Player Watch 2023 AFL Draft Pool Discussion Thread

[Strapping Young Lad]

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.

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

Im on team Zane!

Add me to the Zane Train.

 

[TDS7]

So now we can argue back and forth, who do we pick the Wiz or the Zane?

Smells like a poll to me.

 

[noobermensch]

The Wizard could have kicked a bag in this one if he had his kicking boots on, but it was still a solid outing. It's been so long since he played talent league that I'd forgotten they've been mostly playing him up the ground off a wing for Eastern. On the few occasions that he did rotate into the forward line he looked so much more dangerous.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Best available and that's mckercher, if he is there I can't see how we look past him.

We don't need another midfielder. Our midfield unit has shown that it can mix it with the best this season, and we still have a lot more development left with Ward, Mackenzie and MacDonald.

We definitely need quality forwards though - Brockman gone, Wingard injured, Breust coming to the end.

Up forward we have Lewis, Moore and maybe Butler as long term options right now.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Duursma or Watson, personally I'm leaning towards Duursma. But having said that I'm not going to be upset either way, both players really fill a need.

 

[Hawk1986]

 

[RoughysMullet]

https://x.com/caltwomey/status/1693219787382669695?s=46&t=xH0VcBxz2Cv2egikbWyALw

If we can pry another early pick he should be on our radar 100%

 

[Judd2Sewell]

If we can pry another early pick he should be on our radar 100%

He's the player we need the most IMO, in terms of a fit. But then again we need a small forward and a classy HFF too.

 

[Teamwork Talks]

So now we can argue back and forth, who do we pick the Wiz or the Zane?

Watson. Proven goal kicker with X-factor

 

[The Spirit of Cricket]

honestly don't care both r gonna be awesome players

 

[Brishawk]

The Wizard could have kicked a bag in this one if he had his kicking boots on, but it was still a solid outing. It's been so long since he played talent league that I'd forgotten they've been mostly playing him up the ground off a wing for Eastern. On the few occasions that he did rotate into the forward line he looked so much more dangerous.

This video highlights my concern with Watson as a midfielder and a little in general.

When trying to win the ball in close or under pressure, he resorts to popping the ball out over the defender, often over his shoulder. This simply doesn't work in the AFL. Players are taller, faster and the area around the ball is more congested. It doesn't even come off every time against his own age.

Watson attempts 6 tackles in one-v-one and another 2-3 with a team mate involved and goes to ground every single time. I don't like seeing this in any player but especially in a midfielder. His technique is to grab a hold of them and drop his weight to bring them down. As a mid this would take him out of the play and I don't think he is bringing bigger mids down like this. Watson doesn't lock up the arms so the ball comes out most of the time. That isn't ideal in the midfield. I love his defensive intent and willingness to chase. One really good chase down in this clip which makes me think he could cause havoc in the forward line.

Watson also tries to push players off the line of the ball a few times and does not move them. I think he is strong enough when he has good angles and feet planted but his size becomes a concern when his angles of attack isn't optimal. Less a concern in the forward line than up the ground. He is going to need to get stronger without losing speed and agility.

Watson goes to ground a lot in this video. It's a worry. Good AFL players keep their feet.

Just for a fun comparison (not a fair one), this is Rioli's highlights at the same age.



He breaks tackles and never gets pushed off the ball. It is highlights of course (Watson's video is involvements so shows the good and the bad) but it shows how physically capable Rioli was against his own age and this is more or less how he played at AFL. It also shows how ridiculously agile he was even as an underage player.

Josh Rachelle mostly plays the way I think Watson will play. Lots of short leads up at the ball from inside fifty. Having the ball kicked out in front of Watson, and Watson using his agility and smarts to work around his man. I think Watson will chase more than Rachelle. Draft range 6-10.

#TeamZane

 

[Hawkspot]

We don't need another midfielder. Our midfield unit has shown that it can mix it with the best this season, and we still have a lot more development left with Ward, Mackenzie and MacDonald.

