Analysis 2023 Draft Watch

Remove this Banner Ad

Im a huge Wilson fan and even I wouldn't want to pay that for him in the position we're in. Would prefer Leake and Collard using 2 picks rather than just the one. O'Sullivan or Watson I'd say its worthwhile but no guarantees either make it that far.
I can see O'Sullivan been available the rest 50/50
 
From what I saw in the Championships, I really liked the look of Phoenix Gothard as a creative small forward. Definitely got some tricks, although my personal preference would be Sanchez over either of them.
I love the Sanchez upside. Was impressive in a poor side during the carnival. Real talented footballer, particularly in the forward half. Was post significant injury, so expect further upside with a decent pre-season.

Gothard gets airplay mostly because of his name, but was a very under rated piece of the championship winning Allies side. Very good player in his own right. Top 10 in the sprint at the combine and second in the running jump. Has the package for a modern forward. Albury boy with mountains of upside.

The last one I want to throw up is Aiden O’Driscoll who is also footballer and athlete. Showed plenty, again for WA in the championships. Manic attack on the ball and good goal sense as a wing/forward. An absolute star of the combine won the sprint, top handful in 2km, top 10 agility test, standing jump and running jump at sub 180cm. Classic modern small forward.

I have been very WA centric with my draft watch this year. Kept telling myself I was crazy given their poor team performance, but they have some excellent, almost untapped talent.

Aside from the three small forwards above, I repeat I have a massive watch on Zane Zakostelsky as a project KPD, he has risen and will require a decent second rounder now. Another to star at the combine an and a recent convert to the game. I rate KPD as our greatest long term need.

The other WA watch is on Tholstrup who I have been conflicted on. Startlingly runner up in the agility test as well as top 10 in the 2km. Thickset forward/mid who played all year at senior level, some what likened to Zurhaar. All of the above would likely be available at our current first rounder. The small forwards may drop to the second or even third round with an ounce of luck, so there is some argument for splitting our first for a couple of second rounders if intelligence says Zakostelsy would still be there to combine with a small forward.
 
Last edited:
I love the Sanchez upside. Was impressive in a poor side during the carnival. Real talented footballer, particularly in the forward half. Was post significant injury, so expect further upside with a decent pre-season.

Gothard gets airplay mostly because of his name, but was a very under rated piece of the championship winning Allies side. Very good player in his own right. To 10 in the sprint at the combine and second in the running jump. Has the package for a modern forward. Albury boy with mountains if upside.

The last one I want to throw up is Aiden O’Driscoll who is also footballer and athlete. Showed plenty, again for WA in the championships. Manic attack on the ball and good goal sense as a wing/forward. An absolute star of the combine won the sprint, top handful in 2km, top 10 agility test, standing jump and running jump at sub 180cm. Classic modern small forward.

I have been very WA centric with my draft watch this year. Kept telling myself I was crazy given their poor team performance, but they have some excellent, almost untapped talent.

Aside from the three small forwards above, I repeat I have a massive watch on Zane Zakostelsky as a project KPD, he has risen and will require a decent second rounder now. Another to star at the combine an and a recent convert to the game. I rate KPD as our greatest long term need.

The other WA watch is on Tholstrup who I have been conflicted on. Startlingly runner up in the agility test as well as top 10 in the 2km. Thickset forward/mid who played all year at senior level, some what likened to Zurhaar. All of the above would likely be available at our current first rounder. The small forwards may drop to the second or even third round with an ounce of luck, so there is some argument for splitting our first for a couple of second rounders if intelligence says Zakostelsy would still be there to combine with a small forward.
Is he the new Phoenix Spicer? (Who just got cut by the way)

I’d be more than happy to split the pick, or use a late 2nd we acquire on Sanchez.

Tholstrup is enigmagic. Not sure where he fits but is rated highly on most boards. Hmmmm!!
 

Log in to remove this ad.

From what I saw in the Championships, I really liked the look of Phoenix Gothard as a creative small forward. Definitely got some tricks, although my personal preference would be Sanchez over either of them.

There's no way there is a player named Phoenix Gothard.

Have you confused him with a pornstar?
 
Season's over. Early musings.

1. Harley Reid
2. Jed Walter
3. Colby McKercher
4. Conor O'Sullivan

Fair gap

5. Ethan Read
6. Zane Duursma

Fair Gap to the next bunch.


Smokey 1st Rder

Lance Collard.


Us?...Lot of water to go under the bridge yet to have any idea. After trade period we'll know more.

After Combine and another 3 weeks, not much change from Sep25:

1. Harley Reid

Gap

2. Jed Walter
3. Colby McKercher
4. Conor O'Sullivan
5. Ethan Read

Gap

1st Rd Smokey: Lance Collard

Us: Still too early to know what our picks will be. But for a strategy i would personally be trying to get O'Sullivan. Maybe the only chance is to get Geelong Pick 7 which is gettable for a price. If we could wait til Draft night and he was still on the Board at Geelong's pick, i would try my absolute hardest.

Other than that, if we still have our current 1st, i see Collard as attractive as anyone if he keeps ticking boxes without having to be perfect at this age.
 
After Combine and another 3 weeks, not much change from Sep25:

1. Harley Reid

Gap

2. Jed Walter
3. Colby McKercher
4. Conor O'Sullivan
5. Ethan Read

Gap

1st Rd Smokey: Lance Collard

Us: Still too early to know what our picks will be. But for a strategy i would personally be trying to get O'Sullivan. Maybe the only chance is to get Geelong Pick 7 which is gettable for a price. If we could wait til Draft night and he was still on the Board at Geelong's pick, i would try my absolute hardest.

Other than that, if we still have our current 1st, i see Collard as attractive as anyone if he keeps ticking boxes without having to be perfect at this age.
Trouble is that 2 of those 5 are Suns Academy kids, so if it goes that way, you'd need one of Norf's picks to get O'Sullivan. Not sure how that happens. Murphy might be a more feasible target (for a KPD).
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Trouble is that 2 of those 5 are Suns Academy kids, so if it goes that way, you'd need one of Norf's picks to get O'Sullivan. Not sure how that happens. Murphy might be a more feasible target (for a KPD).

These are my personal ratings, not a prediction how they'll go on the night. O'Sullivan, at this stage looks a chance to be there at Geelong's pick.
 
These are my personal ratings, not a prediction how they'll go on the night. O'Sullivan, at this stage looks a chance to be there at Geelong's pick.
Yep, could be. Might still see a few drift, and a few bolters. Think Stam is right that Curtin goes ahead of him, but that might change.
 
I see your Shadeau Brain and raise you with Jack Wooden from the 2024 cohort
I see your Jack Wooden and raise you with Didymus Blanket from back around 2014/15....
Never made it on to an AFL list, but at his best, he was electric.
 
Last edited:
Not sure why this board loves Collard so much, plenty of flags on him. He's one sided, super shy and potential family separation issues, just not sure im rolling that dice.
Could be worth a punt.

Just not at the pointy end...
 
I see your Jack Wooden and raise you with Didymus Blanket from back around 2014/15....
Never made it on to an AFL list, but at his best, he was electric.
You utter clown......Lou Richards used to spruik electric blankets on the original World of Sports. "By (buy) Hecla (heck) it's good!"
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Analysis 2023 Draft Watch

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top