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.

 

[tl92]

Curtin is not a lead-up forward. He's been tried there, but his strengths lie in his incredible reflexes and reaction time. This makes him a great defender, he makes decisions quickly to combat what his opponent is doing. This doesn't translate as a deep forward, he isn't as innovative on the lead and doesn't really crash packs to bring the ball to ground. That being said, I really want him to have a run as a CHF who pushes way up the ground a la Cameron, Cadman, and Roughie. He isn't half the lead-up threat those three (projecting out for Cadman) are, but his ball use up the ground and ability to provide an option out of defence allow Lewis to play deeper, then overlap to get clear for the last kick inside 50 once Lewis leads up. He takes the game on, has blinding skills, and critically has the tank to run up the ground. One of the problems our team has is that there's only one Sicily out there winning one-on-ones and setting up the play. Getting Curtin might let us have two snipers with great marking and a tank that lets them run out games. If we were to get him, I'd hope we play him as a third tall to start off and let him run loose up the ground, rather than stick him in a structure as a 2nd tall who can't get up around it. He's not a game-winner in my eyes, just a very solid player who gives us an option up and down the ground.

He's still not my preferred pick at 3, that is solidly Colby if he's available, but he's still got the potential to be a machine anywhere on the ground. If we want true stars, Colby, Watson, and Duursma (as a forward, not running through the midfield) are our best bets. Duursma's time as a mid soured me a bit on him, but his games as a forward are just so productive and effective that it's hard to overlook him. I'd see him playing like Phillipou this year, third-tall with the skills to play up the ground but really at home around goals. I wouldn't put him anywhere near the midfield, he's such a good forward and trying to play him somewhere we don't need him to play is just silly. Watson has the best single trait you can ask from any player, diligence. Hard work will always lead to fruition with the talent he has. We've seen how good Moore is as a high half-forward, and no offence to Moorey but Watson is a few steps above him in skills and athleticism. With Sam Mitchell at the helm, I'll back any young player with Watson's drive to become the best possible version of themselves.

Since I haven't done any of my usual big profiles yet (that's for later in the week), here's a quick top 20.

1. Harley Reid
2. Colby McKercher
3. Jed Walter

4. Nick Watson
5. Zane Duursma
6. Ryley Sanders (Not for us, but this kid will be a star)
7. Daniel Curtin
8. Connor O'Sullivan
9. Ethan Read
10. Nate Caddy

11. Jake Rogers
12. Darcy Wilson
13. Oliver Murphy
14. Mitch Edwards
15. Jordan Croft
16. Will McCabe

17. Jack Delean
18. Koltyn Tholstrup
19. Archer Reid
20. Joel Freijha

I've got a week off so I'll have a stab at a few write-ups and match reviews. Drop any requests for players/games and I'll see if I can fit it in. That 4-16 range is really tight, I'd be thrilled with two or three players in that group +McCabe.

Interested just broadly where you think Moir goes. Seems to have gone from a top 5 to no talk whatsoever.

 

[Hawk the Talk]

Curtin is not a lead-up forward. He's been tried there, but his strengths lie in his incredible reflexes and reaction time. This makes him a great defender, he makes decisions quickly to combat what his opponent is doing. This doesn't translate as a deep forward, he isn't as innovative on the lead and doesn't really crash packs to bring the ball to ground. That being said, I really want him to have a run as a CHF who pushes way up the ground a la Cameron, Cadman, and Roughie. He isn't half the lead-up threat those three (projecting out for Cadman) are, but his ball use up the ground and ability to provide an option out of defence allow Lewis to play deeper, then overlap to get clear for the last kick inside 50 once Lewis leads up. He takes the game on, has blinding skills, and critically has the tank to run up the ground. One of the problems our team has is that there's only one Sicily out there winning one-on-ones and setting up the play. Getting Curtin might let us have two snipers with great marking and a tank that lets them run out games. If we were to get him, I'd hope we play him as a third tall to start off and let him run loose up the ground, rather than stick him in a structure as a 2nd tall who can't get up around it. He's not a game-winner in my eyes, just a very solid player who gives us an option up and down the ground.

