Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[Here we go dogs]

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

Essendon is a usual pest and it wouldn’t suprise me if they went for Croft. They are pretty set in most places other than key forwards outside of wright.

 

[Mojorisin]

Essendon is a usual pest and it wouldn’t suprise me if they went for Croft. They are pretty set in most places other than key forwards outside of wright.

Dodo was the one I was referring to.

 

[Here we go dogs]

McKercher looks a lot like Zac Butters to me.

 

[goodcop badcop]

My mistake, Croft not playing today by the look of it. Listed as emergency.

 

[dergert]

So annoying that Croft isnt playing

 

[weltschmerz]

Nick F'in Watson.

 

[doggies ftw]

Croft dropped? Seems strange from VM - good thing for us though

 

[Here we go dogs]

I’m trading up to try get Nick Watson or Colby Mckercher. Both play round 1 next year and will be transformational to a club in their first year.

Also both help with the ageing midfield - even though Watson would only ever be a part timer given his size.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Ollie Murphy looks every bit a 1st rounder to my eye. WA couldn't get it past him. Had a very good game on Walter when moved on to him last week as well. His improvement has been huge this year which is was something Dalrymple often looks for. It's going to be interesting to see what we do if he's available particularly if he's at our Brisbane pick.

Harvey Johnston has been moving up my draft board as well. Got a lot of it today. I have him down as a first rounder after today. He's more of a midfielder long term IMO, but can play across half forward to a good level which is where he's spent most of the championships. His movement through traffic is very nice and has a lot of class.

Tholstrup didn't have much in the way of eye catching moments, but got down and dirty in the 2nd half a bit more which was good to see. Looked better through the midfield rather then at half forward. His kicking was a bit scrappy though and needed a bit more composure.

Watson was incredible today and would have no issue taking him if we traded up. Likewise Curtin but think he's a top 3 pick.

Logan Morris had a very dominate day pretty much taking Croft's place in that forward line.

Sanchez had a very good 1st half playing the hybrid forward/midfield role. Got into a lot of good positions forward of the ball and could have been used a bit more even. Ended with 3 goals. Showed good agility through traffic and a good workrate.

Caleb Windsor's had a few eye catching moments. Known for his athleticism and his kicking ability. His effort on the wing in the 2nd qtr where he ran down two players was one of the highlights of the day for me. He's a good wing option for us but not exactly sure where he goes in the draft. Has a lot of good AFL traits

 

[goodcop badcop]

Croft dropped? Seems strange from VM - good thing for us though

Metro rotated a lot of players today and have a lot of tall forwards. They played 4 talls today in Morris, Elliot, Weatherill and Caddy.

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

Sanchez - real surprise has speed and smarts. Curtin a star and will likely go top 10. Nick Watson top 3.

Nate Caddy looks to have a real present also.

Wilson on wing is lightening fast.

Watching VCC and Allies - lots of good players.

Till half time:

- O’Sullivan looks super solid can see why some see him top 10.

23 Stevens - from VCC is a huge midfielder! Would be a good replacement for Dunkley and would give Bont great support.

- Freijah - has real wheels and covers the ground well.

- Sanders and Mckercher round out the top 6:

1. Reid
2. Mckercher
3. Curtin
4. Walter (Gold Coast Suns)
5. Watson
6. Sanders

- Harley Reid hasn’t done anything to move him from No1.

- Duursma very smooth mover and smart player

- Ethan Read looks top 19 ruck (Gold Coast Suns)

- Will Dawson very good marking tall defender

- Cleary from Allies also looks a good Libba potential replacement. Rogers also decent but another small and quick.

If any of these slip through we will be lucky even though some are not need.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Wilson seems to often catch players holding the ball. His tackling and defensive game appear to be quite good. Another plus.

Pretty high standard game this one.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Allies win their first ever national championship with their win over Vic Country. Was a good close game in the end.

The midfielders from both sides having an influence today. In my opinion the best midfielders in this draft are definitely from both VC and the Allies. Really liked McKercher and Wilson across the tournament in general.

 

[Northernsoul74]

I’m trading up to try get Nick Watson or Colby Mckercher. Both play round 1 next year and will be transformational to a club in their first year.

Also both help with the ageing midfield - even though Watson would only ever be a part timer given his size.

I doubt we can get high enough for either of them.

 

[Here we go dogs]

I doubt we can get high enough for either of them.

I would’ve thought we could put a pretty compelling case for gold coast’s pick at 5-8 with our 2 picks in the teens. In the Watson case I would think it would take a brave club to take a small forward before pick 5. North would be my worry if they got a priority pick. Also doubt McKercher goes too 5 with the Tasmanian club coming.

