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.

 

[KeeperLeaguer]

Personally, definitely prefer Duursma. He fills a hole we have in the forward line but can play as a defender too. Couple that with his excellent skillset and he's a must-have.
Wouldn't be unhappy with Watson if the club went that way - he plays an excellent forward role and he can create things.
McKercher - no. As good as he is we just don't need another mid. We've got Day, Newk, Nash & Worpel. Ward can't get in there he's playing half-back and CamMac is at BH.

 

[Billyc]

Share the view that I want one of Duursma or Watson for list balance but i'd be nervous about overlooking McKercher. With North now guaranteed Reid and Eagles most likely to take Curtin, unless there is a shuffle of picks, he is likely to be on the board at our pick now.

 

[H00t]

There is so much wrong with this.

How are we getting cute by drafting a talented player that plays in a position that we absolutely need to address? Never mind in comparison to our deep midfield unit.

Who is our Taylor Adams in this scenario?

Why use those two as a reference?

Does your point take into account we already have four quality young midfielders, with three top talents developing behind them?

To use your analogy - you do pass on Pendlebury if you have Adams, because you also have a Hodge, Lewis and a Bontempelli. Plus you have three very talented young midfielders in a Walsh, Black and Zerrett coming through the ranks.

And you would most certainly pass on a Pendlebury when two elite forward talents are available to bolster an area that you can only say you have two long term players on, with any level of confidence.

Colby appears to have one thing that our mids are missing and that’s pace to burn.

Plus he looks that good that he could play anywhere on the field. Forward, mid or back. He knocked the championships out of the park as a goal kicking midfielder.

Compare that to Zane whose struggled in the midfield or Watson with some big question marks on his game due to his height.

It’s an early pick I prefer we didn’t try to get too cute with it. Especially when all things being equal one looks the better player.

Zane and Watson are only popping up more because they mainly play forward. Go best available with pick no. 3

 

[noobermensch]

Caddy was BOG as his Knights team upset a nearly full strength, top of the table Dragons outfit. He was especially dominant in a first half in which Northern were rampant, surging out to a big lead. Unfortunately, his kicking on goal was rather wayward as he managed only 4.3 with 2 more out on the full.

 

[Bugs1977]

We don't need another midfielder. Our midfield unit has shown that it can mix it with the best this season, and we still have a lot more development left with Ward, Mackenzie and MacDonald.

We definitely need quality forwards though - Brockman gone, Wingard injured, Breust coming to the end.

Up forward we have Lewis, Moore and maybe Butler as long term options right now.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Breust will play another 3 more (effective) seasons.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Colby appears to have one thing that our mids are missing and that’s pace to burn.

Plus he looks that good that he could play anywhere on the field. Forward, mid or back. He knocked the championships out of the park as a goal kicking midfielder.

Compare that to Zane whose struggled in the midfield or Watson with some big question marks on his game due to his height.

It’s an early pick I prefer we didn’t try to get too cute with it. Especially when all things being equal one looks the better player.

Zane and Watson are only popping up more because they mainly play forward. Go best available with pick no. 3

Personally I don't see how it would be cute to draft a top talent in a area of desperate need. I don't really need to express that side of my argument again.

How much better is McKercher than Duursma and Watson? Is he leagues ahead?

Permit me to get creative here. If Reid is rated as a 9.5 on my imaginary talent scale, then where are McKercher, Watson and Duursma?

Based on what they've all shown I would say they are around the high 8's or early 9's.

Say for example if McKercher is a 9.1, whilst Watson and Duursma are 8.9's. Is there enough of a difference to justify the selection when we have essentially four ling-term forward spots up for grabs, whilst our midfield unit runs seven deep currently.

If we are being honest, and as much as I rate him, Butler has not shown much at AFL level and certainly hasn't separated himself at VFL level. We really only have Lewis and Moore as locked-in long-term forward options.

IMO Caddy is probably the player we need the most in terms of a fit, so hopefully we can get another first and draft him.

