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

[Souup]

If Nick Watson was 10cm taller, we'd be having a conversation about whether he or Harley Reid should be going #1, and I'd be suggesting most would have Watson ahead.

The comparison with Caleb Daniel

35

Caleb Daniel

Age

28

Ht

171cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

19.5

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

16.4

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

isn't relevant as Watson is ridiculously gifted athletically.

Watson's athletic profile:
20m: 2.93
Vertical: 94cm
Agility: 8.1
Yo-yo: 640

These are all from last pre-season too as he didn't test earlier this year. He's probably closer to <2.9 20m, 100cm vertical and <8second agility if he tested right now. He has plenty of room to improve his endurance too.

He can play in any third of the ground and as good as he is athletically, he is a footballer first and foremost - you don't get the nickname 'The Wizard' because you run fast or have a decent leap.

 

[pushintheback]

If Nick Watson was 10cm taller, we'd be having a conversation about whether he or Harley Reid should be going #1, and I'd be suggesting most would have Watson ahead.

The comparison with Caleb Daniel isn't relevant as Watson is ridiculously gifted athletically.

Watson's athletic profile:
20m: 2.93
Vertical: 94cm
Agility: 8.1
Yo-yo: 640

These are all from last pre-season too as he didn't test earlier this year. He's probably closer to <2.9 20m, 100cm vertical and <8second agility if he tested right now. He has plenty of room to improve his endurance too.

He can play in any third of the ground and as good as he is athletically, he is a footballer first and foremost - you don't get the nickname 'The Wizard' because you run fast or have a decent leap.

But he’s not 10cm taller so you can only make decisions on what is fact. Watson is a gun and he will go #2. Be happy with that. I’m sure he will be.
1. Reid
2. Watson
3. Caddy

The top 3 will not change.

 

[Souup]

But he’s not 10cm taller so you can only make decisions on what is fact. Watson is a gun and he will go #2. Be happy with that. I’m sure he will be.

Fair effort to totally miss my point with this comment

 

[SunnyBoner]

If Nick Watson was 10cm taller, we'd be having a conversation about whether he or Harley Reid should be going #1, and I'd be suggesting most would have Watson ahead.

The comparison with Caleb Daniel isn't relevant as Watson is ridiculously gifted athletically.

Watson's athletic profile:
20m: 2.93
Vertical: 94cm
Agility: 8.1
Yo-yo: 640

These are all from last pre-season too as he didn't test earlier this year. He's probably closer to <2.9 20m, 100cm vertical and <8second agility if he tested right now. He has plenty of room to improve his endurance too.

He can play in any third of the ground and as good as he is athletically, he is a footballer first and foremost - you don't get the nickname 'The Wizard' because you run fast or have a decent leap.

He sounds like an excitement machine. Is Watson indigenous?

 

[guapo]

No doubt the Watson hesitancy is driven by the reality that nobody ever uses a top 10 on a small forward.

The GC kid Ainsworth would be the only one in the last 10 years, and the ROI hasn’t been great on him. Daresay they’d like that pick again.

I’m definitely against throwing 2 first round picks at WC for Reid, but we really need a gun at the very likely pick 2 that we will have

 

[nicko74]

He sounds like an excitement machine. Is Watson indigenous?

Not sure..... but he is ingenious

 

[Lomas]

He sounds like an excitement machine. Is Watson indigenous?

This could be facetious or genuine. Hard to tell.

 

[Sphynx]

No doubt the Watson hesitancy is driven by the reality that nobody ever uses a top 10 on a small forward.

The GC kid Ainsworth would be the only one in the last 10 years, and the ROI hasn’t been great on him. Daresay they’d like that pick again.

I’m definitely against throwing 2 first round picks at WC for Reid, but we really need a gun at the very likely pick 2 that we will have

I mean, Sheezel played all of about 2 games last year up forward.

He was drafted essentially at pick #2 as a small/med forward.

 

[Makeshift Park]

The GC kid Ainsworth would be the only one in the last 10 years, and the ROI hasn’t been great on him.

Take your broader point, but Rankine was #3 in '18.

 

[SunnyBoner]

This could be facetious or genuine. Hard to tell.

It’s not worded well by me but It’s a genuine question.

 

[shinboner magic]

If Nick Watson was 10cm taller, we'd be having a conversation about whether he or Harley Reid should be going #1, and I'd be suggesting most would have Watson ahead.

The comparison with Caleb Daniel isn't relevant as Watson is ridiculously gifted athletically.

Watson's athletic profile:
20m: 2.93
Vertical: 94cm
Agility: 8.1
Yo-yo: 640

These are all from last pre-season too as he didn't test earlier this year. He's probably closer to <2.9 20m, 100cm vertical and <8second agility if he tested right now. He has plenty of room to improve his endurance too.

