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.

 

[suedehead]

I've only heard that he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and doesn't interview very well.

Luckily we don't need him to be.

"See that ball in the air, Ethan? Go catch it!"

Stephen May isn't going to invited to join Mensa any time soon either.

 

[noobermensch]

A strong early season performance from Sanders. He was especially influential early, hitting up inside 50 targets with pinpoint delivery.

 

[unitedhawk]

Yeah it's so awesome to deathride our own players - hahahahaha!!!!

Speaking from experience?

Kosi says Hi!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Speaking from experience?

Kosi says Hi!

I never wanted him to fail though and I said on multiple occasions that I wanted him to prove me wrong. I wasn't taking joy in him not making it with us and I was being realistic with his trade value based on his output. The poster in question has form in the Ginni welcome thread also - he seems to be actively hoping the kid doesn't do well with us and I find that bizarre.

I would love any draftee to make such an impact that they displace an established player - but I wouldn't be taking glee in the other player's demotion.

 

[TDS7]

Luckily we don't need him to be.

"See that ball in the air, Ethan? Go catch it!"

Stephen May isn't going to invited to join Mensa any time soon either.

I feel like it's people like Steven May who do join Mensa. If you're comfortable with your intelligence you aren't going out and joining some "I'm very smart look at me" club. But an occa footy player with a profile of being a bit of a twat? If he can make it in, it's the perfect way to show everyone just how brainy your bunch is.

Clayton Oliver on the other hand...

 

[suedehead]

I feel like it's people like Steven May who do join Mensa. If you're comfortable with your intelligence you aren't going out and joining some "I'm very smart look at me" club. But an occa footy player with a profile of being a bit of a twat? If he can make it in, it's the perfect way to show everyone just how brainy your bunch is.

Clayton Oliver on the other hand...

I'd like to see Steven May take the entry test, just for the laughs.

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[eldorado]

People are so convinced and set in "their guy". They take it quite serious.

I've got my "This Club is Stuffed!" meme ready to roll...

And **** you, Buckenara!

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[toomanysquibs]

I feel like it's people like Steven May who do join Mensa. If you're comfortable with your intelligence you aren't going out and joining some "I'm very smart look at me" club. But an occa footy player with a profile of being a bit of a twat? If he can make it in, it's the perfect way to show everyone just how brainy your bunch is.

Clayton Oliver on the other hand...

My brother in law is a tool maker, and speaks like he dropped out of tech school in the 1980s.

He also has two degrees, and an IQ in that's tested consistently in 140 range (long before online 'tests' were a thing).

You really can't tell with some people, or at least you can't until the calculus and text books come out.

Plenty of amazing footballers on either end of the scale though.

 

[Brishawk]

I feel like it's people like Steven May who do join Mensa. If you're comfortable with your intelligence you aren't going out and joining some "I'm very smart look at me" club. But an occa footy player with a profile of being a bit of a twat? If he can make it in, it's the perfect way to show everyone just how brainy your bunch is.

Clayton Oliver on the other hand...

I think the idea of mensa is to collect all the narcissists in one place where they cant bother the rest of us

 

[eldorado]

Stephen May isn't going to invited to join Mensa any time soon either.

I understand he's a regular member of Densa, though...

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[toomanysquibs]

I'd like to see Steven May take the entry test, just for the laughs.

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You telling me you don't think he'd crack 132 on the Standford-Bine ?

 

[Topiary]

I'll back whomever MM and Co decide to go with but the incessant putting down of Watson because he's only 170cm in here is starting to get ridiculous. I'm fully prepared that we could go with any of Duursma, Curtin, McKercher or Watson but I do think there are a few in here that are going to be very painful to deal with IF we do decide to go with Watson. The game day threads if he doesn't kick 4-5 goals or tackle like prime Cyril are going to be 'whipping boy' epic.

The point I was trying to make is that you don't have to step on one draftee to make another seem better which is starting to happen with Watson.

Fortunately they will ignore his lack of height. He wins the footy. He kicks goals.

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

Ethan Phillips might actually be a better pick up than Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

26

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

, at less than a quarter of the $$$$$ McKay would have been on, whilst also being younger and not poisoned by being on North Melbourne's list.

