Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[scooter600x]

I know it's early yet but imagine getting Sanders and O'Sullivan with our two firsts. Then Croft with points.

Sanders and another mid would be better, then we just need Lual to slide past pick 40

 

[goodcop badcop]

I remember seeing photos of George Stevens ages ago and he looked like he was 25 at 16. His old highlights gave me a bit of a Will Gould vibe, but the way he’s going in the midfield is interesting, not that I’ve seen any recent vision.

I quite like Stevens. Not a heap of upside the thing perhaps going against him. Has had some big games and can play across half back I guess which is where the Will Gould vibes come into it

There's a fair few from Vic Country that I'm tracking this year. Friejah, De Mattia are players I quite like along with Stevens. They seem to be round about that end of 1st round range. I'm also a bit of fan of Kade De La Rue and I think he's a bit underrated. Very classy player and someone you want kicking the ball inside 50. Had a good game against WA, but his ball use against South Australia was quite exceptional even though he had lower disposal numbers.

 

[Mojorisin]

This is how my current power rankings sit. It's interesting to see the huge differences in everyone's boards this year goes to show how even the draft is. After the top 14 or so you could nearly throw a blanket over 20 more.

1. Harley Reid 185cm 85kg Mid/Def (1)
2. Nick Watson 170cm 66kg Mid/Fwd. (2)
3. Zane Duursma 189cm 79kg Mid. (3)
4. Jed Walters 195cm 91kg Fwd. (9)
5. Darcy Wilson 185cm 73kg Mid. (4)
6. Ethan Read 202cm 87kg Ruck/Fwd.(6)
7. Jake Rogers 171cm 68kg Mid. (5)
8. Ryley Sanders 186cm 85kg Mid. (10)
9. Nate Caddy 192cm 91kg Fwd. (8)
10. Colby McKercher 181cm 76kg Mid. (7)
11. Daniel Curtin 195cm 93kg Def. (13)
12. Mitchell Edwards 207cm 85kg Ruck (11)
13. Jordan Croft 200cm 80kg Fwd. (15)
14. Connor O'Sullivan 198cm 92kg Def(19)
15. Joel Friejah 191cm 86kg Utility. (16)
16. Nathan Philactides 181cm 78kg Def (17)
17. Luamon Lual 181cm 71kg Def. (12)
18. Archer Reid 203cm 93kg Ruck/Fwd. (21)
19. Ashton Moir 188cm 84kg Fwd. (14)
20. Will McCabe 197cm 81kg Def. (18)
21. Jack Delean 181cm 75kg Fwd. ( 22)
22. George Stevens 189cm 84kg Mid. (24)
23. Diesel Moloney 177cm 66kg Def. (20)
24. Logan Morris 191cm 90kg Fwd. (25)
25. Koltyn Tholstrup 188cm 80kg Fwd/Mid (23)
26. Clay Hall 189cm 80kg Mid. (28)
27. Caiden Cleary 180cm - Mid. (26)
28. Ryan Eyre 191cm 80kg Def. (27)
29. Hugo Garcia 184cm 74kg Fwd. (29)
30. Harry De Mattia 184cm 77kg Mid.(30)

 

[Mojorisin]

Jeez, having O’Sullivan, Busslinger, and O’Donnell as a backline trio for years would be delicious.

Wilson has potential for inside mid I reckon. Spend a couple of years on the wing and putting on bulk and then move on ball when Treloar retires.

O'Sullivan is probably my favourite defender of recent drafts (taking into account ability and list fit) if we some how managed to nab Sanders/Wilson and O'Sullivan aswell as match Croft I would be ecstatic. Both those guys would improve our side from day 1 in my opinion. I could see O'Sullivan as being a rare tall who plays early to a high standard like naughton did. Especially with the guidance of LJizz

 

[hatescaptcha]

O'Sullivan is probably my favourite defender of recent drafts (taking into account ability and list fit) if we some how managed to nab Sanders/Wilson and O'Sullivan aswell as match Croft I would be ecstatic. Both those guys would improve our side from day 1 in my opinion. I could see O'Sullivan as being a rare tall who plays early to a high standard like naughton did. Especially with the guidance of LJizz

Agreed. I’m massive on O’Sullivan. Think he will be an elite defender. Happy to spend a first on him.

Especially considering the midfield talent aren’t at that level in my opinion at around our picks.

I also really like Tholstrup and Freijah.

Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Mojorisin]

Sanders and another mid would be better, then we just need Lual to slide past pick 40

This draft is absolutely stacked for talls and outside pace. We would be insane to pass up on a guy who fills our deficiencies perfectly at a time he isn't going to cost a top ten pick. Curtin is attracting all the attention but O'Sullivan is a better list fit has similar upside, no go home factor and could slot straight in.

 

[goodcop badcop]

This is how my current power rankings sit. It's interesting to see the huge differences in everyone's boards this year goes to show how even the draft is. After the top 14 or so you could nearly throw a blanket over 20 more.

1. Harley Reid 185cm 85kg Mid/Def (1)
2. Nick Watson 170cm 66kg Mid/Fwd. (2)
3. Zane Duursma 189cm 79kg Mid. (3)
4. Jed Walters 195cm 91kg Fwd. (9)
5. Darcy Wilson 185cm 73kg Mid. (4)
6. Ethan Read 202cm 87kg Ruck/Fwd.(6)
7. Jake Rogers 171cm 68kg Mid. (5)
8. Ryley Sanders 186cm 85kg Mid. (10)
9. Nate Caddy 192cm 91kg Fwd. (8)
10. Colby McKercher 181cm 76kg Mid. (7)
11. Daniel Curtin 195cm 93kg Def. (13)
12. Mitchell Edwards 207cm 85kg Ruck (11)
13. Jordan Croft 200cm 80kg Fwd. (15)
14. Connor O'Sullivan 198cm 92kg Def(19)
15. Joel Friejah 191cm 86kg Utility. (16)
16. Nathan Philactides 181cm 78kg Def (17)
17. Luamon Lual 181cm 71kg Def. (12)
18. Archer Reid 203cm 93kg Ruck/Fwd. (21)
19. Ashton Moir 188cm 84kg Fwd. (14)
20. Will McCabe 197cm 81kg Def. (18)
21. Jack Delean 181cm 75kg Fwd. ( 22)
22. George Stevens 189cm 84kg Mid. (24)
23. Diesel Moloney 177cm 66kg Def. (20)
24. Logan Morris 191cm 90kg Fwd. (25)
25. Koltyn Tholstrup 188cm 80kg Fwd/Mid (23)
26. Clay Hall 189cm 80kg Mid. (28)
27. Caiden Cleary 180cm - Mid. (26)
28. Ryan Eyre 191cm 80kg Def. (27)
29. Hugo Garcia 184cm 74kg Fwd. (29)
30. Harry De Mattia 184cm 77kg Mid.(30)

I was expecting a bit more out of this draft to be honest, more so from the top end. Interesting you have Lual so far up. I'd have Evans, Hardeman and Hastie all above him as running defenders. I guess it shows the evenness of the draft when none of those guys are even in your top 30.

 

[geelongrecruit5]

This is how my current power rankings sit. It's interesting to see the huge differences in everyone's boards this year goes to show how even the draft is. After the top 14 or so you could nearly throw a blanket over 20 more.

1. Harley Reid 185cm 85kg Mid/Def (1)
2. Nick Watson 170cm 66kg Mid/Fwd. (2)
3. Zane Duursma 189cm 79kg Mid. (3)
4. Jed Walters 195cm 91kg Fwd. (9)
5. Darcy Wilson 185cm 73kg Mid. (4)
6. Ethan Read 202cm 87kg Ruck/Fwd.(6)
7. Jake Rogers 171cm 68kg Mid. (5)
8. Ryley Sanders 186cm 85kg Mid. (10)
9. Nate Caddy 192cm 91kg Fwd. (8)
10. Colby McKercher 181cm 76kg Mid. (7)
11. Daniel Curtin 195cm 93kg Def. (13)
12. Mitchell Edwards 207cm 85kg Ruck (11)
13. Jordan Croft 200cm 80kg Fwd. (15)
14. Connor O'Sullivan 198cm 92kg Def(19)
15. Joel Friejah 191cm 86kg Utility. (16)
16. Nathan Philactides 181cm 78kg Def (17)
17. Luamon Lual 181cm 71kg Def. (12)
18. Archer Reid 203cm 93kg Ruck/Fwd. (21)
19. Ashton Moir 188cm 84kg Fwd. (14)
20. Will McCabe 197cm 81kg Def. (18)
21. Jack Delean 181cm 75kg Fwd. ( 22)
22. George Stevens 189cm 84kg Mid. (24)
23. Diesel Moloney 177cm 66kg Def. (20)
24. Logan Morris 191cm 90kg Fwd. (25)
25. Koltyn Tholstrup 188cm 80kg Fwd/Mid (23)
26. Clay Hall 189cm 80kg Mid. (28)
27. Caiden Cleary 180cm - Mid. (26)
28. Ryan Eyre 191cm 80kg Def. (27)
29. Hugo Garcia 184cm 74kg Fwd. (29)
30. Harry De Mattia 184cm 77kg Mid.(30)

Moloney?? Morris has slipped based on recent form in the nationals as well. Won’t make it at the top level.

