In celebration of Lachie Henderson’s 150th game for the Cats this weekend, Cats Media's Tom Peeters has come up with his best “repurposed” players of the draft era.
By “repurposed” we mean players who were on an AFL list but for whatever reason that club didn’t see fit to retain them. All the players listed below have come to the Cats and made an impact.
And before you all send your mail in, Gaz Snr was PRIOR to the draft era!
Let us know in the poll below who you think has been the best.
REPURPOSED CATS TEAM
B: Brad Sholl (Nth Melb), Lachie Henderson (Carl), Brenton Sanderson (Coll)
A strong full backline is the key to any good team and this is one we’re proud of. The only negative may be the ridiculous courage of these three who have no problem putting their body (and head) on the line.
Lachie Henderson playing for Carlton
HB: Tom Harley © (Port Adel), Tim McGrath (Nth Melb), Zach Tuohy (Carl)
The half-back line is equally as devastating as the full back line and with captain Tom Harley and his golden fist floating around. A testament to Zach Tuohy that he gets a spot in his first year for the Cats.
Zach Tuohy playing for Carlton
C: Sean Simpson (St K), Scott Selwood (WCE), Ken Hinkley (Fitz)
The centreline is the gift that keeps on giving. Both Hinkley and Simpson had fine careers for the Cats but it didn’t stop there. Hinkley went on to become a premiership winning assistant coach for the Cats and Simpson has provided the club with son, Sam, who has made his debut this season. Scott Selwood has plenty of time to give the Cats a long lasting influence as well.
Scott Selwood playing for West Coast
HF: Aaron Lord (Bris), Cam Mooney (Nth Melb), Jason Mooney (Syd)
Look out defenders, the Mooneys are on the prowl! Like the Bash Brothers from the Mighty Ducks, the Mooneys would be crashing packs allowing Aaron Lord to be at his crumbing best that saw him boot 49 majors for the Cats.
Cameron Mooney celebrates North Melbourne's 1999 premiership
F: Leigh Tudor (Nth Melb), James Podsiadly (Coll), Kent Kingsley (Nth Melb)
Completing the forwardline are two key forwards in Podsiadly and Kingsley who booted just shy of 400 goals between them and Leigh Tudor who’s biggest moment was his pass to Gary Ablett in the 1994 preliminary final which broke North Melbourne’s heart, ironic as they were the team that had him first.
James Podsiadly playing for Collingwood
R: Brad Ottens (Rich), Liam Pickering (Nth Melb), Patrick Dangerfield (Ade)
Two Carji Greeves medallists and one of the Cats greatest ever rucks. Ottens is without a doubt the Cats most important “repurposed” player of the draft era but Dangerfield could take the mantle by the end of his career.
I/C: Jared Rivers (Melb), Trevor Poole (Rich), John Barnes (Ess), Sam Menegola (Frem)
A bit of an eclectic bench that is picked to balance out the rest of the side. Barnes as the back-up ruck will provide some character to the team whilst Rivers’ influence on the Cats is understated.
John Barnes playing for Essendon
EMG: Rhys Stanley (St K), Andrew Rogers (Ess), Zac Smith (Gold Coast)
Stanley and Smith are unlucky to not get a spot in the starting 22 but with Ottens and Barnes in there they are tough to push out.
Zac Smith playing for Gold Coast