We definitely need quality forwards though - Brockman gone, Wingard injured, Breust coming to the end.

Up forward we have Lewis, Moore and maybe Butler as long term options right now.

You don’t pass on Scott Pendlebury because you’ve got Taylor Adams already.

We’re not in a spot to get cute, best available and sort the rest out.

 

[The Chad and I]

This video highlights my concern with Watson as a midfielder and a little in general.

When trying to win the ball in close or under pressure, he resorts to popping the ball out over the defender, often over his shoulder. This simply doesn't work in the AFL. Players are taller, faster and the area around the ball is more congested. It doesn't even come off every time against his own age.

Watson attempts 6 tackles in one-v-one and another 2-3 with a team mate involved and goes to ground every single time. I don't like seeing this in any player but especially in a midfielder. His technique is to grab a hold of them and drop his weight to bring them down. As a mid this would take him out of the play and I don't think he is bringing bigger mids down like this. Watson doesn't lock up the arms so the ball comes out most of the time. That isn't ideal in the midfield. I love his defensive intent and willingness to chase. One really good chase down in this clip which makes me think he could cause havoc in the forward line.

Watson also tries to push players off the line of the ball a few times and does not move them. I think he is strong enough when he has good angles and feet planted but his size becomes a concern when his angles of attack isn't optimal. Less a concern in the forward line than up the ground. He is going to need to get stronger without losing speed and agility.

Watson goes to ground a lot in this video. It's a worry. Good AFL players keep their feet.

Just for a fun comparison (not a fair one), this is Rioli's highlights at the same age.



He breaks tackles and never gets pushed off the ball. It is highlights of course (Watson's video is involvements so shows the good and the bad) but it shows how physically capable Rioli was against his own age and this is more or less how he played at AFL. It also shows how ridiculously agile he was even as an underage player.

Josh Rachelle mostly plays the way I think Watson will play. Lots of short leads up at the ball from inside fifty. Having the ball kicked out in front of Watson, and Watson using his agility and smarts to work around his man. I think Watson will chase more than Rachelle. Draft range 6-10.

#TeamZane

The more I see of Curtin, Duursma or Caddy, the more I want them at Hawthorn.
The more I see of Watson, the more I become convinced that he will slide down the order.

I'll be surprised if Watson is taken in the top 5.

It is amazing to me that Caddy is producing such high output (20 goals in his last 7 games) considering he had a fractured leg this season & an illness.
He could well be the one who is the most underrated among the top prospects.
I am now leaning heavily towards a preference of Duursma & Caddy over taking Watson at all.

Split The Pick™

 

[kenneje]

North ending up with pick 1 works in our favour for two reasons - in my opinion.

1, it's unlikely they'll get pick 2 as 'favourable' compensation, reckon it's end of round 1 now. Would be too egregious.
2. Top 3 is now extremely likely to be Reid, Walter & Curtin.

Leaving us our choice of Watson, Duursma or McKercher.

If NM finish 17th, my gut feel is they get pick 3 and take Watson & McKercher.

 

[OsakaHawk]

Was I the only person who picked up that Sam specifically said a 170 cm player had a place in the game in today’s post match presser? Just saying..

 

[user33]

You don’t pass on Scott Pendlebury because you’ve got Taylor Adams already.

We’re not in a spot to get cute, best available and sort the rest out.

Yep always best player available. Use your greatest area of need to make the decision if you have players rated equally.

I think Colby and Duursma are equal number 2 on talent. Assuming Eagles take Curtin (which they may not), think it’s out of these two.

 

[The Chad and I]

Bulldogs have yet another amazing KPF prospect in Jordan Croft, who has the athleticism of Hipwood/Buddy.
JUH, Darcy, and now Croft.
FFS!

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

If we can pry another early pick he should be on our radar 100%

I’d rather Watson and Duursma.

