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.

 

[FB19]

Do the suns have that many senior list spots?

I can’t find confirmation of their list size allowance for 2024. It was 48 in which case yes easily, right now they have 32primary and 4 Cat A and 2 cat B so 6 maximum which covers their main picks but not the late ones. They may not need them anyway they can trade their 20s picks for a lot more points on the night.

 

[Hawks_Footy]

I can’t find confirmation of their list size allowance for 2024. It was 48 in which case yes easily, right now they have 32primary and 4 Cat A and 2 cat B so 6 maximum which covers their main picks but not the late ones. They may not need them anyway they can trade their 20s picks for a lot more points on the night.

You're correct, 32 primary list spots currently taken so will take 6 picks through to the draft. Which leaves them well short to match Rogers & Graham, hence my scenario of jumping in and dealing for a 20s pick given they'll all be on the table

 

[H00t]

On SM-S906E using BigFooty.com mobile app

Hasn’t this been suspected for quite a while now?

Any of North’s interest in Curtin appeared to be smoke and mirrors to spook the Eagles.

 

[FB19]

You're correct, 32 primary list spots currently taken so will take 6 picks through to the draft. Which leaves them well short to match Rogers & Graham, hence my scenario of jumping in and dealing for a 20s pick given they'll all be on the table

That assumes their list size is now the same as everyone else it was 48.

 

[toomanysquibs]

On SM-S906E using BigFooty.com mobile app

Lots of messages being sent to WC and North with that post, definitely doesn't hurt to have your socials supporting recruiting strategy!

 

[Hawks_Footy]

That assumes their list size is now the same as everyone else it was 48.

My understanding is they'll still only take 6 picks into the draft as that's how many primary list spots they have available

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

This time last year it had pretty much been established that North Melbourne would be taking Wardlaw and Sheezel with their two picks. It feels the same with the McKercher and Duursma combo.
From there it really is a tight call between Curtin and Watson. If we believe Curtin can become a genuine Key Position player at AFL level I feel he edges in front due to the structural benefit it brings to our list.
Blanck is our only genuine key defender right now, with the club signing him to a one year contract extension. That doesn't fill me with great confidence. We clearly threw the kitchen sink at McKay and Ratugolea during the trade period, which goes to show how much emphasis we placed on adding another Key Defender to our list. Curtin and McCabe could form our defensive posts for the next decade. Again, this is assuming Curtin is viewed as a genuine structural player.

Otherwise there will be no complaints from my end if we choose The Wiz.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

Our whole off season screams Curtin. Throwing stupid $$$ at shit defenders and picking up a small forward via trade.

 

[TylerDurden]

Does delisting Chad point towards us taking Wiz? Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Brishawk]

Does delisting Chad point towards us taking Wiz? Wouldn't surprise me.

Why would it suggest this? We are just freeing up senior list places.

Chad was never playing much football next year and would be a shot to retire so dont see him being part of our long term plans regardless. Great if he plays beyond next year but i wouldnt be basing my list strategy in this draft around him being likely or not likely to be around in three years (the most he would play beyond this year).

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[TazHawk15]

I have it on very good authority that we are taking the Wiz.

I may or may not have just made that up.

 

[Topiary]

This time last year it had pretty much been established that North Melbourne would be taking Wardlaw and Sheezel with their two picks. It feels the same with the McKercher and Duursma combo.
From there it really is a tight call between Curtin and Watson. If we believe Curtin can become a genuine Key Position player at AFL level I feel he edges in front due to the structural benefit it brings to our list.
Blanck is our only genuine key defender right now, with the club signing him to a one year contract extension. That doesn't fill me with great confidence. We clearly threw the kitchen sink at McKay and Ratugolea during the trade period, which goes to show how much emphasis we placed on adding another Key Defender to our list. Curtin and McCabe could form our defensive posts for the next decade. Again, this is assuming Curtin is viewed as a genuine structural player.

Otherwise there will be no complaints from my end if we choose The Wiz.

From what I understand, Curtin is not naturally a defender let alone a KPD. His best position is a mid, albeit a big mid.

 

[Brishawk]

From what I understand, Curtin is not naturally a defender let alone a KPD. His best position is a mid, albeit a big mid.

He most definitely is a defender. Reads the ball beautifully from behind the play and uses his body well to position himself. Maybe he becomes an afl mid but he will play in defence also.

 

[suedehead]

From what I understand, Curtin is not naturally a defender let alone a KPD. His best position is a mid, albeit a big mid.

