As the Sydney Swans prepare to take picks five, 25, 32, 44, 76 and 81 into November’s AFL Draft, Swans Media makes a call on the best players ever secured with those selections.

Pick five: Lance Franklin

Honourable mentions: Travis Boak, Leigh Brown, Ben Cunnington, Michael Hurley, Jarrad McVeigh, Scott Pendlebury, Luke Power

Up-and-coming stars: Jordan De Goey, Connor Rozee

The top echelon of pick-five draftees is nothing short of breathtaking and Lance Franklin headlines the elite club. The 2004 AFL Draft saw Hawthorn famously nab Jarryd Roughead (pick two), Franklin (five) and Jordan Lewis (seven), all of whom would become greats of the game. Franklin was phenomenal in his breakthrough 2007 season, booting 73 goals at the age of just 20 to collect his first leading goal-kicker award. The Western Australian, who swapped Hawthorn colours for red and white ahead of season 2014, has played 300 AFL matches, is a dual premiership player, is the seventh-greatest goal-kicker of all time, has won four Coleman medals, is an eight-time All Australian, was named All Australian captain in 2018, claimed a best-and-fairest honour at the Hawks and has played International Rules Series football.

Pick 25: Daniel Chick

Honourable mentions: Mark Coughlan, Sebastian Ross, Nick Stevens

Up-and-coming stars: Josh Dunkley, Daniel McStay

Daniel Chick packed a lot in to his 252-game career, playing more than 100 matches for both Hawthorn and West Coast, claiming the Hawks’ 2000 best-and-fairest honour, topping the club’s 2002 goal-kicking and winning a premiership with the Eagles in 2006. In one of the 1995 draftee’s most iconic moments of his career, he smothered a Ryan O’Keefe kick late in the 2006 Grand Final to set up a crucial Adam Hunter goal.

Former Hawthorn and West Coast Eagles star Daniel Chick, selected by the Hawks with pick 25 at the 1995 AFL Draft.

Pick 32: Bernie Vince

Honourable mentions: Campbell Brown, Daniel Giansiracusa

Up-and-coming star: George Hewett

Bernie Vince was an ultra-consistent midfielder over the course of his 229 AFL games with Adelaide and Melbourne. The 2005 draftee won a best-and-fairest award at both the Crows and Demons and averaged 20-plus disposals over nine consecutive seasons between 2009 and 2017. He also represented Australia in the 2011 International Rules Series.

Pick 44: Rory Sloane

Honourable mention: Heath Scotland

Up-and-coming star: Aliir Aliir

Pick 44 is a long way down on the pecking order but Adelaide landed a gem when it drafted Rory Sloane in 2008. The star midfielder’s renowned hard edge earned him the 2017 Robert Rose award presented to the league’s most courageous player, placing him alongside highly respected names like Paul Kelly, Glenn Archer, Jonathan Brown and Joel Selwood. Sloane is also an All Australian, a dual best-and-fairest winner, an International Rules Series representative, Adelaide’s skipper and just one game away from joining the 200-match club.

Pick 76: Andrew Raines

Honourable mention: Sam Gibson

Up-and-coming star: Matt Guelfi

Andrew Raines piled up 129 AFL games with Richmond, Brisbane and Gold Coast in the years spanning 2004-2015. Drafted with pick 76 at the 2003 AFL Draft, the son of Richmond Team of the Century member Geoff Raines was at his best in season 2006, finishing runner-up in both the Tigers’ best-and-fairest count and the AFL’s Rising Star voting. He also represented Australia in the 2006 International Rules Series.

Former Tiger, Lion and Sun Andrew Raines, selected by Richmond with pick 76 at the 2003 AFL Draft.

Pick 81: Troy Makepeace

Honourable mention: Anthony Franchina

Up-and-coming star: Rory Atkins

The Kangaroos secured Troy Makepeace with pick 81 at the 1999 AFL Draft and he’d play a crucial role in defence over the next seven seasons. The number 35 played 139 AFL games and donned Australian colours in the 2005 International Rules Series.