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.

 

[Big Hotdog]

thank you.
He's definitely moves well and is competitive.
To be clear: I don't think he's a spud by any stretch.

The language used to describe the draftees will ramp up post trade period and as we move closer to the draft. There will be no spuds on offer and by the time we get to the draft O'Sullivan will be compared to SOS, Rance etc.

 

[Topiary]

Hi Chad,

Similar to what I saw with weddle last year. I love high-end athleticism when projecting growth for under 18s in the afl. Afl is obviously a quicker game so players who can transition the ball quickly are highly valued at the next level.

For osullivan, his agility and speed are extremely good for someone his size. Obviously his tank is also good (another AFL non-negotiable).

Another thing I like is that, as a defender, he is very proactive in his positioning. He puts himself in line with the ball and looks hard to shift off it once he is there. This is also critical for a kpd (see sicily for good, dgb for horrible). He doesn't probably have that elite afl skill like DGB had coming out of the under 18s (sticky hands), but with his size, shape (big frame to fill out) and mix of speed, endurance and agility, he has massive scope.

Another underrated quality is that he racks up the football. Averaged around 20 in Coates talent league. This is very good going for a tall and is translatable to afl level.

Let’s do the pick swap with our future first (I know they are trying) and grab OSullivan.
I am even keen on Caddy now. Together with Watson, at least we will have two very good talents.

Plus McCabe.

 

[BIGHAWK23]

id do the future first pick swap for 6 from the dees

Get Watson/Duursma then Caddy

Fwd line set

 

[toomanysquibs]

Breust has 2yrs left Wingard is coming to an end and we have just lost Brockman

Just take the Wiz and be done with it

Best available always. The Jordan rule.

 

[chopflop]

Let’s do the pick swap with our future first (I know they are trying) and grab OSullivan.
I am even keen on Caddy now. Together with Watson, at least we will have two very good talents.

Plus McCabe.

I like they are trying.

I like a few prospects in that 6 + range including Wilson, caddy and osullivan

 

[projectdingley]

Trading future picks is a BIG NO . How can we expect to attract a young key forward like King/Ugle Hagan without picks?

Time and time again it proves to be unsustainable. Only ever pays off if you’re trading for a top 20 player.

Need the capital during trade period and the draft.

 

[projectdingley]

serious question/s from someone who does not see anything special: what do you see in this guy? What are his elite qualities?

Agreed. Baffles me how people can put so much spin.

 

[projectdingley]

Hope not. We need elite talent like Duursma or Colby more than anything.

Duursma isn’t elite talent, nothing in his game screams ‘elite’. Zero chance we select Colby. That’d be 3 top 10 selections as midfielders from 3 drafts. Josh Ward to transition into inside mid this pre-season.

Watson is the clear choice imo.

 

[burner1]

Hi Chad,

Similar to what I saw with weddle last year. I love high-end athleticism when projecting growth for under 18s in the afl. Afl is obviously a quicker game so players who can transition the ball quickly are highly valued at the next level.

For osullivan, his agility and speed are extremely good for someone his size. Obviously his tank is also good (another AFL non-negotiable).

Another thing I like is that, as a defender, he is very proactive in his positioning. He puts himself in line with the ball and looks hard to shift off it once he is there. This is also critical for a kpd (see sicily for good, dgb for horrible). He doesn't probably have that elite afl skill like DGB had coming out of the under 18s (sticky hands), but with his size, shape (big frame to fill out) and mix of speed, endurance and agility, he has massive scope.

Another underrated quality is that he racks up the football. Averaged around 20 in Coates talent league. This is very good going for a tall and is translatable to afl level.

Chopflop - how do you rate Caddy? And see in comparison to O’Sullivan (noting play different roles but likely similar range in draft).

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

Duursma isn’t elite talent, nothing in his game screams ‘elite’. Zero chance we select Colby. That’d be 3 top 10 selections as midfielders from 3 drafts. Josh Ward to transition into inside mid this pre-season.

Watson is the clear choice imo.

Bailey Smith and Zane Duursma are elite talents regardless of what you think

 

[projectdingley]

Bailey Smith and Zane Duursma are elite talents regardless of what you think

Where have you got Bailey Smith from?

Anyway you’d think a midfield with the ‘elite’ Bailey Smith, Bontempelli, Treloar, Liberatore, Macrae etc would actually achieve something.

Unfourtnately for you, this midfield with Bailey ‘elite’ Smith lost to a West Coast side at home this year. Arguably the worst afl side ever assembled.

How elite.

 

[Billyc]

Where have you got Bailey Smith from?

Anyway you’d think a midfield with the ‘elite’ Bailey Smith, Bontempelli, Treloar, Liberatore, Macrae etc would actually achieve something.

Unfourtnately for you, this midfield with Bailey ‘elite’ Smith lost to a West Coast side at home this year. Arguably the worst afl side ever assembled.

How elite.

I don’t get this post. Does that mean Bont is shit?

 

[projectdingley]

I don’t get this post. Does that mean Bont is s**t?

Just pointing out how ‘elite’ is used so loosely. Liberatore and bontempelli both elite. The rest of them hardly B graders.

