Preview 2023 National Draft Preview Thread [currently: #2, #14 (PA), #19 (PP) #40, #52, #60]

[shintemaster]

When it was set parameters, everyone played to the parameters - I get why they made it more subjective. What I don’t like so much is that everything that they do have rules about gets made part of the vibe - NGA access, FA and compensation - but I’ll wait to see the outcome before assuming it will all work against us. They do need all their assets performing and bringing in revenue, so self interest should drive a package that makes a material difference.

Agree you don't want teams playing to the outcomes but ultimately there should still be integrity to the process. At the moment it has about the same integrity as a LNP sporting fund spreadsheet - ie. none. I'm with you, I think they're about done with it and self interest should now override other clubs having a whinge. The entire comp is compromised from draft, fixture and caps so it's hard to treat it too seriously.

There is clearly no pre agreed formula because GC have received different to Brisbane who have received different to us. It is a fundamentally wrong process.

 

[marklovesbeer]

The Port pick falls in such a s**t spot. I'm not overly confident we are going to get an A grade talent around that mark. If it were top 15 it would be a different case.

Will be a bit better after they go out in straight sets, finals time.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Agree you don't want teams playing to the outcomes but ultimately there should still be integrity to the process. At the moment it has about the same integrity as a LNP sporting fund spreadsheet - ie. none. I'm with you, I think they're about done with it and self interest should now override other clubs having a whinge. The entire comp is compromised from draft, fixture and caps so it's hard to treat it too seriously.

There is clearly no pre agreed formula because GC have received different to Brisbane who have received different to us. It is a fundamentally wrong process.

Joke of a league in this regard when compared to so many other leagues around the world.

 

[giantroo]

https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/how-advice-from-afl-young-guns-is-helping-mckercher-handle-spotlight/news-story/b446dfcc94a8821f4daa9e6bfd1ee959

How advice from AFL young guns is helping McKercher handle spotlight​

His face has been bobbing up in the media a lot more than usual, but Colby McKercher is looking forward to getting back to normality as one of a handful of Allies set to boost an already engrossing Launceston TSL derby this weekend.

Spoiler

Colby McKercher says advice from some of the AFL’s biggest young stars has helped him adjust to the spotlight his superb Allies campaign has attracted ahead of his return to Launceston’s line-up at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The local derby against North Launceston was already a tantalising prospect, given the second-placed Bombers are riding a ten-game win streak, while the third-placed Blues are looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss at Kingborough.

The inclusion of McKercher, James Leake and Arie Schoenmaker for the Blues, and Heath Ollington for the Bombers, after helping Allies to a first-ever national championships title only adds to the hype.

The Blues will also welcome back key forwards Jake Hinds (ankle) and Dylan Riley (rested) after they missed the four-point loss to the Tigers, while Devils skipper Tom Beaumont play.

McKercher is considered a potential top five draft pick after his outstanding displays for Allies saw him finish second behind fellow Tasmanian Ryley Sanders in Larke Medal voting.

He admitted the exposure he’s received in recent weeks has taken some getting used to.

“I guess I see my face a bit more than what I would have previously,” he said.

“It just shows I’m doing some of the right things, take what I need to hear from the people around me, and not listen to all these articles.

“I’m not buying into all that stuff because it can be quite distracting, I want to stay in the present.”

McKercher said visits to the AFL Academy by young guns who have already made an impact at the top level had been invaluable in how to handle the attention.

“I’ve got some good advice over the years. Through the academy we’ve listened to people come in and speak like Harry Sheezel, Nick Daicos and 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

,” he said.

“They gave us advice for our draft years and all the messages were the same, and coaches and my parents have been very helpful.

“It’s good to hear from people have come through it (draft year) well.

“Daicos is a star and has done everything perfectly. Listening to someone like him on how to get drafted and what you can do in an AFL system if you hopefully get drafted, it’s great advice to hear.”

McKercher only expects to play a couple of games at most for Launceston during the Devils’ Coates Talent League break.

“At the end of the day I just want to play some footy and can’t just take a month off,” he said.

“The club’s always been good to me and I’m excited to get back and play some different footy. It’ll be a bit different to what I’ve played the whole year, but a different challenge is always good.

“You could think about all that stuff (potential for injury) but I just want to play and keep the legs ticking over, and hopefully help the boys get a win.”

Bombers co-captain Alex Lee believes Ollington can only return a more confident and accomplished player after proving himself with the Allies.

“AT the national championships you’re on the big stage, no bigger stage to be in front of recruiters every game,” he said.

“If he can bring back what he learned to us, I’m sure we’ll benefit from it.

“He’s played key forward a couple of times for the Devils and then on-ball. We’ll definitely get him a chance to play on-ball.

 

[JGreezy]

It looked for a minute like GWS, might have picks 4, 5 and 8 or something like that.

Now it is looking like 9 and 12. And with the dillution of the draft by McKay compo and the GC academy those picks could be picks 13 and 16.

Nowhere near enough to trade for Reid.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Will be a bit better after they go out in straight sets, finals time.

Isn't draft position just regular season ladder finish though or have I missed something?

 

[shintemaster]

Isn't draft position just regular season ladder finish though or have I missed something?

Final position. If you finish 1st and lose both finals your draft position will be linked to a lower finish. 1st is GF winner, 2nd is GF loser etc...

 

[chubbspeterson]

Final position. If you finish 1st and lose both finals your draft position will be linked to a lower finish. 1st is GF winner, 2nd is GF loser etc...

Oh snap you're right. Well lets hope for straight sets then. Could get us Edwards/Wilson/Murphy. I guess I'm just used to NBA where it's regular season.

 

[krakouers]

Great user name.

a raft of shaftings.

