subiaco midfielder Daniel Rich dangling in front of them, the Bombers decided that topping up their tall stocks was more of a priority with Matthew Lloyd, Dustin Fletcher and Scott Lucas all nearing the end of their careers. The Bombers also picked up dashing All-Australian midfielder David Zaharakis and bottom-aged future key position prospect Michael Still from the Northern Knights before snapping up versatile Tyson Slattery from West Adelaide, who has already played senior football in the SANFL.

Fremantle: Rating 7/10 - A huge day for the Dockers who had the most selections with eight as they look to re-build a list decimated by retirements at the end of this season. Faced a tough choice at pick three in deciding between three talented Western Australian midfielders in Stephen Hill, Chris Yarran and Daniel Rich and will be hoping their choice of Hill does not come back to bite them given the enormous wraps on the other two. But Hill is a speed demon who should complement last year's outstanding top pick in Rhys Palmer. And the Dockers look to have pulled off a coup with local boy Hayden Ballantyne at pick 21. The 21-year-old won the Sandover Medal this year despite standing just 174cm and it was an even more remarkable effort considering he plays as a small forward (he kicked 75 goals for the season). And in third round pick Zac Clarke, the Dockers have come up with another young ruckman to replace Robbie Warnock, who moved to Carlton.

Geelong: Rating: 6/10. May have been one of the last cabs off the rank before getting involved this year but still managed to snare just what it most needed after