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.

 

[Topiary]

We need to hold a F2 and 3 to be able to trade our F1.
And our F2 is pies so can’t even downgrade it.

A F1 for geelongs pick 8 is a full price. But luckily we practically can’t offer more anyway.

Bloody rules get it the way. I forgot we do not have our second round anymore.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Ok, I’m drunk, but what is a bgz?

 

[Sixpence]

Ok, I’m drunk, but what is a bgz?

Big Game Zane.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Big Game Zane.

Clearly I’m not the only one then.

 

[Inspiredteamalwayswins]

A+
Harley Reid - Very unlikely we can trade up but this guy is generational. Only knock on him is he has had two concussions this year. With the protocols and awareness nowadays, the only thing stopping Reid from having a great career is this.

Nick Watson - electrifying and a standout pick. Height and ability to influence the game without the ball the only knocks. A colt hero for the Hawks fans if we pick him up. Every other club and their fans will despise him. Not sure about others on this thread, but just picturing Watson in a hawks practice game is getting me excited. Plays round 1 barring injury.

A
Colby Mckercher - speed and power elite for his size. All the trademarks of becoming a great player. Knock is around his contested game (winning the hard ball and laying tackles). Not much versatility around the ground. Generational? Don’t think so. Jagga Smith 2024 draft a very similar player, I think he will be better.

Dan Curtin - great all round game. Elite ball user and great mover for his size. He moves so well, I can only see him becoming a midfielder at AFL level. Knocks on him being his ability to defend and contested game. Won’t be a key position player. If you’re drafting him it will be as a midfielder, and he may slide for that reason.

B+
Zane Duursma - arguably one with the highest ceiling to develop and grow. Also the one hardest to predict/one that comes with the greatest risk. Don’t think he becomes a midfielder because he does not move well enough. Has great hands and a good vertical. Think he either kicks a lot of goals at AFL level or ends up being bang average.

 

[MasterSamurai]

The great thing about draftees getting drafted by Hawthorn is that they get plenty of game time . Sam seems to bypass the box hill apprenticeship for high end quality players coming to the Hawks. I don't know if any of the crop is a A+ other than Harley to be fair, for instance, Watson is a clever high energy small frwd but will it transition as well at AFL level? Most believe so but you'd ask the question.
Duursma is an interesting prospect, on the skinny side with good skills both in the air and on deck but how long will it take for a half frwd to impact games? İs he the Gunston type we wanna lock away for the next decade ?
Curtin is a roaming tall that can play in a couple of positions but which position will he lock down? As a kpd he'd be great with his athleticism and kicking but not sure we need another mid or a floating Backman.
Colby is perfect for a club looking to add a outside hard running type but again, is this what we need?
Plenty for our recruiters to think about and I don't think we're fixed on any of them just yet.
A second top ten pick will be tempting as next year's crop is mid size on ballers coming through.

 

[KeeperLeaguer]

A+
Harley Reid - Very unlikely we can trade up but this guy is generational. Only knock on him is he has had two concussions this year. With the protocols and awareness nowadays, the only thing stopping Reid from having a great career is this.

Nick Watson - electrifying and a standout pick. Height and ability to influence the game without the ball the only knocks. A colt hero for the Hawks fans if we pick him up. Every other club and their fans will despise him. Not sure about others on this thread, but just picturing Watson in a hawks practice game is getting me excited. Plays round 1 barring injury.

A
Colby Mckercher - speed and power elite for his size. All the trademarks of becoming a great player. Knock is around his contested game (winning the hard ball and laying tackles). Not much versatility around the ground. Generational? Don’t think so. Jagga Smith 2024 draft a very similar player, I think he will be better.

Dan Curtin - great all round game. Elite ball user and great mover for his size. He moves so well, I can only see him becoming a midfielder at AFL level. Knocks on him being his ability to defend and contested game. Won’t be a key position player. If you’re drafting him it will be as a midfielder, and he may slide for that reason.

