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.

 

[Bugs1977]

you just did in the same post?!!!

Couldn't help but think of this when I read KL's original post. Luv your work KL

Spoiler: PLAY ME

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I don’t know what you’re loll’ing at in my post.

Bigfooty isn’t some hidden private board. We have club scouts, medicos, and all sorts of staff on all the club boards who try to keep their identity hidden.

The idea that there’s no consequence to what is written here is also a fallacy.

I can tell you a former player of the HFC was once summoned to an office at the club, sat down in front of an open laptop and asked to explain what their father had written here.

Is this why a certain poster just disappeared around the middle of this year?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Is this why a certain poster just disappeared around the middle of this year?

No!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Maybe we see a 197cm, 95kg, 18 year old who was extremely impressive when he played against men in the WAFL, more as a versatile KPP player with a far greater upside than a 170cm, 68kg 18 year old. I understand the excitement over the prospect of an electric small forward however the reality is it is a huge step up from under age football to the VFL let alone the AFL.

THIS. So much this.

That said - you forgot to mention Curtin's leadership skills also!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Is this why a certain poster just disappeared around the middle of this year?

No!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

It was a quite some time ago.

 

[Dewwwww]

We have drafted smalls over the past 3 years and are pretty much set in that regards

Curtin along with McCabe and Dear would make logical sense

 

[cryptor]

It was a quite some time ago.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

No! Now, stop it.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Heart - Watson / Duursma
Head - Duursma / Curtin

Really wish we could have snagged that GCS pick. It would have been absolutely brilliant for us.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Head and heart locked on Curtin - toys at the ready now. If Watson had a renowned defensive pressure to go with his attacking prowess maybe I could get on board. Not that I won't love the Wiz if he comes on board - but a player of Curtin's size and versatility is not to be sneezed at.

 

[Mercy Seat]

Typical North. Who we pick has no bearing on who they take at 2 and 3. They basically want to take our first choice. Joke of a club.

North’s trading strategy. Hopefully we can pull off the ending…

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

Consensus Top 5 (excluding Walters)

Harley Reid
Colby McKercher
Zane Duursma
Dan Curtin
Nick Watson

Other than Harley Reid, the remaining 4 could realistically go in any order.

Ideally North select McKercher, taking the player that we need least. Next year MacDonald, Mackenzie and Ward will get more midfield minutes.

Then we can't lose by selecting one of Duursma, Curtin, and Watson.
Duursma and Curtin (if viewed as a Key Defender) would be the two that best fill a positional need, whilst Watson brings that much needed X-factor.

Duursma has been rumoured to be on North's radar for a fair while now. Similar to the Sheezel to North talk last year, I expect Zane to end up at the Kangas. I've always felt he will be our choice if he slips through to us. Exceptional talent.

Curtin is an intriguing prospect. He definitely has the size to be a Key Defender, but he also has the kicking skills and movement of a big-bodied mid. How do we view him? A Curtin/McCabe defensive combination could set us up for the next decade or so.

As for Watson, he's a game-breaker. Genuine X-factor which we have been lacking since Cyril departed, he would add some much needed spark to our fairly lacklustre forwardline. A counterargument can be made that we have enough small forwards on our list (Breust, Ginnivan, *Wingard, Bennetts, O'Sullivan, Butler), but obviously not necessarily of the quality that The Wiz offers.

We're in a great position and nobody should be too disappointed with whoever we end up with.

 

[tl92]

KeeperLeaguer Sorry if you’ve answered this before, but does the club view Curtin and Caddy as genuine KPP? I’ve seen it suggested on this board a few times that they’ll both be third talls at afl level but I wasn’t convinced.

 

[MrPremiership]

That's probably exactly what it is. But you didn't make any mention of that in your original post that I responded to.

its got to be an added bonus of flying him over

 

[MrPremiership]

I'd be happy with Watson or Curtin.

Duursma seems a risk to me, could be a flop.

 

[KeeperLeaguer]

KeeperLeaguer Sorry if you’ve answered this before, but does the club view Curtin and Caddy as genuine KPP? I’ve seen it suggested on this board a few times that they’ll both be third talls at afl level but I wasn’t convinced.

