Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

Who do you want for our first pick at the AFL Draft?

  • Total voters
    104
  • Poll closed .

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NthBondiDoggies said:
Our most valuable player is arguably Libba. Sure Bont is the best player / but Bont goes out and Macrae is able to step up. Trelor out and Smith steps in. English out and Lobb/Darcy, Jones-Keath, Naughton and JUH can be covered with Lobb and Darcy and Khamis and now Croft.

Libba out and West or García are a long way off that level - contested inside mid?

Libba has gone way past where we thought he could get to and that Is fantastic but Sanders in would be fantastic.

Watson would be great and happy if we get him - top teams have better small threats and this would make us much more dangerous.

But - we have Artie who has shown really good signs and Charlie Clarke was showing a bit towards the end of the year and will be better with a preseason.

Also have West and García, Scott and McNeil who are closer to being best 22 forwards than Mids.

Also think Caleb could make this his own - just such a talented smart player and with his tank can move up the ground.
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Bont is our most valuable player in fact he is the AFLs most valuable player
 

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He also says he thinks he plays like Lachie Neale and Tom Green, clean hands and bringing others into the game with handball.
 
North Melbourne began showering Ryley Sanders with blue and white merchandise as a young teenager, but the Tasmanian had other colours that he preferred.
His father, Adam, had been involved in the AFL talent pathways on the Apple Isle, and when Gold Coast draftees Kade Kolodjashnij and Jesse Lonergan came home to visit they too would also give Sanders plenty of “free stuff”.


Unusually, Sanders therefore grew up a Suns supporter. He idolised former captain Gary Ablett Jnr as he dreamt of also becoming an AFL onballer.

But Sanders had long thought that career at the top level could start at the Kangaroos, with his Indigenous heritage making him eligible for the club’s Next Generation Academy.

“It’s on my nan’s side (Adam’s mum), from Flinders Island,” Sanders said of his roots.

“I always knew about it from when I was at 12 or 13.

“I’ve been talking to North since I was 13 or 14 and they’ve been really good, coming down home and giving me heaps of free North gear and advice.”

Ryley Sanders (left) grew up a Gold Coast Suns supporter despite having ties to North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Ryley Sanders (left) grew up a Gold Coast Suns supporter despite having ties to North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images
Sanders did not need to provide documentation of his Indigenous heritage to play for the Flying Boomerangs in 2019 – an AFL program for those with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander roots.

He featured in that team alongside the likes of Essendon twins Alwyn and Jayden Davey, Adelaide’s Isaac Keeler, St Kilda’s Jack Peris and fellow 2023 first-round draft prospect Lance Collard.

But as Sanders quickly emerged as a top-10 draft prospect coming into this year, the Kangaroos faced a battle to secure him.

Sanders applied for and received his certificate of Aboriginality in the middle of the year and, with that, was later approved as a North Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect.

But under AFL rules the Kangaroos cannot match a bid from a rival club on Sanders within the first 40 picks in the national draft and special priority access to him was not included as part of an assistance package which was ticked off in September.

It means that Sanders enters the draft on the open market and looks likely to be snapped up by either Hawthorn (pick 4) or the Western Bulldogs (pick 5).

North Melbourne (picks 2 and 3) could select him before that, but the Kangaroos appear to be locked in on other targets.

“For a while there it was looking pretty likely that I was going to be part of that compensation,” Sanders said.

“You can still go there (North Melbourne) if they want to draft me, but there’s a lot of uncertainty and excitement to see where I’ll end up now.”

Ryley Sanders looks likely to land at Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs at the pointy end of November’s national draft. Picture: Getty Images

Ryley Sanders looks likely to land at Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs at the pointy end of November’s national draft. Picture: Getty Images
If it is the Hawks or Bulldogs, Sanders won’t be unhappy to stay in Melbourne.

He has been boarding at Melbourne Grammar for the past two years to finish his schooling and has featured in back-to-back premierships for the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League during that time.

That has not been the only success he has enjoyed, either.

Sanders was not only part of the winning Allies team in the under-18 national championships this year, but also won the Larke Medal at the best player of the tournament.

