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.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

You're talking about Duursma, a player who doesn't yet have the tank to play out a Coates league game on-ball. He's clearly not going to be a wingman at AFL level.

They are different players, and I won't be surprised if Watson gets picked before Duursma. He's an elite small forward, and the fact he has a second position and elite endurance only adds to his value, which is why he's playing on the wing.

The Watson-bashing in here is getting a bit much. Top scorer in the championships, plug-and-play goalkicker, brings energy and defensive pressure. Would be a great get.

Show me the bashing?

It's not bashing to point out the obvious height issue, and it's not bashing to claim that there is absolutely no way Watson would be playing in the backline at AFL level.

The criticisms raised are in the context of us discussing top five pick worthy draft talents. It's relative.

If Duursma's tank is the only concern for him then we are laughing. IF Duursma could improve his tank then he would certainly be a better wingman at AFL level, given Watson isn't going to grow and cannot compare with Duursma's contested marking and aerial ability, regardless of his occasional speccy. But it's a fairly moot point as they are both forwards and will spend the majority of their time there in the AFL.

 

[The Chad and I]

Show me the bashing?

It's not bashing to point out the obvious height issue, and it's not bashing to claim that there is absolutely no way Watson would be playing in the backline at AFL level.

The criticisms raised are in the context of us discussing top five pick worthy draft talents. It's relative.

If Duursma's tank is the only concern for him then we are laughing. IF Duursma could improve his tank then he would certainly be a better wingman at AFL level, given Watson isn't going to grow and cannot compare with Duursma's contested marking and aerial ability, regardless of his occasional speccy. But it's a fairly moot point as they are both forwards and will spend the majority of their time there in the AFL.

Nice couple of posts on the Duursma/Watson choice.
Watson is clearly going to become a very good small forward, but I would not take him ahead of Duursma.
If we take Duursma at our first pick, and Watson is still on the board for our second top 10 pick (hypothetical), then sure, I'd take him and I'd be happy about it. No bashing here - but the choice is clear with our first.

Get Duursma!

 

[goldfinger]

Yes I think that has been happening on here quite a bit because of his height. Ppl compare him to other small players in Pickett and Daniel but he is different he is actually combo deal quicker than Daniel and is endurance machine compared to Pickett can lead can mark knows where the goals are. I am biased because i have seen a lot more of him than any of the others in the draft but he is fricken awesome as far as i am concerned

I gave that post a like simply because you used "biased" properly (instead of just "bias" as so many others do). Thank you!

 

[Noel Gallagher]

Show me the bashing?

It's not bashing to point out the obvious height issue, and it's not bashing to claim that there is absolutely no way Watson would be playing in the backline at AFL level.

The criticisms raised are in the context of us discussing top five pick worthy draft talents. It's relative.

If Duursma's tank is the only concern for him then we are laughing. IF Duursma could improve his tank then he would certainly be a better wingman at AFL level, given Watson isn't going to grow and cannot compare with Duursma's contested marking and aerial ability, regardless of his occasional speccy. But it's a fairly moot point as they are both forwards and will spend the majority of their time there in the AFL.

I think we are in a VERY good position if our biggest issue is whether we take Duursma or Watson. I really cant split the two

 

[Bugs1977]

I think we are in a VERY good position if our biggest issue is whether we take Duursma or Watson. I really cant split the two

Agreed. I think both kids are going to be awesome at AFL level so it's just a matter of who MM and Co decide to choose. I've learnt my lesson the last couple of seasons getting too attached to players who I think we should pick because we almost invariably go with someone different.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

We always seem to throw up a few surprises with who we draft. Although most expected us to get McKenzie last year and ward the year before.

 

[danielG]

Nice couple of posts on the Duursma/Watson choice.
Watson is clearly going to become a very good small forward, but I would not take him ahead of Duursma.
If we take Duursma at our first pick, and Watson is still on the board for our second top 10 pick (hypothetical), then sure, I'd take him and I'd be happy about it. No bashing here - but the choice is clear with our first.

Get Duursma!

I’m on board with going with Duursma also.. He seems to have multiple ways to kick goals so it’s going to be harder to close him out of games at senior level. There is also plenty improvement in him.. His finishing can be cleaned up and his tank can get better which will only improve his output.. Watson is obviously very talented and exciting but he’s slightly limited in terms of his physical stature and game style..Big Game Zane for me!

 

[Platten44]

I think we are in a VERY good position if our biggest issue is whether we take Duursma or Watson. I really cant split the two

North could take both

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Decided to write up on a few players we could possibly pickup.

We’ll start with the two more likely.

Duursma - He moves so effortlessly, but he is built with great breakaway pace and overall speed. He glides across the turf. Smooth mover through traffic & agile. When forward he is good at reading the flight of the ball, he’s able to take the ball at it’s highest point and has a good leap. He attacks the ball which is huge & he’s clean at ground level whilst being just an absolute goal maniac. Around goals he is just so smart.

He’s got stuff to work on, as does every draftee and I have identified these to be things like his kicking consistency, which can be an issue. His set shot technique. Endurance and accumulation. And obviously building his body, embracing contact & being strong over the ball.

Plenty of upside for Duursma, his style is unique so it’s hard to judge who is his comparison. People have suggested a young Gunston. Don’t mind it, but has more raw pace and talent. Burgoyne comes to mind when seeing him move around traffic.

