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.

 

[pushintheback]

The Wizard would look great in brown and gold.

Well you’re gonna have to pick who u want cause u can’t have Harley and Nick.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Well you’re gonna have to pick who u want cause u can’t have Harley and Nick.

Not the thread for that, but we can if we really want to.

 

[theiaofseed]

Well you’re gonna have to pick who u want cause u can’t have Harley and Nick.

Watson wont go top 5 so if wanted it wouldn't be a huge stretch to get Watson in.

 

[Lawsy]

His height will be a relevant factor for clubs and will almost certainly see him drafted lower than his performances would warrant. Might just mean a club gets a great bargain

Yep, Dylan Moore says hi!

 

[pushintheback]

Watson wont go top 5 so if wanted it wouldn't be a huge stretch to get Watson in.

It’s only my opinion. Doesn’t make it correct but what I have seen in the first 3 rounds he is #2. At the moment I can’t justify anyone other than Reid being ahead of him. I don’t make opinions based on stats like many do. My opinion is based on AFL attributes and how they will develop at the highest level. Pound for pound he’s better than Reid.

 

[theiaofseed]

It’s only my opinion. Doesn’t make it correct but what I have seen in the first 3 rounds he is #2. At the moment I can’t justify anyone other than Reid being ahead of him. I don’t make opinions based on stats like many do. My opinion is based on AFL attributes and how they will develop at the highest level. Pound for pound he’s better than Reid.

That's his issue at sub 170cm he wont make it as a full time midfielder, I just don't see any side taking him inside the top 5 when there's many other great option in this draft.

 

[mustang]

Kid is a freakshow.

What sort of player is Watson is he the Cyril type of forward or more Rachele type.

 

[Hawk Vision]

Bendigo’s first half game plan….put Harley where the ball is and sit back and watch. He’s way too good for U18’s

 

[tommyk72]

Any chance that the circa 170 midfielder WILL have a role in the modern game? We’ve seen such a trend towards super tall guys, having someone much shorter could be a point of difference. It sounds silly, but imagine trying to do a proper tackle on someone 25 cms shorter than you!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

What sort of player is Watson is he the Cyril type of forward or more Rachele type.

Puopolo on steroids.

 

[chopflop]

Puopolo on steroids.

A cross between puopolo and Stephen Milne..... On steroids

 

[Hawk Vision]

A cross between puopolo and Stephen Milne..... On steroids

And Harley is if Shaun Burgoyne and Hodgey had a baby (on steroids)

 

[Mojo]

A lot of these draft prospects seem to have taken to steroids this season. Are they all part of Essendon's academy?

 

[Davo-27]

A lot of these draft prospects seem to have taken to steroids this season. Are they all part of Essendon's academy?

Harley Reid did train there lol

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

I was watching the Crows vs. Dockers match today, and I couldn’t help but think of Ashton Moir when watching Izak Rankine

23

Izak Rankine

Age

25

Ht

179cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.7

4star

D

13.0

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.7

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

5star

CL

1.7

4star

. They're not exactly similar players, as Moir is 7cm taller at 188cm and plays more like a taller Isaac Heeney

5

Isaac Heeney

Age

29

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.7

5star

M

4.9

5star

T

4.1

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

14.3

3star

K

8.8

4star

HB

5.5

3star

M

4.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

10.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.8

3star

, but he has that X-Factor like Rankine. Moir is also very unique in being an ambipedal player (someone who can kick equally well on either foot). Furthermore, he is quite versatile, having shown an ability to play midfield and defence, and he is also strong in the air. We would all take Harley Reid, and many people have been campaigning for Nick Watson, but I think Moir is the best player for our team. He would also complete our array of general forwards and give us an Indigenous forward line combo alongside Tyler Brockman.

 

[FB19]

As much as I love Watson, we need KPF or at least a tall Mid/fwd type. outside Harley from the draft write ups Curtin A. Reid Duursma Moir Caddy would seem to be the right targets with our first pick. We need to get one or 2 in now and developing. What’s clear from the discussion is we need more top 10 picks, time to get fanciful - over to that thread!

 

[SSSSSS]

For me our most glaring list needs are a KPF and creative smalls.

First pick should always be best pick available but we desperately need creativity in the front half, especially if we are lacking the timber.

The wizard is exactly what we are looking for, never mind his height he is the most talented of the bunch. A kid his height even being talked about in the top ten let alone top five is an incredible talent.

It's hard to look past Reid but if we can't get Harley I wouldn't be at all upset to land the wiz.

 

[TylerDurden]

I'm sold on Wizz. We won't get Reid.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

As much as I love Watson, we need KPF or at least a tall Mid/fwd type. outside Harley from the draft write ups Curtin A. Reid Duursma Moir Caddy would seem to be the right targets with our first pick. We need to get one or 2 in now and developing. What’s clear from the discussion is we need more top 10 picks, time to get fanciful - over to that thread!

As much as I agree that we need a key forward, Will McCabe is exactly that, and he is eligible as a father-son for us. I'd say his range is around pick 30. It also appears that we believe Max Ramsden will develop into a key forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck. Kosi and Jeka are still there, and Jeka hasn't had a proper run at it, in my opinion. So I'm not sure we need to draft a key forward with our top selection. That's why I believe Ashton Moir should be our top selection.

 

[TDS7]

In my eyes, if it's not Harley it should be Curtain or Archer. They're both versatile and damaging talls with ball in hand and potent goal threats from everywhere in the 50. Pending Champs, they would be my top 3.

 

[Brant]

Give us an Indigenous forward line combo alongside Tyler Brockman.

 

[SSSSSS]

That being said Archer Reid is like a 200+cm NRoo with the way he covers the ground...

Seriously what are they feeding these kids.

 

[chopflop]

I'm all in on the wizard. I'm going to melt so hard if we don't get him!!!

 

[daniel23]

How much development does someone like Watson have? That would be my biggest worry spending a top 3 pick on him

 

[Judd2Sewell]

How much development does someone like Watson have? That would be my biggest worry spending a top 3 pick on him

We will not be spending a top 3 pick on a 170cm small forward.