One recruiter described Sanders’ year as “bulletproof” and labelled him “as clean as a whistle”.

Allies coach Mark McVeigh said after the championships there we no shortage of AFL traits in the 185cm onballer who plays as a “traditional centreman”.

“He’s going to be one of those bigger midfielders,” McVeigh said.

“He’s just always there, he very rarely makes a mistake and is very clean by hand and foot. He looks a little bit like (Jason) Horne-Francis with his socks up and the haircut.”

Ryley Sanders has won back-to-back premierships with the Sandringham Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

Ryley Sanders has won back-to-back premierships with the Sandringham Dragons. Picture: Getty Images
Sanders recognises his looks might be similar to Horne-Francis, but he primarily models his game on two other players.

“I like Lachie Neale and Tom Green,” he said.

“I’m in the middle of them in height. I think they play a similar game style. They have clean hands and use their handballing to bring other players into the game, which is something I pride myself on as well.”

Growing up in Launceston, Sanders was also a promising junior basketball star who played at state level.

Basketball wanted him to choose to focus on the hoops, but the football programs were happy for him to continue juggling both before he eventually gave the court sport away.

“I still love basketball to this day,” Sanders said.

​

“I think basketball has been really good for just my composure and being able to make good decisions.

“But I’m glad I chose footy.”

Fans of either the Hawks or the Bulldogs could soon be very glad, too.
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stefoid said:
yeah, its the Ward situation again, train up a gun mid thru their early shaky years, and just when they start being able to contribute 100%, they go off to another team and we are back to drafting another young kid, exactly at the wrong time for our age profile thru the guts.

Its a serious consideration.

From a selfish spectator POV Id love to have one of those magical mercurial small forwards playing for us for the enjoyment of watching them play. I love watching naughton launch and take screamers and jamara hit the lead at 100 miles an hour. Our forward line could be the envy of the league and an absolute entertainment machine with some decent coaching.

Perhaps what we really need to do is draft Watson who is potentially a round 1 starter, and trade a decent mid from another side next year.
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Rather than Cal Ward being a cautionary tale, I'd argue his example strengthens the case for taking best available on 2 fronts;

A) if you could go back in time, I reckon you'd still take Ward at our pick every time, despite him leaving early in his career.

We got a few good years out of him, then we got a top 5 pick for him, with which we got Jack Macrae for a further decade plus - obviously a major win.

B) He was from Spotswood and was, by all reports, happy at the club, but was just given an offer to good to refuse

This goes to show that any player can leave under the right circumstances, so the best course of action is to just take the best available regardless of where they are from.
 
bobs head soup said:
Rather than Cal Ward being a cautionary tale, I'd argue his example strengthens the case for taking best available on 2 fronts;

A) if you could go back in time, I reckon you'd still take Ward at our pick every time, despite him leaving early in his career.

We got a few good years out of him, then we got a top 5 pick for him, with which we got Jack Macrae for a further decade plus - obviously a major win.

B) He was from Spotswood and was, by all reports, happy at the club, but was just given an offer to good to refuse

This goes to show that any player can leave under the right circumstances, so the best course of action is to just take the best available regardless of where they are from.
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The compensation for Ward was a first round pick after our natural first that we could use in any draft for the next 3 years (I think)
We got Macrae because we finished 5th last so got pick 5 and 6.

If the same type of compensation is used for Tassie and we are hopefully a strong side, the compensation might only be a late teens pick.

I'm not suggesting that we should overlook the Tasmanians but I wouldn't bank on adequate compensation being offered to clubs if they did leave.
 
New recruits get signed up for three years now, not two, we could extend him anyway.

Initially he was the one that I first liked and I was annoyed that Norf might get him for free. I won’t be disappointed if we take him. Below is how I think the first six picks will go.

1. Reid West Coast
2. Walters Gold Coast
3. McKercher Norf
4. Dursma Norf
5. Watson Hawthorn
6. Sanders Bulldogs
 
bobs head soup said:
Rather than Cal Ward being a cautionary tale, I'd argue his example strengthens the case for taking best available on 2 fronts;

A) if you could go back in time, I reckon you'd still take Ward at our pick every time, despite him leaving early in his career.

