Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[Testekill]

Not sure this is true, Sanders is a very well developed kid physically. It's one of my main concerns - that his ceiling might not be much higher (flip side is his floor is great).

Sometimes the low ceiling, high floor is best to take as they're more often than not a safe and reliable player. Didn't Macrae have that analysis back in 2012?

 

[weltschmerz]

Sometimes the low ceiling, high floor is best to take as they're more often than not a safe and reliable player. Didn't Macrae have that analysis back in 2012?

Macrae also went at pick 6 and I don't think we've ever regretted that pick for a moment.

 

[dogwatch]

There seems to be a lot of discussion about u18 form and physical attributes and skills (pace, tackling, disposal, intercepting, etc) but not much at all about mental attitude.

Yet when we discuss our failings on this board we often say there aren't enough hard men, aren't enough leaders, aren't enough with the killer instinct, aren't enough with mental toughness ... and so on.

We need more people with the Hodge/Selwood/Liberatore type approach to footy.

So can someone tell me who in this draft ticks those boxes? Especially among the top 6 where we should get a pick. I know it's not easy, but just because you can't put a stop watch or a tape measure on it doesn't mean you can't make an assessment.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

Would absolutely love Curtin. Can’t see it happening though.



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Honestly I think he’s a not insignificant chance of being there at our pick. North take Duursma and McKercher, Hawks take Watson, we get Curtin.

All the talk in the media seems to be that North will almost certainly take two of McKercher, Curtin and Duursma, while Hawks will take Duursma if available, otherwise Watson.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

There seems to be a lot of discussion about u18 form and physical attributes and skills (pace, tackling, disposal, intercepting, etc) but not much at all about mental attitude.

Yet when we discuss our failings on this board we often say there aren't enough hard men, aren't enough leaders, aren't enough with the killer instinct, aren't enough with mental toughness ... and so on.

We need more people with the Hodge/Selwood/Liberatore type approach to footy.

So can someone tell me who in this draft ticks those boxes? Especially among the top 6 where we should get a pick. I know it's not easy, but just because you can't put a stop watch or a tape measure on it doesn't mean you can't make an assessment.

Funnily enough, competitiveness is one of the massive ticks for Croft. Sanders seems to have a competitive streak about him too, though he’s not in that top 6 imo

 

[weltschmerz]

There seems to be a lot of discussion about u18 form and physical attributes and skills (pace, tackling, disposal, intercepting, etc) but not much at all about mental attitude.

Yet when we discuss our failings on this board we often say there aren't enough hard men, aren't enough leaders, aren't enough with the killer instinct, aren't enough with mental toughness ... and so on.

We need more people with the Hodge/Selwood/Liberatore type approach to footy.

So can someone tell me who in this draft ticks those boxes? Especially among the top 6 where we should get a pick. I know it's not easy, but just because you can't put a stop watch or a tape measure on it doesn't mean you can't make an assessment.

Sanders seems like a bit of a hard nut.

 

[weltschmerz]

Sanders, per Draft Central:

An old school footballer in both look and method, Sanders is the embodiment of ‘pull your socks up’. He often cracks in at the contest with 100 per cent intensity, and that team orientated focus allows his more outside-leaning teammates to thrive off his inside craft. For this reason, Sanders has been a mainstay in his various sides' midfield groups over the last two years.

Sanders has a well-rounded midfield game and balances between inside and outside roles - which he has vastly improved on this year - but thrives more when given the responsibility to win the ball in the coalface. Sanders’ size and strength lend to the contested side of the game, but is by no means the sole reason he is so effective. sanders uses his physical advantage along with his natural stoppage craft and technique to push opponents off the ball and take it on himself, running at roughly a 40 per cent contested possession rate through the Champs.

 

[Frewy]

Sanders seems like a bit of a hard nut.

What I find interesting is that he is actually heavier and minutely taller than Reid albeit slower. Watching him play I keep thinking he is around 180 cm not 186 cm looks like he is still growing in the footage as well. That's probably a size tick as a POD and should be in it to his teeth Round 1 working the stoppage handball game beautifully with a nice kick as well.

 

[dogwatch]

Sanders, per Draft Central:

Sounds promising.

We just need to distinguish between a solid work ethic (eg Macrae) and the leadership, tough nuttery, killer instinct that I'm talking about. Bont, Picken, Libba, MBoyd all have the latter. Not sure I'd put Macrae in the same category even though I do admire him.

Whoever we get I'm hoping he has a bit of beast in him. Among our possibilities in the first round I suspect Curtin and McKercher do, but I haven't spent much time watching draft videos, hence the question.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

The club is going to have to do a lot of work on each of these high prospects. The annoying part about pick 6 is that we're going to be 'leftover' with whatever player as there seems to be a clear top 6. We'll then have to decide on taking that prospect or the safer option in Sanders.

Agree but think it's great not annoying. Having pick 6 is a great way in for this draft and our needs.

Tier1+
Reid
Walter

Tier 1
McKercher
Curtin
Duursma
Watson
Sanders

Pick 6 guarantees a choice out of 2 of these Teir 1 players.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Sounds promising.

We just need to distinguish between a solid work ethic (eg Macrae) and the leadership, tough nuttery, killer instinct that I'm talking about. Bont, Picken, Libba, MBoyd all have the latter. Not sure I'd put Macrae in the same category even though I do admire him.