 

[weltschmerz]

I would’ve thought we could put a pretty compelling case for gold coast’s pick at 5-8 with our 2 picks in the teens. In the Watson case I would think it would take a brave club to take a small forward before pick 5. North would be my worry if they got a priority pick. Also doubt McKercher goes too 5 with the Tasmanian club coming.

I'm sure McKercher is headed to Carlton. They desperately need his pace in their midfield, and they'd be hoping he and Cowan stay in Melbourne together.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Pretty good standard between Country and Allies. A lot of good players. Skill level was good on a windy day.

McKercher kicked two very good goals and won a heap of it. Top 5 lock.

Sanders got a lot of it as always and used it pretty well. I underrated him and think he should be a top 10 pick.

Wilson kicked two goals and had two other opportunities. He was good defensively as mentioned above. His tackles seem to stick well even though he isn't that well built as of yet.

Duursma was great in the 1st qtr, pretty quiet after that. If we trade up to Gold Coast's pick, he may be in the mix. Still not quite sure of him. Has great moments as both a forward and midfielder. Hasn't really put it together for a full game against better opposition.

Connor O'Sullivan looked very good again and was quite good when matched up on Harley Reid. Think he lost just the 1, one on one from memory. Shows his versatility and he also seemed to have a lot of the ball as well. Should push into the top 10 after the championships he's had IMO.

Stevens had some very good moments where he put his body over it and won a good amount of the ball. Was very noticeable that he didn't have the athleticism of others which I was looking out for. Was a fairly fast game and Rogers and McKercher ran rings around him in particular. Even Sanders whilst not as quick as the other two, he was certainly faster and more nimble then Stevens. Interesting to see how he tests.

Freijah has had a disappointing championships. His first instinct at the moment often seems to be to tap on the ball to his teammate instead of taking possession of the ball and handballing it. It happened several times today and it didn't really work. Gives me Jared Polec

13

Jared Polec

Age

33

Ht

187cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.6

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

7.7

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

20.5

5star

K

13.1

5star

HB

7.4

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.1

4star

CL

2.9

4star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

vibes and it comes across as very soft. Take possession of the ball, handball it off and take the hit for your team. I'm starting to go right off him at the moment.

Lual had some moments. From memory had two intercept marks earlier in the game. Was a bit more involved in the last qtr and took the game on a bit more. Was pretty quiet on the whole though which is good for us.

I'm a fan of Coby James as a late/rookie pick. Was impressed with some of his kickouts today. Nailed a risky 50m pass down the centre of the ground which resulted in a score and nailed a 60m pass down the wing. Good for him. He's not the most noticeable player as he can lockdown on opponents and doesn't always get a heap of it. Can play in all three areas of the ground and would be a good teammate.

Gothard might be another rookie option as a small forward. He's been quite opportunistic across the championships.

Will Dawson had a very good game as a tall defender. Had a heap of intercept marks. He's someone with a late birthday and might be someone we could look at later in the draft also.

 

[goodcop badcop]

I'm sure McKercher is headed to Carlton. They desperately need his pace in their midfield, and they'd be hoping he and Cowan stay in Melbourne together.

They may not get a chance. Hawthorn could use him as well and he will be getting some free trips to Tassie for a few more years.

I could see a place for Curtin or Watson in Carlton's lineup.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Quick early phantom draft prediction because I feel like it. Pick 8 is Gold Coasts pick, but they will trade it so I've left the team blank. I've wipped out Gold Coast, Hawks and our pick in the 2nd round because of bids.

Round 1

Pick 1 - WCE - Harley Reid (Mid/Utility)
Pick 2 - North - Colby McKercher (Mid)
Pick 3 - GC (bid) - Jedd Walter (KPF)
Pick 4 - Hawks - Nick Watson (Fwd)
Pick 5 - Sydney - Daniel Curtin (KPD)
Pick 6 - Melbourne - Nate Caddy (KPF)
Pick 7 - GC (bid) - Ethan Read (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 8 - (?) - Ryley Sanders (Mid)
Pick 9 - GWS - Zane Duursma (Mid/fwd)
Pick 10 - Blues - Connor O'Sullivan (KPD)
Pick 11 - GC (bid) - Jake Rogers (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 12 - GWS - Mitch Edwards (Ruck)
Pick 13 - Adelaide - Darcy Wilson (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 14 - Cats - Archer Reid (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 15 - Dogs - Harvey Johnston (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 16 - Saints - Ollie Murphy (KPD)
Pick 17 - Bombers - Jack Delean (Fwd/wing)
Pick 18 - Melbourne - Will Lorenz (Mid)
Pick 19 - Dogs - Koltyn Tholstrup (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 20 - Haw (bid) - Will McCabe
Pick 21 - North - Joel Freijah (Wing/Fwd)
Pick 22 - Dogs (bid) - Jordan Croft (KPF)
Pick 23 - Pies - Harry Demattia (Mid/Utility)