We got a few good years out of him, then we got a top 5 pick for him, with which we got Jack Macrae for a further decade plus - obviously a major win.

B) He was from Spotswood and was, by all reports, happy at the club, but was just given an offer to good to refuse

This goes to show that any player can leave under the right circumstances, so the best course of action is to just take the best available regardless of where they are from.
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At pick 19 - sure. At pick 5? No.
 
Dogs_r_barking said:
New recruits get signed up for three years now, not two, we could extend him anyway.

Initially he was the one that I first liked and I was annoyed that Norf might get him for free. I won’t be disappointed if we take him. Below is how I think the first six picks will go.

1. Reid West Coast
2. Walters Gold Coast
3. McKercher Norf
4. Dursma Norf
5. Watson Hawthorn
6. Sanders Bulldogs
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I think this is the most likely scenario
 
Dogs_r_barking said:
New recruits get signed up for three years now, not two, we could extend him anyway.

Initially he was the one that I first liked and I was annoyed that Norf might get him for free. I won’t be disappointed if we take him. Below is how I think the first six picks will go.

1. Reid West Coast
2. Walters Gold Coast
3. McKercher Norf
4. Dursma Norf
5. Watson Hawthorn
6. Sanders Bulldogs
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Don't forget Daniel Curtin. He is rated 4th in Power rankings, picked as the All Australian CHB, recorded a 27 possession, 10 clearance game playing in the mid-field against Vic Metro. A modern-day package, big-bodied 195cm proven he can play mid-field - and a left footer. Looking at his highlights, at the level - his clearance, contested work, kicking, intercept and contested marking is all of high quality. On the upside you may have a Bont, a GWS Tom Green or you may have a McGovern. At the lower level of expectations, you've got an athletic tall competitor who is highly competent at all aspects of the game.

I expect WC will trade pick-1 for 2 picks and nab Curtin with pick 3, because if they don't, North will. I would be amazed were he available at our pick, but if he was, it would be a brave recruiter to overlook him.

I rate Sanders highly, but the specialist extractor position he plays is not a difficult one to fill in an off-season. This type of player is routinely traded: Collingwood picked up Mitchell from Hawthorn, Sydney has now nabbed Adams from Collingwood, Carlton poached Cerra from Fremantle, we've just picked up a cheap version in Harmes. Most sides have only one of two positions available for this type - so there is often someone on their list not getting an opportunity to prove themselves.

I really hope we do get Watson, but if Curtin were available, you have to pick him every time.
 
bobs head soup said:
Rather than Cal Ward being a cautionary tale, I'd argue his example strengthens the case for taking best available on 2 fronts;

A) if you could go back in time, I reckon you'd still take Ward at our pick every time, despite him leaving early in his career.

We got a few good years out of him, then we got a top 5 pick for him, with which we got Jack Macrae for a further decade plus - obviously a major win.

B) He was from Spotswood and was, by all reports, happy at the club, but was just given an offer to good to refuse

This goes to show that any player can leave under the right circumstances, so the best course of action is to just take the best available regardless of where they are from.
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Yes we'll the Tasmania's will receive an offer they can't refuse.
 

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scratchie said:
Don't forget Daniel Curtin. He is rated 4th in Power rankings, picked as the All Australian CHB, recorded a 27 possession, 10 clearance game playing in the mid-field against Vic Metro. A modern-day package, big-bodied 195cm proven he can play mid-field - and a left footer. Looking at his highlights, at the level - his clearance, contested work, kicking, intercept and contested marking is all of high quality. On the upside you may have a Bont, a GWS Tom Green or you may have a McGovern. At the lower level of expectations, you've got an athletic tall competitor who is highly competent at all aspects of the game.

I expect WC will trade pick-1 for 2 picks and nab Curtin with pick 3, because if they don't, North will. I would be amazed were he available at our pick, but if he was, it would be a brave recruiter to overlook him.

