Best No 26 - Shane Edwards (Richmond 2006)
The Richmond dual premiership player and a Virgin Australia AFL All Australian in 2018 is maybe only now getting the recognition he deserves as a star of the game across a career now surpassing 250 games. Edwards has excelled in multiple roles for the AFL premier team. In my view he is ahead of a stellar group of candidates selected in this draft number in West Coast Eagles’ Jack Darling (196 games, 378 goals) Essendon’s duel best and fairest winner Zach Merrett (126 games) along with former Hawthorn star Darrin Pritchard (211 games, three premierships) first selected at 26 in the inaugural draft of 1986.

Best No 27 - Ted Richards (Essendon 2000/Sydney Swans)
Initially selected by Essendon it wasn’t until he moved to the Harbour city that Richards blossomed as a star defender playing 261 matches including in a premiership with the Sydney Swans in 2012 and winning All Australian honours the same year. Another contender selected at this number in the second ever Draft in 1987, from Tasmania, was Richmond key forward Brendan Gale (244 games) who is having an even bigger impact with the Tigers as its CEO.

Best No 28 - Jason Johnson (Essendon 1996)
A best and fairest winner and a Virgin Australia AFL All- Australian, Johnson played 184 games with Essendon and gets the nod ahead of one of Geelong’s current midfield stars in Mitch Duncan with 203 games and a premiership under his belt as the best performed at Number 28.

Best No 29 - Wayne Campbell (Richmond 1989)
Four-time best and fairest winner and a dual Virgin Australia AFL All Australian in 297 games with Richmond was the final return for Campbell who also captained his club in an outstanding career, wins the nomination. A contender also was current Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston with three premierships, a Virgin Australia AFL All Australian and 192 games on the board, mainly of course with Hawthorn after being drafted initially by the Adelaide Crows at Number 29 in 2009.

Best No 30 - Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions 1999)
The father /son selection became a superstar for the Brisbane Lions including in their triple premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Playing 256 games, winning three best and fairest awards, twice named a Virgin Australian AFL All Australian and winning a Coleman Medal to clearly be the best performed player selected at Number 30 in the draft.