However the odds of netting a future star obviously increase with higher selections.
That’s why the Brisbane Lions recruiting team will be spending plenty of time carefully assessing the wealth of young talent that will be available at the Club’s first selection.
The prized Pick No.7 has been kind to the Lions in the past, with Daniel Rich unexpectedly landing in Brisbane’s lap five years ago.
Rich was being largely touted as one of the country’s top three teenage prospects – along with Jack Watts and Nic Naitanui – but ended up sliding down the draft order.
Suffice to say the Lions had no hesitation in reading the Subiaco midfielder’s name when he was still available at Pick No.7.
Rich’s recruitment has since proven a resounding success, with the lethal left-footer currently sitting on 98 senior matches after five seasons with the Club.
He is not only one of the game’s most damaging midfielders, but also plays an important leadership role as Vice-Captain of the Lions.
Rich also won the 2009 AFL Rising Star award in his debut season – becoming the third consecutive Pick No.7 to take out the honour.
There have been plenty of success stories drafted with Pick No.7, but none have been quite as accomplished as Geelong Captain Joel Selwood.
Selwood’s impressive resume includes three premiership medals, two Club Champion trophies, and three All Australian guernseys in just seven seasons.
The unpredictable nature of the upcoming Draft means the Lions have been linked to at least half a dozen potential recruits at Pick No.7 – with the picture unlikely to get any clearer until Thursday night.
The Lions’ drafting strategy could well depend on how the first six selections fall, so fans can probably expect the Club to keep their cards very close to their chest until then.
No.7’s since 1996
2012 – Oliver Wines (PA)
2011 – Nick Haynes (GWS)
2010 – Josh Caddy (GC)
2009 – Brad Sheppard (WCE)
2008 – Daniel Rich (BL)
2007 – Rhys Palmer (FRE)
2006 – Joel Selwood (GEEL)
2005 – Patrick Ryder (ESS)
2004 – Jordan Lewis (HAW)
2003 – Kane Tenace (GEEL)
2002 – Andrew Mackie (GEEL)
2001 – David Hale (NM)
2000 – Laurence Angwin (CARL)
1999 – Danny Roach (COLL)
1998 – Josh Carr (PA)
1997 – Kris Massie (CARL)
1996 – Bowen Lockwood (PA)