I rate Sanders highly, but the specialist extractor position he plays is not a difficult one to fill in an off-season. This type of player is routinely traded: Collingwood picked up Mitchell from Hawthorn, Sydney has now nabbed Adams from Collingwood, Carlton poached Cerra from Fremantle, we've just picked up a cheap version in Harmes. Most sides have only one of two positions available for this type - so there is often someone on their list not getting an opportunity to prove themselves.

I really hope we do get Watson, but if Curtin were available, you have to pick him every time.
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How did Curtin test in the Combine? From watching a clip of him he looked pretty agile. Would be interested in his speed endurance & agility scores.
 
scratchie said:
Don't forget Daniel Curtin. He is rated 4th in Power rankings, picked as the All Australian CHB, recorded a 27 possession, 10 clearance game playing in the mid-field against Vic Metro. A modern-day package, big-bodied 195cm proven he can play mid-field - and a left footer. Looking at his highlights, at the level - his clearance, contested work, kicking, intercept and contested marking is all of high quality. On the upside you may have a Bont, a GWS Tom Green or you may have a McGovern. At the lower level of expectations, you've got an athletic tall competitor who is highly competent at all aspects of the game.

I expect WC will trade pick-1 for 2 picks and nab Curtin with pick 3, because if they don't, North will. I would be amazed were he available at our pick, but if he was, it would be a brave recruiter to overlook him.

I rate Sanders highly, but the specialist extractor position he plays is not a difficult one to fill in an off-season. This type of player is routinely traded: Collingwood picked up Mitchell from Hawthorn, Sydney has now nabbed Adams from Collingwood, Carlton poached Cerra from Fremantle, we've just picked up a cheap version in Harmes. Most sides have only one of two positions available for this type - so there is often someone on their list not getting an opportunity to prove themselves.

I really hope we do get Watson, but if Curtin were available, you have to pick him every time.
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Curtin’s the one I want too. Starts at half back from next year. Despite his size I don’t see him as a Bont or Cripps style clearance beast inside midfielder, he still sometimes approaches ground ball contests a bit like a tall and doesn’t hunt the ball the way those two or Oliver do. I think he’d be a bit more of a Jordan Dawson type as a mid, able to patrol the middle of the ground and win contests on the ground and in the air and really take advantage of smaller opponents, while being an aerial threat all over the ground (but without the same ridiculous boot as Dawson). I could see him being a very effective wing eventually as well and being a genuine utility that could be slotted in to any part of the ground. But what you’d get from him as a defender would be more than valuable enough to keep him there.

He’s very agile and composed and a great short to medium kick. Between him and O’Donnell we’d have a couple of tall defenders that would be able to sweep up and kick start our attacks with some run or incisive field kicking. You would welcome either being involved in attacking chains. He could be our version of Tom Stewart. Having him and O’Donnell at half back would give us the luxury, if needed, of playing a full back with limited offensive ability as they’d be our only one down there. If Croft made it as a full back we’d be sorted for tall and intercept defenders for 10 years.

The big however though is that I’d be pretty surprised if the club picked him, after investing pick 13 in Busslinger last year.
 
I think I'd take Curtin if he's available it's a hard call but lowest possible risk plays round one is good at everything is tall , will play midfield, love the idea of him patrolling the middle of the ground as most of our mids want to push forward
 
Curtin is a tall, and I don’t think we need any more talls, especially picking up Croft.
 
DiamondDogs8 said:
Would absolutely love to target Kane McAuliffe with one of our later picks.
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He was my early favorite for our second pick, when he was still ranked inside the top 20 by draft watchers at the time. Has slipped right down to the bottom of many top 40 rankings, and not even featuring in some. Tested really well at the combine. Isn't slow and displayed some explosiveness Big bodied, uses the ball well, absolute tackle machine. I think the issue he is more a pure inside bull, and lacks outside ability. Kind of surprised he has fallen that far given he has the traits to succeed at AFL level.