He's still not my preferred pick at 3, that is solidly Colby if he's available, but he's still got the potential to be a machine anywhere on the ground. If we want true stars, Colby, Watson, and Duursma (as a forward, not running through the midfield) are our best bets. Duursma's time as a mid soured me a bit on him, but his games as a forward are just so productive and effective that it's hard to overlook him. I'd see him playing like Phillipou this year, third-tall with the skills to play up the ground but really at home around goals. I wouldn't put him anywhere near the midfield, he's such a good forward and trying to play him somewhere we don't need him to play is just silly. Watson has the best single trait you can ask from any player, diligence. Hard work will always lead to fruition with the talent he has. We've seen how good Moore is as a high half-forward, and no offence to Moorey but Watson is a few steps above him in skills and athleticism. With Sam Mitchell at the helm, I'll back any young player with Watson's drive to become the best possible version of themselves.

Since I haven't done any of my usual big profiles yet (that's for later in the week), here's a quick top 20.

1. Harley Reid
2. Colby McKercher
3. Jed Walter

4. Nick Watson
5. Zane Duursma
6. Ryley Sanders (Not for us, but this kid will be a star)
7. Daniel Curtin
8. Connor O'Sullivan
9. Ethan Read
10. Nate Caddy

11. Jake Rogers
12. Darcy Wilson
13. Oliver Murphy
14. Mitch Edwards
15. Jordan Croft
16. Will McCabe

17. Jack Delean
18. Koltyn Tholstrup
19. Archer Reid
20. Joel Freijha

I've got a week off so I'll have a stab at a few write-ups and match reviews. Drop any requests for players/games and I'll see if I can fit it in. That 4-16 range is really tight, I'd be thrilled with two or three players in that group +McCabe.

I’m a big fan of O’Sullivan, he’s the one I want if we can get back into the first round. Either him or Caddy would be worth the move IMO.

An early draft haul of…
Watson/Duursma
O’Sullivan/Caddy
McCabe

With the view we are targeting a quality KPF in FA in 2024/25 at either end depending on which way we go.

 

[TDS7]

Interested just broadly where you think Moir goes. Seems to have gone from a top 5 to no talk whatsoever.

He'll go late/after the second round to a South Australian side. I'd value him around the third round, but the "go home" factor and his inconsistency up the ground really doesn't bode well for him. He's still electric in spurts, but any upside of him playing as a mid/fwd has fizzled out. Moir really needed that as well, there are a lot of medium forwards in this draft at every level and without versatility it's hard for him to stand out against them. He should get drafted, but he's not someone I'd look at.

I’m a big fan of O’Sullivan, he’s the one I want if we can get back into the first round. Either him or Caddy would be worth the move IMO.

An early draft haul of…
Watson/Duursma
O’Sullivan/Caddy
McCabe

With the view we are targeting a quality KPF in FA in 2024/25 at either end depending on which way we go.

O'Sullivan (and Oli Murphy) are two I'd really like to get around that mark. They're both a bit more innovative than Curtin, COS especially (sidebar, surely this kids nickname is lettuce) has that aggression up the ground and has shown it when playing forward. Murphy is one that has played a brilliantly solid season, one that might now excite on the stat sheet but shows the potential he has at AFL level. He's one I could see becoming an SDK type, where he comes in young after a year or two developing and instantly makes his mark on a team. They're both players that use all their tools effectively, like how Bailey MacDonald uses his speed in games better than some faster players do. I know I've talked up Caddy, and I still think he's a bit hard done by, but if I had to draft a tall in the range and Murphy are going ahead.

 

[chopflop]

I'd be taking COS over Curtin if drafting on KPP potential. I like Curtin as a rebounding 3rd tall or bigger mid. We have enough of both.

 

[HawthornHawk]

We have enough of both.

Will we have enough once he's reached his prime though?