B+
Zane Duursma - arguably one with the highest ceiling to develop and grow. Also the one hardest to predict/one that comes with the greatest risk. Don’t think he becomes a midfielder because he does not move well enough. Has great hands and a good vertical. Think he either kicks a lot of goals at AFL level or ends up being bang average.

The problem is you're basing these ratings 90% on how they look now and only 10% on what they might become.
You'll probably find that most clubs rate players more like 80% on what they might become based on 20% of how they are now.

Clubs would base these players accordingly.
1. Reid
2. Duursma
3. McKercher
4. Curtin
5. Watson

That's not our official rating (I have only a vague idea of what that is), just my own personal one.
I can definitely tell you though we're not drafting a player because he'll be effective from round one, but because he'll become more effective as he develops.

Just to muddy the water, he could be both

But we draft for the future, for us challenging from 2025 onwards. That's why we're so big on McCabe - he'll probably play out next year solely at BH, maybe even a bit of 2025 but we think he has the weapons to become a seiously good player.

Edit: I purposefully left out Walter in that rating because we all know he's taken.
If however he was a 'free agent' at the draft there would be some serious shit going on for the first five picks between WC, North, Dogs & us.

 

[Bugs1977]

The problem is you're basing these ratings 90% on how they look now and only 10% on what they might become.
You'll probably find that most clubs rate players more like 80% on what they might become based on 20% of how they are now.

Clubs would base these players accordingly.
1. Reid
2. Duursma
3. McKercher
4. Curtin
5. Watson

That's not our official rating (I have only a vague idea of what that is), just my own personal one.
I can definitely tell you though we're not drafting a player because he'll be effective from round one, but because he'll become more effective as he develops.

Just to muddy the water, he could be both

But we draft for the future, for us challenging from 2025 onwards. That's why we're so big on McCabe - he'll probably play out next year solely at BH, maybe even a bit of 2025 but we think he has the weapons to become a seiously good player.

Edit: I purposefully left out Walter in that rating because we all know he's taken.
If however he was a 'free agent' at the draft there would be some serious s**t going on for the first five picks between WC, North, Dogs & us.

Only 2 weeks to go

 

[bigmaxi]

The problem is you're basing these ratings 90% on how they look now and only 10% on what they might become.
You'll probably find that most clubs rate players more like 80% on what they might become based on 20% of how they are now.

Clubs would base these players accordingly.
1. Reid
2. Duursma
3. McKercher
4. Curtin
5. Watson

That's not our official rating (I have only a vague idea of what that is), just my own personal one.
I can definitely tell you though we're not drafting a player because he'll be effective from round one, but because he'll become more effective as he develops.

Just to muddy the water, he could be both

But we draft for the future, for us challenging from 2025 onwards. That's why we're so big on McCabe - he'll probably play out next year solely at BH, maybe even a bit of 2025 but we think he has the weapons to become a seiously good player.

Edit: I purposefully left out Walter in that rating because we all know he's taken.
If however he was a 'free agent' at the draft there would be some serious s**t going on for the first five picks between WC, North, Dogs & us.

Thanks KL, I’m blinded by need as to nailing which player to pick still jumping around on a daily basis, but will be extremely happy with whom ever MM and the team pick.

 

[Hawk1986]

Interesting. Feels a little that Colby/duursma are possibly viewed a slight level ahead of Watson, Curtin.

A dees pick swap for 6&11 (if was on table) still sounds interesting. Curtin could still be there and likely guaranteed one of Windsor, Wilson, Leake.

If we can’t split Curtain or Watson (and assuming they are the two left on the board at our pick), trading back to pick 6 and getting 11 seems like a good option. Dees get Watson, Dogs Saunders and we get Curtain.

We then get 2 x first round talents plus McCabe.

We then either keep our future first, or go all in on this draft and try and trade it to geelong to get pick 8 (meaning 3 x first rounders plus McCabe).

 

[ShoveYourCOLA]

Nick Watson - electrifying and a standout pick. Height and ability to influence the game without the ball the only knocks. A colt hero for the Hawks fans if we pick him up.

Were you horsing around with these ratings?

 

[KermitJagger]

Ok, I’m drunk, but what is a bgz?

