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.

 

[The Chad and I]

A fair few people in the comment section on X (formerly twitter) seem to be adamant that it won't be Watson but rather Curtain who in that article is predicted to go 9th. If that's how the order plays out then I could see WC trying to buy back in to get Curtain.

1. WEST COAST: Harley Reid (MID/FWD)
2. NORTH MELBOURNE: Jed Walter (FWD) - Matched by Gold Coast
3. NORTH MELBOURNE: Zane Duursma (FWD/MID)
4. NORTH MELBOURNE: Colby McKercher (MID)
5. HAWTHORN: Nick Watson (FWD)
6. WB - Ryley Sanders (MID)
7. MELBOURNE: Ethan Read (RUC) - Matched by Gold Coast
8. MELBOURNE: James Leake (DEF/FWD)
9. GWS: Daniel Curtin (DEF/MID)
10. GEELONG: Nate Caddy (FWD)

Daniel Curtin will be a steal if he drops out of the top 4.
It's the most idiotic draft prediction I have seen so far.

 

[Turly]

Will was drafted in 2019. Matured this year, his 4th season? Showed he could play at the level in his first 3.

With due respect to your board.

He was having a strong impact from his very first game as a skinny kid. He was then battling multiple ankle injuries.

The point I was making is that kids, no matter how big or small can come in and have an impact if they’re good enough.

 

[The Chad and I]

Curtin and McCabe I’ll take at least 3 years to mature. Please remember this.

Curtin could easily compete next season.
McCabe, I agree will take more time.

BTW - I just rewatched McCabe and he does more of the things you expect from a KPD than O'Sullivan, who is projected to go around pick 10. Intercepts, pack marks, run and carry, better skills. Only thing is he is quite slight, but McCabe is a far better prospect IMO.

 

[Flukey!]

One way for us to get Reid......

WCE draft Reid
HFC draft Curtin

2 years from now, both homesick for their respective states...

 

[dermott]

I am pleased to see many have us drafting Dan Curtin rather than Daniel Curtain. The latter may bring back memories of a certain Luke Franklin who “almost” donned the brown and gold.

 

[TazHawk15]

I'm coming around to Curtin in a big way.Have been in the Watson camp all year, but I think our inability to get another key defender mean Curtin fits a need as well as the obvious flexibility upside.

Same. I'm still on the Wiz train, but these Curtin types are so hard to find. Scary to think what he could be at 22.

That's why WC will take him. Pick 1 or pick 2, doesn't matter.

I am feeling the same way, I have been big on the wiz but hearing another draftee call Curtin “The best player in the pool” even ahead of Harley Reid makes me excited if we snared him.

 

[I got the outside word]

IF Curtain slides like that phantom suggests do we send our F1 to Geelong for him?

 

[TazHawk15]

IF Curtain slides like that phantom suggests do we send our F1 to Geelong for him?

I highly doubt he will slide outside of the top 5.

 

[burner1]

Takeaway seems to be no one has much of a clue what happens after Reid and Walter.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

A fair few people in the comment section on X (formerly twitter) seem to be adamant that it won't be Watson but rather Curtain who in that article is predicted to go 9th. If that's how the order plays out then I could see WC trying to buy back in to get Curtain.

1. WEST COAST: Harley Reid (MID/FWD)
2. NORTH MELBOURNE: Jed Walter (FWD) - Matched by Gold Coast
3. NORTH MELBOURNE: Zane Duursma (FWD/MID)
4. NORTH MELBOURNE: Colby McKercher (MID)
5. HAWTHORN: Nick Watson (FWD)
6. WB - Ryley Sanders (MID)
7. MELBOURNE: Ethan Read (RUC) - Matched by Gold Coast
8. MELBOURNE: James Leake (DEF/FWD)
9. GWS: Daniel Curtin (DEF/MID)
10. GEELONG: Nate Caddy (FWD)

I feel like WCE will surely trade back in if Curtin is still available at the back end of the top 10. Geelong are probably hoping for that.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

IF Curtain slides like that phantom suggests do we send our F1 to Geelong for him?

