Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[TiAn_]

Reading between the lines at this stage it sounds like we’ll be getting either Watson or Sanders pending what the Eagles do.

If they trade with North (my gut says they will) they’ll take Curtin before our pick and likely Watson is on the board for us.

If they retain pick 1 Curtin looks like sliding and Watson likely goes to either North or Hawthorn, leaving us with Sanders/Curtin and it sounds like we prefer Sanders.

Reid (North)
Walter
Curtin (Eagles)
McKercher (North)
Duursma (Hawks)
Watson

Reid (Eagles)
Walter
McKercher (North)
Duursma (North)
Watson (Hawks)
Sanders

I think this spot on and we’ll likely end up with either Watson or Sanders.

 

[olimauldon]

I want Connor O'Sullivan

 

[hatescaptcha]

I want Connor O'Sullivan

He is going to be an elite KPD. Wish we had another high pick to use on him.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[stefoid]

Watson or Sanders - this is what the draft guys get paid for - crucial decision that we cant afford to get wrong, given what we paid for this ticket.

IF we dont get Sanders, we have to bolster our midfield very soon before its a gaping hole in our list - Watson will have to be one hell of a small forward if we take him.

 

[Dav1d]

2023 AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-27 (first edition)

The draft is a month away! Here's how the first round could unfold👇

www.zerohanger.com

An ad pop up over my screen, another ad separating each paragraph of the article and one on the bottom border as well as an ad between each page because they seperate each pick onto their own page

What a rubbish site

 

[NBates]

Where's our next mid filed coming from? Should start planning now.

 

[dogwatch]

Watson or Sanders - this is what the draft guys get paid for - crucial decision that we cant afford to get wrong, given what we paid for this ticket.

IF we dont get Sanders, we have to bolster our midfield very soon before its a gaping hole in our list - Watson will have to be one hell of a small forward if we take him.

This is why the floors and ceilings discussion is important.

Chances are both will end up A-graders or close to it so it won't matter much. But if one of them turns out a dud - or at the other end of the scale one of them becomes a Leigh Matthews or a Marcus Bontempelli - then we want to make sure we have picked the right one. I get the feeling that Sanders has a more clearly defined ceiling while Watson could be exceptional (say a 5-10% chance). On the other hand I reckon there's a higher chance (say 80%+) that Sanders becomes a solid A-grader (or better) in due course. One of the more bankable players in the top 10.

It also resurrects the old conundrum of Best Available vs Needs. It really should be Best Available full stop, but let's look at needs.

In the short term we could argue that Watson's pace is a greater need but if Sanders turns out as projected then he'll be immense value over the next decade. Another angle to the "needs" discussion is how often those sort of players come up. I reckon we see the Sanders type a little more often than the Watson type in prospective first rounders. SO if we miss Sanders this year there's a fair chance we could pick up a similar quality player in 2024 (if we can find our way back into the first round). Not so clear that the Nick Watson type comes up very often.

Based on my extensive research (i.e. reading this thread) I lean slightly toward Watson but would be happy with either. Watson being a Melbourne boy might be an advantage too. There's always a risk that Tassy will come shopping for Sanders in a few years time with a blank cheque. We'd get a good return for him but it means we need to start all over again with another 18yo.

The final thing that would swing it for me is the name. We've got a Rhylee and a Riley already. Do we really need a Ryley?

 

[Mofra]

Charlie Constable written all over him

Slower, bigger, and a much better kick.
Stevens is an absolute boom or bust type, no middle ground. He did train with us so I'd guess we have some idea on what he is capable of.

 

[Mofra]

He is going to be an elite KPD. Wish we had another high pick to use on him.

I really think Ollie Murphy ends up as good, if not better.

 

[weltschmerz]

The final thing that would swing it for me is the name. We've got a Rhylee and a Riley already. Do we really need a Ryley?

Not to mention Rylie in the W

 

[Frewy]

Watson or Sanders - this is what the draft guys get paid for - crucial decision that we cant afford to get wrong, given what we paid for this ticket.

IF we dont get Sanders, we have to bolster our midfield very soon before its a gaping hole in our list - Watson will have to be one hell of a small forward if we take him.

Watson would be unprecedented at Pick #6 for a small goalsneak as far as I can tell. Cyril Rioli is the only comparison I can find at Pick #12 or a mature aged Ballantyne at Pick #21 which is less risky.

Betts was overlooked and taken at the pre-season draft, Milne was rookie draft, Farmer and Matera were foundation and zoned players respectively (so who knows). This says to me that he is rated to be an almost guaranteed 200 game / 300 goals player.

I get this feeling we will either be praising or cursing this lads name in years to come. My gut says we will take Sanders, but I guess we have a small wait to see what Sam does and the other teams above us.

 

[stefoid]

I dont buy the 'best available every time' line unless there is clear daylight between the picks. But maybe Watson is just that good. Thats fine.

That goes for curtin and dursma as well. You go back and look at Bonts highlights and there is this skinny kid that moves well, has sharp hands and a neat left foot, but dosnt scream superstar exactly - but Dalrymple saw it.

 

[Pugz89]

Does McAuliffe last til the 50s to our third pick by any chance?

Delean could be another small forward option for us as well perhaps?

 

[weltschmerz]

Watson would be unprecedented at Pick #6 for a small goalsneak as far as I can tell. Cyril Rioli is the only comparison I can find at Pick #12 or a mature aged Ballantyne at Pick #21 which is less risky.