 

[naysayer]

Duursma isn’t elite talent, nothing in his game screams ‘elite’. Zero chance we select Colby. That’d be 3 top 10 selections as midfielders from 3 drafts. Josh Ward to transition into inside mid this pre-season.

Watson is the clear choice imo.

And yet he'll be picked inside the top 5 of the draft. Just brainstorming here, maybe the recruiters know more than you?

Personally I'm hoping we pick up Watson, but denying that Duursma has elite marking and goal-kicking ability is just a waste of time. He'd be a great get.

That's what I take comfort in: Reid, McKercher, Duursma, Curtin and Watson. At least 2 of those players will be available at our pick. I'm sure we'll make the right choice.

 

[Mercy Seat]

Just pointing out how ‘elite’ is used so loosely. Liberatore and bontempelli both elite. The rest of them hardly B graders.

 

[Turly]

Hi Chad,

Similar to what I saw with weddle last year. I love high-end athleticism when projecting growth for under 18s in the afl. Afl is obviously a quicker game so players who can transition the ball quickly are highly valued at the next level.

For osullivan, his agility and speed are extremely good for someone his size. Obviously his tank is also good (another AFL non-negotiable).

Another thing I like is that, as a defender, he is very proactive in his positioning. He puts himself in line with the ball and looks hard to shift off it once he is there. This is also critical for a kpd (see sicily for good, dgb for horrible). He doesn't probably have that elite afl skill like DGB had coming out of the under 18s (sticky hands), but with his size, shape (big frame to fill out) and mix of speed, endurance and agility, he has massive scope.

Another underrated quality is that he racks up the football. Averaged around 20 in Coates talent league. This is very good going for a tall and is translatable to afl level.

I may be in the minority but I’m not too keen on O’Sullivan from what I’ve seen.

 

[lyger]

Hope not. We need elite talent like Duursma or Colby more than anything.

Agree. If you have a top five pick, gotta use it. It’s so hard to get your hands on one unless you overpay massively. (Unless you are a beggar).

 

[HAWKS2016]

For those that didn't know this is why Zane Dursma is so hyped!

 

[chopflop]

Chopflop - how do you rate Caddy? And see in comparison to O’Sullivan (noting play different roles but likely similar range in draft).

I've only seen bits and pieces. I don't like his kicking, like, at all. He has great follow up at ground level and puts on great pressure. He looks like a bit of a stringer type. Don't know if he's a genuine KPF. So I am on the fence with him - I see potential but also some potential weaknesses at the next level.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Curtin into our midfield would put our average height in there at well over 190cm at most centre bounces, and I can’t help but think that’s going to be an advantage going forward.

Would still love Watson though.

Assuming that the Eagles take Reid, if Curtin is available he should be our pick. Being able to play back, mid or forward means that he could become our modern version of Gary Ayres. If either Reid or Curtin get the go home bug, then a swap of players is probably our best chance of getting Reid.

 

[projectdingley]

And yet he'll be picked inside the top 5 of the draft. Just brainstorming here, maybe the recruiters know more than you?

Personally I'm hoping we pick up Watson, but denying that Duursma has elite marking and goal-kicking ability is just a waste of time. He'd be a great get.

That's what I take comfort in: Reid, McKercher, Duursma, Curtin and Watson. At least 2 of those players will be available at our pick. I'm sure we'll make the right choice.

You’re right and it’s a fair statement. He’ll be a top 5 pick but I don’t think he’ll be a great player.

Don’t agree with ‘elite marking and goal kicking ability’. Can’t see him making an impact at AFL level. Frame too small.

 

[suedehead]

Assuming that the Eagles take Reid, if Curtin is available he should be our pick. Being able to play back, mid or forward means that he could become our modern version of Gary Ayres. If either Reid or Curtin get the go home bug, then a swap of players is probably our best chance of getting Reid.

Supposed to be one of the best KPPs in the draft but he played for a little bit in the midfield later in the year so suddenly he's "not a kpp".

He already has the size and frame to play in 2024. I'd be rapt with Curtin.

Sent from my SM-F711B using Tapatalk

 

[naysayer]

You’re right and it’s a fair statement. He’ll be a top 5 pick but I don’t think he’ll be a great player.

Don’t agree with ‘elite marking and goal kicking ability’. Can’t see him making an impact at AFL level. Frame too small.

That's what the talent scouts say, unanimously. Let's leave it at that.

 

[Lawsy]

You’re right and it’s a fair statement. He’ll be a top 5 pick but I don’t think he’ll be a great player.

Don’t agree with ‘elite marking and goal kicking ability’. Can’t see him making an impact at AFL level. Frame too small.

Were you old enough to see Sicily when he joined the Hawks? Or Will Day even?

I know I'm being facetious but plenty of players with smaller fames make a significant impact at AFL level. Gunners another.

Those three, among the many, all have elite attributes and 2 of the 3 so far would be considered great players and the slightest of them all, I believe will be considered among the elite pf the competition next year.

Going top 5 doesn't guarantee greatness but you need elite qualities to be chosen there as an U18 and Duursma, over the course of the season, has certainly shown he has several.

 

[projectdingley]

That's what the talent scouts say, unanimously. Let's leave it at that.

2 games at VFL level. 0 goals and 3 marks combined. One of the games was against a 0-20 Coburg side. Just saying the facts. I’ll leave it at that.