Remove this Banner Ad

2023 AFL Draft General Discussion

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Reader mode
Any of the Werribee players worth of a rookie spot?

Mannagh spent time on Richmond’s VFL list before.

Declase spent time at the Dees as a mid season draft rookie.

What about Garoni?
 
All this talk about what Doggies will trade to get down before the bids for Jordan Croft and no one has asked, why the **** would Jordan Croft want to join the Bulldogs? He has Sam Darcy ahead of him in the reserves, 2 unmoveable objects in Naughton + Hagan . Why would you want to get drafted just to be backup to the backup and even then, this is the best case scenario for the guy

If im him im telling Doggies, thanks but no thanks and just going through the draft . I feel like the Demons will snap him up with pick 14 and he can end up at a team where he is a good chance at playing earlier on
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

GoEaglesGoSGIO said:
All this talk about what Doggies will trade to get down before the bids for Jordan Croft and no one has asked, why the * would Jordan Croft want to join the Bulldogs? He has Sam Darcy ahead of him in the reserves, 2 unmoveable objects in Naughton + Hagan . Why would you want to get drafted just to be backup to the backup and even then, this is the best case scenario for the guy

If im him im telling Doggies, thanks but no thanks and just going through the draft . I feel like the Demons will snap him up with pick 14 and he can end up at a team where he is a good chance at playing earlier on
Click to expand...

Said in an interview today that he mostly played down back until the last year or two, hope he's willing to go back there for us.
 
Write up on yesterday's Coates League GF in Herald Sun:

------------------------------------------------------------

AFL Draft 2023: Coates Talent League Grand

Final news, scouting notes, stats, SuperCoach
points

Some famous names were among the stars in the Coates Talent League Grand Final on Sunday.

A Sandringham Dragons side stacked with AFL draft prospects took out this year’s Coates
Talent League title with a thumping Grand Final win on Sunday.

The Dragons proved too good for the Eastern Ranges, kicking away in the last quarter at
Princes Park to post a 17.10 (112) to 10.9 (69) triumph.

It made for back-to-back premierships for the Dragons, who have five players who have
now featured in two flags for the club.

Dragons captain Will Brown – who has been invited to the state draft combine next month
– was awarded the best-on-ground medal for his efforts.

Playing forward and also having stints through the midfield, Brown gathered 18 disposals
and kicked 3.2 to help spur his side on to victory.

Sandringham Dragons captain Will Brown won the best on ground medal. Picture: Getty Images

Top-10 draft prospect Ryley Sanders was also solid for Sandringham, gathering 25
disposals and six tackles.

Sanders has become an approved member of North Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy
as the Kangaroos await a verdict from AFL this week on their bid for a draft assistance
package which could help them secure the gun onballer.

Hawthorn father-son prospect Calsher Dear – the son of 123 game Hawthorn star Paul
Dear – capped a strong tail end of the season with 13 disposals, 14 hitouts and two goals
spending time forward and in the ruck.

Cooper Lord had 32 disposals and six clearances, while bottom-age players Levi Ashcroft
(19 disposals, one goal) and Murphy Reid (19 disposals, two goals) also caught the eye.

For the Ranges, onballer Tyson Sruk was in everything and finished as the leading disposal
winner on the ground with 37 touches and a final-quarter goal.

Star small forward Nick Watson – who shapes as another potential top-10 draft pick – had
a quiet first half in attack but impressed with his clearance work in the midfield at stages in
the second half to log 20 disposals and one goal for the day.

Sandringham Dragons won back-to-back premierships on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

SCOUTING NOTES

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

WILL BROWN
18 disposals, 3 marks, 4 inside-50s, 3 goals
The Sandringham Dragons captain was awarded the best-on-ground medal after a strong
game playing primarily forward. The 194cm prospect kicked one goal in each of the
second, third and fourth quarters to help his side charge to victory. Brown has been invited
to the state draft combine next month.

RYLEY SANDERS
25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s, 6 tackles
A top-10 draft prospect, Sanders worked hard and found plenty of the ball as he always
does. He spent time through the midfield and forward, but only registered one behind for
the day from a set shot in the first quarter.

