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.

 

[cryptor]

I'm having no luck watching the AFL Academy vs PA game. Keeps on cutting out and stating the live stream is now ended. If anyone is watching please provide the link.

Working now.

 

[TDS7]

WATCH LIVE: AFL Academy takes on Port Adelaide SANFL

The AFL Academy boys squad will take on Port Adelaide's SANFL side on Saturday, April 15 from 4pm ACST

www.afl.com.au

 

[Hawk Vision]

Half time Harley clear best on for Australia

 

[VandoHawk]

Watched the first half of the under 18s vs Port reserves game.

Harley Reid was impressive. Good at the stoppages but also had a big impact at half-forward. Had some great kicks to teammates that were dropped. Seems to have tricks to get out of trouble.

Colby McKercher the other that impressed. Speedy at stoppages and good ball use.

No-one else is really outstanding. Will Patton some good contests, O’Sullivan moves really well for a big defender, liked the ruck-work of both Read and Edwards.

Haven’t seen much of any of the talls. Archer Reid, Curtin unsighted. Ditto Caddy who both kicked 1 but haven’t done much else.

Watson looks very quick and his chasing is noticeable, but hasn’t got much of it and his ball use has been average.

 

[cryptor]

Harley Reid Watch 1st half.

Q1: Played mid. Tracked the ball and was in everything. Very contested. Lot of kicks to gain territory rather than hitting up targets but that’s the way the game was being played by both sides.

Q2: Started on bench. Came on and played most of the quarter as a forward. From the goal square won a 1:1 contested mark with a bigger Port defender (idk who) but the mark was taken next to the right point post. Snapped the goal. Also won plenty of contests across half forward and gave his team inside 50’s. Moved back to midfield late and continued to find it.

Answered my question about how his fend off heavy style would go against adult men. Absolutely holds up. Even the times I thought he’d bit off more than he could chew he managed to get a disposal off.

Kid is a freak. There will be controversy later in the year as there will be clubs tanking for sure.

 

[hfc70]

Harley Reid Watch 1st half.
Kid is a freak. There will be controversy ALL year as there will be clubs tanking for sure.

EFA

 

[Noel Gallagher]

Harley Reid Watch 1st half.

Q1: Played mid. Tracked the ball and was in everything. Very contested. Lot of kicks to gain territory rather than hitting up targets but that’s the way the game was being played by both sides.

Q2: Started on bench. Came on and played most of the quarter as a forward. From the goal square won a 1:1 contested mark with a bigger Port defender (idk who) but the mark was taken next to the right point post. Snapped the goal. Also won plenty of contests across half forward and gave his team inside 50’s. Moved back to midfield late and continued to find it.

Answered my question about how his fend off heavy style would go against adult men. Absolutely holds up. Even the times I thought he’d bit off more than he could chew he managed to get a disposal off.

Kid is a freak. There will be controversy later in the year as there will be clubs tanking for sure.

I have no doubt that more than one club will start tanking for Reid within the next few weeks - conversely I don’t think we will. I really think Sam will blood more youngsters and see who has what it takes going forward. I’m not getting too attached to Reid as unfortunately GC, North and WCE all have ability to finish last. Going to be a very interesting year…

 

[Bardo State]

Looks like Harley is lining up now in defense against Georgiadies, because why not?

**** me I want him at Hawthorn so bad

 

[cryptor]

Reid tanking his performance as a defender. Happier in the front 2/3rds of the ground

 

[Bardo State]

Duursma just kicked a hell of a goal. Looks to have a fantastic leap, agility, pickup.

 

[Bardo State]

Reid tanking his performance as a defender. Happier in the front 2/3rds of the ground

He just wants to fight people now, lol

 

[tl92]

He just wants to fight people now, lol

I imagine he’ll have a few blokes getting stuck into him over the year given the hype he’s gotten.

 

[Bardo State]

I thought Darcy Wilson looked like one of the better players on the ground that quarter. Drove a lot from half back but got right up the wing into the forwardline at times. Good evasion and disposal.

 

[VandoHawk]

Watson really wants to win this, come alive in the last

 

[Bardo State]

Nick Watson separating himself from the rest in the wet. One touch, full tilt stuff.

 

[theiaofseed]

He just wants to fight people now, lol

Hope to see the game at some stage but that sounds like Reid.

 

[Alite]

H.Reid (BOG), Rogers (GCSA), Wilson and Watson were best for mine. Patton and McKercher did a lot of good things but also made a few blues. Still good.

Duursma struggled to get involved … 1 highlight only… was expecting / hoping for more.

KPFs. Not a good day for any with the congested play and wet weather. None of Archer Reid (only came on in the 3rd), Walter or Caddy had much impact.

Moir was barely sighted.

 

[TylerDurden]

Nick Watson separating himself from the rest in the wet. One touch, full tilt stuff.

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Dewnior]

Is there a link to a replay of the Academy game?

 

[Alite]

Jack Buller: 21yrs, 199cm, 99kg… and moves well. A lot to like.

WAFL Showreel, R4: Jack Buller highlights

Enjoy Jack Butler's standout WAFL performance for the Tigers!

www.afl.com.au

WAFL Showreel, R14: Jack Buller highlights

Enjoy Jack Buller's standout WAFL performance for Claremont

www.afl.com.au

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

Academy Game Overview:
Harley Reid: Easily B.O.G. The natural strength this kid has is off the charts. His disposal efficiency was also really good in what was a scrappy game. He transitioned to the backline after halftime but still found a way to get involved. Kicked a goal with a snap around the body from the point post. No. 1 pick

Nick Watson: He had a great second half and was a standout. He played off halfback but managed to venture up the ground and display his speed and acceleration. He was so speedy, in fact, that the cameraman missed his goal. His disposal efficiency was tremendous in the 4th quarter, even though it was pouring down. Probably my favourite at our pick if we don't end up with the No.1 pick.

Dan Curtin, Archer Reid, Ashton Moir, and Nate Caddy: All had very little impact on the game. I barely even sighted Curtin and Reid. The ball went in the Academy's 50 a lot of the time, but Moir and Caddy just couldn’t get involved despite Caddy kicking the first goal of the game.

Zane Duursma: Again, like Moir and Caddy, he couldn't get involved. He kicked one nice goal that highlighted a lot of his strengths, but did bugger all outside of that.

Colby McKercher: He was another standout. He is so fast out of stoppages and has very clean skills, in my opinion. An inside mid/wing who is on the fringe of the top 10 prospects, so he probably won’t come into consideration at our pick, but I have loved watching him at Coates Talent League level over the last two seasons and thought he was too good not to mention.

I will list a more extensive overview of performances in the Academy game thread, but these players are who I think are most relevant to our top pick. Overall, I was quite disappointed with a lot of the players considered to be top-10 talents, outside of Reid and Watson.

 

[matey]

I am just hanging out to hear of a potential KP forward in the MSD! Good size

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[H00t]

In only 3 quarters as well. Sat out the last.

Guy is a freak. He will run through players next year.