#1 Andy McGrath - from April 2022

McGrath pretty much tops Clug on all key midfielder stats except metres gained and scoring.

Any list that has Matt Rowell at number 3 after 5 games should be ignored.

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Anyone have a break down of where Andy started each CBA?

Looks like a few on the wing

I think where McCluggage elevates himself is encapsulated in the stat that he was the most effective inside 50 kick in the competition last season. And that’s the money kick. Finding your way through the opposition zone and spotting someone up for a shot at goal.

McCluggage also has a good forward line to kick to.

None of McG, Taranto or McClug are their teams bear player. I think Andy could be an absolute weapon from the back half.

Same as I think Langford would be at HF

I really dont put much weight into statistics at all.

10 attacking disposals which are to the direct benefit of the person recieving the ball as opposed to 20 blind handpasses/ kicks out of a stoppage to thin are will statistically look great for McGrath and wont reflect the impact of the 10 precise disposals to the teams benefit

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True but as a rough guide it’s as good as any. You look down that list of number 1 picks and Andy isn’t a stellar nor a dud choice.

Agree, there are great number 1 picks and poor number 1 picks, Andy is an OK number 1 pick.

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Interesting article - Matt Rowe ahead of Brendon Goddard so early into his career feels like a stretch. He may become one of the greatest of all time? Only time can tell, but as it stands now, that’s pretty rough on BJ IMO.

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Who would you take out of Walsh and Rowell, Im leaning towards Walsh personally.

  • Sam Walsh
  • Matt Rowell

0 voters

Nic Martin.

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Was referring to the article by communication specialists where they rated Walsh number 5 all time pick 1
and Rowell 3rd

Both are very good young footballers. Walsh more established, Rowell has an incredible but very short body of work.

I think Rowell would be better for our list just.

I like them both lots.

Haha, how is this a question?

He likes hitting the behinds.

11. Andrew McGrath (2016)

If you look at McGrath’s body of work in 2020, the potential to be an elite player of the competition certainly exists. Having started his career as a halfback, McGrath was thrown into the midfield with great effect this season, enjoying career high averages in disposals, contested possessions, clearances, inside 50s and tackles. Perhaps the only slight knock (and it’s not even his fault) is the quality of the two players selected after him in 2016, Tim Taranto and Hugh McCluggage, who right now are ahead of him in terms of output. However, just like the 2001 Draft, there’s plenty of time to catch up!

6. Sam Walsh (2018)

Few players have come into the league and had such a profound and immediate impact as Walsh did for the Blues in 2019. As an 18-year-old, Walsh played every game in his rookie year, finishing the season with an average of 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, three tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s per game, winning the Rising Star Award by the length of the Flemington straight. Blessed with elite endurance, Walsh has all the makings of a 300-plus game champion for Carlton and could very well turn out to be one of the club’s best ever draft choices, in what is already proving to be a strong class.

3. Matt Rowell (2019)

It might seem utterly crazy to rank a five-game player as the third best No. 1 Draft pick of the past two decades, but as mentioned from the outset, predicting the potential output of a player has been taken into consideration here. Statistically, Rowell produced the best first four games of any player in the sport’s history and would have been a lock for the Rising Star Award had he not suffered a shoulder injury in game five. The young Sun averaged 22 disposals and almost two goals per games in those first four outings and looks set to be one of the game’s absolute elite midfielders for the next decade and a half. If this guy doesn’t win a Brownlow Medal in his career, something will have gone seriously wrong.

What Rowell did by being best on ground (3 brownlow votes) in 3 of his first 4 games was unprecedented for an 18 year old draftee. It was incredible. I can’t recall ever seeing it.

But he really has not been the same player since his injuries.

Definitely been more than solid this year after a full pre-season but he has looked a lot more plain than when he first started. And perhaps the opposition have put more time into him since those early days too.

Still, he is still young so I’m looking forward to seeing how his career transpires and if he is able to elevate himself again among the competition’s best/better midfielders.

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McG is a game winner down back, we look SO much cleaner and less leaky when he’s there

Should leave him there.

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Just be thankful that Dods didn’t pick Setterfield.

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