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.

 

[TDS7]

You got him top 5 in the country ?

But you also said he was pushed out to the wing in his own team due to top talents.

It's a matter of what works best for the team. Lets talk up a hypothetical player, Sam Jordan. Sam is our best key forward, but he's also really good as a wing and as a full back. If we have Mitch Lewis and his doppleganger Luke Lance, who are both a little bit worse of a KPF as Sam but cannot be played as a wing or as a key back, the best thing for the team is for Sam to play on the wing and Mitch and Luke to play as key forwards. This is the scenario Colby finds himself in. Sanders, Rogers, Cleary, and Kirk are all really good midfielders in this grade, but none of them are as good as Colby on a wing. Given he can perform as well as he did while lining up on the outside, I'd say it's doing nothing to hurt his draft credentials.

 

[Davo-27]

You got him top 5 in the country ?

But you also said he was pushed out to the wing in his own team due to top talents.

McKercher played wing mostly last year, this year he has played inside mid mostly and is averaging over 30 poss and looking good in there, I think he has been very impressive for Tasmanian Devils, Australia and now a successful Allies team with 2 wins over SA and WA under their belts, in every game I think he has been in the best few if not the best on field, he had a few games with exactly 31 disposals for Tassie which was a coincidence, but shows his consistency, he moves like an AFL mid.

If I had to guess at the top 3 come draft time, I would say Harley Reid, Jed Walter and then Colby McKercher, they have impressed me the most.

He can legitimately play at a high level on the inside or outside which is why he gets the Merrett comparison, playing outside to accommodate inside mids shows his flexibility.

 

[naysayer]

Was interesting listen to Jack Fitzpatrick

Jack Fitzpatrick

Age

34

Ht

200cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.3

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

3.4

3star

CL

0.8

3star

HO

5.5

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

4.0

3star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

4.2

5star

on Hawks insiders talking about our midfield dominance coming more from system than from talent. He basically said that in big games sometimes you just need your Petracca, your Bont to get you over the line, and he reckons we still need to draft or trade for someone like that.

Until I heard that I had always presumed we would take a tall with our first pick. Caddy or Curtin. But maybe we do need to look at Watson, Duursma or McKercher as our first choice. Personally I really don't see it with Duursma. Looks good kicking goals but despite watching highlights from 3 different games, I'm yet to see him put a single kick or handball to the advantage of his teammate. I like Watson infinitely better with the ball.

 

[Brishawk]

Was interesting listen to Jack Fitzpatrick on Hawks insiders talking about our midfield dominance coming more from system than from talent. He basically said that in big games sometimes you just need your Petracca, your Bont to get you over the line, and he reckons we still need to draft or trade for someone like that.

Until I heard that I had always presumed we would take a tall with our first pick. Caddy or Curtin. But maybe we do need to look at Watson, Duursma or McKercher as our first choice. Personally I really don't see it with Duursma. Looks good kicking goals but despite watching highlights from 3 different games, I'm yet to see him put a single kick or handball to the advantage of his teammate. I like Watson infinitely better with the ball.

Would have thought Newcombe is about as close as we are going to get even if we try for another ten years. Petracca level of player with his physical attributes just don’t come along very often.

 

[naysayer]

Would have thought Newcombe is about as close as we are going to get even if we try for another ten years. Petracca level of player with his physical attributes just don’t come along very often.

I haven't been big on trading for Harley Reid, but there is an example. Don't forget we have Chad playing in the two's at the minute, that's the right player at the wrong time. Timing will be important!

 

[robiecampbellbrown]

Watson if we can get him

 

[Wingnut19]

Would have thought Newcombe is about as close as we are going to get even if we try for another ten years. Petracca level of player with his physical attributes just don’t come along very often.

Absolutey. What was Petracca producing at same age/games as Newk? I bet it wouldn’t be close. Newcombe is a serious jet. Still boggles my mind we got him in MSD. He’s a top 3 pick in any National draft.

 

[bigmaxi]

Absolutey. What was Petracca producing at same age/games as Newk? I bet it wouldn’t be close. Newcombe is a serious jet. Still boggles my mind we got him in MSD. He’s a top 3 pick in any National draft.

Great question, anyone here good on digging up data ?

 

[Glebehawk]

Great question, anyone here good on digging up data ?

Don’t have the data but recall Petracca playing mostly half forward for the first few years with stints in the middle. Showed enough talent, but didn’t have the tank.

Newc is brilliant, but not quite the Petracca type. Reid on the other hand…looks to be that match winner. Could be worth the splash if we can conjure something. Otherwise my chips are in for Mckercher.

 

[offtherails9]

Of course you need a match winner to an extent but between McDonald, Mackenzie, Newc and Day I think one of them will stand up in the big moments.

 

[Mojo]

Of course you need a match winner to an extent but between McDonald, Mackenzie, Newc and Day I think one of them will stand up in the big moments.

Agree! Match-winners rarely win matches in their first few seasons, so commentary around the lack of 'star' talent in our midfield is premature. Allow these lads another 2-3 seasons then review.

 

[Gut Runner]

Vic Country vs SA about to start.

 

[Gut Runner]

Harley with the first 3 goals of the game playing at FF.

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Bugs1977]

It's gonna suck missing out on him. To critique him on his game today has anyone else notice that he has struggled to kick for goal from 50m out or is it just me?

 

[H00t]

It's gonna suck missing out on him. To critique him on his game today has anyone else notice that he has struggled to kick for goal from 50m out or is it just me?

He has kicked from 50 m in the past. But it’s about on his range for the small parts I’ve seen of him.

Might just not be flushing them today.

 

[Bugs1977]

He has kicked from 50 m in the past. But it’s about on his range for the small parts I’ve seen of him.

Might just not be flushing them today.

The only reason I mentioned it was because I seen him fall short twice now from 50. It's funny how big he is compared to his oppo

 

[H00t]

The only reason I mentioned it was because I seen him fall short twice now from 50. It's funny how big he is compared to his oppo

It’s like watching an adult go against a kid in terms of strength.

 

[DrAbs]

Jack Delean looks like a gun. After Watson, his ability to kick goals from almost anywhere is quite unbelievable. I wonder which pick he'll go at..

 

[daniel23]

Jack Delean looks like a gun. After Watson, his ability to kick goals from almost anywhere is quite unbelievable. I wonder which pick he'll go at..

Is on par with Watson for mine, Watson gets all the attention being from Vic. I think davo has him very high

 

[DrAbs]

I'm looking at Pick 20 and Pick 28 which Adelaide hold. Have a feeling if no one takes him at the end of the first round, the Crows will pounce for the local boy. Small forward line of Rankine, Rachele, and Delean will probably be the best in the comp for years to come.

 

[DrAbs]

Jack Delean goal from outside 50 . 3 goals so far today.
EDIT: Add another goal to that tally. 4 goals so far for Delean.

 

[ahhhhhh]

I want Ashton Moir after watching this. Elite AFL qualities.

 

[DrAbs]

I want Ashton Moir after watching this. Elite AFL qualities.

Probably the most skilful player in the top 10. But I'm not sure his forward half pressure is that good. If he loses a contest the ball seems to come out from there too easily.

 

[TylerDurden]

Delean looks a serious player. 1st rounder surely?