Round 2

Pick 24 - WCE - Lance Collard (Fwd/wing)
Pick 25 - Adelaide - Ashton Moir (Fwd)
Pick 26 - Freo - Riley Hardeman (Back/Wing)
Pick 27 - Sydney - Nathan Philactides (Back)
Pick 28 - Sydney - Will Patton (KPD)
Pick 29 - Melbourne - Koen Sanchez (Fwd/mid)
Pick 30 - Tigers - George Stevens (Mid/back)
Pick 31 - Pies - Taylor Goad (Ruck)
Pick 32 - Adelaide - Kane McAuliffe (Mid)
Pick 33 - Sydney (bid) - Caiden Cleary (Mid)
Pick 34 - Brisbane - Logan Evans (Back)
Pick 35 - Saints - Jack Callinan (Fwd)
Pick 36 - Bombers - Logan Morris (KPF)
Pick 37 - Melbourne - Angus Hastie (Back)
Pick 38 - WCE - Clay Hall (Mid)
Pick 39 - Port - Caleb Windsor (Wing)

 

[weltschmerz]

Quick early phantom draft prediction because I feel like it. Pick 8 is Gold Coasts pick, but they will trade it so I've left the team blank. I've wipped out Gold Coast, Hawks and our pick in the 2nd round because of bids.

Round 1

Pick 1 - WCE - Harley Reid (Mid/Utility)
Pick 2 - North - Colby McKercher (Mid)
Pick 3 - GC (bid) - Jedd Walter (KPF)
Pick 4 - Hawks - Nick Watson (Fwd)
Pick 5 - Sydney - Daniel Curtin (KPD)
Pick 6 - Melbourne - Nate Caddy (KPF)
Pick 7 - GC (bid) - Ethan Read (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 8 - (?) - Ryley Sanders (Mid)
Pick 9 - GWS - Zane Duursma (Mid/fwd)
Pick 10 - Blues - Connor O'Sullivan (KPD)
Pick 11 - GC (bid) - Jake Rogers (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 12 - GWS - Mitch Edwards (Ruck)
Pick 13 - Adelaide - Darcy Wilson (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 14 - Cats - Archer Reid (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 15 - Dogs - Harvey Johnston (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 16 - Saints - Ollie Murphy (KPD)
Pick 17 - Bombers - Jack Delean (Fwd/wing)
Pick 18 - Melbourne - Will Lorenz (Mid)
Pick 19 - Dogs - Koltyn Tholstrup (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 20 - Haw (bid) - Will McCabe
Pick 21 - North - Joel Freijah (Wing/Fwd)
Pick 22 - Dogs (bid) - Jordan Croft (KPF)
Pick 23 - Pies - Harry Demattia (Mid/Utility)

Round 2

Pick 24 - WCE - Lance Collard (Fwd/wing)
Pick 25 - Adelaide - Ashton Moir (Fwd)
Pick 26 - Freo - Riley Hardeman (Back/Wing)
Pick 27 - Sydney - Nathan Philactides (Back)
Pick 28 - Sydney - Will Patton (KPD)
Pick 29 - Melbourne - Koen Sanchez (Fwd/mid)
Pick 30 - Tigers - George Stevens (Mid/back)
Pick 31 - Pies - Taylor Goad (Ruck)
Pick 32 - Adelaide - Kane McAuliffe (Mid)
Pick 33 - Sydney (bid) - Caiden Cleary (Mid)
Pick 34 - Brisbane - Logan Evans (Back)
Pick 35 - Saints - Jack Callinan (Fwd)
Pick 36 - Bombers - Logan Morris (KPF)
Pick 37 - Melbourne - Angus Hastie (Back)
Pick 38 - WCE - Clay Hall (Mid)
Pick 39 - Port - Caleb Windsor (Wing)

Go from no Harveys to two in two drafts, not bad.

 

[TiAn_]

Quick early phantom draft prediction because I feel like it. Pick 8 is Gold Coasts pick, but they will trade it so I've left the team blank. I've wipped out Gold Coast, Hawks and our pick in the 2nd round because of bids.