Him and Sanders at the center bounce in 5 years, would have us two bulls with an explosive streak from the packs, as well as toughness, tackling and leadership. Will need to find a few fast and damaging outside players to build around them. I'd still like him with a later pick personally, if he is still on the board. But feel we will opt for smaller, faster types with the later pick or two.
 
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-phantom-draft-2023-expert-chris-cavanagh-looks-at-how-the-first-round-should-fall/news-story/eb45a8723e3d6c19ad92013c2ddec713

Phantom Draft: How the first 27 picks should fall​


The AFL draft is only weeks away. Who is your club circling? See how the opening round will play out, with a whopping 27 picks expected.


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1. Harley Reid (West Coast)​

West Coast​

Bendigo Pioneers, 187cm Midfielder/Forward
The Eagles don’t look like giving up the prized No.1 pick unless they get a ‘knock your socks off’ offer – like picks two and three from North Melbourne in return. Reid has repeatedly said he is happy to move west, where he would be capable of having immediate impact through the midfield next year. As Essendon coach Brad Scott said in August, “the hype is real” with Reid. He is a serious talent with power, sublime skills and a signature fend-off.


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2. Jed Walter​

Gold Coast - matching North Melbourne bid​

Gold Coast Suns Academy, 197cm Forward
Rival clubs believe it would be “highway robbery” for the Suns if Walter doesn’t get a bid from the Kangaroos here. Some believe the power forward – who looks up to Carlton’s Charlie Curnow – would be in the conversation for pick 1 if he was not a Suns Academy player. Walter has overcome a knee injury which ended his season early and will be ready to attack pre-season.


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3. Colby McKercher​

North Melbourne​

Tasmania Devils, 180cm Midfielder
If the Kangaroos keep these picks, lock in the gun Tasmanian midfielder for one of them. Recruiters label McKercher a “superstar” and many have had him pegged as a top-three pick all year. He has speed, agility, sees the game well and makes good decisions. McKercher was a consistent performer across the season, including producing some stunning games for the Allies in the national championships.


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4. Zane Duursma​

North Melbourne​

Gippsland Power, 189cm Forward
The Kangaroos could probably do with West Australian key defender Daniel Curtin, but it will be hard to pass up this mid-sized X-Factor forward. Duursma had an up-and-down start to the season as he battled injury and illness, but ticked every box in the second half of the year. He was a clear best-on-ground for Vic Country in the biggest game of the year against Vic Metro, standing out with his skills, creativity and ability to win the ball in the air and at ground level.


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5. Nick Watson​

Hawthorn​

Eastern Ranges, 170cm Forward
If Duursma was to be overlooked by the Kangaroos, he wouldn’t get past Hawthorn. There is also a school of thought that the Hawks could look to West Australian key defender Daniel Curtin with this pick. However, livewire small forward Watson looks the most likely option. The player who has become known as ‘The Wizard’ can make something out of nothing inside-50 with his smarts, quick reflexes and wicked goal sense.


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6. Ryley Sanders​

Western Bulldogs​

Sandringham Dragons, 185cm Midfielder
The Bulldogs have also been linked to Watson, but expect it to be Sanders if The Wizard is gone. An old-fashioned onballer, Sanders is a bull in the contest and improved his fitness to become more damaging on the spread this year. He was Mr Consistent across all levels of football this season and averaged 35.8 disposals and five clearances for the Allies to win the Larke Medal as the best player of the national championships.


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7. Ethan Read​

Gold Coast Suns – matching Melbourne bid​

Gold Coast Suns Academy, 202cm Ruck
He’s listed as a ruckman and has been likened to Dean Cox in that role, but some say that Read could develop into a versatile everywhere man like Geelong’s Mark Blicavs given his size and running ability. Read finished third in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine to stamp what was already known about his athletic abilities. Some clubs rate him a top-five talent and he would be a good fit for a Demons side which has lost Brody Grundy and Luke Jackson over the past 13 months, so a bid here would not surprise.