Kozzie Pickett was just outside the top 10 too, and he might be a sniping flog but he can definitely foot the ball.

 

[Here we go dogs]

Watson would be unprecedented at Pick #6 for a small goalsneak as far as I can tell. Cyril Rioli is the only comparison I can find at Pick #12 or a mature aged Ballantyne at Pick #21 which is less risky.

Betts was overlooked and taken at the pre-season draft, Milne was rookie draft, Farmer and Matera were foundation and zoned players respectively (so who knows). This says to me that he is rated to be an almost guaranteed 200 game / 300 goals player.

I get this feeling we will either be praising or cursing this lads name in years to come. My gut says we will take Sanders, but I guess we have a small wait to see what Sam does and the other teams above us.

Ainsworth and Rankine were both top 5. There was a Pickett GWS picked up very early that never cracked a game aswell

 

[doggy_dog]

Ainsworth and Rankine were both top 5. There was a Pickett GWS picked up very early that never cracked a game aswell

Jarrod Pickett, went pick 4. Think he was one of the many that SOS brought over to Carlton

 

[ummmbont]

Jarrod Pickett, went pick 4. Think he was one of the many that SOS brought over to Carlton

We need Sam Simpson from the cats
Steal

 

[doggiesin08]

Ainsworth and Rankine were both top 5. There was a Pickett GWS picked up very early that never cracked a game aswell

I’d count Rachele too

 

[Frewy]

Kozzie Pickett was just outside the top 10 too, and he might be a sniping flog but he can definitely foot the ball.

Ainsworth and Rankine were both top 5. There was a Pickett GWS picked up very early that never cracked a game aswell

Jarrod Pickett, went pick 4. Think he was one of the many that SOS brought over to Carlton

Cheers for those, Kozzie is definitely probably the best recent comparative being 171 cm at Pick #12. Ainsworth and J Pickett were closer to 180 cm and Rankine over, so most would probably consider them less risky due to their height in theory allowing more versatility.

Kozzie is matching that 1.5 goals a game standard and on track for 200 games. I still think Watson going potentially at Pick #6 and being as high as Pick #5 on some draft boards is pretty amazing and shows how highly regarded he must be.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

We need Sam Simpson from the cats
Steal

Last time he was out of contract, some Cats supporter posted on here that he was weighing up interest from us

 

[TiAn_]

Watson would be unprecedented at Pick #6 for a small goalsneak as far as I can tell. Cyril Rioli is the only comparison I can find at Pick #12 or a mature aged Ballantyne at Pick #21 which is less risky.

Betts was overlooked and taken at the pre-season draft, Milne was rookie draft, Farmer and Matera were foundation and zoned players respectively (so who knows). This says to me that he is rated to be an almost guaranteed 200 game / 300 goals player.

I get this feeling we will either be praising or cursing this lads name in years to come. My gut says we will take Sanders, but I guess we have a small wait to see what Sam does and the other teams above us.

What it probably says is that small forwards have been undervalued over the years. Possibly because it’s a role seen as being able to be filled by young or fringe midfielders, rather than a specialist. And possibly also that smaller players are graded harder. The rise in relevance of the pressure forward has thrust them more into the limelight recently though.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Sam Simpson

37

Sam Simpson

Age

26

Ht

183cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.7

4star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

has had concussion issues in the past. His family have concerns about that going forward.

 

[adogsfan5]

Really need eagles to take Curtin. If not, will he go past norf?

 

[Bonti 5416]

Really need eagles to take Curtin. If not, will he go past norf?

Doesn’t get past the hawks, even if Norf don’t pick him IMO.

Hawks priorities really stump me but with the success they have had with Will Day I bet they would love another one to be able to throw on any line when required.

Their midfield is stacked with young talent but I’d imagine they have Mekercher rated very highly. Exactly what they dont have.

Are Duursma and Watson any less likely to be picked by them after the ginnivan trade, probably not. I have a feeling theyd pick Watson out of the two.

So would I for the dogs at this point but mid/small sized goal kickers who can pressure is exactly what we need also. Either would do but I’d hate to see the wizard be a generational talent the pick before us to the hawks. Its comforting to know Watson is only 1cm smaller than Kozi. Eases my doubts

 

[Nat Fyfe]

Doesn’t get past the hawks, even if Norf don’t pick him IMO.

Hawks priorities really stump me but with the success they have had with Will Day I bet they would love another one to be able to throw on any line when required.

Their midfield is stacked with young talent but I’d imagine they have Mekercher rated very highly. Exactly what they dont have.

Are Duursma and Watson any less likely to be picked by them after the ginnivan trade, probably not. I have a feeling theyd pick Watson out of the two.

So would I for the dogs at this point but mid/small sized goal kickers who can pressure is exactly what we need also. Either would do but I’d hate to see the wizard be a generational talent the pick before us to the hawks. Its comforting to know Watson is only 1cm smaller than Kozi. Eases my doubts

Duursma is pretty consistently featuring higher on power rankings than Watson. Hawks gave a fair bit of game time to Fergus Greene this year and Duursma does the same thing he did, but significantly better. Added to that the impending retirement of Breust, I can definitely see them wanting the dynamic medium forward with x-factor.

I reckon it’s Duursma for the Hawks, unless North take him in which case it’ll be Watson. If North don’t take Curtin he probably slides to us