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.

 

[FB19]

Screw Kinnear Beatson. Our 3rd round pick 41 they will use to take him around pick 38. Nothing surer. Another pick 38 disaster for the hawks…

 

[Davo-27]

There's four that I'll be tracking like Josh Smillie, Levi Ashcroft, Jagga Smith & Sid Draper.
Early days yet, but if these four continue their current trajectories I'd expect all four to be in the top 5. Definitely top 10.

Finn O'Sullivan likely to be pick 1, but yes those 4 are likely top 10.

I have a top 50 for 2024 from u16s onwards in the drafting and trading section and a top 30 for 2025 if you are curious about future drafts, information you won't see anywhere else and pretty accurate if you don't mind a humble brag lol

 

[Judd2Sewell]

This best available debate regarding McKercher, Duursma and Watson needs to be put into context. It's never as simple as just drafting best available.

1) How much "better" is McKercher compared to Duursma or Watson, if at all?

2) If he is better, does it outweigh the fact we have multiple holes to address in our forward line, whilst our midfield has at least seven long-term options who have yet to hit their peaks - the oldest being Nash who just turned 25.

3) Next season's draft class is shaping up to be a midfield heavy at the top-end. If we keep our F1 then we will likely be having another chance at drafting a top 10 talent. Hopefully that pick is towards the end of the top 10, but I expect it will be one regardless.

 

[noobermensch]

Facing a big step up in intensity and pressure in week 1 of the WAFL finals, Curtin's typical calm and poise was on display this game. He split his time between defense and the forward line, and as usual looked more at home behind the ball.

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

Slow down, Zane, you don't want to end up at North!

 

[noobermensch]

All parts of Harley's game were on song here, bursting through packs, winning the hard ball, taking contested marks and driving his team forward. He copped a lot of attention from the Falcons boys with some big hits, but he always bounced back up and kept going like the future Champ he seems destined to be.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Top three talents:
Reid
Walter
Duursma

Then Curtin, McKercher, Watson and co.

 

[Dewnior]

Top three talents:
Reid
Walter
Duursma

Then McKercher, Watson and co.

Curtain is definitely in there. I'm seeing a top 6 and then a gap

 

[Davo-27]

