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.

 

[HigginsHawk]

Father-Son’s/Academy picks don’t often go as early as expected though?

Usually but Beatson, Dodoro and Silvangi do this stuff for fun when they know the club will match. We caught Dodoro out when we didn't match for Mozzie a few years ago but I'm certain one of Beatson or Dodoro will call out Croft and then McCabe just for the hell of it. A final gift if you like.

 

[projectdingley]

Showing less reservation towards shorter players still means that the shorter player has to present themselves as draftable. They're not just going to start drafting them early just because they're short.

That’s exactly why Watson is a top 5 pick. Has been a talent since U12’s. There’s reason why the taller and bigger kids haven’t overtaken him in all these years. He is incredibly talented. Won’t find another 170cm talent rated this high for a long time. Not sure if it’s even been done before.

 

[CHUBBSS]

I think it really comes down to one thing and one thing only…

How big are watsons hands?

 

[Hoogmeister]

I agree.

Let me clarify my position here. I'm happy to draft Watson, I think he's a great choice for us given where our list is at and our land of the giants midfield, but my point is a pretty simple one - as good as he is, height to the extreme that Watson lacks it is a limitation. If a Fyfe or a Cripps were 168cm tall they'd likely go undrafted. If Watson was 190cm tall there'd be daylight between him and Harley Reid, and we'd have 18 teams tanking for the chance at drafting him.

It's not criticising Watson, it's just the truth.

That's why I think he's a great option. There are so many examples of shorter players being undervalued by recruiters due to their height, and proving everyone wrong when they get a chance. Recruiters are still undervaluing shorter players, but not as much as they have previously. 10 years ago, Watson might be a mid to late teens pick. If we had pick 2 and used it on Watson I'd still be happy with it.

 

[KermitJagger]

Father-Son’s/Academy picks don’t often go as early as expected though?

Often they don't, but sometimes a club will bid just to get extra time to make a decision.

 

[projectdingley]

I agree.

Let me clarify my position here. I'm happy to draft Watson, I think he's a great choice for us given where our list is at and our land of the giants midfield, but my point is a pretty simple one - as good as he is, height to the extreme that Watson lacks it is a limitation. If a Fyfe or a Cripps were 168cm tall they'd likely go undrafted. If Watson was 190cm tall there'd be daylight between him and Harley Reid, and we'd have 18 teams tanking for the chance at drafting him.

It's not criticising Watson, it's just the truth.

You won’t find a 190cm player that moves like Watson. Impossible. Height is what makes him so good.

But a fair statement nonetheless.

 

[Guardian Hawk]

Spot on. Xavier Duursma is great evidence to this. Those that can’t accept this metric as judgement are simply clutching at straws.

They are absolutely comparable and are built very similar. Kg and Cm wise.

Xavier had a good first two years but has done nothing since. Just traded for a packet of chips to the drug cheats. A very replaceable player.

Same DNA. One brother won’t miraculously be quicker/stronger than the other.

I don't mean to be impolite and am far from an expert on the incoming draftees but I don't think using the performance of his brother tells us what you think it does. "Same DNA means same level, etc"

What about Joel Selwood vs Troy and Adam?
Shane Crawford vs Justin
Adam Goodes vs Brett
Brent Harvey vs Shane
Gary Ablett Jnr vs Nathan
Dayne Beams vs Claye
Charlie Curnow vs Ed
Zach Merrett vs Jackson
Literally hundreds of other examples. In fact, it seems rarer that brother end up being equal in either their physical tools or their output, regardless of "same DNA".

Hell, my own 2 boys are 2 years apart and are both the same height and weight at the same age (one a bit bigger). Yet, the smaller one is an athletic freak and the other has almost no athletic tools whatsoever (despite having equal interest in the same sports).

Humans are weird.

 

[noobermensch]

Tew had an excellent end to the season, and his developing talent was on show in this game. He lost only one defensive duel for the game, was his teams primary rebounding outlet out of the defensive 50, and impressed with his composure and decision making with ball in hand.

 

[Lawsy]

Spot on. Xavier Duursma is great evidence to this. Those that can’t accept this metric as judgement are simply clutching at straws.