Watson - He is absolutely lightning quick. YES he is small. Pickett 171, for example. He’s going to be better than, has much more talent. Both forward and around the ball. And I’m sure of that.

He’s just so quick, agile, explosive and his leap. They’re all at an absolute top echelon, he has good skills hand and foot, great goal sense, cleanliness below his knees are excellent. He can accumulate off half back, he has shown an ability around the ball. Clearly has an absolute elite one wood of being a damaging small forward but his defensive pressure is good and his endurance is very good too.

Just as clear. His weaknesss would be his height, and lack of playing other positions in good sides, he’ll be a great small forward but the question mark is translating his midfield and ability off half back. Can go quiet at times. But think there’s less weaknesses.

There’s no real comparison for Watson, he’s one of a kind.

McKercher - Not a need but a want. He’s incredible. His pace is off the charts, his ability to explode away and keep the top speed. He has very good endurance and he’s a hard worker with top endurance. He’s got a damaging, classy & creative left foot. He has good cleanliness below his knees and is skilful by hand. He’s shown an excellent ability to accumulate inside and outside aswell, with many high possession games. He’s also someone who can be a super damaging forward aswell with good goal sense. One of his goals not long ago was an insane display of his ability. He breaks the game open but he’s ultra-consistent.

-

The second one, wowee.

His improvements and weaknesses are harder to identify but he does rush himself at times and doesn’t utilise his skill abit. His inside games transferability to AFL level is a huge ? but it is hard to pick a lot of weak points.

Plays similarly to Zach Merrett, Josh Kelly but there are a bunch of things you see him do which scream Nick Daicos levels of talent.

Curtin - He’s the last that I’d assume is a possible option. He’s got elite foot skills, creative and classy but it’s an absolute dart and laser of a left foot. He’s clean below his knees and he’s built already, with good hands above his head too and as a defender he’s good one on one, able to defend but also intercept and read the play. Steven May

1

Steven May

Age

33

Ht

193cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.5

3star

MG

307.3

4star

D

15.5

4star

K

12.1

5star

HB

3.4

2star

M

3.4

3star

T

0.5

1star

MG

378.4

5star

D

12.4

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

like when he’s down back. However, when I see him in the middle I get excited. His first game there he was quite flat footed which was an issue but it isn’t because he’s super slow or anything. He’s got good pace especially for his size & he’s really agile. I assume he’s rarely played there so it’s more of a craft and timing thing. But since he’s played there more he’s gotten better and better.

I really see a lot of Jordan Dawson

12

Jordan Dawson

Age

28

Ht

190cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

11.4

4star

HB

5.7

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

15.7

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

4.9

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

D

11.8

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

CL

0.6

3star

in how he plays. He has to improve his craft around the midfield, not sure on his endurance. Doesn’t seem too bad. But being on the move and not being stagnate is important & he would need to find a position. As tbh I am unsure where he’d start at AFL level. Good defender but a good midfielder aswell, could be very good or above at either but it’s about a team identifying what’s best.

I’d be leaning toward Duursma, but I like Watson alot & McKercher is extremely hard to ignore. He’s gonna be a superstar.

 

[Sixpence]

North could take both

Then we're left with 2 of Reid, Curtin and McKercher. We're fine.

 

[Big Hotdog]

We always seem to throw up a few surprises with who we draft. Although most expected us to get McKenzie last year and ward the year before.

The "safe" options as they have been labeled. Our choice this year is different as we have access to the "cream" and this creates more debate.
In saying that I think our needs are also more defined at least IMO. Forwards and more forwards.

 

[danielG]

North could take both

That would be awful list management by the Roos, so yeh most likely happens..

 

[BIGHAWK23]

North could take both

Zero chance

They have to go KPP at least once

 

[smish]

We always seem to throw up a few surprises with who we draft. Although most expected us to get McKenzie last year and ward the year before.

Yeah the past two years we've definitely known from a long way out. I feel Ward was known from around July, Cmack a bit later.

What interests me is if there's a Weddle type we've got our eye on. A mid-late first rounder none of us have given any thought to due to our range.

 

[Platten44]

Then we're left with 2 of Reid, Curtin and McKercher. We're fine.

Reid will go at 1 and then North will have 2 and 3

 

[Sixpence]

Reid will go at 1 and then North will have 2 and 3

Which leaves Curtin and McKercher ...

 

[TheFourPillars]

North are keen on the Wiz.

 

[westhawk]

North could take both

Great result, then we get Curtin. Who I think is the player we need more than any other.

 

[BIGHAWK23]

North are keen on the Wiz.

As are every club

They will get destroyed if they pick another small type

 

[HomerJayS]

Great result, then we get Curtin. Who I think is the player we need more than any other.

So we get to trade him to WC when Reid wants to move back to VIC next year

 

[TylerDurden]

As are every club

They will get destroyed if they pick another small type

If they get 2 and 3, he's as good as gone mate.

 

[westhawk]

So we get to trade him to WC when Reid wants to move back to VIC next year

Win, win

 

[BIGHAWK23]

If they get 2 and 3, he's as good as gone mate.

Nope,

They cant do all the want want want for Sanders, then not pick him

Looks pathetic

 

[Platten44]

Nope,

They cant do all the want want want for Sanders, then not pick him

Looks pathetic

Sanders won't be selected in the top 3 (if they don't get free access)

 

[matey]

Sounds like Reid, Curtin, Mc Kercher, Wiz and Dursma are a group that standout above the other kids a level above …….. and we will get at least one of them