Brandon Gerk-Zatcher?

 

[Platten44]

If we can’t split Curtain or Watson (and assuming they are the two left on the board at our pick), trading back to pick 6 and getting 11 seems like a good option. Dees get Watson, Dogs Saunders and we get Curtain.

We then get 2 x first round talents plus McCabe.

We then either keep our future first, or go all in on this draft and try and trade it to geelong to get pick 8 (meaning 3 x first rounders plus McCabe).

Melbourne and Dogs take Curtin and Watson in whatever order and we are stuck with Sanders. Also can’t see Melbourne offering 11 just to move up two spots.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Who would you have taken with pick No.1? We ask the recruiters

 

[Brant]

A+
Harley Reid - Very unlikely we can trade up but this guy is generational. Only knock on him is he has had two concussions this year. With the protocols and awareness nowadays, the only thing stopping Reid from having a great career is this.

Nick Watson - electrifying and a standout pick. Height and ability to influence the game without the ball the only knocks. A colt hero for the Hawks fans if we pick him up. Every other club and their fans will despise him. Not sure about others on this thread, but just picturing Watson in a hawks practice game is getting me excited. Plays round 1 barring injury.

A
Colby Mckercher - speed and power elite for his size. All the trademarks of becoming a great player. Knock is around his contested game (winning the hard ball and laying tackles). Not much versatility around the ground. Generational? Don’t think so. Jagga Smith 2024 draft a very similar player, I think he will be better.

Dan Curtin - great all round game. Elite ball user and great mover for his size. He moves so well, I can only see him becoming a midfielder at AFL level. Knocks on him being his ability to defend and contested game. Won’t be a key position player. If you’re drafting him it will be as a midfielder, and he may slide for that reason.

B+
Zane Duursma - arguably one with the highest ceiling to develop and grow. Also the one hardest to predict/one that comes with the greatest risk. Don’t think he becomes a midfielder because he does not move well enough. Has great hands and a good vertical. Think he either kicks a lot of goals at AFL level or ends up being bang average.

The best bit was when you rated Watson over McKercher!

I look forward to reading when your fake made up account never posts again...

 

[naysayer]

Melbourne and Dogs take Curtin and Watson in whatever order and we are stuck with Sanders. Also can’t see Melbourne offering 11 just to move up two spots.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Who would you have taken with pick No.1? We ask the recruiters

Timely reminder just how highly rated Denver was. The draft to AFL transition no cakewalk.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

A+
Harley Reid - Very unlikely we can trade up but this guy is generational. Only knock on him is he has had two concussions this year. With the protocols and awareness nowadays, the only thing stopping Reid from having a great career is this.

Nick Watson - electrifying and a standout pick. Height and ability to influence the game without the ball the only knocks. A colt hero for the Hawks fans if we pick him up. Every other club and their fans will despise him. Not sure about others on this thread, but just picturing Watson in a hawks practice game is getting me excited. Plays round 1 barring injury.

A
Colby Mckercher - speed and power elite for his size. All the trademarks of becoming a great player. Knock is around his contested game (winning the hard ball and laying tackles). Not much versatility around the ground. Generational? Don’t think so. Jagga Smith 2024 draft a very similar player, I think he will be better.

Dan Curtin - great all round game. Elite ball user and great mover for his size. He moves so well, I can only see him becoming a midfielder at AFL level. Knocks on him being his ability to defend and contested game. Won’t be a key position player. If you’re drafting him it will be as a midfielder, and he may slide for that reason.

B+
Zane Duursma - arguably one with the highest ceiling to develop and grow. Also the one hardest to predict/one that comes with the greatest risk. Don’t think he becomes a midfielder because he does not move well enough. Has great hands and a good vertical. Think he either kicks a lot of goals at AFL level or ends up being bang average.

We've found Dingley's new account

 

[FB19]

Did you drop a coin in his tin?

No he wrote a letter to the AFL asking for them to rename Norfs NGA to a Northern academy (given their literal name is North) so they can match a bid on Sanders.