They are absolutely comparable and are built very similar. Kg and Cm wise.

Xavier had a good first two years but has done nothing since. Just traded for a packet of chips to the drug cheats. A very replaceable player.

Same DNA. One brother won’t miraculously be quicker/stronger than the other.

Man, you come across as a total Muppet with some of these statements.

Crawford's and Dears at Hawks, Hills of Brad and Steven variety, Abletts obviously, Lloyds in Matthew and Brad and there would be hundreds of other brother combos who are physically different.

We get it, you hate Smith and Duursma, and you are entitled to your opinion but the drivel that appears within your posts is borderline BT-esque.

 

[projectdingley]

I don't mean to be impolite and am far from an expert on the incoming draftees but I don't think using the performance of his brother tells us what you think it does. "Same DNA means same level, etc"

What about Joel Selwood vs Troy and Adam?
Shane Crawford vs Justin
Adam Goodes vs Brett
Brent Harvey vs Shane
Gary Ablett Jnr vs Nathan
Dayne Beams vs Claye
Charlie Curnow vs Ed
Zach Merrett vs Jackson
Literally hundreds of other examples. In fact, it seems rarer that brother end up being equal in either their physical tools or their output, regardless of "same DNA".

Hell, my own 2 boys are 2 years apart and are both the same height and weight at the same age (one a bit bigger). Yet, the smaller one is an athletic freak and the other has almost no athletic tools whatsoever (despite having equal interest in the same sports).

Humans are weird.

Not impolite at all. I actually agree with
you. Usually it’s not a good metric to form judgment. Curnow brothers a great example. Polar opposites.

However, i think it’s definitely a consideration in the duursma scenario. Solely because they’re built very similar. I think it’s absolutely comparable.

Selwood’s Merrett’s, Beams, perhaps the most contextual in this situation. Yes one brother has had the better footballing ability, but they are all roughly the same in terms of build and composition.

Because of their similar composition, you can apply it in the Duursma scenario. As a recruiter you can have a GREAT grasp with Zane’s physical ceiling. How fast he can run, his aerobic capacity etc based off Xavier’s output.

I think Xavier hasn’t shown much at all and is arguably not at AFL level.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Tew had an excellent end to the season, and his developing talent was on show in this game. He lost only one defensive duel for the game, was his teams primary rebounding outlet out of the defensive 50, and impressed with his composure and decision making with ball in hand.

Please stop
Promoting him

 

[TylerDurden]

GinnWiz.

It's happening.

 

[projectdingley]

Man, you come across as a total Muppet with some of these statements.

Crawford's and Dears at Hawks, Hills of Brad and Steven variety, Abletts obviously, Lloyds in Matthew and Brad and there would be hundreds of other brother combos who are physically different.

We get it, you hate Smith and Duursma, and you are entitled to your opinion but the drivel that appears within your posts is borderline BT-esque.

To many peoples suprise I am open to having a backflip on Smith. Don’t go into meltdown!

I do think he suits Sam Mitchell’s style of football, and can add some line breaking speed through the midfield.

Although, I am Happy he’s not a hawk this season though. Means we have the chance to bring in Watson. Our midfield will be fine.

If Smith demonstrates and improved defensive game in 2024, hes more than likely to win me over.

Still don’t think he’s elite and as good as what many on Hawks bigfooty make him out out to be. Some of the talk of trading draft picks and future commodities for him were ridiculous. Impossible to land a Ben King or JUH if we’re giving up two firsts for Smith. You have to be a top 20 player in the comp if you are giving up pick 4. Let alone two firsts.

 

[I got the outside word]

GinnWiz.

It's happening.

Please don’t break my heart.

Winnigan!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Same DNA. One brother won’t miraculously be quicker/stronger than the other.

Possibly one of the dumbest things I have read on Bigfooty. Sports is littered with brothers who have differing levels of body types, skills, abilities and career outcomes.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

I think it really comes down to one thing and one thing only…

How big are watsons hands?

Importantly, I believe he equalled the highest ever reading on the Eldorado NOH index.