At the end of the day if we draft McKercher I'll be happy to see him run out alongside our midfield group. If that's what the club wants then so be it, they've been pretty good talent spotters lately. Obviously I believe we have more pressing area to address and I don't see McKercher as being better, let along much better, than Watson or Duursma, in order to justify the pick.

 

[H00t]

Personally I don't see how it would be cute to draft a top talent in a area of desperate need. I don't really need to express that side of my argument again.

How much better is McKercher than Duursma and Watson? Is he leagues ahead?

Permit me to get creative here. If Reid is rated as a 9.5 on my imaginary talent scale, then where are McKercher, Watson and Duursma?

Based on what they've all shown I would say they are around the high 8's or early 9's.

Say for example if McKercher is a 9.1, whilst Watson and Duursma are 8.9's. Is there enough of a difference to justify the selection when we have essentially four ling-term forward spots up for grabs, whilst our midfield unit runs seven deep currently.

If we are being honest, and as much as I rate him, Butler has not shown much at AFL level and certainly hasn't separated himself at VFL level. We really only have Lewis and Moore as locked-in long-term forward options.

IMO Caddy is probably the player we need the most in terms of a fit, so hopefully we can get another first and draft him.

At the end of the day if we draft McKercher I'll be happy to see him run out alongside our midfield group. If that's what the club wants then so be it, they've been pretty good talent spotters lately. Obviously I believe we have more pressing area to address and I don't see McKercher as being better, let along much better, than Watson or Duursma, in order to justify the pick.

I’ve only seen a few games but from what I have seen McKercher is pretty close to Reid and a level above Watson and Duursma.

I just don’t think we should overlook a better player (imo) for need when there’s plenty of ways to get forwards.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I’ve only seen a few games but from what I have seen McKercher is pretty close to Reid and a level above Watson and Duursma.

I just don’t think we should overlook a better player (imo) for need when there’s plenty of ways to get forwards.

If the club believes he's almost as talented then Reid then so be it. IMO Reid completely separated himself from the pack due to his true versatility, he's a gun forward, midfielder and backman. He can play anywhere.

The champs final last year was a prime example, he shut down Watson in the first half, then moved to the middle in the third quarter and had an impact, then played deep forward in the last and kicked two goals after two really strong contested marks.

McKercher (as far as I'm aware anyway) has only really played in the midfield.

 

[wizzard400]

As things currently stand even with the Walter bid and North potentially gaining pick #2, we will still have some very good players available at our pick.

Hypothetically, the top three will probably go like this:

1. Reid
2. Walter (bid matched)
3. Curtin

As this stage I would expect us to have our first selection at either 4 or 5 depending on what occurs during trade week.

 

[H00t]

If the club believes he's almost as talented then Reid then so be it. IMO Reid completely separated himself from the pack due to his true versatility, he's a gun forward, midfielder and backman. He can play anywhere.

The champs final last year was a prime example, he shut down Watson in the first half, then moved to the middle in the third quarter and had an impact, then played deep forward in the last and kicked two goals after two really strong contested marks.

McKercher (as far as I'm aware anyway) has only really played in the midfield.

Reid has shown the versatility to play pretty much anywhere.

What he didn’t do this year as much was stamp a spot for himself whether that be midfield, forward or back. Still a bit unknown where he will play his best footy.

McKercher hasn’t shown the flexibility that I’m aware of but I don’t think he’s really been given the opportunity either. As he’s been absolutely dominant in the middle. But he has the speed and game sense to make it work from what I’ve seen.

 

[Brishawk]

Colby appears to have one thing that our mids are missing and that’s pace to burn.

Plus he looks that good that he could play anywhere on the field. Forward, mid or back. He knocked the championships out of the park as a goal kicking midfielder.

Compare that to Zane whose struggled in the midfield or Watson with some big question marks on his game due to his height.

It’s an early pick I prefer we didn’t try to get too cute with it. Especially when all things being equal one looks the better player.