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8. James Leake​

Melbourne​

Tasmania Devils, 187cm Defender/Forward
There was a serious spike in interest around Leake in the second half of the season and all 18 clubs interviewed him at the national draft combine. There is now a feeling that the Tasmanian utility has pushed up into top-10 calculations and the Demons could be the first to pounce ahead of other interested parties in GWS and Geelong. Leake played as an intercept defender for the Allies at the under-18 national championships, before spending time forward and through the midfield with the Tamanian Devils in the back half of the Coates Talent League season. He is strong in the contest, has great athletic attributes and has proven his flexibility.


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9. Daniel Curtin​

Greater Western Sydney​

Claremont, 197cm Defender/Midfielder
A West Australian who has been likened to Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich, Curtin was discussed as a top-three prospect earlier in the year. However, expectations now are that he could slide a few spots, leaving the Giants as a potential beneficiary. Curtain has said he is happy to move interstate, but West Coast is known to be a big fan. With live trading available to clubs, could the Eagles could offer up something juicy to the Giants to take this pick and Curtin? If not, GWS would be pretty happy to snag a player who shines as a key defender but also showed plenty as a big-bodied midfielder this year.


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10. Nate Caddy​

Geelong​

Northern Knights, 193cm Forward
The Cats have also been linked to hard-running wingman Darcy Wilson, but marking forward Caddy would be hard to pass up if he’s still on the board. Melbourne also has interest in Caddy, but if it takes Leake then there’s every chance Caddy gets through to the Cats. Given Geelong’s ageing key forward stocks – Jeremy Cameron is 30 and Tom Hawkins is 35 – it makes sense to bring in some new blood. Recruiters believe Caddy has the potential to be a Charlie Curnow-type in time given his aerial abilities, power and strength.


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11. Connor O’Sullivan​

Essendon​

Murray Bushrangers, 198cm Defender
Given they lost Brandon Zerk-Thatcher during the trade period and they have been unable to get Zach Reid’s body right to this point, the Bombers are expected to address their defensive woes with O’Sullivan at this pick. The backman has a body that is ready-built to step up to the AFL and has the height to play on the monster forwards in the game. While most comfortable in defence, the Albury product has also shown an ability to hit the scoreboard when he has been used at the other end of the ground on occasion in recent years.


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12. Darcy Wilson​

Adelaide​

Murray Bushrangers, 186cm Midfielder
The Crows need a key defender most of all, but if O’Sullivan is gone then they might look to address a different list need here. Adelaide is a side that has plenty of inside grunt, but adding some line-breaking run on the outside would not hurt. Wilson – who has been labelled a better runner than Carlton’s Oliver Hollands – could bring that. He can play on a wing or as a half-forward, has good football IQ, is a thumping kick and can hit the scoreboard.


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13. Caleb Windsor​

Melbourne​

Eastern Ranges, 184cm Midfielder
The mail is that Melbourne is just about set on selecting Windsor with its second selection here. The Eastern Ranges product is another player to have shot up draft boards in the second half of the season, even more so after a strong showing at the national draft combine. The wingman had a big under-18 national championships with Vic Metro and is seen as a player with real weapons with his speed, foot skills and decision making. He is a modern-day wingman who most clubs would love to have.


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14. Jake Rogers​

Gold Coast – matching Sydney bid​

Gold Coast Suns Academy, 170cm Midfielder
The Swans aren’t afraid to make a bid on draft night and if Rogers fell much further than this it would be a steal for the Suns. The midfielder has been likened to Touk Miller as a tough, quick, agile and efficient inside midfielder who has clean hands and brings great leadership. Having finished school last year, he has already been treated like a first-year player at Gold Coast this year. A back injury ended his season early, but Rogers should be ready to go for pre-season and will push to break into a strong midfield group at the Suns next year.


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15. Will Green​

Sydney​

Northern Knights, 204cm Ruck
The Swans are believed to be having a good look at Green for this pick, and while it appears somewhat of a surprise it is not much of a stretch. The towering young ruckman could be anything after showing plenty of development this year. His tap-work stands out, but he is also aerobically strong to cover the ground and has good fundamentals with his kicking and marking. Green was a member of the All-Australian team this year, following a big under-18 national championships with Vic Metro.


