Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[Nat Fyfe]

You are right. Very few midfielders. Good KPP though and HBF. Some decent wings too.

I would be happy for us to draft what this draft is good at, we need those players.

Next year we need to get into the top 10, as the options are great.

Perhaps we wait until close to the draft and try and trade up during the draft to get ahead of the Croft pick. Offer F2/3 & current 2. Teams may well be open to us moving up a couple of spots when they get something back.


I am open to trading out a solid player for picks this year. A package of high picks or future picks would be ok. We aren’t in the window BUT we could get into it with removal of what we have in excess.

Our HFF of Macrae, Daniel, Scott and Smith. They either aren’t fast enough for this role (Macrae, Scott & Daniel) OR can’t hit a target for this role (Smith). These are good players but IF this is where they play, I would rather bring in someone better. IF Smith can learn to be accountable enough to be an inside mid OR kick better; then keeping him is best…. but he isn’t at the moment. Treloar did eventually develop the accountability, so there is hope for Smith as an inside mid.
I would rather play Wilson, Watson or Sanders in that role.

Macrae and Daniel are the obvious two. Both great players, but wasted in our system at the moment, and likely being paid far too much for their current output. If we don’t have the appetite to play Macrae as a full time mid, we’re wasting that spot.

 

[LittleG]

Macrae and Daniel are the obvious two. Both great players, but wasted in our system at the moment, and likely being paid far too much for their current output. If we don’t have the appetite to play Macrae as a full time mid, we’re wasting that spot.

Wasting the wages we are paying Macrae and his talent.

I doubt he is worth much to anyone except Bombers or Carlton. He would play midfield at either. Hope his manager is seriously looking at option for him.

 

[Wizard17]

What do you think of Wilson?

Also, best interceptor?

If we manage to get Wilson where our picks are I'll be laughing. He is a top 10 pick on talent every day of the week.

Not sure on the interceptors, liked some of the small runners for Metro in their game though.

Edit: Ethan Reid was damn impressive though. Wonder how he'd look as a defender.

 

[LittleG]

If we manage to get Wilson where our picks are I'll be laughing. He is a top 10 pick on talent every day of the week.

Not sure on the interceptors, liked some of the small runners for Metro in their game though.

Edit: Ethan Reid was damn impressive though. Wonder how he'd look as a defender.

Ethan Reid is Suns Academy. [emoji20] Really good player.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Ethan Reid is Suns Academy. [emoji20] Really good player.

Suns are spoiled as with their academy this year. Walter who has been playing well. As well as having access to Rogers and Read.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Suns are spoiled as with their academy this year. Walter who has been on fire. As well as Rogers and Read.

Apparently if Gold Coast make finals they can only select two of them I find that strange

 

[_Cerberus_]

Apparently if Gold Coast make finals they can only select two of them I find that strange

Really odd rule if that is the case.

Also, can someone explain how Gold Coast can nab their academy picks, but anyone else cannot match bids inside the top 40 for their academy players? Do the Suns still get special concessions? Which other teams get the same?

 

[doggies ftw]

Really odd rule if that is the case.

Also, can someone explain how Gold Coast can nab their academy picks, but anyone else cannot match bids inside the top 40 for their academy players? Do the Suns still get special concessions? Which other teams get the same?

Northern academies still get full access I’m assuming

Such a leg up for these clubs, even though Sydney’s made finals 99% of the last two decades but hey why not give them some more special treatment.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Really odd rule if that is the case.

Also, can someone explain how Gold Coast can nab their academy picks, but anyone else cannot match bids inside the top 40 for their academy players? Do the Suns still get special concessions? Which other teams get the same?

Here finally found the article

WHY SUNS’ FINALS GAIN COULD LEAD TO DRAFT PAIN

It’s all turned glass half-full for the Gold Coast Suns in recent weeks. Not only are their top three academy players starring, but the AFL team has also found form, winning five of their past seven games to sit 11th on the ladder and push themselves into the finals mix.

It’s prompted recruiters to revisit an AFL draft rule that could leave the Suns with a tough conundrum come the end of the year.

As first flagged by The Age on Wednesday, AFL rules state a club can’t match more than two bids on academy prospects in the top 20 of a draft if, in that same year, it makes the finals and is eliminated prior to preliminary final weekend.

A club, too, is restricted to matching one first-round academy bid if it’s among the last four teams remaining in the finals.

The rule was introduced during the mid to late 2010s when the Giants were constant finals features and gained access to an array of top prospects from their own academy, such as Jacob Hopper, Matthew Kennedy, Harry Himmelberg, Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming.

So should the Suns make this year’s finals series, they could be faced with a tough call to ignore one of their academy stars.
The Suns, surely, wouldn’t hesitate to match a bid on key forward Jed Walter, who some recruiters now believe is the second-best player in this year’s draft class. The prospect of Walter and Ben King in the same forward would be a tantalising thought for Suns fans.

But if they play finals, they could be forced to pick between matching a bid on either athletic ruck Ethan Read or dynamic midfielder Jake Rogers, as both have been touted as likely first-round prospects.

While Rogers is one of the best midfield options of this year’s draft, Read is a ruck with a high ceiling. The possibility of him taking over the No. 1 ruck mantle from co-captain Jarrod Witts eventually would appeal. Plus with rival clubs reportedly showing interest in back-up ruck Ned Moyle, you could argue the Suns should lean towards taking Read over Rogers.

Either way, the Suns would be devastated to lose access to any of their three players as they’re all genuine Queensland-based products who’ve been part of the club’s academy set-up for many years.