Zane and Watson are only popping up more because they mainly play forward. Go best available with pick no. 3

Im 100% on board with taking the best available and think zane is the best prospect that will be available at our pick. His game v vic metro was the best audition for afl in the champs. But its a close call with colby and i will be thrilled if we land him.

 

[H00t]

Im 100% on board with taking the best available and think zane is the best prospect that will be available at our pick. His game v vic metro was the best audition for afl in the champs. But its a close call with colby and i will be thrilled if we land him.

Zane’s best matches up fairly well with anyone. The problem for mine is he doesn’t produce it consistently enough compared to someone like McKercher.

McKercher has had 30 plus disposals in every game of the Coates league this year but the last one where he was injured before the game was done. Is also averaging over a goal a game.

Plus I’m pretty sure he’s had 30+ in every champs game as well as being named in the bests in all 4 games as opposed to Zane’s 2.

 

[smish]

Zane’s best matches up fairly well with anyone. The problem for mine is he doesn’t produce it consistently enough compared to someone like McKercher.

McKercher has had 30 plus disposals in every game of the Coates league this year but the last one where he was injured before the game was done. Is also averaging over a goal a game.

Plus I’m pretty sure he’s had 30+ in every champs game as well as being named in the bests in all 4 games as opposed to Zane’s 2.

I'm on the Colby train.

 

[buddy2fernando]

McKercher looks the best available at our pick and will no doubt turn into an A grade dynamic midfielder (bit of Josh Kelly about him). Problem is how we fit all of Colby, Duke, Worps, Nash, Day (plus Mackenzie etc.) into the midfield.
Day could play anywhere but is so dynamic in the middle.
Duke / Nash / Worps could not really play another position (or anywhere near as well).
Mackenzie will hopefully end up an elite on baller.
Ward looking more likely to end up on a wing. Weddle potentially our other future wingman.

Although Colby might be best available I feel our list is pretty stocked here and we have a bigger hole up forward...

 

[Noel Gallagher]

McKercher looks the best available at our pick and will no doubt turn into an A grade dynamic midfielder (bit of Josh Kelly about him). Problem is how we fit all of Colby, Duke, Worps, Nash, Day (plus Mackenzie etc.) into the midfield.
Day could play anywhere but is so dynamic in the middle.
Duke / Nash / Worps could not really play another position (or anywhere near as well).
Mackenzie will hopefully end up an elite on baller.
Ward looking more likely to end up on a wing. Weddle potentially our other future wingman.

Although Colby might be best available I feel our list is pretty stocked here and we have a bigger hole up forward...Juts

You just go best talent available. The one exception here would be taking Jed Walter if he was available at our pick and not tied to the GC Academy (which he is)

I have no idea who is the best available talent at our pick - McKercher, Zane or Wiz. Real pity about the negative press on Caddy. He was my preferred pick until he starting sliding

With North now likely to get pick one, I highly doubt they get pick 2 compo for Mckay now. Reid, Sanders as NGA and Ports first round pick is an amazing haul not mention what else they could conjure up with later picks

 

[peetoo]

This video highlights my concern with Watson as a midfielder and a little in general.

When trying to win the ball in close or under pressure, he resorts to popping the ball out over the defender, often over his shoulder. This simply doesn't work in the AFL. Players are taller, faster and the area around the ball is more congested. It doesn't even come off every time against his own age.

Watson attempts 6 tackles in one-v-one and another 2-3 with a team mate involved and goes to ground every single time. I don't like seeing this in any player but especially in a midfielder. His technique is to grab a hold of them and drop his weight to bring them down. As a mid this would take him out of the play and I don't think he is bringing bigger mids down like this. Watson doesn't lock up the arms so the ball comes out most of the time. That isn't ideal in the midfield. I love his defensive intent and willingness to chase. One really good chase down in this clip which makes me think he could cause havoc in the forward line.

Watson also tries to push players off the line of the ball a few times and does not move them. I think he is strong enough when he has good angles and feet planted but his size becomes a concern when his angles of attack isn't optimal. Less a concern in the forward line than up the ground. He is going to need to get stronger without losing speed and agility.