September Rankings

1. Harley Reid - Bendigo - 185cm 85kg
2. Jed Walter - GCS A - 195cm 91kg (GCS)
3. Colby McKercher - Tasmania - 181cm 72kg
4. Ryley Sanders - Tas/Sand - 186cm 85kg
5. Dan Curtin - Claremont - 196cm 91kg
6. Nick Watson - Eastern - 170cm 67kg
7. Ethan Read - GCS A - 200cm 90kg (GCS)
8. Zane Duursma - Gippsland - 189cm 79kg
9. Jake Rogers - GCS A - 172cm 67kg (GCS)
10. Connor O'Sullivan - Murray - 198cm 92kg
11. Harry Demattia - Dandenong - 184cm 77kg
12. Darcy Wilson - Murray - 185cm 73kg
13. Nate Caddy - Northern - 192cm 91kg
14. Mitch Edwards - Peel - 207cm 90kg
15. Koltyn Tholstrup - Subiaco - 188cm 80kg
16. Jack Delean - Sth Adel - 181cm 73kg
17. Will McCabe - Central Dist - 197cm 81kg (HAW)
18. Caleb Windsor - Eastern - 184cm 74kg
19. Harvey Johnston - Sandringham - 184cm 76kg
20. Ollie Murphy - Sandringham - 200cm 85kg
21. Koen Sanchez - East Frem - 178cm 71kg
22. Jordan Croft - Calder - 200cm 80kg (WB)
23. Archer Reid - Gippsland - 203cm 93kg
24. Logan Morris - Western - 192cm 90kg
25. James Leake - Tasmania - 188cm 74kg
26. Billy Wilson - Dandenong -182cm 71kg
27. Riley Hardeman - Swan Dist - 188cm 80kg
28. Ashton Moir - Glenlg - 188cm 84kg
29. Will Lorenz - Oakleigh - 186cm 70kg
30. Clay Hall - Peel - 190cm 85kg
31. Will Patton - Wst Adel - 192cm 79kg
32. Wil Dawson - Gippsland - 200cm 86kg
33. Joel Freijah - GWV - 191cm 86kg
34. Phoenix Gothard - Murray - 178cm 70kg
35. Will Brown - Sandringham - 194cm 86kg
36. Jack Callinan - Tasmania - 179cm 77kg
37. Luca Slade - Sturt - 180cm70kg
38. Luamon Lual - GWV - 181cm 71kg (WB)
39. George Stevens - GWV - 189cm 84kg
40. Caiden Cleary - Syd A - 180cm 77kg (SYD)
41. Heath Ollington - Tasmania - 190cm 81kg (19yo)
42. Archie Roberts - Sandringham - 184cm 77kg
43. Will Green - Northern - 204cm 89kg
44. Vigo Visentini - Sandringham - 203cm 97kg
45. Aiden O'Driscoll - Perth - 177cm 70kg
46. Michael Rudd - Geelong - 192cm 91kg
47. Harvey Thomas - GWS A - 175cm 68kg (GWS)
48. Bodie Ryan - Glenlg - 188cm
49. Kade De La Rue - Dandenong - 184cm 77kg
50. Nathan Philactides - Oakleigh - 181cm 78kg
51. Jake Smith - Western - 185cm 79kg
52. Tarkyn O'Leary - Sandringham - 178cm 70kg
53. Evan Smith - Swan Dist - 199cm 84kg
54. Lachlan Smith - Murray - 202cm 97kg
55. Charlie Harrop - Sandringham - 186cm 79kg
56. Reece Torrent - Peel - 183cm 83kg
57. Taylor Goad - Sth Adel - 205cm 90kg
58. Cooper Simpson - Dandenong - 182cm 76kg
59. Nick Williams - GCS A - 191cm (GCS)
60. Kynan Brown - Oakleigh - 181cm 72kg (MELB)
61. Arie Schoenmaker - Tasmania - 194cm 89kg
62. Coen Livingstone - Perth - 200cm 96kg (WCE)
63. Oliver Poole - Bendigo - 183cm 70kg
64. Alex Holt - Sturt - 183cm 73kg

Academy Players that could be picked up late

Tew Jiath - haw
Tyler Senge - wce
Lance Collard - wce
Oscar Hine-Baston - wce (19yo)
Charlie McCormack - gws
Caleb May - syd
Will Graham - gcs
Josh Docking - stk
Mahmoud Taha - ess
Amin Naim - ess

Combine Invitees
National
Matt Carroll - sand
Angus Hastie - geel
Luke Lloyd - sand
Kane McAuliffe - nth adel
Cam Nyko - east
Will Rowlands - nt/norw
Oscar Ryan - murr
Xavier Walsh - east perth
Zane Zakostelsky - claremont (could be good value KPD late)
State
Thomas Anastasopoulos - geel
Lachlan Cabor - syd
Jed Dignan - sa
Logan Evans - sa
Liam Fawcett - sa
Joe Fonti - wa
Loch Rawlinson - sa
Patrick Snell - allies/bris a
Orlando Turner - allies/nt
Sam Van Rooyen - wa