 

[FB19]

North will cave expecting they convert 3 into 6,11 then 11/18 into 8 (and some largely useless swaps for balance).
Leaves them with 2,6,8,15,17 to trade for pick 1 something like 1,37 for 2,8,17 leaves north with 1,6,15,37 and eagles with 2,8,17,23.
Expect Reid north, Curtin eagles and Duursma dees so we take one of Watson or McKercher and dogs take who we don’t. North take Sanders with 6. Seems to work out well for all. So it won’t happen.

 

[naysayer]

North will cave expecting they convert 3 into 6,11 then 11/18 into 8 (and some largely useless swaps for balance).
Leaves them with 2,6,8,15,17 to trade for pick 1 something like 1,37 for 2,8,17 leaves north with 1,6,15,37 and eagles with 2,8,17,23.
Expect Reid north, Curtin eagles and Duursma dees so we take one of Watson or McKercher and dogs take who we don’t. North take Sanders with 6. Seems to work out well for all. So it won’t happen.

I also think the Eagles are just holding out for the Roos to split one of their picks, but I think in that scenario the eagles would ask for 2+6, rather than 2+8. Could even mean they grab Curtin with their second pick.

 

[FB19]

I also think the Eagles are just holding out for the Roos to split one of their picks, but I think in that scenario the eagles would ask for 2+6, rather than 2+8. Could even mean they grab Curtin with their second pick.

They could go McKercher pick 2 if it were 2/6 as dees and dogs won’t take Curtin but would rely on us taking Watson and dogs taking sanders. I think that would be worth the risk for them worst case they get osullivan.

 

[The Chad and I]

We need forwards.
My preferred order of forwards in this draft:

Duursma
Curtin
Caddy
Watson
Windsor
L. Morris
C. Dear

I'd take Curtin if Duursma is gone with the plan to play him exactly as we did with Roughead - rotating on the ball.
People have reservations about him as a KPP, but I think they're exaggerated concerns tbh
He will be fine as a forward as he develops.

The only player that would interrupt the top end of that order would be McKercher.
I don't think he's a priority for us TBH but he could definitely fit onto a wing and I could see him playing +10 games next season in that role.

Interesting to read that Duursma was ill for 6 weeks and could "hardly breathe" so I imagine his output would have been better up the field had he not suffered from that. Caddy had similar issues with illness and also injury - he's the one who is most underrated in this draft IMO. Would be a top 5 consideration had he been fully fit.

 

[HomerJayS]

We need forwards.

We just picked up a Chol, Gunston and Ginnivan. We need KPDs.

 

[Blackhawk42]

We need forwards.
My preferred order of forwards in this draft:

Duursma
Curtin
Caddy
Watson
Windsor
L. Morris
C. Dear

I'd take Curtin if Duursma is gone with the plan to play him exactly as we did with Roughead - rotating on the ball.
People have reservations about him as a KPP, but I think they're exaggerated concerns tbh
He will be fine as a forward as he develops.

The only player that would interrupt the top end of that order would be McKercher.
I don't think he's a priority for us TBH but he could definitely fit onto a wing and I could see him playing +10 games next season in that role.

Interesting to read that Duursma was ill for 6 weeks and could "hardly breathe" so I imagine his output would have been better up the field had he not suffered from that. Caddy had similar issues with illness and also injury - he's the one who is most underrated in this draft IMO. Would be a top 5 consideration had he been fully fit.

How many goals did Curtin kick this year? Genuine question, because I don't know the answer.
Just not sure I'd rate him as a higher 'forward' option than Watson or Caddy.

 

[The Chad and I]

How many goals did Curtin kick this year? Genuine question, because I don't know the answer.
Just not sure I'd rate him as a higher 'forward' option than Watson or Caddy.

I rate him higher as a talent, and would take him first with the intention of playing him forward/mid.
He doesn't have the track record as a forward to compare to Caddy or Watson.

 

[matey]

Geez how’s this prospect at 206cm and runs sub 3 seconds 20m sprint!

Young ruck's stunning Combine result that shocked even him

Taylor Goad is different to most ruckmen - and it's catching the eye of clubs around the country

www.afl.com.au