WILL one of Jacob Weitering (Dandenong Stingrays) or Josh Schache (Murray Bushrangers) slip through to No.3? Will it be Charlie Curnow and Darcy Parish, both from the Geelong Falcons? Or will Melbourne spring a surprise with its first pick in the NAB AFL Draft?

Melbourne has four selections in this year’s NAB AFL Draft, including two top 10 picks – No.3 and No.7 – after some shrewd recruiting in October’s trade period.

The Demons also have selections No.45 and No.49, meaning they have four picks inside the top 50.

As is the case each year, the lead-up to the draft has been fascinating.

Will Melbourne go a tall or midfielder with its first selection?

Key talls Weitering and Schache have been touted as No.1 picks, which means they are unlikely to last until Melbourne’s No.3 pick.

But there is a host of talent on offer with Melbourne’s first selection, including Curnow and Parish, who are right in the mix at No.3.

As we get closer to the draft, all sorts of scenarios are being tossed up, so it could very well be one of the most intriguing drafts in recent years.

It will be the fifth time Melbourne has had pick No.3 at the draft, after Steven Febey (1986), Darren Kowal (1991), Colin Sylvia (2003) and Angus Brayshaw (2014).

For the record, Febey, Kowal and Sylvia all played more than 100 matches for Melbourne and Brayshaw is destined to achieve that milestone and more.

Febey played 258 games – the fifth most in Melbourne’s history behind David Neitz (306), Robert Flower (272), Adem Yze (271) and Jim Stynes (264). Kowal made 105 appearances and Sylvia achieved 157 games with the Dees, before adding six more with Fremantle.  

This will be the first time Melbourne has had pick No.7.

Until this draft, it has never had at selection at No.7 or No.8.

The closest to No.7 has been cult figure Allen Jakovich at No.6 in 1990. But three players have been claimed at No.9: Martin Pike (1992), Luke Molan (2001) and Christian Salem (2013), who looks set to become a decade-plus player for the Dees.

It will be a wait-and-see scenario for the club’s later two picks at No.45 and No.49.

And it will be just the second time Melbourne has had a pick at No.45, after Clayton Gardiner, who didn’t play an AFL match, was selected in 1996.

Until the final draft order was finalised on Friday, Melbourne was set to have No.46, which would’ve also been just the second time it has had this choice. Defender Colin Garland, who has become a fine player for the club with 135 matches, was selected at that pick in 2006.  

This year will be the first time Melbourne has a selection at No.49.

Whoever is taken at this pick will have the chance to make it their own from this number.

Again, before the final order was confirmed, the Demons looked set to have their sixth No.50 pick, behind Stephen Tingay (1987), Luke Ottens (1997), Matthew Whelan (1999), Jack Fitzpatrick (2009) and Troy Davis (2010). Tingay played 162 matches, while Ottens managed four, Whelan (150), Fitzpatrick (22) and Davis (two).

Interestingly, No.50 has been the most used number by Melbourne in this draft, but that will be equaled on Tuesday night, when the Demons have a fifth pick at No.3.

This year, the draft will be held in Adelaide, harking back to where it was staged in the late 1990s.

It is a change since 2010, when it was staged in the Gold Coast four times and once in Greater Western Sydney in 2011. Before that, it has predominantly been held in Melbourne at VFL/AFL House, function rooms at Rod Laver Arena or Etihad Stadium.

In fact it’s a long way from the ‘forgotten’ VFL drafts, which were held at VFL House in Jolimont in 1981-82 and then at the same venue from 1986, which is considered the first draft of how we know it today.

Although trade and free agency has become a significant player in recent years, the draft remains a significant event on the AFL calendar. And with the NAB AFL Rookie Draft to be held in late November, the draft and recruiting period will again be wrapped up by December, meaning all lists will be finalised for 2016.

Last year, Melbourne added Christian Petracca (No.2), Brayshaw (No.3), Alex Neal-Bullen (No.40), Billy Stretch (No.42) and Oscar McDonald (No.53). All expect Petracca, who was on track to play in round one this year, made their AFL debut in 2015 – an excellent result for the club.

In fact, the Demons had eight AFL debutants in 2015 and 11 players overall made their debut for the club.  

Although the 1981-82 ‘forgotten’ drafts have rarely been mentioned, Alan Johnson was the first player selected in 1981. He became a star with the Demons, winning the club’s 1983 and 1989 best and fairest awards.

Danny Hughes, who was picked at No.13 in that same meeting, later became vice-captain of the club and won the 1986 best and fairest. He was chosen at No.13.

In 1982, Keith Thomas – a former Fitzroy player and now Port Adelaide’s chief executive – was claimed by Melbourne at No.5. He never played for the club. The other player picked up was Ray Holden from West Perth. He was chosen at No.17 and played three games for the Dees.

When the first National Draft was held in 1986 – regarded as the first by the AFL – Melbourne landed some fine players.