1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh(VC) 181cm - mid
2. Sid Draper - South Adelaide - 178cm - mid
3. Tyler Welsh - WWT/Adel FS - 192cm - forw
4. Phoenix Hargrave - South Adelaide - 181cm - mid/forw
5. Levi Ashcroft - Sand/Bris FS - 179cm - mid/forw
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - mid/hbf
7. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - mid
8. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - mid
9. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - def
10. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - mid
11. Joe Harrison - Syd A - 187cm - mid
12. Benny Barrett - South Adelaide - 174cm - forw/mid
13. Jesse Dattoli - Northern - 178cm - forw/mid
14. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - mid
15. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg/Carl FS - 182cm - mid/def
16. Tom Evans - Bendigo - 180cm - mid
17. Jayden Nguyen - Calder/Ess NGA - 177cm - wing
18. Kade Herbert - WWT - 183cm - mid
19. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpp (recent growth spurt from 190-198cm)
20. Xavier Ivisic - Geelong - 180cm - mid
21. Caleb Nancarrow - GCS A/Oak - 191cm - forw
22. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo - 185cm - mid/forw
23. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo - 193cm - forw
24. Sam Marshall - Sand/Bris A - 185cm - mid
25. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - mid
26. Mitchell Woods - Syd A - 179cm - mid
27. Patrick Retschko - Oak - 186cm - mid/def
28. Cooper Hynes - Dandenong - 188cm - def/mid
29. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - mid
30. Deian Roberts - Peel - 185cm - mid
31. Isaac Kako - Calder/Ess NGA - 175cm - forw
32. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - mid
33. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - mid
34. Bo Allan - Peel - 189cm - def
35. Lucca Grego - Western - 183cm - mid
36. Louie Montgomery - North Adel/Port FS - 190cm - def
37. Charlie Hewitt - Brisbane A - 198cm - kpf/ruck
38. Christian Moraes - Eastern/Haw NGA - 182cm - mid
39. Chayse Martinson - Swan Dist - 180cm - mid
40. Lucas McInerney - Northern - 180cm - mid/def
41. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - mid/forw
42. Rhys Unwin - GWV - 177cm - forw/mid
43. Jacob Newton - Norwood - 175cm - mid
44. Ned Atkinson - Sturt - 180cm - mid
45. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - def
46. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg/Carl FS - 182cm - def
47. Oliver Depaoli-Kubank - Tasmania - 177cm - mid
48. Hugh Boxshall - Claremont - 187cm - def
49. Wil Thomas - Sturt - forw/mid
50. Josaia Delana - GWS A - 174cm - forw/mid


unlucky...
VM
Luke Wilson - injured, but showed quality
Liam Farrar - interesting med forw
Massimo Raso
Charlie Richardson
Taj Hotton
Noah Scott
Tadgh McCarthy
Harry O'Farrell
Thomas Legudi
Sam Fanning
Ty Kitchell

VC
Oliver Warburton
Jonty Faull - rising in the ranks
Will McCarthy
Jack Ough - unlucky to not be in the top 50
Harvey Langford - needs to improve speed
Jack Whitlock
Max Stobie
Oliver Hannaford
Jasper Alger

SA
Harry Dodd
Tom Tasker - interesting prospect
Tom Luck
Charlie West - potential kpf?
Beau Ryan

WA
Koopa Walsh
Malachi Champion - good indigenous small forw
Lucas Ravenhill - ruck who could develop
Austin Van Der Struyf - very quick run and carry player
Thomas Cathcart
Trent Hiscock - kpd with potential
Anthony Hansen
Jaxon Douglas
Harrison Creighton
Cody Ryan

ALLIES
Zai Millane (GCS) - intercept defender, Coll FS? I'm not sure?
Oliver Withers (GWS) - decent talent
Josh Murphy nsw
Thomas Hitchens nsw
Jake Falzdeen Bris
Nelson Berkoff-Smart qld
Joe Kennedy qld
Ty Gallop qld
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Early top 30 for 2025 draft based on u16s and CTL form
1. Dyson Sharp 188cm Central Dist
2. Oliver Greeves 190cm Eastern
3. Blake Kelly 180cm Swan Dist
4. Lachlan Dovaston 175cm Eastern
5. Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier 182cm Nth Adel
6. Louis Emmett 198cm Oakleigh
7. Marcus Cassidy 186cm Est Perth
8. Archie Ludowyke 193cm Sandringham
9. Jack Dalton 176cm Sandringham
10. Noah Roberts-Thompson 180cm Sturt
11. Tairon Ah-Mu 199cm Dandenong
12. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves 185cm Dandenong
13. Harry Morphet 175cm Geelong ...(broke his leg at champs)
14. Basil Hart 183cm Peel
15. Riley Onley 194cm Murray
16. Xavier Bamert 184cm Sandringham
17. Jadd Hill 176cm Perth
18. Dylan Patterson 183cm GCS A
19. Judd Marcello 189cm Wst Perth
20. Giuseppe Posterino 175cm Geelong
21. Jamie Gilchrist 185cm Eastern
22. Zeke Uwland 176cm GCS A
23. Raphael Geesu 175cm Bris A
24. Toby Whan 180cm Sth Fremantle
25. Jobe Scapin 186cm Gippsland
26. Aidan Schubert 194cm Central Dist
27. Mitchell Moate 180cm Northern
28. Jim Kelly 178cm Norwood
29. Zach O'Keefe 176cm Gippsland
30. Jack Harrison 183cm Bris A

