Preview 2023 National Draft Preview Thread [currently: #2, #14 (PA), #19 (PP) #40, #52, #60]

[The_General#1]

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Great article. Thx for sharing. We all do it. Pick the players we like. Rank them and think we know. But the reality is other than the top 15 names that keep being raised, after that it's a raffle. The only one that ever gets it somewhat accurate is Twomey. All the other rankings IMO are personal opinion based or love for a player based. No one has any real insight. But the footy chat is why we are all on here. We love it!

 

[HBFlanker]

I'm going to call it now and if I'm wrong, so be it.

Unless something significant happens to shake the top end, I'd suggest it's basically a formality at this stage that we'll go with Mckercher + Watson.

If we take Mckercher and get Sanders it points squarely towards one or two of our existing midfield group being traded out

 

[DesertRoo]

Very nervous on using a top 5 premium pick on a bloke who is 170cm. Love the Wizard, has dominated the under age comps for years just not sure if he will be able to keep it up against men.

Smalls games translate easier to the afl, especially if they have genuine explosive pace. It’s why there classified as a dime a dozen.
If he’s a special talent, it will be game changing type player considering we have one of his type in RHJ on our list.

 

[Sphynx]

Great players.
But I was hoping for a top line key defender in the mix.
Particularly if Sanders is allowed under the NGA.

Ollie Murphy.

He's arguably got as much upside as Curtin and O'Sullivan, he's more athletic than both of them.

 

[Sphynx]

If we take Mckercher and get Sanders it points squarely towards one or two of our existing midfield group being traded out

Which im in favor of tbh.

Powell being the obvious one imo.

If we could get our R2 selection back off of Adelaide for Powell (in essence trade Brayden George for Tom Powell), and use pick 22-25 on another piece in the back half, I'd be OK with that.

There's simply going to be too many top end midfielders to properly manage game time for, unless we do something absolutely radical like trade Simpkin in the next 12 months..

 

[DesertRoo]

Ollie Murphy.

He's arguably got as much upside as Curtin and O'Sullivan, he's more athletic than both of them.

What’s his footskills like?
I think it’s safe to say the number one skill that we will look at is now footskills.
It’s been the bedrock of Clarko teams, you can’t kick you can’t play.

 

[Sphynx]

What’s his footskills like?
I think it’s safe to say the number one skill that we will look at is now footskills.
It’s been the bedrock of Clarko teams, you can’t kick you can’t play.

He's a lovely left footer.

I'd argue Murphy is alot more like the modern intercepting half backs like Lever and Moore than Curtin and O'Sullivan are.

I'm not sure what Curtin will be at AFL level, I have a few concerns.

But O'Sullivan is a lot more your Harry Taylor/Michael Hurley/Robbie Tarrant gorilla defender imo.

I wouldn't be apposed to taking both Curtin/O'Sullivan and then Murphy at #17 if he gets there either.

 

[The Nostradamus]

If we take Mckercher and get Sanders it points squarely towards one or two of our existing midfield group being traded out

This is another reason I don’t want mckercher

Watson and KPP my preference or a flexible player like duursma

 

[The Nostradamus]

Wiz playing the APS grand final this weekend

 

[jay317]

Assuming we do get Sanders for nothing and pick 3 comp for McKay and then take Watson and McKercher as many are noting is likely. Who are the likely candidates for trades for KPPs? With George coming in next year I wouldn't be surprised to see Zurhaar thrown up. George, Curtis, Harvey, Ford are all similar types. Powell obviously another in terms of midfielders, but Thomas would likely bring back the highest value (and has been happy to go).

 

[Sphynx]

Assuming we do get Sanders for nothing and pick 3 comp for McKay and then take Watson and McKercher as many are noting is likely. Who are the likely candidates for trades for KPPs? With George coming in next year I wouldn't be surprised to see Zurhaar thrown up. George, Curtis, Harvey, Ford are all similar types. Powell obviously another in terms of midfielders, but Thomas would likely bring back the highest value (and has been happy to go).

Zurhaar is a FA next year.

I think the club will play it exactly how we have played McKay.

If he wants to leave at the end of another poor year next year, we likely bank another top 5 pick for him.

I'd be surprised if we even put a contract in front of him until we see how we go next year.

 

[The_General#1]

Based on the current draft selection order. This is what I think will happen with the first 5 picks. I can't see us picking Watson and McKercher. It just won't happen and based on this I think McKercher is a head of Watson.

Yes WCE may trade out the #1 pick, but that's too difficult to work out atm as to who has the right mix of selections to trade for.

1. WCE - H. Reid
2. GCS - J. Walter (Match Kangas bid)
3. NM - C. McKercher
4. NM - O. Murphy or C. O'Sullivan (Comp pick) We desperately need a KPD
5. Haw - N. Watson

 

[HBFlanker]

Which im in favor of tbh.

Powell being the obvious one imo.

If we could get our R2 selection back off of Adelaide for Powell (in essence trade Brayden George for Tom Powell), and use pick 22-25 on another piece in the back half, I'd be OK with that.

There's simply going to be too many top end midfielders to properly manage game time for, unless we do something absolutely radical like trade Simpkin in the next 12 months..

Wow. Big call.

The most obvious one is Tarryn Thomas but i would be spewing if that happened.

 

[Sphynx]

Based on the current draft selection order. This is what I think will happen with the first 5 picks. I can't see us picking Watson and McKercher. It just won't happen and based on this I think McKercher is a head of Watson.

Yes WCE may trade out the #1 pick, but that's too difficult to work out atm as to who has the right mix of selections to trade for.