What a blessing missing on McKay might be.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Ethan Phillips might actually be a better pick up than Ben McKay, at less than a quarter of the $$$$$ McKay would have been on, whilst also being younger and not poisoned by being on North Melbourne's list.

What a blessing missing on McKay might be.

Cmon, he's 24 and hasn't played an AFL game yet.

McKay is at least proven and was good enough, despite what posters here are suggesting, for two clubs to offer him huge contracts.

 

[Nugett]

I'd like to see Steven May take the entry test, just for the laughs.

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Can Cambell Brown be the tester?

 

[Brant]

Cmon, he's 24 and hasn't played an AFL game yet.

McKay is at least proven and was good TALL enough, despite what posters here are suggesting, for two clubs to offer him huge contracts.

Fixed it for you

 

[Sixpence]

Cmon, he's 24 and hasn't played an AFL game yet.

McKay is at least proven and was good enough, despite what posters here are suggesting, for two clubs to offer him huge contracts.

Bit of context around that though, those two clubs were desperate for a big defender in a market that didn't have many.

 

[The Chad and I]

Who on here hates watson??

You can’t please them.
I’ve said many times I’d back the club if they chose Watson and that he would become an elite small forward.

That’s not enough for them.

The mildest critique about his limitations seems to have touched a nerve.

We can say that Duursma will need to work on his midfield accumulation and kicking at times isn’t the best.

We can say Caddy reportedly issues of character, is a wonky kick at times and not quite KP size.

We can say Curtin does not play as a true KPP and has not done much as a forward.

But we can’t say Watson looks like an excellent small forward but is likely to be limited to being just a small forward - therefore pick 4 is too high for such a player.

Why?
Tall question.

 

[Inspiredteamalwayswins]

You can’t please them.
I’ve said many times I’d back the club if they chose Watson and that he would become an elite small forward.

That’s not enough for them.

The mildest critique about his limitations seems to have touched a nerve.

We can say that Duursma will need to work on his midfield accumulation and kicking at times isn’t the best.

We can say Caddy reportedly issues of character, is a wonky kick at times and not quite KP size.

We can say Curtin does not play as a true KPP and has not done much as a forward.

But we can’t say Watson looks like an excellent small forward but is likely to be limited to being just a small forward - therefore pick 4 is too high for such a player.

Why?
Tall question.

Agreed. And this is coming from a person that wants Watson. Everyone should have a say and be be allowed to criticise a player.

I don’t agree with your point re how he will ‘only be a small forward’. Watson will definitely pinch hit in the middle throughout his career.

However, it’s 100% an opinion you should be able to have and debate.

 

[The Chad and I]

Agreed. And this is coming from a person that wants Watson. Everyone should have a say and be be allowed to criticise a player.

I don’t agree with your point re how he will ‘only be a small forward’. Watson will definitely pinch hit in the middle throughout his career.

However, it’s 100% an opinion you should be able to have and debate.

The guy is a forward wiz. I’m blown away by his exploits. If we select him I’ll be 100% wishing him to fulfil his full potential.

I’m not one to “death ride” our players.
I watch with hope and want the best for every player at hfc… and even when they leave.

I just have an opinion that other players will make a bigger impact for us.

 

[lethalselbow]

Fortunately they will ignore his lack of height. He wins the footy. He kicks goals.

He gets on base.

 

[naysayer]

But we can’t say Watson looks like an excellent small forward but is likely to be limited to being just a small forward - therefore pick 4 is too high for such a player.

Why?
Tall question.

We obviously can, because you've said it in every single post for the last 5 pages.

 

[nicknodon]

Interesting. It’s a full on swings and round abouts. I’ve been on the Watson train, Duursma train, Curtin train and even the Sanders train at times.

I’m going to be excited by whoever we pick up to be honest. They all offer something we desperately need. However, even the recruiters with their expertise and interviews won’t know 100% whether they’ll produce at AFL level what they’re touted to be capable of.


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[DrkNyt]

He gets on base.

 

[The Chad and I]

A strong early season performance from Sanders. He was especially influential early, hitting up inside 50 targets with pinpoint delivery.

Solid player, but we've already got a much better version of Rylee Sanders - his name is Cameron MacKenzie.