 

[danielG]

Possibly one of the dumbest things I have read on Bigfooty. Sports is littered with brothers who have differing levels of body types, skills, abilities and career outcomes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the NBA.. His brother is only in the NBA because he is Giannis’ brother..

 

[Manila_Hawk]

Tew had an excellent end to the season, and his developing talent was on show in this game. He lost only one defensive duel for the game, was his teams primary rebounding outlet out of the defensive 50, and impressed with his composure and decision making with ball in hand.

I like everything. Except his ball drop. Fix that and there's a lot of potential !!

 

[SSSSSS]

I like everything. Except his ball drop. Fix that and there's a lot of potential !!

Looks like a less explosive/athletic but perhaps more defensively sound version of CJ. Puts himself in really good positions.

 

[projectdingley]

Possibly one of the dumbest things I have read on Bigfooty. Sports is littered with brothers who have differing levels of body types, skills, abilities and career outcomes.

Take it for what you will. It’s called genetics. If you don’t choose to believe it - that’s your choice. I understand some brothers in sport are built different - but not in the Duursma case. They are built very similarly.

Absolutely they might have different career outcomes and footballing abilities, but I don’t see it in this scenario. I’ve seen enough vision of Zane to suggest he mirrors his brother in tackling/contested work. Their speed and agility also look roughly the same from an eye test.

Xavier is arguably not an AFL standard footballer today.

Your opinion may be different to mine, but that’s how I see it.

 

[WillDayFanClub]

I've been one of the less enthusiastic posters about C.O. and was hoping to see something that would change my mind.

I just don't see a top talent in anything he has done so far.
He may well be worthy of pick 10 in this draft, which confirms to me the view that the quality falls off steeply after the top 8-10.
Caddy is projected to be taken later than O'Sullivan by some, which would be a huge bargain IMO.

What are O'Sullivan's elite traits?
He's a good size, moves well, and is versatile - but what does he do to an elite standard?
Nothing. Not an elite mark, kick, not much evidence of him dominating his opponent, or reading the ball well in the air etc

He's a good prospect, but top 10?
This draft is really weak, and especially so for KPP, if that happens.

FMD!!!

I've been one of the less enthusiastic posters about C.O. and was hoping to see something that would change my mind.

I just don't see a top talent in anything he has done so far.
He may well be worthy of pick 10 in this draft, which confirms to me the view that the quality falls off steeply after the top 8-10.
Caddy is projected to be taken later than O'Sullivan by some, which would be a huge bargain IMO.

What are O'Sullivan's elite traits?
He's a good size, moves well, and is versatile - but what does he do to an elite standard?
Nothing. Not an elite mark, kick, not much evidence of him dominating his opponent, or reading the ball well in the air etc

He's a good prospect, but top 10?
This draft is really weak, and especially so for KPP, if that happens.

 

[WillDayFanClub]

Tell me you haven’t watched Watson without telling me.

His laid 15 tackles in 12 months of Footy

 

[projectdingley]

His laid 15 tackles in 12 months of Footy

I’m assuming you’re going off the rookie me site. You might want to add some context mate. That’s 7 games.

 

[Faraway Hawk]

I don't mean to be impolite and am far from an expert on the incoming draftees but I don't think using the performance of his brother tells us what you think it does. "Same DNA means same level, etc"

What about Joel Selwood vs Troy and Adam?
Shane Crawford vs Justin
Adam Goodes vs Brett
Brent Harvey vs Shane
Gary Ablett Jnr vs Nathan
Dayne Beams vs Claye
Charlie Curnow vs Ed
Zach Merrett vs Jackson
Literally hundreds of other examples. In fact, it seems rarer that brother end up being equal in either their physical tools or their output, regardless of "same DNA".

Hell, my own 2 boys are 2 years apart and are both the same height and weight at the same age (one a bit bigger). Yet, the smaller one is an athletic freak and the other has almost no athletic tools whatsoever (despite having equal interest in the same sports).

Humans are weird.

Ah well..atleast the McKay brothers are the same.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Please don’t break my heart.

Winnigan!

Or GiWiz what a goal