CHARLIE EDWARDS
13 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal
After a big back half of the season, Edwards didn’t have his best game in the decider.
However, the 190cm midfield did catch the eye with some of his run and carry, particularly
in one passage of play early in the second quarter. Edwards also snapped a nice goal in the
last quarter. He looms as a draft bolter.

CALSHER DEAR
13 disposals, 3 marks, 14 hitouts, 2 goals
A Hawthorn father-son prospect as the son of the late Hawthorn premiership player Paul,
the 194cm forward capped a strong finish to the season. He kicked two goals in the first
half and also battled well in the ruck assisting teammate Vigo Visentini. It was the fourth
time from his past five matches that Dear had kicked multiple goals for the Dragons.

VIGO VISENTINI
10 disposals, 4 marks, 26 hitouts, 1 goal
The younger brother of Port Adelaide’s Dante controlled the ruck battle for the Dragons,
mostly going up against Eastern’s Lachlan Monteath. The 203cm big man follows up his
work well at ground level and capped his day with a nice goal after the siren in the last
quarter.

COOPER LORD
31 disposals, 7 marks, 6 clearances, 7 inside-50s
The midfielder capped a strong second half of the year with a season-high 31 disposals for
the Dragons. He was everywhere, particularly in the first three quarters. Lord had logged
28 of his touches to three-quarter time.

BILLY McGEE-GAILMBERTI
12 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle
Had the tough task of keeping Ranges small forward and top-10 draft pick Nick Watson
quiet and did that very well in the first half before Watson moved into the midfield after
the main break. The performance followed another big job on Geelong’s Tom
Anastasopoulos in the preliminary final.

Billy McGee-Galimberti did a good job defensively on Nick Watson. Picture: Getty Images

MURPHY REID
19 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals
One of the Dragons’ bottom-age players, Reid only turned 17 in July but shapes as an
exciting player to watch next year. He spent time forward as well as up the ground and got
on the end of two goals in the space of a minute in the last quarter. Reid is also set to
feature in the Under-17 Futures Game on AFL Grand Final Day.

EASTERN RANGES

NICK WATSON
20 disposals, 1 mark, 1 goal
The top-10 draft prospect struggled to get himself into the game as a small forward in the
first half. He caught the eye with his run in one chain coming off halfback in the first
quarter, but missed a couple of opportunities in front of goal. Watson was able to provide a
spark when he went into the midfield for some centre bounces in the second half, though.
He won a few clearances with his footy smarts and breakaway pace.

TYSON SRUK
37 disposals, 8 clearances, 9 inside-50s, 1 goal
The leading disposal winner on the ground, the midfielder did his best to drive his side
forward. The Sruk’s clearance work was strong, while he also pushed forward to kick a
goal on the run in the last quarter.

CALEB WINDSOR
14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal
A first-round draft prospect, Windsor didn’t find stacks of the footy through the midfield
but did bring a touch of class to the game when he did get the ball. He also made the most
of his opportunity in front of goal in the second quarter, nailing a set shot from 40m.

Riley Weatherill kicked two first-quarter goals in the Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

RILEY WEATHERILL
8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 goals
The 195cm forward booted two goals to take his season tally to 37 majors from 15 games –
four more goals than any other player in the competition. Both of Weatherill’s goals came
in the first quarter, including the first of the game. He didn’t see much more of the footy
after that.
 
pupstar said:
Why would you go cold on Curtin I am pretty sure you will pick Ried with 1 but don't mean you guys have gone cold on him no one will or would go cold on him.
Click to expand...
He hasn't finished the season off as well as recruiters would have liked.
There are some guys that might slip on late season from - Curtin, Watson, perhaps Wilson.

A few climbers too - Leake, Windsor, Edwards
 
Mofra said:
He hasn't finished the season off as well as recruiters would have liked.
There are some guys that might slip on late season from - Curtin, Watson, perhaps Wilson.

A few climbers too - Leake, Windsor, Edwards
Click to expand...
Not sure Curtin falls into the basket, he played well in WAFL finals until they were bundled out, then went back to colts and helped them win the GF.
 