He can play in any third of the ground and as good as he is athletically, he is a footballer first and foremost - you don't get the nickname 'The Wizard' because you run fast or have a decent leap.

What’s a good score for agility

 

[Lomas]

It’s not worded well by me but It’s a genuine question.

Not to my knowledge, regardless of the wizard tag.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

No doubt the Watson hesitancy is driven by the reality that nobody ever uses a top 10 on a small forward.

The GC kid Ainsworth would be the only one in the last 10 years, and the ROI hasn’t been great on him. Daresay they’d like that pick again.

I’m definitely against throwing 2 first round picks at WC for Reid, but we really need a gun at the very likely pick 2 that we will have

I was a big fan of Ainsworth in his draft year. Comparatively speaking Watson’s athletic profile blows Ainsworth off the park.

 

[Sphynx]

Take your broader point, but Rankine was #3 in '18.

Rachele @ #6 in 2021.

Henry and Pickett either side of the top 10 in 2019.


It's a sign of the times and a reflection of the importance and value of elite small forwards imo.

Likely the best small forward in the class regularly goes top 10 most years from now on imo.

 

[Souup]

What’s a good score for agility

Depends on height and weight but generally &lt;8.3

 

[BRider]

I have no issues with his height, and he is a very exciting prospect.

I just think he’s a bit of a flat track bully. I haven’t seen him produce as a small forward in a game outside Coates league or school footy.

He smashed the national champs last year as a underager..

 

[Sphynx]

What’s a good score for agility

Pretty much:

20m: 2.93 - Elite
Vertical: 94cm - Elite
Agility: 8.1 - Elite
Yo-yo: 640 - Excellent

 

[shinboner magic]

Pretty much:

20m: 2.93 - Elite
Vertical: 94cm - Elite
Agility: 8.1 - Elite
Yo-yo: 640 - Excellent

Sounds electric

How’s his field kicking

 

[roos_fanatic08]

One player for mine who is falling down my rankings is Archer Reid, came into the season as a potential top 3 pick, and just isn’t quite piecing everything together. I know he has had a few niggling injuries but at 200+cm I was expecting him to have more of an influence this year. If he has a quiet champs I could see him falling a fair bit.

 

[chubbspeterson]

He's actually mates with Sausage and his great uncle is the late Micky Nolan. And of course, BFNAAK.

So both Caddy and Wilson BFNAAK? Would be nice to land them.
Would it be a stretch to take Wilson at pick 2 or 3 ahead of Watson? Trade a future 1st to get Caddy?
My only concern with Watson is whether he's Weightman or Jack Higgins? His speed does make up for his height. I'd love all three but unlikely unless we can get some deal with GWS around our future 1st and Port pick lol.

 

[guapo]

Rachele @ #6 in 2021.

Henry and Pickett either side of the top 10 in 2019.


It's a sign of the times and a reflection of the importance and value of elite small forwards imo.

Likely the best small forward in the class regularly goes top 10 most years from now on imo.

Guess I missed a few then, though Sheezel, Rankine and Rachelle have midfielder traits and not likely to spend their entire careers in a forward pocket

 

[Sphynx]

Guess I missed a few then, though Sheezel, Rankine and Rachelle have midfielder traits and not likely to spend their entire careers in a forward pocket

Either will Watson, he's shown more midfield ability in his u/18 year than just about all of them apart from that one NAB League game Sheezel played in there and got 37.

He's played half back and in the midfield already this season.

A pure forward pocket doesn't average 26 disposals a game.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

No doubt the Watson hesitancy is driven by the reality that nobody ever uses a top 10 on a small forward.

The GC kid Ainsworth would be the only one in the last 10 years, and the ROI hasn’t been great on him. Daresay they’d like that pick again.

I’m definitely against throwing 2 first round picks at WC for Reid, but we really need a gun at the very likely pick 2 that we will have

Rachele?

 

[WesternRoo]

Either will Watson, he's shown more midfield ability in his u/18 year than just about all of them apart from that one NAB League game Sheezel played in there and got 37.

He's played half back and in the midfield already this season.

A pure forward pocket doesn't average 26 disposals a game.

Is a good comparison Boomer?

 

[Sphynx]

Is a good comparison Boomer?

It is and it isn't.

His dynamic speed and movement is all Boomer like.

Watson is a good kick, but Boomer is one of the best kicks just about ever.

Watson is a hard little ****er though, he loves to throw himself around, loves to tackle, bump, get under the opposition skin. Boomer whilst a ball of muscle, didn't love the defensive side of the game.

Watson is really good overhead for his size, Boomer rarely flew for marks, especially second half of his career.