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.

 

[The Chad and I]

Caleb Serong is only 9cm taller. Not far off, goes pretty well.

3.5 inches is A LOT!
Watson is the same height as Caleb Daniel, who is a very good player, but a risky prospect who was taken in the 3rd round!

 

[TheFourPillars]

It's interesting the conversation in here because Sam certainly thinks he can play mid and wing and half back. Lets see it play out. Wiz will be picked up. Lets see what happens with his career. As i said he such an incredible talent forward of center that is where he will play. However he does have great endurance so he can be moved else where if required or if he is struggling.

 

[Steven Tyler]

Who was the last gun midfielder that was Watson's size?

Brent Harvey

 

[TheFourPillars]

Brent Harvey

I can tell u this he has more talent then harvey. He is great overhead and is quicker. Has all the other intangibles to succeed at the higher level

 

[TheFourPillars]

One more thing. A hawthorn captain who has his name on the best and fairest medal of this club was not much taller than the wiz. I wouldnt put any limits on the wiz will be a gun

 

[kirbatron]

The wiz will win games. he is a match winner. x factor. it might be a tap on on the wing, a crafty 5mins where he kicks 2 or 3. he might even make a game saving tackle.

he'll do this 10 times a year.

you dont get stats you get magic.

 

[dermott]

Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

is only 177cms and an elite midfielder but regardless of that Watson would add much needed potency to our forward line.

 

[chopflop]

The wiz will win games. he is a match winner. x factor. it might be a tap on on the wing, a crafty 5mins where he kicks 2 or 3. he might even make a game saving tackle.

he'll do this 10 times a year.

you dont get stats you get magic.

 

[chopflop]

He looks a typical second round calibre talent on first watch.
If he goes top 10 then it's a reflection of how shallow KP talent is in this draft.
Maybe his versatility makes him more appealing, but not to me. Avoid.

How did you rare Josh Weddle pre-draft? Another second round talent?

 

[matey]

The wiz is a pocket rocket on a lead. From some of that footage he meets the ball at blitz pace …….. could clear the area and play him at FF at times!

 

[Sixpence]

3.5 inches is A LOT!
Watson is the same height as Caleb Daniel, who is a very good player, but a risky prospect who was taken in the 3rd round!

Whilst we all try and tell our missus' that, if he's got the skills, then size doesn't matter!

 

[Brishawk]

Lachie Neale is only 177cms and an elite midfielder but regardless of that Watson would add much needed potency to our forward line.

Neale is an outlier for height and is 9cm taller than watson.

 

[Hawk the Talk]

Watson will play as a forward… he will impact games and is worthy of a top 5 pick.

 

[Flukey!]

I don't see the concern on Watson's height.
Caleb Daniel

5

Caleb Daniel

Age

29

Ht

171cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

19.5

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

16.4

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

is a gun at the opposite end of the ground and can do things taller players cant.
He works to his strengths as Watson does already at his level today.

I would be wrapped to get him or Duursma in.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

Watson will play as a forward… he will impact games and is worthy of a top 5 pick.

Would be nice if he could grow another 4-5 cms. Not out of the question, I had a growth spurt b/w 17 & 18yrs which was a bonus

 

[HawthornHawk]

The best 3 small forwards over the last 5 years (Breust, Cameron and Papley) were all selected in the rookie draft. Food for thought for those wanting the Wiz!

I think this is probably more indicative of the fact that recruiters have incorrectly not seen value in small forwards. None of those players would be traded for less than a first round pick at their peak.

This has changed however and more recently we're seeing the better small forwards go in the first round.

 

[TazHawk15]

With Bruest nearing the end and Brocky likely gone and now Chad going down, if he is available at out pick it has to be the Wiz

 

[Big Hotdog]

How did you rare Josh Weddle pre-draft? Another second round talent?

To be honest, Yes.
And was flabbergasted when we blew those picks on draft night.

But happily enjoying my humble pie now.

 

[Billyc]

I agree, he's a small forward and that's where he will play at AFL level.

I would be happy if we take Watson as we need an electric forward and I want someone exciting. But he will play as a small forward, not a midfielder at AFL level. Citing short midfielders who debuted 25+ years ago is irrelevant. A 170cm guy isn’t likely to have much midfield impact these days.

If we want a gun goalkicking small forward, pick him. I’d be happy with any of Watson, Duursma or McKercher and we should get one.

 

[hawkinoz]

I don't see the concern on Watson's height.
Caleb Daniel is a gun at the opposite end of the ground and can do things taller players cant.
He works to his strengths as Watson does already at his level today.

I would be wrapped to get him or Duursma in.

Are Gold Coast Suns not considering Jake Rogers as he is 172 cms... 2 cms more than Wiz.

there doesn't seem to be questions on his height. On talent level how do people rate Wiz vs Rogers.

 

[Flukey!]

With Bruest nearing the end and Brocky likely gone and now Chad going down, if he is available at out pick it has to be the Wiz

Good point.
Scoring has been our challenge for a while now and needs addressing.

 

[Billyc]

With Bruest nearing the end and Brocky likely gone and now Chad going down, if he is available at out pick it has to be the Wiz

Or Duursma. Goalkickers and impact players required for sure.

 

[Rowie6]

Cyril? I said last 5 years. Big Watson fan just wouldn’t take him at pick 3. Hopefully we get the Suns pick and nab him.

I was not sold on The Wiz but I am now I think he is SPECIAL!
I do like Duursma also !
I don’t think we can lose with either of those boys going forward?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bugs1977]

You think he could play midfield in the AFL?

We don't need him to be midfielder but I think he's more than capable of rotating through there if need be. Like T4P said above he's such an x-factor up front so why would you really want him anywhere else. With top end picks I've always believed / maintained that you always choose BPA so if MM and Co believe Watson to be that then you take him and run.

 

[Dewnior]

With top end picks I've always believed / maintained that you always choose BPA so if MM and Co believe Watson to be that then you take him and run.

No need to run, I'd like to see a bit of swagger.