Player Watch 2023 AFL Draft Pool Discussion Thread

Strapping Young Lad · Dec 22, 2022

Same rule applies to this thread as other years, keep it on topic about the kids.
Don’t get bogged down on what other teams might do or where they will finish.

Trade speculation belongs here.
That's also where you can discuss your mock drafts or pick trades.

Any McCabe, Dear or Maginness talk belongs here.

Del33640 · Nov 1, 2023

What are the odds that the shower is as some critics have pointed out, benefiting from being bigger and stronger than his peers and therefore has less room to grow (in the metaphorical sense) at AFL level?

Have barely looked at his game, but this seems to be the one knock on him. A good brain for the game, no standout traits, and might already be physically mature.

Just like Watson, these criticisms do not have to define him. While I've read them in media land, I've yet to see too much discussion about it here.

smish · Nov 1, 2023

toomanysquibs said:
What are the odds that the shower is as some critics have pointed out, benefiting from being bigger and stronger than his peers and therefore has less room to grow (in the metaphorical sense) at AFL level?

Have barely looked at his game, but this seems to be the one knock on him. A good brain for the game, no standout traits, and might already be physically mature.

Just like Watson, these criticisms do not have to define him. While I've read them in media land, I've yet to see too much discussion about it here.

The shower?

Del33640 · Nov 1, 2023

smish said:
The shower?

Curtin.

(I really liked peak years Rex Hunt)

The Golden Glenferrie · Nov 1, 2023

toomanysquibs said:
Curtin.

(I really liked peak years Rex Hunt)

The Shower will be like the Russian Dessert.

HomerJayS · Nov 1, 2023

The Golden Glenferrie said:
The Shower will be like the Russian Dessert.

A Molotov Cheescake?

Steven Tyler · Nov 1, 2023

The Jet From Poowong said:
Heard this morning that it will be Hawthorn or the Bulldogs for the Wiz as these two clubs have been courting him the hardest. We are extremely keen as others here have states from very early on. And he is keen to join us.

So we might see the Dogs try and entice us

They had their chance during trade period
They have nothing left to offer

The Golden Glenferrie · Nov 1, 2023

HomerJayS said:
A Molotov Cheescake?

smish · Nov 1, 2023

toomanysquibs said:
Curtin.

(I really liked peak years Rex Hunt)

Ahh thanks mate. Don’t mind that

KeeperLeaguer · Nov 1, 2023

Steven Tyler said:
They had their chance during trade period
They have nothing left to offer

Yes, we've already dismissed the Dogs' offer.
And Melbourne's too for that matter.

BIGHAWK23 · Nov 1, 2023

KeeperLeaguer said:
Yes, we've already dismissed the Dogs' offer.
And Melbourne's too for that matter.

Is Watson the pick KeeperLeaguer

KeeperLeaguer · Nov 1, 2023

BIGHAWK23 said:
Is Watson the pick KeeperLeaguer

I can't talk about exactly who we're picking on an open forum but yes, Watson is one of four players we're heavily considering. (Duursma, Curtin, Watson, McKercher)

No firm decision has been made yet anyway - well, to put it another way, a decision has been made but it's still liable to change (and probably will if last year was any guide) as we get closer to draft night.

Noel Gallagher · Nov 1, 2023

Mercy Seat said:
Reckon North will eventually get something done with WC for 2 + another top 10. They seem confident on Reid.

1 - Reid - NM
2 - Curtin - WC
3 - Duursma - NM
4 - Watson or McKercher

Agree - Eagles pretty desperate for Curtain and another top ten pick which the beggars should be able to get off Geelong who are open to trading pick 8

After all this I expect us to nab either Duursma, Mckercher or the Wiz. Happy with whoever the club choose

The Jet From Poowong · Nov 1, 2023

KeeperLeaguer said:
I can't talk about exactly who we're picking on an open forum but yes, Watson is one of four players we're heavily considering. (Duursma, Curtin, Watson, McKercher)

No firm decision has been made yet anyway - well, to put it another way, a decision has been made but it's still liable to change (and probably will if last year was any guide) as we get closer to draft night.

This is understandable as all things are fluid

My source around the Eastern Ranges also tells me that GWS is very very big on Caleb Windsor at their first pick 7 as they dont think he will be there at their second 16. They have done all the checks include welfare screening and are likely to move his brother Kai to play in the VFL if it happens.

That would shake up the draft as that is a little earlier than has been spoken about for Caleb up until now.