Reckon WCE will be doing that. I'd be happy to from our point of view - take a potential versatile tall and back ourselves in to improve next season.

Even if we bomb next season or make minimal improvement we'd be looking at a midfield heavy draft.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Takeaway seems to be no one has much of a clue what happens after Reid and Walter.

If the order stays the way it is you can bet North are taking Duursma with one of their picks.

 

[smish]

Still can't see us passing on Curtin if he's there.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

One way for us to get Reid......

WCE draft Reid
HFC draft Curtin

2 years from now, both homesick for their respective states...

They will want another couple of firsts chucked in too.

 

[matey]

197cm 95kg already moves very well for his size, plays with composure/smarts, beautiful left foot, good in the air, can play KP or throw him in the midfield …….. no way he goes past 5!

 

[KermitJagger]

Will was drafted in 2019. Matured this year, his 4th season? Showed he could play at the level in his first 3.

With due respect to your board.

Was the 4th highest rated 19 year old in his debut season in 2020, 3rd if you remove Rowell who only played 5 games. Behind only Anderson and Serong.

This is from 2019 too, which is potentially the strongest draft since 2013 at least. Rowell, Anderson, Serong, Jackson, Green, Warner, Pickett, Young. Day's ability to play from day 1 despite his frame was elite. He also started 2021 with a bang too, but injured himself badly in Rd 2 and took a while to come back from it.

Plenty on this board were saying that Day would need to spend multiple years in the VFL, lifting weights with a feed bag attached to his head before he'd even sniff AFL.

 

[Billyc]

Takeaway seems to be no one has much of a clue what happens after Reid and Walter.

Wait for Twomey closer to the day. His recent record has been excellent. The uncertainty around pick 1 possibly being traded will make this year harder for clubs and therefore reporters to predict the order.

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

Is it at all feasible that WC keep #1 and take Curtin?

 

[KeeperLeaguer]

Quick update for the end of October:
Discussions will be ongoing of course but we don't believe we'll be able to trade up and we're not interested in the trades offered by teams below us so it very much looks like we'll be going in with pick 4 as it stands.
There are four players we are heavily considering namely Duursma, Watson, Curtin & McKercher. I wont say which are preferred.

This info is fine to give out as since Reid will be one of the first three there's not a lot other clubs can do to stop us getting our man.

Three weeks till the draft

 

[strappingoldlad]

Let the haters hate. Let the doubters doubt.

Say goodbye to Duursma and Curtin.

Nick Watson, by far the most talented of the three, is Waverley bound.

 

[tl92]

Quick update for the end of October:
Discussions will be ongoing of course but we don't believe we'll be able to trade up and we're not interested in the trades offered by teams below us so it very much looks like we'll be going in with pick 4 as it stands.
There are four players we are heavily considering namely Duursma, Watson, Curtin & McKercher. I wont say which are preferred.

This info is fine to give out as since Reid will be one of the first three there's not a lot other clubs can do to stop us getting our man.

Three weeks till the draft

About what I expected. My guess is that if we want to trade a F1 on the night, GWS pick would be the most gettable if it’s Osullivan and/or Curtin that’s available.

 

[chopflop]

Let the haters hate. Let the doubters doubt.

Say goodbye to Duursma and Curtin.

Nick Watson, by far the most talented of the three, is Waverley bound.

Is that you #projectwatson

 

[RanaNaved]

Is it at all feasible that WC keep #1 and take Curtin?

No. If they rated Curtin ahead of Reid (they don't), they'd do a deal with North.

 

[QuietB]

Let the haters hate. Let the doubters doubt.

Say goodbye to Duursma and Curtin.

Nick Watson, by far the most talented of the three, is Waverley bound.

Small forwards grow on trees. Do we really need to use pick 4 on a forward pocket?

 

[Big Hotdog]

Small forwards grow on trees. Do we really need to use pick 4 on a forward pocket?

Yes