 

[FB19]

I'd be taking COS over Curtin if drafting on KPP potential. I like Curtin as a rebounding 3rd tall or bigger mid. We have enough of both.

 

[I got the outside word]

I'd be taking COS over Curtin if drafting on KPP potential. I like Curtin as a rebounding 3rd tall or bigger mid. We have enough of both.

I believe you on the basis that you were Weddle’s fan boy.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

Couldn’t go wrong with either COS or Murphy if we happen to get another early pick. Would be our KPB duo with McCabe for the next decade.

I don’t see us getting our KPF early in this draft.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[robiecampbellbrown]

So sounds like we are all agreed. We take Curtin McKercher Watson Caddy McCabe. OK sleepy Mark you have our requirements.

You forgot Harley Reid

 

[The Chad and I]

Who are the draft smokies - unlikely to be taken before pick 30-ish, but have elite attributes?

 

[HawthornHawk]

Who are the draft smokies - unlikely to be taken before pick 30-ish, but have elite attributes?

Would Lorenz be a shout at this range?

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

Who are the draft smokies - unlikely to be taken before pick 30-ish, but have elite attributes?

Depends how far Ashton Moir falls.

 

[Topiary]

I’m hearing that Sanders is a lock to North as an NGA. That being the case, surely the AFL aren’t giving them pick 3 as compo for McKay as well? I think it’ll likely be after the pick they got from Port

I believe it will be after pick 15.

 

[TylerDurden]

I’m hearing that Sanders is a lock to North as an NGA. That being the case, surely the AFL aren’t giving them pick 3 as compo for McKay as well? I think it’ll likely be after the pick they got from Port

Heard the same. And they'll take Colby alongside him.
Wiz to us.

 

[Hawks2011]

There's absolutely no way that the AFL are going to gift North Sanders as a freebie and pick 3 for Mckay as free agency compensation. Clubs will revolt.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Read the pinned post and stop posting about other clubs and their supporters.

 

[kenneje]

Is McKercher the best pure mid prospect in the draft?

Will be interesting if he's their at our pick ... That video where he rips the ball out of a stoppage near the middle of the ground, sprints past a number of opposition and slams a goal through on his left is tasty shit.

 

[The Chad and I]

Is McKercher the best pure mid prospect in the draft?

Will be interesting if he's their at our pick ... That video where he rips the ball out of a stoppage near the middle of the ground, sprints past a number of opposition and slams a goal through on his left is tasty s**t.

That highlight and a few other similar instances had me thinking he could become a better version of Isaac Smith if we play him away from the inside.
If he can produce that kind of play regularly then we'd have to take him at 3. Those players are extremely rare.

 

[peetoo]

It would be the first question every team asks in the draft interviews.

Asking about homesickness of someone who probably has no concept of it?

 

[TDS7]

Asking about homesickness of someone who probably has no concept of it?

You can ask questions that indicate whether someone is more or less likely to stay where they're drafted. The classic is the "family man", but you can get a good read on someone's personality if the right questions are asked. It's an inexact science, but clubs can get a lot of insight from these interviews.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

I watched the last several minutes of the third quarter of the GWS vs. Western Bulldogs match. Toby Greene

4

Toby Greene

Age

32

Ht

182cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.7

5star

K

12.5

5star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.2

4star

D

17.5

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.8

4star

T

1.0

2star

G

2.3

5star

D

26.6

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

14.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.0

1star

kicked 2 goals in the few minutes I watched. As we all know now, he basically led his side to victory in a great comeback. But that is what we need. Someone who can kick multiple goals off their own boot and win us a game.
We need a match winner who can kick goals. Toby Greene