On one hand the AFL would love for the Suns to break through for their maiden finals appearance. Yet it could also mean the league would have to deny the club access to three academy prospects, should they all receive first-round bids. Although The Age reported some recruiters were fearful the AFL would bend the rules for the Suns.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Bont's right foot is utter dogshit. Almost never see him hit a target when forced onto his right, and look at the player he is.

Is that actually a serious post? You're kidding, right?! JHC

 

[In Repair]

Is that actually a serious post? You're kidding, right?! JHC

Has to be kidding

 

[weltschmerz]

Really odd rule if that is the case.

Also, can someone explain how Gold Coast can nab their academy picks, but anyone else cannot match bids inside the top 40 for their academy players? Do the Suns still get special concessions? Which other teams get the same?

NGAs have the top 40 rule, but northern academies and GWS/Swans academies don't. Intended to help them foster and keep their local talent in states where there's not as much as Vic.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

Is that actually a serious post? You're kidding, right?! JHC

Yes I’m serious. Give him open space and time and he can obviously kick it nicely opposite footed like just about every other player in the competition. But put him under pressure, and deny him the opportunity to balance himself, and he’s lucky to even connect with the ball when forced on his right

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Yes I’m serious. Give him open space and time and he can obviously kick it nicely opposite footed like just about every other player in the competition. But put him under pressure, and deny him the opportunity to balance himself, and he’s lucky to even connect with the ball when forced on his right

It’s not a massive strength of his, but utter dogshit is a stretch.

Would be better on his opposite than most.

 

[Zeno The Great]

I legitimately would say he is a great kick on his opposite foot. I've seen him nail unbelievable passes many times. He just can't kick for shit with his left foot in front of goal!

 

[Wizard17]

Ethan Reid is Suns Academy. [emoji20] Really good player.

They are going to have to give up fair bit to get all those boys even if they can

 

[LittleG]

They are going to have to give up fair bit to get all those boys even if they can

I would happily bid on him with our second first round pick. Can see a key back OR minimum a great ruckman.
Second one, as IF we use our first one like that, someone might target us regarding Croft.

I still think Croft would be a great KPD but he isn’t playing there, so who knows.

 

[doggies ftw]

Yes I’m serious. Give him open space and time and he can obviously kick it nicely opposite footed like just about every other player in the competition. But put him under pressure, and deny him the opportunity to balance himself, and he’s lucky to even connect with the ball when forced on his right

Bro what?

Bont is elite on his right foot

 

[geoffjennings79]

Yes I’m serious. Give him open space and time and he can obviously kick it nicely opposite footed like just about every other player in the competition. But put him under pressure, and deny him the opportunity to balance himself, and he’s lucky to even connect with the ball when forced on his right

The first major highlight of his career was a right foot goal - under pressure, as an 18yo.

I enjoy your posting, but if you really believe Bont can't kick on his right under pressure, you are seriously deluded.

 

[Northernsoul74]

Only watched Allies/WA game but geez there was talent in that team.

Full forward looks a star. Will be bid on very early and GC Academy so not sure what that does for his points. Other KPF was maybe better on the day and even though very tall (looks like a stretched Poulter) is was his timing and reading of the ball in the air that was most impressive. A couple of the defenders were also really good and look like genuine KPDs.

McKercher was fantastic BOG but his mate Sanders - wasn’t far off - if not better in some respects. He has great breakaway from stoppage capability- both burst speed but also one touch and awareness. Is my favourite but can’t see him getting to 13-18 where we will be. But there will be a lot of talent at that level also.

We have Keath, Bruce, Lobb and Jones all needing to be replaced in the next two years - that is not a long time to get a tall ready. Darcy will be an improvement on Lobb, Busslinger is only one set perfectly for Keath, may have struck gold with JOD. Gardner will need to hold for Jones but must mark the ball more and punch less. But as the move to AFL will need four coming through in VFL and probably a ruck. Will also need to plan in case we lose one of English or Naughty - hope now but can’t have key person risk. So take Croft and if a tall is best in 13-18 I am not against it - even though I would prefer to use both on Mids (need contested and another runner who can play wing) or crumbing forward.

Best case is Croft slips past first round - did you here he had a drug problem and dodgy knees and pissoffyoubastardsmosis in both feet. Poor bugger.

I loved Sanders speed.

 

[Northernsoul74]

Reid & Mckercher the best I've seen probs both top 5. Ryley Sanders also pushing it up the board.

I’m all in on The Colonel.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

The first major highlight of his career was a right foot goal - under pressure, as an 18yo.

I enjoy your posting, but if you really believe Bont can't kick on his right under pressure, you are seriously deluded.

Bro what?

Bont is elite on his right foot

Shall I say he’s woefully inconsistent then? When I think of genuine two sided players, I look at guys like David Mundy, Bob Murphy, Sam Mitchell, etc. Like I said, give him time and space and he’s fine (like most players). Put him under pressure, and he’s spraying it majority of the time

 

[Wizard17]

Interested in how Lual goes once we see once Country play. Need someone to replace JJ on that run and gun style on halfback soon.

 

[doggies ftw]

Shall I say he’s woefully inconsistent then? When I think of genuine two sided players, I look at guys like David Mundy, Bob Murphy, Sam Mitchell, etc. Like I said, give him time and space and he’s fine (like most players). Put him under pressure, and he’s spraying it majority of the time

Agree to disagree, Bont is absolutely on the level of those guys with his non-dominant, there’s not many that can hit a laser beam 50m pass out of congestion on their opposite, Bont does it weekly.

 

[Smiley Boy]

Jordan Croft needs to calm the fck down

Second best on ground on the weekend and kicking another 3 goals