The Western Bulldogs have paid homage to their Footscray greats, but are intent on forging a new path when they tackle bogey-side Melbourne in a Friday night blockbuster at Marvel Stadium.

Jon Pierik

Hey, what about us? That could be the catchcry for North Melbourne, Richmond and West Coast, as the football world largely turns its gaze on the teams still in the race to make the finals.

The Kangaroos, Tigers and Eagles, of course, have long been out of September contention, but the intrigue at the bottom of the ladder, and just who secures the No.1 pick in the national draft, is just as entertaining.

Vic Metro’s Josh Smillie is a potential No.1 draft pick, but it’s not yet clear who will have that pick; Richmond, North Melbourne or West Coast.Credit: AFL Photos

This year’s draft crop is deep, and club recruiters say there is no standout to rival the interest man-child Harley Reid attracted last season. But there is still plenty of rich talent.

Levi Ashcroft – a potential father-son recruit for the Brisbane Lions – inside midfielder Sam Lalor, strong runner Finn O’Sullivan, Jagga Smith, who has impressed in the VFL with Richmond, and midfielders Harvey Langford and Josh Smillie are all considered potential No.1 selections.

A bevy of blue-chip selections at the top end of the draft eases the pressure any of the clubs might feel from their supporters to claim the No.1 pick. But the top pick would provide the eventual wooden spooner with a real opportunity to consider trading for a star player, or to trade down for multiple first-round selections, not that the Kangaroos, Tigers or Eagles would be wise to do that.

The intrigue in the No.1 pick will intensify on Saturday when the bottom-placed Tigers face the Kangaroos (17th) – each with just two wins to their name – face-off in the largely hidden 1.45pm time slot at Marvel........

© Brisbane Times