The acurate one synonym for his usual description of a group of poor quality players

 

[king of the road]

After reviewing his footage over the last week, O'Sullivan has jumped into my top 5 behind only Reid, Watson, Walter and Edwards.

Best key defender prospect for quite some time and have changed my outlook that it certainly wouldn't be a reach taking him early.

Sold. Exactly what we’re after.

If we got he and Watson early, that covers some critical bases.

Maybe look for a key forward with the Pt pick later. Any value around there worth considering?

From the Bushrangers too by the look of it where we’ve had a few come from.

 

[pupstar]

Honestly, I wouldn’t be against us pulling the trigger at 2. Ideally, I’d trade down to get more draft capital, but if we were really into him it wouldn’t bother me at all.

Would it be a bit of a risk? Yes. Any more risky than Curtin, Caddy, Watson ect….nope.

Who do you think wont be a risk at pick 2.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Watching Subi vs Perth - Koltyn Tholstrup has the worst haircut in human history.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

After reviewing his footage over the last week, O'Sullivan has jumped into my top 5 behind only Reid, Watson, Walter and Edwards.

Best key defender prospect for quite some time and have changed my outlook that it certainly wouldn't be a reach taking him early.

Obviously known for his marking but his foot skills look pretty sharp too. I would take him at pick 3 if we get it in a heartbeat. I think he will climb the rankings and will be long gone before pick 8-10.

I think Watson will slide somewhere between 6-10.

 

[Sphynx]

Sold. Exactly what we’re after.

If we got he and Watson early, that covers some critical bases.

Maybe look for a key forward with the Pt pick later. Any value around there worth considering?

From the Bushrangers too by the look of it where we’ve had a few come from.

Most recruiters have us locked in for McKercher at 2 if we finish 17th, with Sanders/McKercher forming our version of Rowell and Anderson

 

[Better Loosen Up]

How do we fit him into a long term backline though?

Assuming Mckay leaves and he's playing CHB, Logue isn't really suited for the #1 KPF imo, could be troubled by real tall teams like Naughton, Darcy & JUH combo where they just outmark us on sheer height.

We would be building the backline around him. I think he looks a serious talent.

 

[Flawed Genius]

I need to be sold on Watson. I don't know why. It just doesn't fit with what you'd expect out of a very high pick. If we get Sanders as a pre-listed player, and we get McKay compensation at 3, then I find it hard to go past

2 McKercher
3 O'Sullivan
17 Wilson/Freijah/Philactides/Lual
PL Sanders

 

[Sphynx]

I need to be sold on Watson. I don't know why. It just doesn't fit with what you'd expect out of a very high pick. If we get Sanders as a pre-listed player, and we get McKay compensation at 3, then I find it hard to go past

2 McKercher
3 O'Sullivan
17 Wilson/Freijah/Philactides/Lual
PL Sanders

Lual would be my pick there, I like the others probably slightly more, we just HAVE to stop ignoring the backline though.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Curtin reminds me of a Grant Birchall

14

Grant Birchall

Age

37

Ht

193cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.9

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

9.3

5star

M

5.8

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

250.0

4star

D

13.3

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

250.0

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.6

3star

, doesn't look like a big key defender and a bit of a loping left foot type.
I'd prefer O'Sullivan, looks a bit quicker to the eye for some reason and he might fill out a bit more.
Both have pretty good foot skills and decision making.
Couldn't we take Lual with a pick later than the Port pick? Haven't seen him projected that high.

 

[king of the road]

Most recruiters have us locked in for McKercher at 2 if we finish 17th, with Sanders/McKercher forming our version of Rowell and Anderson

Way too far out to lock things in now. A lot to play out.

Plus, we never really know what our recruiters are really thinking til the day.

 

[HBFlanker]

If we get end of first round pick for Mckay as compo surely we package it up with 17 to get higher?

Id even consider moving one of them into next years first round.

Id rather an even split between this year and next if we have the following:

Sanders
Pick 2
Pick 17
Pick 19 (Mckay Compo)

Another team will want 17 or 19 in this years draft and id push to grab someones first rounder next year for it.

Sanders changes the game completely. So much better than any priority picks we could have got

 

[krakouers]

Another team will want 17 or 19 in this years draft and id push to grab someones first rounder next year for it.

I’m kinda over death rides, but options would be:

• Not sure Bris can keep this up
• Can see Lyon going hell for nothing with Saints but really not succeeding
• Melb are vulnerable
• Can see Gee sneaking into the 8 this year but I’ve been predicting their fall for years, reckon they may not fall much next year

 

[hoffseason gains]

Another team will want 17 or 19 in this years draft and id push to grab someones first rounder next year for it.

Reckon pick 17-19 become like 23-25 at least, if not later. Doubt someone spends a first to get into that area. Especially as the types which will be there to be selected are not that valuable imo - half back flankers, outside midfielders, etc.

 

[HBFlanker]

Reckon pick 17-19 become like 23-25 at least, if not later. Doubt someone spends a first to get into that area. Especially as the types which will be there to be selected are not that valuable imo - half back flankers, outside midfielders, etc.

Potentially but the player a team wants could still be there. Its still the 17th to 19th "live" best player if that makes sense

 

[Souup]

I'm going to call it now and if I'm wrong, so be it.

Unless something significant happens to shake the top end, I'd suggest it's basically a formality at this stage that we'll go with Mckercher + Watson.

 

[king of the road]

I'm going to call it now and if I'm wrong, so be it.

Unless something significant happens to shake the top end, I'd suggest it's basically a formality at this stage that we'll go with Mckercher + Watson.

Great players.
But I was hoping for a top line key defender in the mix.
Particularly if Sanders is allowed under the NGA.