Yes to both really. They've both played KP roles and played them well although funnily enough Caddy who's the smaller of the two has relished a KPF role whilst Curtin has become more adept as a KPB.
Curtin has played both forward and back to good degree, Caddy has been used predominantly as a forward but really stood out there.

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

I'd be happy with Watson or Curtin.

Duursma seems a risk to me, could be a flop.

I very much get the same impression with Caddy.

 

[Davo-27]

Curtin has said he wants to be a tall midfielder at the AFL Level, he has the height, intercepting ability and physicality to play KPD, but will he? It's an interesting call if he is available

The top 4 seem to have been locked in for ages, there's the top 3 kids and a kid in high demand after a strong end to the season

1. Harley Reid
2. Jed Walter
3. Colby McKercher
4. Zane Duursma

The question is who will be number 5? At our pick? It isn't as simple as Curtin or Watson, you could make an argument for Sanders, O'Sullivan, Caddy, Windsor ect.

Caleb Windsor a winger from Eastern Rangers is an interesting name seeing as we were keen on drafting his brother Kai last year, but didn't eventuate and he ended up at BHH as a goal kicking outside player, I wonder if the club is interested in him?, seeing as it seems Essendon are keen on him a few picks later?, just putting it out there as a possibility?, but seeing as it's such a high pick, it's unlikely recruiters will pick anyone not rated in the top 10 leading up to the draft.

 

[KeeperLeaguer]

Curtin has said he wants to be a tall midfielder at the AFL Level, he has the height, intercepting ability and physicality to play KPD, but will he? It's an interesting call if he is available

The top 4 seem to have been locked in for ages, there's the top 3 kids and a kid in high demand after a strong end to the season

1. Harley Reid
2. Jed Walter
3. Colby McKercher
4. Zane Duursma

The question is who will be number 5? At our pick? It isn't as simple as Curtin or Watson, you could make an argument for Sanders, O'Sullivan, Caddy, Windsor ect.

Caleb Windsor a winger from Eastern Rangers is an interesting name seeing as we were keen on drafting his brother Kai last year, but didn't eventuate and he ended up at BHH as a goal kicking outside player, I wonder if the club is interested in him?, seeing as it seems Essendon are keen on him a few picks later?, just putting it out there as a possibility?, but seeing as it's such a high pick, it's unlikely recruiters will pick anyone not rated in the top 10 leading up to the draft.

Not really. If we do manage to snag that later first, there are a few players we're more interested in.
O'Sullivan, Caddy, Wilson & Leake would all be in the mix.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Curtin has said he wants to be a tall midfielder at the AFL Level, he has the height, intercepting ability and physicality to play KPD, but will he? It's an interesting call if he is available

Kid has also said he models his game on Matthew Pavlich - so I doubt he'd be put out playing as a KPD.

 

[matey]

Curtin can take a grab, moves well enough to play in the middle and he’s a very smart footballer with great composure. Many pigeon hole him as a KPD …… these traits are also handy as a forward!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Curtin can take a grab, moves well enough to play in the middle and he’s a very smart footballer with great composure. Many pigeon hole him as a KPD …… these traits are also handy as a forward!

I don't think he has played much forward but it's not far fetched to say he could take it on. If he has a decent forward craft and can kick a goal it could make him such a good threat around the ground.

 

[FuzwaldQO]

The problem is I don't think COS or Caddy will be available even if we trade in our future first. Looking at the draft order, Geelong at 8 is probably where is starts being genuinely considered. We also need a F3 back which doesn't sound like much but recruiters can spend ages haggling over that.

I'm pretty sure I have seen that GWS are interested in O'Sullivan. So I think if we want him, we would have to trade with them or he will be gone. The only reason not to would be if Curtin is still on the board. Unlikely but I can see a scenario with it happening. Then GWS may take Curtin and we could then trade with Cats to get O'Sullivan.

He doesn’t know anything. It’s all made up and bs. Becoming pretty clear now.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

He doesn’t know anything. It’s all made up and bs. Becoming pretty clear now.

As clear as your only input coming in to criticise KL - got any original thoughts of your own you want to share?