Watson goes to ground a lot in this video. It's a worry. Good AFL players keep their feet.

Just for a fun comparison (not a fair one), this is Rioli's highlights at the same age.



He breaks tackles and never gets pushed off the ball. It is highlights of course (Watson's video is involvements so shows the good and the bad) but it shows how physically capable Rioli was against his own age and this is more or less how he played at AFL. It also shows how ridiculously agile he was even as an underage player.

Josh Rachelle mostly plays the way I think Watson will play. Lots of short leads up at the ball from inside fifty. Having the ball kicked out in front of Watson, and Watson using his agility and smarts to work around his man. I think Watson will chase more than Rachelle. Draft range 6-10.

#TeamZane

Tambling vibes

 

[Brishawk]

Zane’s best matches up fairly well with anyone. The problem for mine is he doesn’t produce it consistently enough compared to someone like McKercher.

McKercher has had 30 plus disposals in every game of the Coates league this year but the last one where he was injured before the game was done. Is also averaging over a goal a game.

Plus I’m pretty sure he’s had 30+ in every champs game as well as being named in the bests in all 4 games as opposed to Zane’s 2.

This is a valid criticism but it should be noted that dursmas best games in the champs correlate with more time forward and less in the middle.

He has kicked 25 goals in 9 games at coates level. Kicked a goal in every game this year at that level. Its not necessarily midfielder consistent but that is very consistent for a mid-sized forward who also runs through the midfield.

 

[HawthornHawk]

We have lots of mids but McKercher brings something different to the mix and could end up being better than all of them. Will be surprised if he's available at our pick and his name isn't called

 

[H00t]

This is a valid criticism but it should be noted that dursmas best games in the champs correlate with more time forward and less in the middle.

He has kicked 25 goals in 9 games at coates level. Kicked a goal in every game this year at that level. Its not necessarily midfielder consistent but that is very consistent for a mid-sized forward who also runs through the midfield.

Don’t get me wrong I think Duursma is definitely worth a top 5-6 pick this year.

He’s very talented. Just I have a few more concerns on his games than McKercher and Reid and would look to take those first.

He and Watson are 3 and 4 on my wish list. I’d rather bypass Curtain.

 

[Mopar Jason]

I realise quite a few people want McKercher but I'm concerned we would loose him to the Tasmanian team in 2028 after only 4 years on the list.

 

[H00t]

I realise quite a few people want McKercher but I'm concerned we would loose him to the Tasmanian team in 2028 after only 4 years on the list.

Back ourselves to build a team and culture that he won’t want to leave.

 

[ML4Hodgy]

Back ourselves to build a team and culture that he won’t want to leave.

And when the AFL offers him $500k a year more than we are with a longer contract…?
The better he is, the more desperate the AFL will be. Tom Scully got a lot of $$$!
I’d be pretty hesitant.

 

[AussieToffee15]

Watson has the one thing that our current squad lacks - X Factor. You cannot put a price on it.

Duursma feels a bit 'plain' to me.

Ideal scenario we trade up and have a good go at trying to get both. I suspect both will be off the board after Melbourne's pick 5 selection.

 

[Dewnior]

If we can't get Reid to do a JHF, then I'm leaning towards Duursma and trying to bring his brother over too.

Their uncle Jamie, originally played for the Hawthorn reserves before going to the Swans and then the Bears and then going on to play in the 1988 GF (albeit for the losing team).

 

[daniel23]

I realise quite a few people want McKercher but I'm concerned we would loose him to the Tasmanian team in 2028 after only 4 years on the list.

He has seen how long it took the giants and gold coast to be competitive. By 2027 we will be back into the top 4 and hopefully contending for a long time, I just can't see him giving that up. There will be plenty of time later in his career to go back home and make the extra $$ and win a flag for Tasmania but our ability to keep players has always been strong. I said a couple weeks ago the WA squad think he is the best player in this pool, he may not be a crumbing or general fwd but he consistently hits the scoreboard.