Mentions: Willem Duursma 189cm Gipps, Taj Longmuir 179cm Sth Frem, Thomas Burton 177cm Western, Thomas McGuane 176cm Western, Sam Allen 181cm Oakleigh, Tyson Gresham 170cm Northern, Hunter Wright 186cm Bendigo, Jesse Nye 172cm Sth Adel, Lachlan Sands 179cm WWT, Luke Candy 183cm Glenlg, Sam Cumming 186cm Nth Adel, Josh Reichelt 180cm Central Dist, Louis Kellaway 182cm Sturt, Harley Baker 186cm Sturt, Will York 172cm Peel, Darcy Montgomery 180cm Subiaco, Jai Murray(gcs), Beau Addinsall(gcs), Daniel Annabel(bris), didn't like anyone from syd, gws, tassie or NT, 2 QLD teams the only teams in div 2 playing good footy from my pov...

Sam Grij Oakleigh mid/wing would be in the list if he played in the champs.

Vic Metro won with WA coming runners up, with SA and Vic Country competitive
Brisbane dominated div 2 with GCS A coming runners up then the other 4 teams(GWS, Tas, Syd and NT)



I wanted to do an AA Team for the u16s

B: Jadd Hill (WA), Cooper Duff-Tytler (VM), Jim Kelly (SA)
HB: Zeke Uwland (GCS), Riley Onley (VC), Xavier Bamert (VM)
C: Lachlan Dovaston (VM), Blake Kelly (WA), Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (SA)
HF: Jack Harrison (Bris), Louis Emmett (VM), Giuseppe Posterino (VC)
F: Basil Hart (WA), Archie Ludowyke (VM), Dylan Patterson (GCS)
R: Kayle Gerryn (WA), Dyson Sharp (SA), Oliver Greeves (VM)

INT: Tairon Ah-Mu (VC), Jack Dalton (VM), Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (VC), Noah Roberts-Thompson (SA)
Marcus Cassidy (WA), Raphael Geesu (Bris), Charlie Hewitt (Bris), Jobe Scapin (VC), Toby Whan (WA).

VM - 7 (winners div 1)
WA - 6 (runners up div 1)
SA - 4
VC - 5
Bris - 3 (winners div 2)
GCS - 2 (runners up div 2)


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2026 early names

Matthew Owen - Bris A
Doug Cochrane - SA

Just some information I have collected for the next 3 drafts, an u16s AA team this year because the AFL 1 had too many div 2 kids from my pov, if you're interested in this or have some knowledge of junior footy, you might like this collection of info?

 

[MasterSamurai]

Just some information I have collected for the next 3 drafts, an u16s AA team this year because the AFL 1 had too many div 2 kids from my pov, if you're interested in this or have some knowledge of junior footy, you might like this collection of info?

Great work mate, doing God's work for us here. But, just aside from that, are midfielders getting a bit shorter by the year?

 

[Davo-27]

Great work mate, doing God's work for us here. But, just aside from that, are midfielders getting a bit shorter by the year?