1. WCE - H. Reid
2. GCS - J. Walter (Match Kangas bid)
3. NM - C. McKercher
4. NM - O. Murphy or C. O'Sullivan (Comp pick) We desperately need a KPD
5. Haw - N. Watson

Ollie Murphy more chance of #17 than there.

If we go tall it will be either Curtin or O'Sullivan.

A few of the West Coast fans seem to think North's recruiters love Curtin.

 

[Sphynx]

Wow. Big call.

The most obvious one is Tarryn Thomas but i would be spewing if that happened.

Yes, probably any of those 3, but Tarryn is easily the most dynamic and versatile of the 3 from a list balance perspective. He's one I'd least like to lose, unless it was for Flanders (which doesn't solve any of our list balance issues).

We can't just keep delisting 8-10 players, drafting top end midfielders, take 3-4 journeymen every year, lose one of best 5 players to FA every 2-3 years.

It's as big a vicious cycle as finishing 9th.

Before we know it, LDU, Larkey etc will be in their late 20's and/or requesting trades themselves and we haven't built a team around them.


We need to break the cycle and get creative, some very hard decisions need to be made.

If that's Simpkin, Zurhaar, Powell, Thomas. So be it.


I'm supportive of some big decisions at this stage.

 

[HBFlanker]

This is another reason I don’t want mckercher

Watson and KPP my preference or a flexible player like duursma

I think we cna put a line through Mckercher to be honest.

Sam Edmund sayign this morning that its almost a done deal we get Sanders.

Sanders
Watson
O'Sullivan

Trade back if we have to as i think O'Sullivan goes between 5 and 8 in this draft.

O'Sullivan is a set and forget key defender. Yes please.

 

[The_General#1]

Ollie Murphy more chance of #17 than there.

If we go tall it will be either Curtin or O'Sullivan.

A few of the West Coast fans seem to think North's recruiters love Curtin.

Yep I must agree. He's another great option at pick 3. Either way it looks like we will get a decent KPD if thats the how the team is thinking.

 

[giantroo]

He's a lovely left footer.

I'd argue Murphy is alot more like the modern intercepting half backs like Lever and Moore than Curtin and O'Sullivan are.

I'm not sure what Curtin will be at AFL level, I have a few concerns.

But O'Sullivan is a lot more your Harry Taylor/Cale Hooker/Robbie Tarrant gorilla defender imo.

I wouldn't be apposed to taking both Curtin/O'Sullivan and then Murphy at #17 if he gets there either.

Clarko loves his left footers.

 

[Sphynx]

I think we cna put a line through Mckercher to be honest.

Sam Edmund sayign this morning that its almost a done deal we get Sanders.

Sanders
Watson
O'Sullivan

Trade back if we have to as i think O'Sullivan goes between 5 and 8 in this draft.

O'Sullivan is a set and forget key defender. Yes please.

We absolutely won't pass on McKercher.

1. There's an opportunity to draft two mates from Tassie together (I imagine our submission to the AFL regarding Sanders may have even expressly detailed this possibility, mimicking what the GC were given with Rowell and Anderson)

2. With his explosive pace and game break ability, he's probably got the highest ceiling in the entire pool, including Reid.


You simply do not miss an opportunity to add a dynamic explosive midfielder (that also racks them up at will with a big tank) at the top end of the draft. It invariably goes extremely badly for the team that passes on these types, as there's maybe 1 midfielder like this every draft and sometimes not even for 2-3 year periods.


It's the Wardlaw situation 2.0, which most West Coast fans immediately regret having seen him this year and his physical and game breaking qualities.

Like Carlton supporters regret not taking LDU.


McKercher playing as a wingman and a dedicated receiver to LDU, Wardlaw, Philips, Sanders, Simpkin is an absurd prospect. It's a bit like Brisbane being able to develop McCluggage in a similar role, however in this case McKercher is an absolute elite athlete.


Adding Sanders and McKercher should definitely mean Sheezel isn't forced to play anywhere other than the creative force from half back or up forward.

 

[The_General#1]

What ever the outcome its looking bloody great for us.

NGA - Sanders (BANG!)
#2 - McKercher
#3 - O'Sullivan/Murphy/Curtin
#17 - Philactides/Hardeman/Lual (Add some speed as we are so slow HHB Running defender)

 

[King Corey]

I'm with The Nostradamus on this one.

Like Watson and there's something unconvincing about McKercher for me.

Not sure I'd go for Duursma instead but can definitely understand those 2 opinions.

 

[Psicosis]

If all falls into place with Sanders, Picks 2 and 3 I think we’ll have to look at filling needs with one of our first two picks.

Won't happen unless needs are best available.

Watson (small forward) & McKercher (run & carry mid) are needs anyway.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

I think we cna put a line through Mckercher to be honest.

Sam Edmund sayign this morning that its almost a done deal we get Sanders.

Sanders
Watson
O'Sullivan

Trade back if we have to as i think O'Sullivan goes between 5 and 8 in this draft.

O'Sullivan is a set and forget key defender. Yes please.

Put a line under McKercher if we get Sanders.

Pairing up the two leaders of the triumphant Allies is firstly irresistible and secondly future proofing towards Tasmanian expansion.

 

[Psicosis]

McKercher is as big a lock as any of the first year players to win the RS next year. His mix of attributes will provide an immediate impact. Would not be surprised at all if we start him on a back flank and allow Sheez to move up the ground.

 

[roos_18]

Don't be surprised if we have pick 1.