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.

 

[burner1]

I think the draft combine will be interesting this year to seperate the top few. Ie how quick-agile is Watson? Is Colby genuinely quick or just a quick thinker? (I have read he doesn’t test that well). Does curtain have enough burst for a top end kpp? How is durresma tank? Etc

 

[TheFourPillars]

I think the draft combine will be interesting this year to seperate the top few. Ie how quick-agile is Watson? Is Colby genuinely quick or just a quick thinker? (I have read he doesn’t test that well). Does curtain have enough burst for a top end kpp? How is durresma tank? Etc

Watson is bloody quick

 

[Rowie6]

Watson is bloody quick

How clean are his skills?
Just from watching limited highlight videos I have noticed he does miss the mark on occasions?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bugs1977]

Watson is bloody quick

One thing I want to get out of the way with Watson's height is that I actually think the way he plays it is going to be an advantage for him even at AFL level. Another thing he doesn't do from what I've seen is milk free's by ducking but because of his shorter height he does cop a lot high that are legit free kicks. Long story short he'll sit on your head like Poppy used to and take a hanger but he doesn't duck for free's the way he used to. This is not a knock on Poppy but he did milk his fair share of free's in his days along with every other player in the league.

Anyways I don't want to get too attached to a player because we almost always don't get the player that I want.

 

[Alite]

One thing I want to get out of the way with Watson's height is that I actually think the way he plays it is going to be an advantage for him even at AFL level. One thing he doesn't do from what I've seen is milk free's by ducking but because of his shorter height he does cop a lot high that are legit free kicks. Long story short he'll sit on your head like Poppy used to and take a hanger but he doesn't duck for free's the way he used to. This is not a knock on Poppy but he did milk his fair few free's in his days along with every other player in the league.

Anyways I don't want to get too attached to a player because we almost always don't get the player that I want.

100% agree. If Watson can take multiple blows to the head… which will come his way due to his height…. then the free kicks that he will get will deliver near 2 goals a game. Defenders are only getting taller and a short, fast man will get many free kick due to hits to the head.

Watson plays short.… he runs under …

I would be 100% happy to have the Wiz at the Hawks

 

[chopflop]

I think the draft combine will be interesting this year to seperate the top few. Ie how quick-agile is Watson? Is Colby genuinely quick or just a quick thinker? (I have read he doesn’t test that well). Does curtain have enough burst for a top end kpp? How is durresma tank? Etc

Colby posted a 21.7 from memory in thr yoyo test which is pretty elite. I think he only just went sub 3 in the 20m but could be wrong

Edit. He got 21.5 and wasn't in the top five from tas for speed. So above 2.98

 

[TheFourPillars]

How clean are his skills?
Just from watching limited highlight videos I have noticed he does miss the mark on occasions?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Very clean below his knees and can take a hangar

 

[DogDaySonny]

It is a scientifically proven idea that All facts have a half-life.

Of course, if that scientifically proven fact is true then it is false.

(Yes, I know you used the word "idea" instead of "fact", but it's a fact you did that to avoid this contradiction.)

 

[Hot Winter Knights]

Of course, if that scientifically proven fact is true then it is false.

(Yes, I know you used the word "idea" instead of "fact", but it's a fact you did that to avoid this contradiction.)

There is only one fact: I exist. All else is speculation. But I'll give you a like anyway.

 

[CD Xbow]

There is only one fact: I exist. All else is speculation. But I'll give you a like anyway.

Some might argue you only think you exist, so it may not be as certain a fact as you think. I can probably help work out if you really exist, just PM me your details, bank account, credit card numbers etc. and I'll be able to help. Promise.

 

[arupist]

There is only one fact: I exist. All else is speculation. But I'll give you a like anyway.

But you are a confirmed troll. And trolls don't exist. Therefore you don't exist.

 

[Boot Studder]

Some might argue you only think you exist, so it may not be as certain a fact as you think. I can probably help work out if you really exist, just PM me your details, bank account, credit card numbers etc. and I'll be able to help. Promise.

Do you have a Nigerian prince in your family, or is this merely helpful advice for those in existential crisis? Meanwhile, our next draft pick is …?

 

[CD Xbow]

Do you have a Nigerian prince in your family, or is this merely helpful advice for those in existential crisis? Meanwhile, our next draft pick is …?

My cousin is Nicole, she works for the NBN. Busy lass.

 

[noobermensch]

Just keeps on performing every week as his Dragons team progress deeper into the Talent League finals series. This week he struggled a little more than usual to find space at stoppage, but he still impacted the game positively as he always does.

 

[The Chad and I]

While I like Curtin I’d prefer 5 others before him. The Chad and I , I am happy to have a difference of preference.

My opinion is that we already have a Daniel Curtin equivalent in our team. Weddle is Curtin on steroids!!… meaning he is much faster and does everything that Curtin can do.

But what is better than 1 Weddle… = 2 Weddles.

I’d be very happy to have Curtin as our pick.

but I’d choose the Wiz or Zane or Mckertcher… Or who cares… we will get a good player that we need.


This post season trade and draft period is going to be one of the most enjoyable that I have seen (behind the Lake and Hale trade periods). We (almost) cannot get it wrong.

Comparisons are always tricky.
Imo he plays much more like Day at the moment than anybody else.

I also see a a lot of roughead in his style and potential.

Someone compared him to Bont the other day.

We would surely take another Day, Roughead or Bont if Curtin if we thought he could fulfil any of those comparisons.

 

[Davo-27]

Operation Zane Watson McKercher is a go.....

 

[Philhawk]

Operation Zane Watson McKercher is a go.....

I know you watch the draft keenly Davo-27 - of the three of them, who would you like us to draft the most?

 

[Davo-27]

I know you watch the draft keenly Davo-27 - of the three of them, who would you like us to draft the most?

Can we take all 3? Is that an option?

 

[TylerDurden]

Operation Zane Watson McKercher is a go.....

Sanders to North?

 

[Sturty]

West Coast now have 3 years to convince Reid to stay, or have more bargaining power if he wants to leave after 1 year
(If they draft him)

 

[cryptor]

Not sure it changes things too much. If a young player wants out after 1 year (or if rumours are to be believed: before they’re even drafted) then I reckon it still happens.

We’ll soon see I guess.

 

[nelk boys]

Sanders to North?

Or is it pick 11 as part of a assistance package?

 

[FB19]

Or is it pick 11 as part of a assistance package?

There’s no way they let north take him for nothing even the AFL aren’t that poor and I think they are quite poor. It will simply be Northern rules allow him to be listed and bid matched. Then they give them pick 11 which gets it done. So they get him for free. Oh the tangled web we weave…

 

[cryptor]

Thought I read the other day that Sanders wasn’t even guaranteed to nominate for the draft under the NGA. Not sure if that was based on any info or just someones musings.

 

[Platten44]

North won’t get access to Sanders.