Dragz · Nov 1, 2023

Recently chatted with a relative of McKercher. Kid is very driven and dedicated. Running + Gym rather than having a junk food day.
Family wasn't expecting as much improvement as he's shown over the last 18 months or so, but he's someone that's aware he needs to work hard at everything to get the absolute most out of himself and is %100 prepared to do it.
Will be happy to get drafted, no "I'll come back for a Tassie team" indication.

The Golden Glenferrie · Nov 1, 2023

Dragz said:
Recently chatted with a relative of McKercher. Kid is very driven and dedicated. Running + Gym rather than having a junk food day.
Family wasn't expecting as much improvement as he's shown over the last 18 months or so, but he's someone that's aware he needs to work hard at everything to get the absolute most out of himself and is %100 prepared to do it.
Will be happy to get drafted, no "I'll come back for a Tassie team" indication.

Dare i say...captain material!

KermitJagger · Nov 1, 2023

Dragz said:
Recently chatted with a relative of McKercher. Kid is very driven and dedicated. Running + Gym rather than having a junk food day.
Family wasn't expecting as much improvement as he's shown over the last 18 months or so, but he's someone that's aware he needs to work hard at everything to get the absolute most out of himself and is %100 prepared to do it.
Will be happy to get drafted, no "I'll come back for a Tassie team" indication.

I don't think it'll be McKercher's desire to return for his home state team, it'll more be that he will probably be a gun at this stage and the AFL will offer him squillions to be one of their marquee signings.

SSSSSS · Nov 1, 2023

KermitJagger said:
I don't think it'll be McKercher's desire to return for his home state team, it'll more be that he will probably be a gun at this stage and the AFL will offer him squillions to be one of their marquee signings.

Whoever will select him will be well compensated should it eventuate.

TDS7 · Nov 1, 2023

Write up I've done for Duursma on the BFDTAF Thread:

TDS7 said:
Pick 5 - Hawthorn - Zane Duursma - 189cm 79kg - General Forward

Zane Duursma

Weapons:
Aerial Presence
Forward Craft
Scoreboard Production

Weapons are a players point of difference, what makes them truly stand out and the tools they can use to win games. For Duursma, I can see him coming into the league and amazing with his aerial feats. This kid puts it all together once he gets a metre off the ground, he has the athleticism to get above everyone in a pack, the reach to get his hands to the footy first, and the composure to pull the footy down once he gets his hands on it. Duursma couples this aerial insanity with incredible forward craft, and he uses his smarts to make the most of every opportunity that goes forward. The Hawks had some major problems going forward this year, and our last kicks inside 50 seemed to lack the intention and grace of the famous Hawthorn forwardlines of the past decade. Duursma is the perfect player for us for this reason, he's a threat in a pack, one-on-one out the back, and as an option further up the ground for that last kick in. His positioning one-on-one is great, he typically tries to lead his opponent past the drop zone and bank on his leap and reach to grab a mark at it's highest point. Once the ball hits the ground, Duursma shows why everyone wants to turn this kid into a midfielder. His clean hands in the air become footy vacuums at ground level, and he puts his agility and speed to use finding just enough space to get off a kick. Duursma is a mismatch for any third defender, too quick off the mark for a player who could match him in the air and too good above his head for players fast enough to match him in space. Where he really shines is forward 50 stoppages, where he will collect the footy from a tap or quick flick out at top speed in perfect stride and streaming into space. Putting all this together, you get a player who creates goals for his team like no (well, one) other in this draft, who scores from any angle, is a threat in a pack, and a menace at a stoppage. He'll come into the league looking to be Bailey Fritsch with better hair and more impact higher up the ground, and the thought of that player should excite any Hawks fan.

Strengths:
General Athleticism
Short Kicking
Burst Running
Stoppage Craft

Improvements:
Long Kicking
Endurance

Key to Duursma's presence in the forwardline is his athleticism. While his actual numbers are great individually, it's the combination of them all that makes him an absolute nightmare for opponents. He probably won't be faster and a better leap than every defender, but he will be at least one of those 99% of the time. Duursma is a high-energy athlete, but his endurance suffers if asked to run too much up the ground. You wouldn't want him on a wing or off half-back, but as a forward he can make every burst of energy worth it. His disposal around the ground varies from very good to iffy. In short, up until about 40 metres, Duursma is very clean and can hit targets from all angles with deft precision. Beyond that range, his kicking goes from great to just okay and he hooks his kicks to try and get those few extra metres. He's gotten a lot better over the season with this, but there's still times he'll line up from 45 out and hook it wide going for that extra bit of distance. With the right coaching who knows how he'll improve it, but it will need ironing out especially if he wants to play higher up the ground. Duursma's stoppage work is an absolute treat to watch, and building his scope as a midfielder is built around his work in congestion. If he can build up his endurance base and start to get into stoppages further up the ground, even as a forward, he'll be tearing open games in no time.