 

[smish]

Don't write off McKercher just yet.

 

[H00t]

Now that McKercher is not guaranteed to go to North. He’s the one we should be looking at.

I think he’s definitely clear best of the available players behind Reid.

 

[TDS7]

Bulldogs have yet another amazing KPF prospect in Jordan Croft, who has the athleticism of Hipwood/Buddy.
JUH, Darcy, and now Croft.
FFS!

Might not match a bid for him, he'll be bid on right around their first pick and they really don't have the room for him.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

You don’t pass on Scott Pendlebury because you’ve got Taylor Adams already.

We’re not in a spot to get cute, best available and sort the rest out.

There is so much wrong with this.

How are we getting cute by drafting a talented player that plays in a position that we absolutely need to address? Never mind in comparison to our deep midfield unit.

Who is our Taylor Adams in this scenario?

Why use those two as a reference?

Does your point take into account we already have four quality young midfielders, with three top talents developing behind them?

To use your analogy - you do pass on Pendlebury if you have Adams, because you also have a Hodge, Lewis and a Bontempelli. Plus you have three very talented young midfielders in a Walsh, Black and Zerrett coming through the ranks.

And you would most certainly pass on a Pendlebury when two elite forward talents are available to bolster an area that you can only say you have two long term players on, with any level of confidence.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

This video highlights my concern with Watson as a midfielder and a little in general.

When trying to win the ball in close or under pressure, he resorts to popping the ball out over the defender, often over his shoulder. This simply doesn't work in the AFL. Players are taller, faster and the area around the ball is more congested. It doesn't even come off every time against his own age.

Watson attempts 6 tackles in one-v-one and another 2-3 with a team mate involved and goes to ground every single time. I don't like seeing this in any player but especially in a midfielder. His technique is to grab a hold of them and drop his weight to bring them down. As a mid this would take him out of the play and I don't think he is bringing bigger mids down like this. Watson doesn't lock up the arms so the ball comes out most of the time. That isn't ideal in the midfield. I love his defensive intent and willingness to chase. One really good chase down in this clip which makes me think he could cause havoc in the forward line.

Watson also tries to push players off the line of the ball a few times and does not move them. I think he is strong enough when he has good angles and feet planted but his size becomes a concern when his angles of attack isn't optimal. Less a concern in the forward line than up the ground. He is going to need to get stronger without losing speed and agility.

Watson goes to ground a lot in this video. It's a worry. Good AFL players keep their feet.

Just for a fun comparison (not a fair one), this is Rioli's highlights at the same age.



He breaks tackles and never gets pushed off the ball. It is highlights of course (Watson's video is involvements so shows the good and the bad) but it shows how physically capable Rioli was against his own age and this is more or less how he played at AFL. It also shows how ridiculously agile he was even as an underage player.

Josh Rachelle mostly plays the way I think Watson will play. Lots of short leads up at the ball from inside fifty. Having the ball kicked out in front of Watson, and Watson using his agility and smarts to work around his man. I think Watson will chase more than Rachelle. Draft range 6-10.

#TeamZane

Watson will not be a midfielder at AFL level, bet your house on it. He's simply too small.

However I think he could certainly play a similar role to Moore and push up around the ball and play on the outside.

#ZaneTrain

 

[RX Hawk]

We don't need another midfielder. Our midfield unit has shown that it can mix it with the best this season, and we still have a lot more development left with Ward, Mackenzie and MacDonald.

We definitely need quality forwards though - Brockman gone, Wingard injured, Breust coming to the end.

Up forward we have Lewis, Moore and maybe Butler as long term options right now.

True.

 

[FB19]

Doesn’t matter how much help dogs get with Bevo coaching. He’s their clarko post 2016 by that I mean Bevo post 2016.
We simply have to get the suns pick and add 2 early talents. With pick 3 expecting Reid then Curtin are picks 1,2 I would take Duursma Watson McKercher in that order.