The club’s recruiting manager was former chief executive Cameron Schwab, who selected some top players back in 1986-87. It was at a time when the draft was speculative and difficult to lure prominent players from the SANFL and WAFL.

The one that got away was superstar Darren Jarman, who was claimed by the Demons at No.55. He never played for Melbourne and instead became a three-time premiership player with Hawthorn (1991) and Adelaide (1997-98). He would’ve been a brilliant sight for the red and blue faithful, but he couldn’t be lured from South Australia.

As mentioned earlier, Febey was claimed at No.3 in 1986 – regarded as Melbourne’s first ever pick in continuous drafts. His twin brother Matthew Febey was also a fine player, notching up 143 matches for the Dees.   

In 1987, Andrew Obst (150 matches), Stephen Tingay (162) and Jay Viney (23) – the brother of Melbourne great Todd – were recruited.

Upon reflection, the 1986-87 drafts were very good for the Demons.

One of Melbourne’s most successful drafts came in 1999, when Craig Cameron was recruiting manager. It produced 764 games for the Demons.

Former captain Brad Green played the most with 254 matches, followed by Cameron Bruce (224 for Melbourne, before he added 10 with Hawthorn in 2011-12), Whelan (150), Paul Wheatley (135 games) and Michael Clark (one). Shannon O’Brien was the only player not to play a senior game from that meeting.

Tenacious and popular ball-winner Guy Rigoni – Melbourne’s leading possession winner in the 2000 Grand Final – remains arguably the club’s best bargain recruit in this meeting.  

Rigoni, who was selected at No.77 in the 1997 AFL Draft, played 107 matches for the Demons. He played 80 matches in his first four years – including 70 in his first three seasons – before a serious back injury forced him to miss the 2002 season. He was then delisted and redrafted in the Pre-Season Draft in December 2002 and managed to add another 27 matches, before retiring.

Father/son choice Tom Kavanagh, selected at No.111 in 1988, is the highest Melbourne draftee to have played an AFL match. He managed two games for the Demons in 1989, before adding eight with Fitzroy.

But Damon Munt, who never played an AFL match, was Melbourne’s highest overall selection at No.122.

In the AFL Draft years, Melbourne has had seven recruiting managers: Schwab (1986-87), Jim Durnan (1988-90), Richard Griffiths (1991-95), Craig Cameron (1996-2007), Barry Prendergast (2008-2011), Todd Viney (2012) and now Jason Taylor, who had his first draft meeting with Melbourne in 2013.

Taylor, who was the highly-respected Derek Hine’s right-hand man at Collingwood, before joining the Demons, will call out the names for the third consecutive year.

He has already been an influential figure in reshaping Melbourne’s list since he first called out Salem’s name at No.9 in 2013.

Viney remains integral with Melbourne in his role of manager of player personnel, along fellow recruiters: Kelly O’Donnell (pro scout), Tim Lamb (national recruiting officer) and Darren Farrugia (recruiting technology coordinator). 

Melbourne’s recruiting team has again undertaken a mountain of work to find the best young talent in the country and it will be fascinating to see how lands in the red and blue for season 2016.

Bring on Tuesday night! 

Every Melbourne player selected in the AFL Draft since 1981-82 and 1986-2014

1 – Alan Johnson (1981)*, Travis Johnstone (1997), Jack Watts (2008), Tom Scully (2009)

2 – Jack Trengove (2009), Christian Petracca (2014)

3 – Steven Febey (1986), Darren Kowal (1991), Colin Sylvia (2003), Angus Brayshaw (2014), TBC (2015)

4 – Cale Morton (2007), Jimmy Toumpas (2012)

5 – Keith Thomas (1982)*, Jason Norrish (1991), Brock McLean (2003)

6 – Allen Jakovich (1990)

7 – TBC (2015)

9 – Martin Pike (1992), Luke Molan (2001), Christian Salem (2013)

10 – Andrew Lamprill (1991), Trent Ormond-Allen (1993)

11 – Tim McNeil (1987), Donald Cockatoo-Collins (1995), Brent Grgic (1996), Jordan Gysberts (2009)

12 – Nathan Jones (2005), James Frawley (2006), Lucas Cook (2010)

13 – Danny Hughes (1981)*, Darren Bennett (1989), Chris Lamb (1998), Matthew Bate (2004)

14 – Daniel Bell (2002), Jack Grimes (2007)

15 – Nicholas Smith (2002), Lynden Dunn (2004)

16 – Matthew Febey (1986), Adem Yze (1994), Scott Thompson (2000)

17 – Ray Holden (1982)*, Sam Blease (2008)

18 – Luke Tapscott (2009)

19 – Garry Merritt (1990), Phil Gilbert (1991), Brad Green (1999), James Strauss (2008)

20 – Paul Wheatley (1999)

21 – Addam Maric (2007)

22 – Alistair Nicholson (1996), Troy Longmuir (1997)

23 – Matthew MacKay (1991)

24 – Mark Ducker (1987), Brett Jeffrey (1992)

25 – Paul Rouvray (1989), Steven Armstrong (2001)