AFL Draft 2023: The best prospects who are flying under the radar​

They might not be top-20 prospects in this year’s draft, but these players could prove to be late gems for AFL clubs in November. See who is flying under the radar.

KANE MCAULIFFE​

A 187cm utility from North Adelaide, McAuliffe has some fans and showcased his incredible athletic abilities at the national draft combine. He finished third in the running vertical jump and fifth in both the vertical jump and the 20m sprint tests. He was also the first South Australian across the line in the 2km time trial, finishing in a time of 6min 26sec. A member of the AFL Academy this year, McAuliffe was restricted at times by a groin injury. However, the penetrating left-footer led the way in the midfield for South Australia at the national championships and impressed across seven SANFL reserves matches in the second half of the year.

KOEN SANCHEZ​

May not have eye-catching traits of WA bolter Lance Collard, but Sanchez is a hardworking half-forward who is always keeping himself busy. Sanchez had a consistent national carnival where he averaged 17.8 disposals, 6.0 score involvments, 1.5 goals and 102 ranking points, with his three goals against Vic Metro the highlight. The East Fremantle prospect is very clean below his knees, has deft footskills and is a great decision maker. Sanchez has racked up large possession tallies as a midfielder at WAFL Colts level, suggesting he can pinch hit in the midfield at the next level. Sanchez has also made the step up to WAFL Reserves level and didn’t look out of place.

TAYLOR GOAD​

The equal-tallest player at the national draft combine, Goad measured in at a towering 206.2cm. However, despite his size he is incredibly athletic and finished eighth in both the 20m sprint and vertical jump tests. Goad featured as a ruckman for South Australia in all four games of the under-18 national championships and continued his good form in the second half of the season for South Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s. He is agile, has good skills and is super competitive. Goad only began to focus on football again last year, having previously prioritised basketball.

WILL GRAHAM​

The 186cm midfielder has been the forgotten fourth Gold Coast Suns Academy member in this year’s draft pool. Three first-round draft locks from the Suns’ Academy – Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Jake Rogers – have been heavily talked about. However, Graham is a solid prospect in his own right. A potential top-40 pick, he can play as an inside midfielder or on a wing and has strong athletic traits which shone through at the recent national draft combine. Graham finished second in the 20m sprint, equal-second in the vertical jump and equal-third in the running vertical jump.


CAIDEN CLEARY​

Cleary was the fourth ranked player at the national championships, finishing second for tackles, fourth most disposals and equal fourth for contested possessions. Yet the hard-nosed Swans Academy prospect may not attract a bid inside the first two rounds of the draft. Cleary isn’t overly quick and there are knocks over his kicking, but he is one of the best inside ball-winners in the pool. The 182cm midfielder tackles like his life depends on it and his performances have stacked up against men, playing six games for Sydney at VFL level, with his five centre-clearances, 22 disposals and 102 ranking points against GWS Giants’ VFL side the highlight. He also can run all day, clocking the fifth best 2km trial time result at the draft combine. Cleary is expected to be matched by the Swans, but after their three acquisitions during the trade and free agency period, they may only take two or three picks in the national draft.

LUKE LLOYD​

A 193cm forward, Lloyd emerged as a draft bolter in the second half of the year. He was unsighted at the under-18 national championships, after missing selection for Vic Metro following an early-season quad injury. However, Lloyd kicked 19 goals in a game for school side De La Salle in May to put his potential on show. His marking is a feature of his game and he booted eight goals across his final three games of the season for Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League, including two majors in a winning grand final.

TAYLOR GOAD​

The equal-tallest player at the national draft combine, Goad measured in at a towering 206.2cm. However, despite his size he is incredibly athletic and finished eighth in both the 20m sprint and vertical jump tests. Goad featured as a ruckman for South Australia in all four games of the under-18 national championships and continued his good form in the second half of the season for South Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s. He is agile, has good skills and is super competitive. Goad only began to focus on football again last year, having previously prioritised basketball.

