So who were the best picks in the 2015 Draft?

Booms 

After flirting with a permanent role off half-back in recent years, Luke Hodge has defied the clock to deliver a career-best fantasy year. After being picked up outside the top 30 in most drafts, he's easily been the best defender in Ultimate Footy all year and wouldn't fall past the third pick overall if coaches had their time over again.

In a draft where there seemed to be few standout defenders, below the surface was a diamond ready to be polished. For those savvy enough to take the risk on Matthew Boyd, they would have likely done so with good judgment and been satisfied when the midfield-listed former premium was granted defender status in round six. He serves as a great case study for low-risk, high-reward picks.

Talking about reward, arguably the pick of the season – Boyd's teammate Liam Picken - has defied all stereotypes in 2015, with the 28-year old increasing his average over 30 points after a move to the midfield rocketed his fantasy relevance. Few would have seen a season like this coming, and for those coaches lucky enough to have found him on their team come his breakaway in round four – well, they've been smiling ever since.

When writing about the most successful selections of the draft, we can't go past the two highest-ranked players to date – Todd Goldstein and Jack Steven. In so many ways, these two could not be more different, however the one thing they have in common is their fantasy dominance this season.

"Goldy'' would've been lucky to be picked inside the third round in most drafts, but is the absolute awe of every Ultimate Footy coach in the land. A lock for All-Australian selection and arguably the best fantasy season for a ruckman of our time – Goldstein is a good chance for Brownlow honours and would be a likely No.1 pick if the draft were held again today.

After seemingly coming from nowhere, like many of his St Kilda teammates, Steven has emerged as one of the hottest midfield talents in the AFL. He doesn't go that badly in fantasy either. Holding the top-scorer mantle for most of 2015, Steven is having an uber-premium season and would put his 93 average draft position to shame in a repeat draft. He's surely a lock for top-five honours in 2016 given his age and outstanding season.

Busts

While there are many hard luck stories and wasted picks, we never expect the guys in the top 30 to cause us so much grief. Sure, a number of players will naturally fall with the ascension of guys like those listed above. But it's sad to see the likes of the following well below their best.

Rory Sloane was touted by many (myself included) as a top-10 bolter for season 2015, with a hot start solidifying this belief. But multiple fractured cheekbones later and perhaps a loss of confidence has seen the young Crow turn in a season well below what his draft position would imply. While his coaches are still holding out hope for a late season resurgence, Sloane may sadly be resigned to 2016 bargain status at this point.

The newest member to the 400 club Brent Harvey hasn't looked like slowing down in recent years, but a mediocre average is reflective of a clear decline in fantasy production. Michael Barlow on the other hand still has a good number of years to go – so has undoubtedly caused his coaches huge headaches in 2015 after going inside the top 10 for good reason. An average not far above 90 would put that thinking to bed very quickly in hindsight.

Normally a top-two pick would be a blessing, however from this season on it may be known as a curse. Few had the courage to pass on Gary Ablett jnr in the draft despite real concerns over a busted shoulder; so was taken in the top-two in almost every league cited. Fast forward to August, and the great man retired from 2015 after giving in to his injury after just six games. He'll be closely watched over the pre-season as he aims to rebound from the worst fantasy year since his emergence.

So what would a top 20 look like if the draft was done today? The answer is simple: very different. Here's a peek at what could have been using perfect hindsight.

Redo the 2015 Ultimate Footy Draft (as at round 20)

1.    T. Goldstein (NOR, R)

2.    L. Hodge (HAW, B/C)

3.    J. Steven (STK, C)

4.    J. Lewis (HAW, C)

5.    D. Swan (COL, C/F)

6.    L. Montagna (STK, C)

7.    S. Pendlebury (COL, C)

8.    D. Hannebery (SYD, C)

9.    P. Dangerfield (ADE, C)

10.    S. Martin (BRI, R)

11.    L. Picken (WB, B/C)

12.    M. Boyd (WB, B/C)

13.    D. Armitage (STK, C)

14.    A. Gaff (WCE, C)

15.    D. Martin (RIC, C/F)

16.    R. Gray (POR, C/F)

17.    L. Dahlhaus (WB, C/F)

18.    D. Mundy (FRE, C)

19.    J. Macrae (WB, C)

20.    M. Blicavs (GEE, C/R)

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