Whoever we get I'm hoping he has a bit of beast in him. Among our possibilities in the first round I suspect Curtin and McKercher do, but I haven't spent much time watching draft videos, hence the question.

Obviously speed and damaging by foot ball use are two traits we need.

But a big thing for me when it comes to draftees. Is those who stand up when under pressure, still use the ball well when under pressure, don't mentally crumble when under pressure. Give me good, tough, honest footballers. Mental toughness should be just about the number one requirement.

Over the soft boy athletes clubs froth over these days. To much emphasis placed on combine results, and not enough on match tapes these days I feel.

 

[Dale4captain]

Sanders gives Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

24

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

vibes from what I’ve heard and read. Hard nut who can transition to the outside but isn’t necessarily blessed with express pace?

 

[weltschmerz]

Sanders gives Sam Walsh vibes from what I’ve heard and read. Hard nut who can transition to the outside but isn’t necessarily blessed with express pace?

Except without Walsh's big weapon, which is ridiculous running capacity. Not that Sanders is weak in that area, but Walsh is very strong.

 

[goodcop badcop]

That’s all very fair - I tend to agree on your last point too & especially since we traded up at a hefty price! Not sure I want to be settling for solid.

Whose your favourite for 5?

McKercher or Watson pretty, pretty please. McKercher if I had to choose one.

We’re in need of speed, run & carry and players that can execute difficult kicks. Both those guys can do it and could play a half forward/wing role early on. Both will have to learn to be a bit more defensive though.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Geelong hoping Sanders falls to them.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

There seems to be a lot of discussion about u18 form and physical attributes and skills (pace, tackling, disposal, intercepting, etc) but not much at all about mental attitude.

Yet when we discuss our failings on this board we often say there aren't enough hard men, aren't enough leaders, aren't enough with the killer instinct, aren't enough with mental toughness ... and so on.

We need more people with the Hodge/Selwood/Liberatore type approach to footy.

So can someone tell me who in this draft ticks those boxes? Especially among the top 6 where we should get a pick. I know it's not easy, but just because you can't put a stop watch or a tape measure on it doesn't mean you can't make an assessment.

This is a pretty good argument for Sanders. He's a perfect Libba replacement. And TBH we suck without Libba. He went down early with a concussion V Hawthorn, and then missed WC too, and we know how they went...

Sanders has been 7th on my list but I'd still be stoked at 6.

 

[CountryDog5]

I see a bit of Ben Cunnington

10

Ben Cunnington

Age

33

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.4

5star

K

9.0

3star

HB

12.4

5star

M

2.9

3star

T

4.7

5star

CL

5.6

5star

D

17.7

4star

K

6.0

2star

HB

11.7

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

4.0

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

15.8

4star

K

6.4

3star

HB

9.4

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

6.2

5star

CL

3.0

5star

in Sanders, in the way he's built and his desire to win the ball in the contest. Also has a good mindset by the looks of it. Quoted "the best players are the hardest trainers" or something similar in a recent interview posted by the afl

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[Ash1337]

This is a pretty good argument for Sanders. He's a perfect Libba replacement. And TBH we suck without Libba. He went down early with a concussion V Hawthorn, and then missed WC too, and we know how they went...

Sanders has been 7th on my list but I'd still be stoked at 6.

I would agree but I think West can be that Libba replacement.

 

[doggies ftw]

Sounds promising.

We just need to distinguish between a solid work ethic (eg Macrae) and the leadership, tough nuttery, killer instinct that I'm talking about. Bont, Picken, Libba, MBoyd all have the latter. Not sure I'd put Macrae in the same category even though I do admire him.

Whoever we get I'm hoping he has a bit of beast in him. Among our possibilities in the first round I suspect Curtin and McKercher do, but I haven't spent much time watching draft videos, hence the question.

Harsh on Macrae IMO, he’s a bit dour right now but he was absolutely a killer in the same mould as the other blokes you’ve listed. Unassuming sure but a genuine killer in his own right

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

Sanders, per Draft Central:

He is exactly the player that has beat up on us in recent years - even in the Hawthorn game at the end of the season.

Sanders for me.

Watson will be a star and we will wish we got him but we have Artie and Charlie - who both have potential. We don’t have anyone coming through like Sanders.

 

[gangsta deluxe]

Sanders’ nickname will surely be “The Colonel” reading all this.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Sanders gives Sam Walsh vibes from what I’ve heard and read. Hard nut who can transition to the outside but isn’t necessarily blessed with express pace?

Thought you said Tim Walsh for a second.

 

[DueWest]

The club is going to have to do a lot of work on each of these high prospects. The annoying part about pick 6 is that we're going to be 'leftover' with whatever player as there seems to be a clear top 6. We'll then have to decide on taking that prospect or the safer option in Sanders.

Bit like when we picked up Bailey Smith and that worked out well

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Sanders’ nickname will surely be “The Colonel” reading all this.

Already is

 

[Munnez]

The club is going to have to do a lot of work on each of these high prospects. The annoying part about pick 6 is that we're going to be 'leftover' with whatever player as there seems to be a clear top 6. We'll then have to decide on taking that prospect or the safer option in Sanders.

I would take the punt on Curtin is there though unlikely. Watson next in line and if he is gone Sanders to begin the midfield refresh.