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.

 

[burner1]

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.

Looks like Will Day with the size of Nash who can play kpd. Very composed with ball with a great side step.

He’s also already 95kg but moves very well. So no concerns on size and can play mid so tank must be fine. Give him 4 years in an afl system and his strength and athleticism can only improve - will be breaking tackles.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Looks like Will Day with the size of Nash who can play kpd. Very composed with ball with a great side step.

He’s also already 95kg but moves very well. So no concerns on size and can play mid so tank must be fine. Give him 4 years in an afl system and his strength and athleticism can only improve - will be breaking tackles.

Looks to be a no brainer.

I reckon he'll play mid. Gee, very flexible. Could play anywhere

 

[butlers hawks]

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

His best position early days will be the role that Sicily plays where he can zone off and read the ball coming in. The intercept defender if you want to call it that. He is really good at reading the ball coming in. He grew up playing as a midfielder but had a growth spurt and is now at 197cm. In comparison the two players they were linked to who have played key defense at AFL level Ben McKay is 202cm and Esava Ratugolea is 197cm.

What makes Curtin interesting is his hands, due to playing primarily as a midfielder in his development years he has amazing hands at ground level, doesnt ever seem to fumble badly and is very assured of himself when he is in contested traffic.

So while right now he would be seen as a intercepting, key defender, he isnt going to be a lockdown KPD initially.

My concerns with taking him are more about himself than his football ability. If he sees himself as a midfielder, which he has said multiple times he does, and the team sees him as a key defender will a West Coast get into his ear and easily talk him into returning home with a role in their midfield?

He has also been quoted as saying he would like to stay in WA as recently as last night on their 9 news (could of been cropped to look that way too)

Having said all of this, I would have no problem with them taking him. He isnt your FB anchor but he is a big utility that can move basically everywhere on the ground. Could well see him playing 200+ games as a inside mid but initially will be a intercepting CHB guy

 

[Roddy]

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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I know you shouldn’t give TOO much credence to a highlights package, but he is most impressive… height, strength with physical presence, plus positioning nous and evasive skills for his size.

Kid has upside up the wazoo….

 

[butlers hawks]

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

They would of looked at their list, knowing they need to move 2 guys to be able to take their picks in and looked at who was least likely to be picked up. Taken the punt on Wingard knowing he is injured and unlikely to get an enticing enough offer elsewhere.

Nothing to do with the pick being taken for mine. Too many variables

 

[Ned Ryerson]

My concerns with taking him are more about himself than his football ability. If he sees himself as a midfielder, which he has said multiple times he does, and the team sees him as a key defender will a West Coast get into his ear and easily talk him into returning home with a role in their midfield?

He also said he models his game off Matthew Pavlich so I don't think it would be too hard to convince him his career would be better crafted as a KPP if that's where we saw him.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

They would of looked at their list, knowing they need to move 2 guys to be able to take their picks in and looked at who was least likely to be picked up. Taken the punt on Wingard knowing he is injured and unlikely to get an enticing enough offer elsewhere.

Nothing to do with the pick being taken for mine. Too many variables

Surely Clarkson won't kick the Chad tyres. Surely!

 

[butlers hawks]

He also said he models his game off Matthew Pavlich so I don't think it would be too hard to convince him his career would be better crafted as a KPP if that's where we saw him.

Yeah the difference between being able to go into the midfield as a big body junior when you're the most talented kid out there and doing it at the top level might open his eyes a bit too

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Yeah the difference between being able to go into the midfield as a big body junior when you're the most talented kid out there and doing it at the top level might open his eyes a bit too

Lucky he's probably got the size and speed to start of HBF. Hell, looks like he could go in the middle straight away.

 

[butlers hawks]

Lucky he's probably got the size and speed to start of HBF. Hell, looks like he could go in the middle straight away.

Yeah I would have him as a pinch hit mid but not full time, especially in Hawthorn's system. His hands are so good in traffic and over the ball for a guy his size he could definitely pull it off

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Yeah I would have him as a pinch hit mid but not full time, especially in Hawthorn's system. His hands are so good in traffic and over the ball for a guy his size he could definitely pull it off

Could easily see a time when Curtin and Hustwaite are both in the middle. Add Nash in there...that's a tall mid line.

