Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[W W Biscuit]

For the people who have been following the mock drafts online, is it looking like Nick Watson is going to be picked by hawthorn now? I wanted him

Nick Watson doesn’t play for the Bulldogs because North Melbourne is a pathetic basket-case with its hand out for freebies. That’s it in a nutshell.

 

[Bonti 5416]

The dogs couldn't hit up fwd targets and the ball moved from our offensive to defence far to easily in 2023, more of a weakness than a need for another small fwd.

Small forward with pressure who can cover ground helps keep the ball in and therefore makes it harder for teams to transition against us.

The best teams have 2/3 playing every week.

 

[Bonti 5416]

Suppose we get Watson with first pick? What mids could be available later in draft that suit our needs. Like the sound of Kade De La Rue as a list fit as a high halfforward/mid but what about inside extractors to learn under libba?

What are peoples thoughts on George Stevens, too slow at next level? Doesnt seem to really hunt ball at bottom of packs, more the accumulator type? Decorated junior career and has returned pretty well from acl.

 

[murphy's twin]

My issue with not picking Sanders is that we won’t get a shot at another quality mid in the draft till 2025, which means first year will be 2026…

 

[Bonti 5416]

My issue with not picking Sanders is that we won’t get a shot at another quality mid in the draft till 2025, which means first year will be 2026…

Unless Bailey Smith leaves for a couple of first round selections.

I think dogs are almost planning for life without him from a salary cap perspective and prioritising JUH and English.

 

[murphy's twin]

Unless Bailey Smith leaves for a couple of first round selections.

I think dogs are almost planning for life without him from a salary cap perspective and prioritising JUH and English.

Well in that case I’m comfortable with taking Curtin

 

[bobs head soup]

I'm starting to think it might end up being:

1 - NM Reid
2 - GC Walter
3 - WCE Curtin
4 - NM Duursma
5 - HAW Watson/McKercher
6 - WB Watson/McKercher/Sanders

 

[doggies ftw]

I'm starting to think it might end up being:

1 - NM Reid
2 - GC Walter
3 - WCE Curtin
4 - NM Duursma
5 - HAW Watson/McKercher
6 - WB Watson/McKercher/Sanders

Yeah me too, I still think we’re a sneaky chance of McKercher. Honestly doesn’t bother me anymore, wouldn’t surprise me at all if Sanders has a better game for the next level looking back in 10yrs tome

 

[stefoid]

Reid and Duursma would be an insane draft that they dont deserve

I hope WC hold onto pick 1

 

[TiAn_]

Unless Bailey Smith leaves for a couple of first round selections.

I think dogs are almost planning for life without him from a salary cap perspective and prioritising JUH and English.

Before you even need to factor that I. We could readily trade our 25 first into next year, if we wanted. We’re not locked out of next year’s first round by any means.

 

[doggies ftw]

Before you even need to factor that I. We could readily trade our 25 first into next year, if we wanted. We’re not locked out of next year’s first round by any means.

If we just keep pulling forward our first rounder until the end of time we’re effectively up a first rounder

 

[TiAn_]

If we just keep pulling forward our first rounder until the end of time we’re effectively up a first rounder

 

[Mojorisin]

Suppose we get Watson with first pick? What mids could be available later in draft that suit our needs. Like the sound of Kade De La Rue as a list fit as a high halfforward/mid but what about inside extractors to learn under libba?

What are peoples thoughts on George Stevens, too slow at next level? Doesnt seem to really hunt ball at bottom of packs, more the accumulator type? Decorated junior career and has returned pretty well from acl.

My choice would be Kristian Ferronato or Hugo Garcia in the Rookie draft.

 

[manutd/dogs]

PSA:

 

[Dogs 13]

PSA:

View attachment 1843886

Thanks, it’s been driving me crazy.
I love the posts with a link with his correct name, then we still get Curtain repeatedly.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Nick Watson doesn’t play for the Bulldogs because North Melbourne is a pathetic basket-case with its hand out for freebies. That’s it in a nutshell.

As much as I hate the norf handouts it could actually help us (if you want Watson). It gives them a strong enough hand to trade for 1 and if they do (I think so) WC take Curtin.

 

[weltschmerz]

Rookie Me Central draft guide is out. Some later draft guys who could fall to us could be Kade De La Rue, Harvey Johnson, maybe Joel Freijah, Cam Nyko.

 

[dogwatch]

As much as I hate the norf handouts it could actually help us (if you want Watson). It gives them a strong enough hand to trade for 1 and if they do (I think so) WC take Curtin.

The trouble is Norfies will probably become insufferably arrogant when they win a string of flags later this decade. And will claim credit for it, oblivious to the fact that it only came about because the AFL couldn't afford Norf to remain a basket case.

Melbourne were like that after 2021.
Past convictions and transgressions? "Let's not talk about those. Hey, isn't footy better for having Melbourne up and about?"

 

[adogsfan5]

I’m absolutely sold on Sanders. He is definetly not just an inside mid. Can do both.

I love him.

I think we’re onto a win-win peeps. Watson just as good.

 

[Bonti 5416]

Thanks, it’s been driving me crazy.
I love the posts with a link with his correct name, then we still get Curtain repeatedly.

I’m guilty of this
Never picked it up but the Curtain meme has made me see the light.

 

[Bonti 5416]

Rookie Me Central draft guide is out. Some later draft guys who could fall to us could be Kade De La Rue, Harvey Johnson, maybe Joel Freijah, Cam Nyko.

What a great guide it is this year too, love the layout and also the extra stuff. Great comparison of Sanders vs Mekercher.

 

[doggie dog]

Small forward with pressure who can cover ground helps keep the ball in and therefore makes it harder for teams to transition against us.

The best teams have 2/3 playing every week.

I thought that was the decision for drafting Charlie Clarke last year, and he didn't even get a single game in 2023.
I don't think it's just the small fwd's job to keep the ball in, defence is a team effort with a good defensive structure if the ball gets turned over.
Our defensive game plan is sorely lacking, the players looked lost a lot of the times.

 

[Mofra]

If we just keep pulling forward our first rounder until the end of time we’re effectively up a first rounder

Not if our 2025 first rounder would get hoovered up with a Jaxon Cooney bid anyway.

Thank God for whoever is putting hormones in the water down at Whitten Oval. I really hope we do take a first rounder to draft next year as there are already some outstanding midfield prospects.

 

[Bonti 5416]

I’m absolutely sold on Sanders. He is definetly not just an inside mid. Can do both.

I love him.

I think we’re onto a win-win peeps. Watson just as good.

Really good listen for those keen to hear it. Sandringham Dragons coach going through each player in the draft conversation. Starts with Sanders and could not give him a more positive review, good insight to his character.

 

[Bonti 5416]

I thought that was the decision for drafting Charlie Clarke last year, and he didn't even get a single game in 2023.

Fair way to go young Charlie but hopefully he can make it, we need him. He is more of the Brett Daniels workmanlike high half forward crumb coming back. Needs to build his tank for that role. Still need another to help lock it in and put opposition defenders under some heat with ball in hand. If its Watson he is more of the bobby hill type IMO.

I don't think it's just the small fwd's job to keep the ball in, defence is a team effort with a good defensive structure if the ball gets turned over.
Our defensive game plan is sorely lacking, the players looked lost a lot of the times.

Completely agree. Very happy to see the club do something about it and appoint Daniel Pratt for defensive system, hopefully that goes a long way to fixing. Extra forward pressure doesn’t hurt either.