The West Australian’s re-draft of the 2024 national draft after Murphy Reid’s stunning early success

Inspired by the stunning early success of Murphy Reid after he was taken with pick No.17, The West Australian has re-ranked how the 2024 national draft played out. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Pick No.1: Murphy Reid, Fremantle (was Pick No.17) Controversial? Maybe, but none of Reid’s peers can match his class. Has already given Dockers fans plenty of joy and will continue to do so for years to come. Pick No.2: Sam Lalor, Richmond (was Pick No.1) Inherited Dustin Martin’s famous No.4 ahead of his second season and already looks a decent facsimile for the three-time Norm Smith medallist with his power and ability to wreak havoc offensively. Pick No.3: Jagga Smith, Carlton (was Pick No.3) You can always find midfielders in the draft but there are not many like Smith, who runs all day long and rarely wastes a disposal. Pick No.4: Levi Ashcroft, Brisbane (was Pick No.5) Never mind the shadow cast by his two-time Norm Smith medallist brother — the role the younger sibling played in the Lions’ 2025 premiership campaign was crucial. Pick No.5: Jobe Shanahan, West Coast (was Pick No.30) The hugely impressive young Eagle already has a signature moment for his career, hauling in a match-saving mark against Port Adelaide. Pick No.6: Finn O’Sullivan, North Melbourne (was Pick No.2) Has made a hugely-impressive start to his second season, shutting down Zak Butters and Zach Merrett while winning plenty of the football himself. Pick No.7: Alix Tauru, St Kilda (was Pick No.10) Christened the ‘Flying Viking’ and has justified the monker by producing plenty of highlight reel-worthy in the early stages of his career. Pick No.8: Ty Gallop, Brisbane (was Pick No.42) Kicked three goals in last year’s preliminary final against Collingwood, which was just his fifth game at the level. Pick No.9: Harvey Langford, Melbourne (was Pick No.6) Currently playing a team-first wing role amid the Demons’ remarkable revival, but should become a prime on-baller in time. Pick No.10: Sam Marshall, Brisbane (was Pick No.25) Already a premiership player, having come into the Lions’ side in the latter stages of last season and not looked out of place on the wing. Pick No.11: Isaac Kako, Essendon (was Pick No.13) Has to feed off scraps in a poor side and can let himself down with his finishing around goals, but the potential is clear to see. Pick No.12: Luke Trainor, Richmond (was pick No.21) Surprisingly left out of the senior side in the early stages of the season before responding with a fine showing against Fremantle. Pick No.13: Bo Allan, West Coast (was pick No.16) Comparisons to Smith will always persist, but the Peel Thunder product is beginning to show off his own talent after a debut season was ruined by illness and injury. Pick No.14: Jonty Faull, Richmond (was pick No.14) Is making a decent fist of the tough job of playing centre-half-forward in a struggling Tigers side. Pick No.15: Sam Davidson, Western Bulldogs (was pick No.51) Put his medical career on pause to pursue an AFL one and the move looks shrewd. Pick No.16: Lachie Jaques, Western Bulldogs (was pick No.29) After being made wait until his second season to debut, the rebounding defender is making up for lost time. Pick No.17: Riley Bice, Sydney (was Pick No.41) A beautiful left-foot kick who is improving defensively every week. Pick No.18: Leo Lombard, Gold Coast (was pick No.9) The Suns academy product has speed to burn and is beginning to show off some goal sense. Pick No.19: Hugh Boxshall, St Kilda (was pick No.45) Already looks a favourite of Ross Lyon with the toughness he brings. Pick No.20: Hamish Davis, West Coast (was pick No.65) Is staking his claim for a spot on the wing in his second season with the Eagles.