[RELATED: North's full draft history | Drafted: Stevens | Drafted: 1992]

In the lead-up to the 2014 National Draft to be held on November 27, NMFC.com.au delves into the archives to feature some of the club’s more memorable selections.

After looking at 1988 and 1992, we move forward to 1993 and after its most successful season in a number of years, North was hoping to push to the next level.

In all, 17 players departed at the end of 1993, among them Ben Buckley (74 games) and Shaun Smith (47 games).

65 names were called at the National Draft, of whom 16 never played a game, but there were some memorable selections along the way.

Darren Gaspar, the Swans’ prized number one pick lasted just two years and 21 games before making a switch to Richmond, while their second and third selections Glenn Gorman (pick 4) and Adam Heuskes (pick 5) registered just two and 49 games respectively in the red and white.

Among the top 15 were Nigel Lappin (279 games), Justin Murphy (185 games), Chris Johnson (264 games) and Brad Johnson (364 games).

At number 13, the Cats took David Ugrinic. As was common in the early days of the draft, the South-Australian didn’t commit to making the trip across the border until three seasons later. He never played a game.

It was a decision Geelong would live to regret; at pick 14 North claimed a 17-year-old from the Northern Knights by the name of Adam Simpson.

Almost 16 years later, he would go on to say: “I have been so lucky to get drafted at the end of '93 in a team that was on the cusp of something special.”

With the number 37 on his back, it took Simpson a couple of years to secure his spot, but he never looked back.

In just his third season of football, he played every game. The year was 1996 and a late goal against the Swans on that one day in September is one everyone will remember.

When Dean Laidley left the club, he took over the number 7 guernsey and made it his own.

Going down as one of North’s best yet, Simpson was also reliable. He played 304 (306 career) of a possible 329 games between 1996 and 2009, even playing with an injured calf in his retirement game against Carlton.

The Kangaroos waited until pick 31 for their next selection. Alongside the greatest centre-half forward of them all, it was always going to be tough for Mark Stevens.

After 10 goals in his first four games, he struggled for regular football. By 1997, he was an Adelaide player after being traded for Jason McCartney.

Stevens went on to play 101 games for the Crows, after just 21 at North.

While not all selections work out well, North’s third netted another gem.

At pick 46, David King can now be considered the bargain of the 1993 National Draft.

King wasn’t considered a star at VFL level, but clearly North’s recruiters saw talent. At 21, he arrived at Arden Street. Fast, skillful and aggressive, he was a unique find, and ready-made.

241 games later, the number 34 was a club Team of the Century member, two-time All-Australian and two-time premiership player.

Remarkably, the two players selected immediately after him (Chris Palmer, Hawthorn and Matt Hopkins, Carlton) never played a game.

Such was the case for the Kangaroos’ fourth pick, Troy Polak (selection 60).

While the Perth recruit only played reserves in the royal blue and white, it was his movement down the track that fans remember most. Traded for Glenn Freeborn and selection 55 (Matthew Belleville) a season later, he retired without an AFL debut.

Freeborn on the other hand etched his name into North history with three second quarter goals in the 1996 Grand Final. For many, he was the match-winner.

Remembered famously for his courage and tenacity despite an injury-riddled career, Gareth John was the Kangaroos’ final selection in 1993 (pick 63).

In 1991, the ruckman had his larynx crushed in a ruck duel with Simon Madden. While it was considered likely to end his career, he fought on, making his return in 1992. After fracturing his ankle in a game late in the season, he played on in an incredible display of courage.

A lower back injury hindered John the next year, before he arrived at Arden Street.

Despite clear talent and a Shinboner-like attitude, he played just one game at North and 22 for his career, before retiring after a shoulder dislocation.

Like any draft, there were highs and lows for North in 1993, but the arrival of two of its most influential players of the 90’s and 2000’s made it a memorable one. 

NMFC selections - 1993