26 – Aaron Rogers (2001), Jared Rivers (2002), Jack Viney (father/son – 2012)

27 – Rod Keogh (1988), Brad Hall (1993)

29 – Craig Walker (1986)

30 – Hayden Lamaro (1996), Ricky Petterd (2006)

31 – Haydon Kilmartin (1991)

32 – Micah Berry (1991)

33 – Jeremy Howe (2010)

34 – Michael Polley (1994), Max Gawn (2009)

35 – Jamie Bennell (2008)

36 – Jason Dullard (1991), Chris Johnson (father/son – 2003), Rory Taggert (2011)

37 – Andrew Obst (1987)

39 – Matthew Kluzek (1992), Matthew Blake (1997), Gary Moorcroft (2002)

40 – Nick White (1991), Jay Kennedy-Harris (2013), Alex Neal-Bullen (2014)

41 – Michael Hobbes (1988)

42 – Andy Lovell (1986), Michael Prentice (1993), Michael Clark (1999), Billy Stretch (father/son – 2014)

43 – Michael Newton (2004)

45 – Clayton Gardiner (1996), TBC (2015)

46 – Colin Garland (2006)

48 – Dean Kent (2012)

49 – TBC (2015)

50 – Stephen Tingay (1987), Luke Ottens (1997), Matthew Whelan (1999), Jack Fitzpatrick (2009), Troy Davis (2010)

51 – Clay Sampson (1994), Neville Jetta (2008)

52 – Josh Tynan (2011), Matt Jones (2012)

53 – Simon Buckley (2005), Kyle Cheney (2007), Tom McDonald (2010), Oscar McDonald (2014)

54 – Daniel Clarke (1992), Cameron Hunter (2002), James Sellar (2011)

55 – Darren Jarman (1986), Andrew Ford (1988), Mark Bradly (1995), Brad Miller (2001)

57 – Tim Moreland (1989), Jayden Hunt (2013)

59 – Anthony McDonald (1996)

60 – Darren O’Brien (1995), Luke Speers (1998), Clint Bartram (2005)

62 – Daniel Breese (2000), Isaac Weetra (2006)

63 – Jay Viney (1987), Fabian Francis (1990), Shannon O’Brien (1999)

64 – Cameron Bruce (1999), Rohan Bail (2008)

66 – Nathan Brown (1997), Ryan Ferguson (2002), Tom McNamara (2007)

68 – Luke Norman (1994), Russell Robertson (1996), Heath Neville (2005), Dean Terlich (2012)

69 – Matthew Mahoney (1988), Scott Simister (1992)

71 – Glenn Wilkins (1989), Daniel Nicholson (rookie elevation – 2012)

72 – Ashley Gehling (1995), Luke Taylor (1998), Michael Evans (rookie elevation – 2012)

73 – Ross Funcke (2000)

75 – Robert Panozzo (1990), Mark Winterton (1996)

76 – Todd McHardy (1994)

77 – Niall Buckley (1990), Guy Rigoni (1997)

80 – Mitchell Craig (2000)

81 – Jordie McKenzie (rookie elevation – 2010)

82 – Duncan O’Toole (1996), Mitch Clisby (rookie elevation – 2013)

83 – Brian Stynes (1988), Ashley Gehling (1996)

84 – Damien Gaspar (1992)

85 – Anthony Tohill (1989)

96 – Jake Spencer (rookie elevation – 2010)

97 – Tom Grehan (1988)

99 – Jeff Hilton (1992)

111 – Tom Kavanagh (father/son – 1988)

122 – Damon Munt (1992)

Notes:

• The 1981-82 drafts are considered the ‘forgotten’ drafts are often not recognised. But four players: Alan Johnson (No.1, 1981), Danny Hughes (No.13, 1981), Keith Thomas (No.5, 1982) and Ray Holden (No.17, 1982) have been included for recognition.

• The Demons have never had the No.8 pick, but have had every selection from No.9 to No.27. It has never had picks at No.28, No.38, No.44, No.47, No.49, No.56, No.58, No.61, No.65, No.67, No.70, No.74, No.78 to No.79, No.86 to No.95, No.98, No.100 to No.110 or No.112 to No.121.

• Melbourne will have had 21 top 10 AFL Draft picks from 1986-2015: No.1, Alan Johnson (1981)*, Travis Johnstone (1997), Jack Watts (2008), Tom Scully (2009); No.2, Jack Trengove (2009), Christian Petracca (2014); No.3, Steven Febey (1986), Darren Kowal (1991), Colin Sylvia (2003), Angus Brayshaw (2014), TBC (2015); No.4, Cale Morton (2007), Jimmy Toumpas (2012); No.5, Keith Thomas (1982), Jason Norrish (1991), Brock McLean (2003); No.6, Allen Jakovich (1990), No.7, TBC (2015); No.9, Martin Pike (1992), Luke Molan (2001), Christian Salem (2013) and No.10, Andrew Lamprill (1991), Trent Ormond-Allen (1993).