Leigh Matthews rule of 180cm+ has changed because the game isn't as violent and intimidating as it used to be 20 years ago, so I guess the 175-177 guys are coming back into favour like the Plattens and Crawfords I guess? But the 180cm rule is still in vogue and those under 180 will probably drop in the rankings a few spots come draft time.

 

[FB19]

Just some information I have collected for the next 3 drafts, an u16s AA team this year because the AFL 1 had too many div 2 kids from my pov, if you're interested in this or have some knowledge of junior footy, you might like this collection of info?

Thanks Davo-27 awesome work as usual. If we don’t get suns first would love to trade in after McCabe and get archer Reid at 23 that’s good value. Also what about Kobe Ryan all I have was semester like he should be on a list do you exclude him because it is not his draft year or you think he gets overlooked again? Cheers

 

[Davo-27]

Thanks Davo-27 awesome work as usual. If we don’t get suns first would love to trade in after McCabe and get archer Reid at 23 that’s good value. Also what about Kobe Ryan all I have was semester like he should be on a list do you exclude him because it is not his draft year or you think he gets overlooked again? Cheers

I know Kobe Ryan had his fans last year and has had a great SANFL debut season from reports on bigfooty, but last year I could see why he missed getting drafted, he really got pushed around and didn't really impress in 2022, I don't watch a lot of SANFL, so maybe he has improved and could get a 2nd chance? I'm not sure?

 

[The Chad and I]

All parts of Harley's game were on song here, bursting through packs, winning the hard ball, taking contested marks and driving his team forward. He copped a lot of attention from the Falcons boys with some big hits, but he always bounced back up and kept going like the future Champ he seems destined to be.

He’s gonna have to learn to trust his teammates more.

Def tries to do wayyy too much on his own sometimes. Just take the first option more often and move the ball on.

He oozes talent.
Can’t wait to see him in the afl.

 

[tl92]

I know Kobe Ryan had his fans last year and has had a great SANFL debut season from reports on bigfooty, but last year I could see why he missed getting drafted, he really got pushed around and didn't really impress in 2022, I don't watch a lot of SANFL, so maybe he has improved and could get a 2nd chance? I'm not sure?

Do we have any father sons in the mix? From memory Kobe Williams and Ky Burgoyne eligible.

 

[nelk boys]

I know Kobe Ryan had his fans last year and has had a great SANFL debut season from reports on bigfooty, but last year I could see why he missed getting drafted, he really got pushed around and didn't really impress in 2022, I don't watch a lot of SANFL, so maybe he has improved and could get a 2nd chance? I'm not sure?

Has some off field issues to improve.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Curtain is definitely in there. I'm seeing a top 6 and then a gap

Not sure how I missed him, he's #4 for mine.

 

[I got the outside word]

I hope he is doing silly things like this in brown and gold.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

W

Do we have any father sons in the mix? From memory Kobe Williams and Ky Burgoyne eligible.

Will Harford, son of Daniel has been at the club this year. I think his a year or two away.

 

[The Chad and I]

W

Will Harford, son of Daniel has been at the club this year. I think his a year or two away.

I liked Harf a lot as a player.
He had beautiful skills by hand and foot. Even w his stumpy legs he was a gun! he was robbed by injuries.

 

[SSSSSS]

If he can pick up handballs to his feet like that he's going to be elite for us.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

If he can pick up handballs to his feet like that he's going to be elite for us.

Absolute Rolls Royce is Zane. I rate him number 2 behind Harley based on talent and upside.

 

[Dragz]

I liked Harf a lot as a player.
He had beautiful skills by hand and foot. Even w his stumpy legs he was a gun! he was robbed by injuries.

Had johnny platten tell me he was the most talented kid he'd ever seen at the club (back in the day when Rats was still playing)

 

[noobermensch]

Big Game Zane had his finger prints all over this win for the Power. Taking marks, kicking goals and setting up his teammates with kicks into the 50.

I try to keep things positive but it feels like every week one or two Talent League broadcasts are effected by technical difficulties. This time it was the sound which disappeared after 5 mins and never returned.