 

[scooter600x]

This draft is absolutely stacked for talls and outside pace. We would be insane to pass up on a guy who fills our deficiencies perfectly at a time he isn't going to cost a top ten pick. Curtin is attracting all the attention but O'Sullivan is a better list fit has similar upside, no go home factor and could slot straight in.

I would have absolutely zero interest in any kp other than Croft.
We need to load up on midfielders.

 

[Mojorisin]

I was expecting a bit more out of this draft to be honest, more so from the top end. Interesting you have Lual so far up. I'd have Evans, Hardeman and Hastie all above him as running defenders. I guess it shows the evenness of the draft when none of those guys are even in your top 30.

Lual has slid for me and I'd imagine he will keep on sliding. I was hoping he was going to keep his rate of improvement but seems to have plateaued. Lots of running defenders around that 30 mark, normally only post top 20s but struggled considering the guys sitting just outside.

Moloney?? Morris has slipped based on recent form in the nationals as well. Won’t make it at the top level.

I'm a big fan of Moloney although don't see many others talking about him. Offers alot defensively that I don't often see in under 18s granted wouldn't have the ceiling othersdo and won't get picked up early.

 

[Mofra]

I remember seeing photos of George Stevens ages ago and he looked like he was 25 at 16. His old highlights gave me a bit of a Will Gould vibe, but the way he’s going in the midfield is interesting, not that I’ve seen any recent vision.

I worry about his pace in the middle.
Tholstrup underrated IMO
Wilson would be a great get for us too

 

[goodcop badcop]

I worry about his pace in the middle.
Tholstrup underrated IMO
Wilson would be a great get for us too

Stevens looks too heavy at the moment, not really fat, more over muscled. I've seen him listed at 93kg in some places which is too heavy if that's the case. Should benefit from dropping a few kg's.

 

[weltschmerz]

I worry about his pace in the middle.
Tholstrup underrated IMO
Wilson would be a great get for us too

Tholstrup looks like a Bulldog.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Was just thinking if we did pick up O'Sullivan at our 1st or even a Mitch Edwards and then a bid came for Croft before the Brisbane pick which is possible.
How would we all feel about that? That would mean we've picked up 5 talls with first rounders in the last 4 years. I'm still all for taking the best available player in the 1st round and would be happy with it, but even I'll admit that it's not exactly ideal for the balance of our list.

 

[Mofra]

Tholstrup looks like a Bulldog.

Spends two years as a forward, transferring to a mid in time.

 

[weltschmerz]

Was just thinking if we did pick up O'Sullivan at our 1st or even a Mitch Edwards and then a bid came for Croft before the Brisbane pick which is possible.
How would we all feel about that? That would mean we've picked up 5 talls with first rounders in the last 4 years. I'm still all for taking the best available player in the 1st round and would be happy with it, but even I'll admit that it's not exactly ideal for the balance of our list.

I'd be aiming for O'Sullivan under two circumstances; we don't match a bid on Croft because it comes unreasonably early, or it's our second pick and nobody has bid on Croft yet.

 

[Mojorisin]

Was just thinking if we did pick up O'Sullivan at our 1st or even a Mitch Edwards and then a bid came for Croft before the Brisbane pick which is possible.
How would we all feel about that? That would mean we've picked up 5 talls with first rounders in the last 4 years. I'm still all for taking the best available player in the 1st round and would be happy with it, but even I'll admit that it's not exactly ideal for the balance of our list.

I'd be ok with O'Sullivan purely because we dont have anyone with his strengths. All our tall defenders are intercepter types. Providing we can shift the Brisbane pick to match Croft and bring in a quality Mid.

 

[Munnez]

Jeez, having O’Sullivan, Busslinger, and O’Donnell as a backline trio for years would be delicious.

Wilson has potential for inside mid I reckon. Spend a couple of years on the wing and putting on bulk and then move on ball when Treloar retires.