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16. Jordan Croft​

Western Bulldogs – matching St Kilda bid​

Calder Cannons, 200cm Forward
If a bid doesn’t come earlier for Croft, don’t be surprised if the Saints place one here. St Kilda is one of a number of clubs who have very much liked what they have seen from the mobile key forward this year, but he will find his way to Whitten Oval after being nominated as a father-son by the Bulldogs. The Calder Cannons graduate – who is the son of former Dogs defender Matthew – finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine but sees his marking and ability to create a contest in the air as his biggest strengths.


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17. Riley Hardeman​

St Kilda​

Swan Districts, 185cm Defender
Will the stars align for the West Australian, who grew up as a St Kilda supporter and loved watching Stephen Milne? Hardeman spoke to 16 clubs at the draft combine, where he showed his strong athletic traits – including some real speed which the Saints could use more of. He captained Western Australia at the under-18 national championships, playing primarily off half-back. However, he also looked good through the midfield for Swan Districts in the WAFL Colts at stages this year.


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18. Will McCabe​

Hawthorn - matching Adelaide bid​

Central District, 197cm Defender
A key defender from South Australia, there’s no doubt the Crows would love to get their hands on McCabe. However, the Hawks are certain to match a first-round bid on the father-son prospect, whose father Luke is the current football director at Waverley Park. McCabe is exactly what Hawthorn needs, with the club being desperate to bolster its backline. He is athletic, can play a little taller or smaller, is very good one-on-one and can provide some rebound by foot off half-back.


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19. Ollie Murphy​

Adelaide​

Sandringham Dragons, 200cm Defender
The Crows need to address their backline, after losing Tom Doedee through the free agency period and losing Nick Murray to an ACL injury late in the season. They weren’t able to prise Harrison Petty out of Melbourne during the trade period, but look a good chance to grab Murphy here. Playing as a key defender for the first time this year, Murphy showed plenty as he won Vic Metro’s MVP award following a big under-18 national championships campaign. He looks up to St Kilda intercepting king Callum Wilkie.


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20. Lance Collard​

North Melbourne​

Subiaco, 180cm Forward
West Coast had hoped earlier in the year that they would be able to pick up Collard as a Next Generation Academy player outside the top-40 selections. However, there is no way that is happening now. Clubs believe the small forward – who has been described as a Bobby Hill clone – is very likely to be taken in the first 20 picks on draft night given his match-winning abilities and athletic traits. Carlton and Fremantle have also shown interest, but their first picks are likely to fall too late. Adding a livewire small forward is an area the Kangaroos clearly want to address.


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21. Charlie Edwards​

GWS​

Sandringham Dragons, 191cm Midfielder
A late-season bolter, there are suggestions that Edwards could be snapped up even earlier than this. But what looks certain is that he won’t be any later given the interest from a number of clubs in this range, including the Giants. Edwards started the season across half-back for the Sandringham Dragons but moved into the midfield to great effect in the second half of the year. He can drive his legs through traffic, is a penetrating kick and is a great size for a modern-day midfielder.


image1_UQoTVilwnv.jpg




22. Archer Reid​

North Melbourne​

Gippsland Power, 203cm Forward
The younger brother of Essendon defender Zach, Reid does his best work at the other end of the ground as a towering key forward who can take a nice mark and also added another string to his bow by going into the ruck later in the year. He’s not the complete package just yet, but the potential upside is sizeable and he fits a need for North Melbourne. The Kangaroos have to provide Nick Larkey with some help in attack. The Callum Coleman-Jones experiment hasn’t worked yet and Charlie Comben has barely been available in his four years at the club due to injury.


image1_oCvWRcXWr-W.jpg




23. Wil Dawson​

North Melbourne​

Gippsland Power, 200cm Defender
When it comes to key defenders, the cupboard is fairly bare at Arden St. The Kangaroos lost Ben McKay to Essendon through free agency, after losing Griffin Logue to a 12-month ACL injury late in the season. It is an area they need to bolster and some clubs believe that Dawson is a first-round smoky for the Kangaroos given they are set to overlook Arie Schoenmaker, while Zane Zakostelsky will be off the board by the time the club’s next pick comes around. Dawson has met with just about every club and attended the national draft combine. He was a once a skinny onballer who turned into a ruckman and key forward before finding his niche down back for Gippsland Power this year.