Looks like a prototype CHB to me. Great size, great hands, strong defensive instincts and able to counter-attack the other way. I would be very surprised if he ended up as a full time mid in the AFL.



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[Topiary]

He most definitely is a defender. Reads the ball beautifully from behind the play and uses his body well to position himself. Maybe he becomes an afl mid but he will play in defence also.

I think I was saying he is not considered a KPD. A position we have great need for and frankly I believe we need more than a small forward.

All that said, and for that reason, I still slightly favour the Wiz with our pick.

I genuinely hope we can further improve the List with another 2024 first pick trade. Let’s see what happens on the night.

 

[Roddy]

This time last year it had pretty much been established that North Melbourne would be taking Wardlaw and Sheezel with their two picks. It feels the same with the McKercher and Duursma combo.
From there it really is a tight call between Curtin and Watson. If we believe Curtin can become a genuine Key Position player at AFL level I feel he edges in front due to the structural benefit it brings to our list.
Blanck is our only genuine key defender right now, with the club signing him to a one year contract extension. That doesn't fill me with great confidence. We clearly threw the kitchen sink at McKay and Ratugolea during the trade period, which goes to show how much emphasis we placed on adding another Key Defender to our list. Curtin and McCabe could form our defensive posts for the next decade. Again, this is assuming Curtin is viewed as a genuine structural player.

Otherwise there will be no complaints from my end if we choose The Wiz.

I’ve been bangin’ on about Curtin for weeks. I didn’t know we’d only given Blanck one year. That piece of news slipped past me. To me that says a fair bit. So yeah, we may need to nab Curtin AND McCabe…

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I have it on very good authority that we are taking the Wiz.

I may or may not have just made that up.

You've taken a wiz?

Must have been a relief

 

[Brishawk]

I think I was saying he is not considered a KPD. A position we have great need for and frankly I believe we need more than a small forward.

All that said, and for that reason, I still slightly favour the Wiz with our pick.

I genuinely hope we can further improve the List with another 2024 first pick trade. Let’s see what happens on the night.

I dont think we need to get too caught up on positions. Drafting is a lottery, even at the top end of the draft. Just pick the player most likely to be the best player at afl level and use trades and free agency to fill gaps.

 

[CD Xbow]

You've taken a wiz?

Must have been a relief

Good gag, given your name.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Good gag, given your name.

 

[suedehead]

I’ve been bangin’ on about Curtin for weeks. I didn’t know we’d only given Blanck one year. That piece of news slipped past me. To me that says a fair bit. So yeah, we may need to nab Curtin AND McCabe…

I feel like Curtin would be a round 1 lock at CHB.

Here he is in his second WAFL seniors game (against men) looking very comfortable as a KPD. 20 disposals, 6 marks, 5 spoils, 4 rebound 50s, 95% disposal efficiency.



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[The Golden Glenferrie]

Looks like a prototype CHB to me. Great size, great hands, strong defensive instincts and able to counter-attack the other way. I would be very surprised if he ended up as a full time mid in the AFL.



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So he's a key back who plays like Pendles in the middle?

My word he's a good talent. Great sense in traffic. Hustwaite has that same traffic sense from what i've seen.

 

[burner1]

Shouldn’t we be taking best available with our first pick? Trading/FA is for positional needs.

We didn’t need another hbf when we picked Day. That turned out okay.

Does feel like the club has a bias towards consistent, lower risk mid sized players in the way we currently rank talent.

But reckon it’s hard to pass on Curtin.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Watson can play one position. An important position, sure, but small forwards aren't impossible to come by - hell we picked up one of the best small forwards of the last decade in the rookie draft. Even a fairly good small forward can get the job done if you have the other pieces around them. The Cyril comparisons couldn't be more moot because Watson doesn't have Cyril's defensive game. Sure, the attacking excitement will be fun to watch - but I almost had more fun watching Cyril take off after a rebounding defender and making them kick right to one of our players in a mad panic or getting mowed down in a clutch tackle. If Watson was a direct Rioli clone then sure it's a no-brainer - but he's not. Granted Watson might develop more of a defensive game.

With Curtin he could be anything. He's a KPP size player who can intercept and play through the midfield. Apparently has great leadership qualities also. His shortcomings aren't that detracting and can be worked on. He's already capably played against adults in the WAFL. I don't think he is remotely a 'safe' option - I think he is a bloody amazing option and if he is available when we are ready to call out a name I hope we pounce.