Development Timeline

0 - 1 VFL Development Years

Duursma is a player who could come right into a team and be a menace against the fourth best defender. A forwardline like Hawthorn's is perfect for his development, with a few strong key forwards taking a lot of attention and some high-half forwards pushing up the ground and leaving a bit of space to operate. He's still a slight player for some of the leagues general defenders, and it might do him some good to give him a break through his first couple of seasons in the VFL.

Others Considered:

Nick Watson - Hawk's board favourite and the next in line. Will be a dynamite player, but doesn't offer the range of threats Duursma does.

goodcop badcop

LegendLewis · Nov 1, 2023

naysayer said:
I know how numbers work. My post was referring to the fact that everybody thought Sam was too short and slow to be an AFL midfielder. If you're that good, you make it work.

Yeah but...Sam was the exception those sort of 'natural' categorisation rules. As his book title suggested he was never giving up and although he didn't have all the natural ability of others he was willing to work and work and work.

MasterSamurai · Nov 1, 2023

TDS7 said:
Write up I've done for Duursma on the BFDTAF Thread:

Great write up, really appreciated. I'm still a bit worried about using pick four for a lanky half frwd though. I guess, Gunston was never a big power frwd either and I'd take him at top 10 in about any draft so there's that. Duursma offers strong presence in the air but also seems comfortable when ball hits the ground. Can't wait for the draft.

The German Hunter · Nov 1, 2023

The Jet From Poowong said:
This is understandable as all things are fluid

My source around the Eastern Ranges also tells me that GWS is very very big on Caleb Windsor at their first pick 7 as they dont think he will be there at their second 16. They have done all the checks include welfare screening and are likely to move his brother Kai to play in the VFL if it happens.

That would shake up the draft as that is a little earlier than has been spoken about for Caleb up until now.

That’s if he gets past Melbourne at 6

The Chad and I · Nov 1, 2023

Daniel “Iron” Curtin

naysayer · Nov 1, 2023

Conversation topic unrelated to Watson's height:

If pick 1 is traded to North for pick 2 + later picks, would WC really take Curtin with pick 2? Of course they want him and he'd be a great get for them, but how could they go past McKercher? He's simply a more accomplished prospect, whose professionalism is probably at the highest level of all the draftees, and is ready to move away from home.

naysayer · Nov 1, 2023

Best case/worst case scenario for the top draftees. Not all of them serious.

Harley Reid
Best case: Dustin Martin
Worst case: Jake Stringer

Jed Walter:
Best case: Fraser Gehrig
Worst case: Levi Casboult

Colby McKercher
Best case: Gary Ablett jr
Worst case: Jack Billings

Zane Duursma:
Best case: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Worst case: Xavier Duursma

Daniel Curtin:
Best case: Matthew Pavlich
Worst case: Kyle Langford

Nick Watson
Best case: Toby Greene
Worst case: (insert photo of Mini-Me biting Austin Powers' crotch)

Nate Caddy
Best case: Charlie Curnow
Worst case: Josh Caddy

Rylee Sanders
Best case: Caleb Serong
Worst case: Matt Crouch

Bugs1977 · Nov 1, 2023

naysayer said:
Best case/worst case scenario for the top draftees. Not all of them serious.

Harley Reid
Best case: Dustin Martin
Worst case: Jake Stringer

Jed Walter:
Best case: Fraser Gehrig
Worst case: Levi Casboult

Colby McKercher
Best case: Gary Ablett jr
Worst case: Jack Billings

Zane Duursma:
Best case: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Worst case: Xavier Duursma

Daniel Curtin:
Best case: Matthew Pavlich
Worst case: Kyle Langford

Nick Watson
Best case: Toby Greene
Worst case: (insert photo of Mini-Me biting Austin Powers' crotch)

Nate Caddy
Best case: Charlie Curnow
Worst case: Josh Caddy

Rylee Sanders
Best case: Caleb Serong
Worst case: Matt Crouch

This is some hilarious sh*t

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