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.

 

[SSSSSS]

I think Leake could be the Day of the draft.

He's got so much upside. Athletic and good footy IQ. Can plug and play him anywhere.

If we somehow got pick 8 I'd be going after him.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

I think Leake could be the Day of the draft.

He's got so much upside. Athletic and good footy IQ. Can plug and play him anywhere.

If we somehow got pick 8 I'd be going after him.

Fantastic overhead for his size but nowhere near as quick/explosive as Day. A little one paced for me and question marks over what position he is best suited to at AFL level. If we gained an extra 1st rounder in this draft would rather draft a key position type (O’Sullivan/Caddy) or more explosive outside type like Windsor or Wilson.

 

[Hodgey 15]

As clear as your only input coming in to criticise KL - got any original thoughts of your own you want to share?

Doubt it very much.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think Leake could be the Day of the draft.

He's got so much upside. Athletic and good footy IQ. Can plug and play him anywhere.

If we somehow got pick 8 I'd be going after him.

He looked like Duursma when he was playing forward. He had a similar game style - classy skills, smooth mover and good in the air.

 

[mknaven]

People suspect, clubs know. In some cases like North's where they have two picks there's still a bit of conjecture but every club knows we're taking Duursma because with McKercher they're the next best (surest) two after Reid & Walter and the clubs know we'll take Duursma because McKercher is a mid. That and the fact we've STATED PUBLICLY a while ago that Duursma was our preference not to mention every AFL scribe on the planet has said the same thing.

Oh and don't read what I just wrote and automatically discount Colby ... if Duursma is gone he's right in the mix with Curtin & Watson.

Now I'm going to go do some work because we have another kid coming in for an interview today but you can find out for yourself who because if I say I'm apparently giving out SECRETS.

O'Sullivan it seems.

Nice KL

 

[triangulation_squared]

1.63m player with no leg speed won a Brownlow in 1990. 1.76m player with no leg speed won 2 Brownlows in 1986 and 1994.

Watson at 1.7 and potentially still growing with speed to burn is the type of player who will win you grand finals.

He may get outmarked from time to time. CJ, Weddell and Sicily bombing the ball over the back will be quite entertaining.

I think Watson up forward turns Ginnivan into dynamite next to Chol and Lewis. Then Moore is free to really damage you. Who takes Breust?

 

[Judd2Sewell]

1.63m player with no leg speed won a Brownlow in 1990. 1.76m player with no leg speed won 2 Brownlows in 1986 and 1994.

Watson at 1.7 and potentially still growing with speed to burn is the type of player who will win you grand finals.

He may get outmarked from time to time. CJ, Weddell and Sicily bombing the ball over the back will be quite entertaining.

I think Watson up forward turns Ginnivan into dynamite next to Chol and Lewis. Then Moore is free to really damage you. Who takes Breust?

Using examples from 30+ years ago doesn't instill one with confidence in the point you're trying to make.

I agree regarding Watson pairing up with Ginnivan though, it would be an exciting duo that would be renowned pests.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Thanks to KL and all the regular posters, have enjoyed the read.

I personally have really come around to Curtin, he just seems like he could really open up our game, playing as a CHB/ pinch hitting through the middle. If Duursma was available I’d love him, but it seems unlikely.

I’m certainly not against Watson, he looks like an excitement machine (TM), but feel someone like Curtin is more of a need.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Thanks to KL and all the regular posters, have enjoyed the read.

I personally have really come around to Curtin, he just seems like he could really open up our game, playing as a CHB/ pinch hitting through the middle. If Duursma was available I’d love him, but it seems unlikely.

I’m certainly not against Watson, he looks like an excitement machine (TM), but feel someone like Curtin is more of a need.

Again, this. Eddie Betts was an excitement machine and beautiful to watch. Just a freakish goal sense. Retired with zero flags. Unless they’re the next Cyril Rioli I’m having more and more of a hard time using a top 5 pick on a small forward.

 

[triangulation_squared]

Using examples from 30+ years ago doesn't instill one with confidence in the point you're trying to make.

I agree regarding Watson pairing up with Ginnivan though, it would be an exciting duo that would be renowned pests.

Another decent 1.7m player from 30 years ago. John Platten. I remember sitting out at Waverley Park watching the rat slotting goals from outside 50 with a logged ball.

 

[Platten44]

Another decent 1.7m player from 30 years ago. John Platten. I remember sitting out at Waverley Park watching the rat slotting goals from outside 50 with a logged ball.

All time great

 

[triangulation_squared]

All time great

Won a few flags. Also won a Brownlow. Dynamite on both feet. Remember having his autograph up on my wall.

 

[Howe Amazing]

I actually agreed with something Kane Cornes said tonight, it is very hard to make AA team as small forward and was talking about Ginnivan but Watson has the credentials to make the AA team down the track. Hard decision but trust whatever the club does

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

O'Sullivan it seems.

Nice KL

O'Sullivan was there yesterday with his dad. Had a tour and spoke to Sam for about 10-15 minutes while watching training. Watson, Duursma, Curtin(Cal reported on this) and Caddy also went through I'm told.

 

[daniel23]

Watson's lack of defensive pressure is my only concern with taking him so high , Cyril and pickett had/have that in spades. I think it's something that comes naturally and while he might improve at it I don't think it will ever be his strong point.

 

[noobermensch]

A showcase of The Wizard at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

 

[ahhhhhh]

A showcase of The Wizard at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

I don’t know how anyone can watch that then say they want Curtin. It boggles my mind.

 

[burger09]

I don't know if he'll be the best player down the track. He definatly won't win a brownlow and most likely will never be a captain but...

from a selfish perspective, I want to go to the footy and watch the wizard cause absolute havoc in our f50. I want the best small forward in the comp in brown and gold. I want X factor. I want exciting goals and freakish marks. I want Geelong defenders left shaking their heads in total disbelief. I want the fun back in my footy viewing again.

 

[lethalselbow]

Wonder how Connor O'Sullivan went in talks? You'd find it hard to think we'd take him at pick 4.

 

[Howe Amazing]

If HFC can teach Cyril to change his running style (I know it was Russell), we can teach defensive pressure. I would be happy with Curtin and if Duursma is not selected by North. Call me Tom Browne

 

[HomerJayS]

I’m off to visit the doc tomorrow. I swear I’ve read most of todays posts earlier this week (or was it last week?)

 

[lethalselbow]

I’m off to visit the doc tomorrow. I swear I’ve read most of todays posts earlier this week (or was it last week?)

lol.

It was the month before that.

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[tl92]

If HFC can teach Cyril to change his running style (I know it was Russell), we can teach defensive pressure. I would be happy with Curtin and if Duursma is not selected by North. Call me Tom Browne

I could’ve sworn in one of the recent interviews Watson specifically mentioned that he loves putting pressure on as well.

 

[Tony3163]

I don’t know how anyone can watch that then say they want Curtin. It boggles my mind.

Maybe you should allow for different opinions.