Round 1

Pick 1 - WCE - Harley Reid (Mid/Utility)
Pick 2 - North - Colby McKercher (Mid)
Pick 3 - GC (bid) - Jedd Walter (KPF)
Pick 4 - Hawks - Nick Watson (Fwd)
Pick 5 - Sydney - Daniel Curtin (KPD)
Pick 6 - Melbourne - Nate Caddy (KPF)
Pick 7 - GC (bid) - Ethan Read (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 8 - (?) - Ryley Sanders (Mid)
Pick 9 - GWS - Zane Duursma (Mid/fwd)
Pick 10 - Blues - Connor O'Sullivan (KPD)
Pick 11 - GC (bid) - Jake Rogers (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 12 - GWS - Mitch Edwards (Ruck)
Pick 13 - Adelaide - Darcy Wilson (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 14 - Cats - Archer Reid (Ruck/Fwd)
Pick 15 - Dogs - Harvey Johnston (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 16 - Saints - Ollie Murphy (KPD)
Pick 17 - Bombers - Jack Delean (Fwd/wing)
Pick 18 - Melbourne - Will Lorenz (Mid)
Pick 19 - Dogs - Koltyn Tholstrup (Mid/Fwd)
Pick 20 - Haw (bid) - Will McCabe
Pick 21 - North - Joel Freijah (Wing/Fwd)
Pick 22 - Dogs (bid) - Jordan Croft (KPF)
Pick 23 - Pies - Harry Demattia (Mid/Utility)

Round 2

Pick 24 - WCE - Lance Collard (Fwd/wing)
Pick 25 - Adelaide - Ashton Moir (Fwd)
Pick 26 - Freo - Riley Hardeman (Back/Wing)
Pick 27 - Sydney - Nathan Philactides (Back)
Pick 28 - Sydney - Will Patton (KPD)
Pick 29 - Melbourne - Koen Sanchez (Fwd/mid)
Pick 30 - Tigers - George Stevens (Mid/back)
Pick 31 - Pies - Taylor Goad (Ruck)
Pick 32 - Adelaide - Kane McAuliffe (Mid)
Pick 33 - Sydney (bid) - Caiden Cleary (Mid)
Pick 34 - Brisbane - Logan Evans (Back)
Pick 35 - Saints - Jack Callinan (Fwd)
Pick 36 - Bombers - Logan Morris (KPF)
Pick 37 - Melbourne - Angus Hastie (Back)
Pick 38 - WCE - Clay Hall (Mid)
Pick 39 - Port - Caleb Windsor (Wing)

Getting that close to Wilson and missing out would be excruciating

 

[goodcop badcop]

Getting that close to Wilson and missing out would be excruciating

I'm thinking it might be worth trading up even if we think the Croft bid is outside the first round. With all the Gold Coast bids, it sets our picks back quite a bit. Hawthorn's father/son McCabe is a sneaky chance to go in the top 15 as well.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Honestly, not as excited about the draft as I once was. There is a clear top dozen, then it drops off a little. And is pretty even though to the 20s. Pick 15 has as much odds of landing a decent player as pick 25. Both of our picks will potentially slip outside of the top dozen. So I am leaning more towards joining the trading up bandwagon.

But knowing us. We will throw away one of our first round picks, to overpay for a so and so player in a trade.

Gold Coast would be my target to trade up with if possible. But there is like 3 clubs with better hands than us, so it won't be so simple.

 

[TiAn_]

Honestly, not as excited about the draft as I once was. There is a clear top dozen, then it drops off a little. And is pretty even though to the 20s. Pick 15 has as much odds of landing a decent player as pick 25. Both of our picks will potentially slip outside of the top dozen. So I am leaning more towards joining the trading up bandwagon.

But knowing us. We will throw away one of our first round picks, to overpay for a so and so player in a trade.

Gold Coast would be my target to trade up with if possible. But there is like 3 clubs with better hands than us, so it won't be so simple.

Depends how the order all shakes out but Melbourne’s Freo pick moving up ahead of the Suns pick probably rules them out. Who else would be competing for it?

 

[_Cerberus_]

Depends how the order all shakes out but Melbourne’s Freo pick moving up ahead of the Suns pick probably rules them out. Who else would be competing for it?

Whoever has a good draft hand points wise. Demons currently have 15, 24 and 34. Sydney have 22,23, 41 and 42. Then there is us, North, and Eagles with some points as well. Obviously things will change as the ladder does, trades and free agency compos. Our hand would be the strongest, but would want a pick back somewhere. If we can get more second rounders, we may even be able to package something that keeps one of our firsts and trade up.

But I still honestly think the club will still chase for now and trade one of the first rounders for a player. I'd prefer we just run to the draft.