COOPER SIMPSON​

Somewhat of a forgotten man, Simpson has slid down draft boards through little fault of his own, with an injury during the championships sidelining him for a critical part of the season. But his finish to year for the Dandenong Stingrays was a reminder of his x-factor as a midfielder, booting 2 goals from 20 disposals in his final outing. Simpson has a great sidestep in traffic and can break a game open with his penetrating kick, burst and ability to hit the scoreboard, averaging 21.5 disposals and just under a goal per game at Coates Talent League level. Had impressive results across the board at the combine and also received a VFL opportunity for Casey earlier in the year.

WIL DAWSON​

A versatile tall, Dawson measured 200.3cm at the national draft combine and is still growing. Gippsland Power required him in defence this year and he impressed in that position. However, Dawson is seen as a natural forward and back-up ruck, which is where he featured in his bottom-age season in 2022. While not a finished product just yet, there is plenty of excitement about what Dawson could become given his size, competitive nature, one-on-one contest wins and ability to be clean below his knees. He has met with just about every club, suggesting he will likely land somewhere.

COOPER TREMBATH​

A 193cm tall, Trembath took to his first season in defence like a duck to water this year. He was overlooked for Vic Metro’s under-18 national championships squad, but starred in the middle and later part of the year for the Eastern Ranges as a strong-marking and intercepting backman. In a round 7 match in the Coates Talent League, Trembath racked up 17 disposals and 14 marks including eight intercept marks. He has quickly learnt when to go for his marks and when to spoil and how to position his body. Trembath can play on mid-sized forwards but also a little bit bigger and has drawn comparisons to Greater Western Sydney’s Connor Idun.

MICHAEL RUDD

Rudd was equal fifth for goals per game at the national championships after an eye-catching carnival for Vic Country, but he was left off the national combine invite list. Club concerns centre on the medium forward’s speed, but what Rudd does have is a huge engine and strong hands overhead. Rudd showcased this at the state combine where he came equal-fifth in the 2km time trial (6:17). At 192cm, Rudd plays in a similar vein to Collingwood premiership forward Brody Mihocek and could prove to be a hidden gem for a club after a marking forward with relentless workrate

LOGAN EVANS​

A strong start to the season saw Evans crack into the Norwood’s senior side from the get-go, tallying 18 disposals in a promising league debut. The rangy defender has spent time at all three levels this season but has played most of his footy in Norwood’s reserves, where he has averaged 15.2 disposals, 5.8 intercepts and 91 ranking points across 10 matches. His national championships could have been better, but as his national combine snub proves, Evans’ season has flown under the radar. The 189cm prospect reads the play well, has tidy skills and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty defensively

REECE TORRENT​

A 184cm midfielder or rebounding halfback, Torrent had a solid national championships with Western Australia and made an even better finish to the season. He made his senior WAFL debut for Peel Thunder in the final round of the regular season, showing good composure and kicking a goal. He runs hard and can break the lines, can win his own ball when playing inside and hits targets when on the outside with his nice left foot. Torrent placed seventh in the agility test at the national draft combine, while also performing well in the 2km time trial with a time of 6min 24sec.

CALSHER DEAR​

A 195cm forward, Dear had a solid second half of the season for Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League to attract some late AFL attention. He played as a forward and back-up ruck for the Dragons and particularly caught the eye in the grand final as he logged 13 disposals, 14 hit-outs, three marks and kicked two goals. Dear’s mobility for a big man and ability to win the footy in the air and at ground level are his big strengths. He is eligible to join Hawthorn as a father-son, being the son of the late Paul Dear who played 123 games and won a premiership with the club in 1991.

BAILEY VAN DE HEUVEL​

The dearth of key defenders in the AFL saw the 25-year-old burst onto the draft radar, with his invite to the state combine evidence of club interest. After crossing from Footscray to Geelong’s VFL side, Van De Heuvel went to anothett level at the back end of the season, averaging 18.2 disposals, 8.3 marks, 7.8 intercept possessions and 4.8 marks in his last five games. This was all while working as an electrician during the week. At 200cm, Van De Heuvel can win the ball back off the opposition with his reading of the play and overhead marking, and he is ultra competitive defensively. Geelong VFL coach Mark Corrigan views him as a mature-ager with significant upside given he has never been in a full-time program. Could he be the latest Cats VFL graduate to be promoted to Geelong list?