image1_sAp6vwASU3z.jpg




24. Koltyn Tholstrup​

Collingwood​

Subiaco, 186cm Forward
Some rate the West Australian as a top 15 to 20 prospect, but there’s a chance he could slide just a touch and find his way to the reigning premiers. Collingwood is believed to have done some recent work on Tholstrup, a dynamic forward who can also pinch-hit in the midfield and have an impact with his agility and running power. The boy from Esperance in regional WA had a strong national championships for his state and played 10 games of senior WAFL football with Subiaco, suggesting that he is very much capable of making the step up to AFL football in the not-too-distant future.


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25. Arie Schoenmaker​

Adelaide​

Tasmania Devils, 194cm Defender
Adding some defensive depth looks key for the Crows in this draft and Schoenmaker is another player the club will need to seriously consider at this pick, even if they do land Murphy with their second selection. Schoenmaker is a versatile prospect from Tasmania and can break the play open was the back-half with his penetrating left-foot kick. He also spent some time in the ruck at the tail end of the Coates Talent League season and hit the scoreboard with some long goals from outside 50.


image1_nv9Ps7b28it.jpg




26. Harry DeMattia​

St Kilda​

Dandenong Stingrays, 185cm Midfielder
The Saints want to bolster their midfield and while next year looks like being a better draft for that, they could get started early with DeMattia. The former junior cricket star has explosive breakaway speed from the contest – something the Saints are lacking – along with nice agility, clean hands and a good pressure game. Unsurprisingly, DeMattia finished in the top-10 in the 20m sprint at the national draft combine. He is a player with plenty of fans within the first round of the draft.


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27. Luamon Lual​

Carlton​

GWV Rebels, 182cm Defender
The first round of the national draft does not usually stretch this far, but the Blues are likely to find themselves at pick 27 for their first-round selection given the earlier bids. Lual is linked to the Western Bulldogs through the club’s Next Generation Academy, but is little chance to make it past pick 40 for the Bulldogs to be able to match a bid on him. The athletic small defender added some more offensive rebound to his game this year, after primarily playing a lockdown role in his bottom-age season. The Blues will have another selection just a few picks later in the second round, but if they want Lual they might have to take him here given other interest in the 30s.
 
Last edited:
Windsor and Collard go at our two former picks.

Looking at who goes before our previous first pick. We have likely made a good decision to trade up. All of the players I would have been happy with at that pick, are all predicted to be gone before it. With Wilson going to the Crows the pick before hand.

Lual predicted to go to one of the Blues picks in the mid 20s or mid 30s.

Croft bidded on at pick 16. What would that leave us with as our first live pick in that scenario? Anyone know?
 
Dogs_r_barking said:
Curtin is a tall, and I don’t think we need any more talls, especially picking up Croft.
Click to expand...
He's also played some midfield minutes. High floor, high ceiling.
I wouldn't be surprised if West Coast trade down to pick 2 and take him.
 
_Cerberus_ said:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-phantom-draft-2023-expert-chris-cavanagh-looks-at-how-the-first-round-should-fall/news-story/

27. Luamon Lual

Carlton​

GWV Rebels, 182cm Defender
The first round of the national draft does not usually stretch this far, but the Blues are likely to find themselves at pick 27 for their first-round selection given the earlier bids. Lual is linked to the Western Bulldogs through the club’s Next Generation Academy, but is little chance to make it past pick 40 for the Bulldogs to be able to match a bid on him. The athletic small defender added some more offensive rebound to his game this year, after primarily playing a lockdown role in his bottom-age season. The Blues will have another selection just a few picks later in the second round, but if they want Lual they might have to take him here given other interest in the 30s.
Click to expand...

Slide please. Please slide.
 

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Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

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