Lucky Jai can do the hard work in and under

 

[burner1]

Curtin seems a team orientated and mature guy - plays where his team needs him. Pretty sure the team first ethos will be further instilled in him at afl level - so despite a preference for playing mid I don’t think will be an issue where he’s played - it’s not junior footy.

 

[butlers hawks]

Could easily see a time when Curtin and Hustwaite are both in the middle. Add Nash in there...that's a tall mid line.

Lucky Jai can do the hard work in and under

Problem would be leg speed, even when you add Worpel, Newcombe and Day to those guys. Not exactly a line breaking through pace kind of bunch (maybe where the Bailey Smith chase comes in)

 

[badgrill]

His best position early days will be the role that Sicily plays where he can zone off and read the ball coming in. The intercept defender if you want to call it that. He is really good at reading the ball coming in. He grew up playing as a midfielder but had a growth spurt and is now at 197cm. In comparison the two players they were linked to who have played key defense at AFL level Ben McKay is 202cm and Esava Ratugolea is 197cm.

What makes Curtin interesting is his hands, due to playing primarily as a midfielder in his development years he has amazing hands at ground level, doesnt ever seem to fumble badly and is very assured of himself when he is in contested traffic.

So while right now he would be seen as a intercepting, key defender, he isnt going to be a lockdown KPD initially.

My concerns with taking him are more about himself than his football ability. If he sees himself as a midfielder, which he has said multiple times he does, and the team sees him as a key defender will a West Coast get into his ear and easily talk him into returning home with a role in their midfield?

He has also been quoted as saying he would like to stay in WA as recently as last night on their 9 news (could of been cropped to look that way too)

Having said all of this, I would have no problem with them taking him. He isnt your FB anchor but he is a big utility that can move basically everywhere on the ground. Could well see him playing 200+ games as a inside mid but initially will be a intercepting CHB guy

bolded bit - same as if WCE draft Reid and he wants home, wouldn't we get a fair bit in return for Curtin if he did? Win/ Win

 

[TylerDurden]

It seems we're down to Wiz or Curtin. From 5pm we'll know there will be no trade for pick 1.

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

I know the club will just back themselves to retain an interstate player, but we really don't want Curtin requesting a trade back to WA in a few years when we are likely contending.

Doesn't matter what draft picks you receive in return as they won't help you in the short term unless you draft another Cyril.

Not suggesting this will happen but it's a consideration.

 

[butlers hawks]

bolded bit - same as if WCE draft Reid and he wants home, wouldn't we get a fair bit in return for Curtin if he did? Win/ Win

yes obviously a consideration

is it a risk to drive the car off the lot? Maybe but in all reality he is more likely to look at least solid at the next level

the club likely back themselves in to keep him though

 

[butlers hawks]

It seems we're down to Wiz or Curtin. From 5pm we'll know there will be no trade for pick 1.

There really isnt any reason to trade it today for West Coast. The pick, if moved, will happen on the night for mine

 

[Agent_99]

Watson training with the club / Box Hill at one stage says a bit doesn’t it?

 

[kirbatron]

Heart says Wiz
Head says Curtin

 

[Sixpence]

It seems we're down to Wiz or Curtin. From 5pm we'll know there will be no trade for pick 1.

It can still be traded on the night.

 

[kirbatron]

Watson training with the club / Box Hill at one stage says a bit doesn’t it?

''its happening'' you think?

 

[TylerDurden]

It can still be traded on the night.

Highly doubt a pick 1 would be traded on the night.

 

[TylerDurden]

yes obviously a consideration

is it a risk to drive the car off the lot? Maybe but in all reality he is more likely to look at least solid at the next level

the club likely back themselves in to keep him though

We did that with Brocky and it backfired.

 

[cryptor]

Do people remember the late season 2022 game against Richmond where Sicily played significant game time in the midfield. He looked so good playing as a high CHB/behind the play mid. But eventually had to go back to help out the backline as Tom Lynch was getting out of control. And with our lack of tall back options it hasn't been something Sam has really been able to play with since.

I wonder if Curtin would help unlock this hybrid role for both Curtin and Sicily. Another huge point of difference for us (Finn tag being the other) that could really catapult the team up the ladder on the back of a strategy that diverges from the rest of the comp.