SAM CLOHESY​

The Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal has been a golden ticket into the AFL for mature-age talents, with Ethan Phillips (2022) the first recipient in the last 16 years who didn’t go on to get drafted. Clohesy, the older brother of 2022 Geelong draftee Ted, was recognised with the award after coming on in leaps and bounds this year alongside Mannagh for Werribee, averaging 16.8 disposalss and 5.6 marks. The rebounding defender uses the ball well by foot, is a good size at 189cm and is strong overhead. Clohesy has played local footy all over the country and this year was his first full season playing VFL football, giving him promising upside for a club after a defender. Several clubs have shown interest, with his 26-disposal preliminary final in particular attracting attention.

SHAUN MANNAGH​

Clubs after a plug and play mature-ager who can find the footy with ease and consistently hit the scoreboard, look no further. Mannagh put an exclamation point on his dominant VFL season with an incredible grand final performance, booting six goals and racking up 28 disposals to win the best-on-ground medal in Werribee’s loss to Gold Coast. You have to have make a significant impact to get drafted at 26, but Mannagh did just that at VFL level this season as a midfielder-forward, averaging 25 disposals, 7.8 score involvements, 5.6 tackles 4.7 clearances, 1.9 goals and 117 ranking points per game. Players who can break games open in the forward half while winning 20 disposals are hard to find, and Mannagh is well worth the punt.
 
Last edited:

Remove this Banner Ad

It used to be the case that clubs had to use a minimum of three picks at the National Draft, though one rookie elevation could count as one of those picks.

When did that rule change? I know GC only selected one player last year but I figured that was tied in with the various assistance packages they’ve received in recent seasons. But that article suggests a couple of clubs may only take one pick this year, indicating the rule has changed for all.
 
liz said:
It used to be the case that clubs had to use a minimum of three picks at the National Draft, though one rookie elevation could count as one of those picks.

When did that rule change? I know GC only selected one player last year but I figured that was tied in with the various assistance packages they’ve received in recent seasons. But that article suggests a couple of clubs may only take one pick this year, indicating the rule has changed for all.
Click to expand...

I thought it was still minimum three picks plus elevations. But they stopped including the elevations on draft night. I could be wrong.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

liz said:
It used to be the case that clubs had to use a minimum of three picks at the National Draft, though one rookie elevation could count as one of those picks.

When did that rule change? I know GC only selected one player last year but I figured that was tied in with the various assistance packages they’ve received in recent seasons. But that article suggests a couple of clubs may only take one pick this year, indicating the rule has changed for all.
Click to expand...
Can't remember exactly when it changed (I think maybe with covid?), but rookie elevations have been able to count for 2 of the 3 picks for a few years.
Carlton only took 1 pick in 2021.
 
The_General#1 said:
Aside from the obvious top 15 or so will it based on rankings, hype or importantly club needs. Or maybe a mix of all 3. So tired of the same old boring commentary.
Click to expand...
Each selector has their own goals, for the most part people stick with their own talent order taking into account club needs
 
Reader mode
Status
Not open for further replies.

Remove this Banner Ad

Similar threads

H
Draft Profile Who you don’t want? - 2025 AFL Draft Edition
2 3
Replies
71
Views
5K
Mofra
Mofra
PMBangers
Draft Expert PMBangers 2024 Draft Thread and psuedo general draft discussion apparently
18 19 20 21 22
Replies
526
Views
87K
LemmingMaster
LemmingMaster
RedmanWasHere
  • Locked
Under Age 2033 AFL Draft General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
1K
Ticky009
Ticky009
RedmanWasHere
  • Locked
Under Age 2031 AFL Draft General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
837
Ticky009
Ticky009
RedmanWasHere
  • Locked
Under Age 2030 AFL Draft General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
2K
Ticky009
Ticky009
txbyhull
Phantom Draft txbyhull's Phantom Draft 2025
2 3 4
Replies
80
Views
7K
Johnny Bananas
Johnny Bananas
Plastic_Hawk9
Phantom Draft Plastic_Hawk9's Mock Draft 2025
Replies
0
Views
486
Plastic_Hawk9
Plastic_Hawk9

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top