4

Toby Greene

Age

32

Ht

182cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.7

5star

K

12.5

5star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.2

4star

D

17.5

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.8

4star

T

1.0

2star

G

2.3

5star

D

26.6

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

14.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.0

1star

, Dustin Martin, Tom Papley

11

Tom Papley

Age

29

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

12.3

3star

K

8.9

4star

HB

3.4

2star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.5

2star

G

2.4

5star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.6

5star

, 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

, and Chad Wingard

20

Chad Wingard

Age

32

Ht

183cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

1.5

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.2

3star

when he was young. These are the types of players who can go and win you a game or even a championship out of their own boots. I think we already have one player like that in Connor MacDonald, but we need a true match-winning forward.
That's why I'm still backing us to take Nick Watson if he is on the board. He has the X-Factor, great forward craft, and just finds a way to make his impact felt on the scoreboard all the time. He's electric, would sell tickets, and would form a fantastic group of small/general forwards with Dylan Moore

8

Dylan Moore

Age

26

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

5.1

2star

HB

6.7

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

0.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

, Tyler Brockman, and Sam Butler. He's also incredibly versatile, exemplified perhaps most notably against Port Adelaide's VFL side when playing off halfback in the wet, and keeps his high standards of play wherever he is positioned on the field.
If it's not Watson, I still think we need to go with an X-Factor, potential matchwinning player. That would be Nate Caddy or Zane Duursma.

 

[bigmaxi]

I watched the last several minutes of the third quarter of the GWS vs. Western Bulldogs match. Toby Greene kicked 2 goals in the few minutes I watched. As we all know now, he basically led his side to victory in a great comeback. But that is what we need. Someone who can kick multiple goals off their own boot and win us a game.
We need a match winner who can kick goals. Toby Greene, Dustin Martin, Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney, and Chad Wingard when he was young. These are the types of players who can go and win you a game or even a championship out of their own boots. I think we already have one player like that in Connor MacDonald, but we need a true match-winning forward.
That's why I'm still backing us to take Nick Watson if he is on the board. He has the X-Factor, great forward craft, and just finds a way to make his impact felt on the scoreboard all the time. He's electric, would sell tickets, and would form a fantastic group of small/general forwards with Dylan Moore, Tyler Brockman, and Sam Butler. He's also incredibly versatile, exemplified perhaps most notably against Port Adelaide's VFL side when playing off halfback in the wet, and keeps his high standards of play wherever he is positioned on the field.
If it's not Watson, I still think we need to go with an X-Factor, potential matchwinning player. That would be Nate Caddy or Zane Duursma.

Or Reid.

 

[burger09]

Or Reid.

Or Watson

 

[Sixpence]

Or Watson

"If it's not Watson"

 

[TDS7]

Zane Duursma and Archer Reid had massive games today. Zane Duursma is a bonfide star, an x-factor laden game winner that T3V0MAA is looking for. Just make sure he's playing as a forward, he isn't a midfielder yet. Archer Reid showing why everyone had him top 10 last year, he gets up the ground and sets up attacks so well for a player of his size. Really like the fact he wasn't stuck in the ruck for too long today.

ZD: 2.0 - 24d 17k 7h - 12m 2t - 1r50 9i50
AR: 4.1 - 19d 16k 3h - 7m 0t - 3r50 4i50 - 6HO

Caddy dissapointing in the same game. He's had some big games, and I still think a lot of people are underrating him, but I'm coming around to other prospects.
NC: 0.2 - 19d 8k 11h - 6m 4t - 1r50 5i50

Calsher had an almost day for Sandy. He keeps getting in good spots, he just can't seem to put it between the big sticks. I wouldn't hate giving him a rookie spot to run around BH and see if he's got what it takes. Certainly has the leap and the hands to be an AFL forward.
CD: 1.4 - 21d 12k 9h - 5m 2t - 1r50 2i50 - 4HO

Logan Morris also kicked all but one of his teams goals. You can't deny his prooductivity, likely out of our range given McCabe but he won't last long past the top 15.
LM: 3.2 - 10d 8k 2h - 3m 3t

Stats aren't up for the Eastern v Murray game, but it was a very one sided affair. Rangers looked out of it all day. Weatherill played very well, might be putting his hand up for a late pick in the draft. Didn't see much of COS or Wilson.