Bit like McCluggage has for the Lions, if he could follow that trajectory would be a win for the club

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

This is how my current power rankings sit. It's interesting to see the huge differences in everyone's boards this year goes to show how even the draft is. After the top 14 or so you could nearly throw a blanket over 20 more.

1. Harley Reid 185cm 85kg Mid/Def (1)
2. Nick Watson 170cm 66kg Mid/Fwd. (2)
3. Zane Duursma 189cm 79kg Mid. (3)
4. Jed Walters 195cm 91kg Fwd. (9)
5. Darcy Wilson 185cm 73kg Mid. (4)
6. Ethan Read 202cm 87kg Ruck/Fwd.(6)
7. Jake Rogers 171cm 68kg Mid. (5)
8. Ryley Sanders 186cm 85kg Mid. (10)
9. Nate Caddy 192cm 91kg Fwd. (8)
10. Colby McKercher 181cm 76kg Mid. (7)
11. Daniel Curtin 195cm 93kg Def. (13)
12. Mitchell Edwards 207cm 85kg Ruck (11)
13. Jordan Croft 200cm 80kg Fwd. (15)
14. Connor O'Sullivan 198cm 92kg Def(19)
15. Joel Friejah 191cm 86kg Utility. (16)
16. Nathan Philactides 181cm 78kg Def (17)
17. Luamon Lual 181cm 71kg Def. (12)
18. Archer Reid 203cm 93kg Ruck/Fwd. (21)
19. Ashton Moir 188cm 84kg Fwd. (14)
20. Will McCabe 197cm 81kg Def. (18)
21. Jack Delean 181cm 75kg Fwd. ( 22)
22. George Stevens 189cm 84kg Mid. (24)
23. Diesel Moloney 177cm 66kg Def. (20)
24. Logan Morris 191cm 90kg Fwd. (25)
25. Koltyn Tholstrup 188cm 80kg Fwd/Mid (23)
26. Clay Hall 189cm 80kg Mid. (28)
27. Caiden Cleary 180cm - Mid. (26)
28. Ryan Eyre 191cm 80kg Def. (27)
29. Hugo Garcia 184cm 74kg Fwd. (29)
30. Harry De Mattia 184cm 77kg Mid.(30)

So what happens if this is how it goes. Ie we have 14 and 16 pre draft.

Croft is called at 13 and we have to match.

Then only Mids available are Stevens or Tholstrop but neither are best available.

Probably have to take Friejah - who seems really good but more a utility.

And we would lose Lual as an NGA because he would be a pick inside 30.

Probably not the best outcome.

 

[weltschmerz]

So what happens if this is how it goes. Ie we have 14 and 16 pre draft.

Croft is called at 13 and we have to match.

Then only Mids available are Stevens or Tholstrop but neither are best available.

Probably have to take Friejah - who seems really good but more a utility.

And we would lose Lual as an NGA because he would be a pick inside 30.

Probably not the best outcome.

If we have intel that Croft is going to go early, we trade 14 and 16 up to something like the Suns' pick 8ish.

 

[doggiesin08]

If we have intel that Croft is going to go early, we trade 14 and 16 up to something like the Suns' pick 8ish.

Worst case we get a surprise and shift both picks into 2024. There will be clubs wanting those picks like Hawks were last year to trade in to grab Weddle. The maybe shift them back in 2023 post matching for Croft.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

Worst case we get a surprise and shift both picks into 2024. There will be clubs wanting those picks like Hawks were last year to trade in to grab Weddle. The maybe shift them back in 2023 post matching for Croft.

Can’t live trade once the bid is placed, so surprises would completely screw us if we don’t prepare

 

[weltschmerz]

Can’t live trade once the bid is placed, so surprises would completely screw us if we don’t prepare

Not sure how often it's a huge surprise. When Sydney bid on Rowston last year, which was a surprise to watchers, they'd already contacted GWS recruiters and told them "we're bidding, here's your options".

 

[Nat Fyfe]

Not sure how often it's a huge surprise. When Sydney bid on Rowston last year, which was a surprise to watchers, they'd already contacted GWS recruiters and told them "we're bidding, here's your options".

Yeah I’d be shocked if anyone was truly blindsided. Sure fire way to have other clubs not want to work with you in future

 

[Mojorisin]

Yeah I’d be shocked if anyone was truly blindsided. Sure fire way to have other clubs not want to work with you in future

Exactly right. Most of the clubs know what the others are going to do atleast down to a possible 2 or 3 names. Most usually give a heads up call for bids aswell except for the usual pests. The drama is all drummed up to get us all to watch two full nights of coverage