2023 AFL National Draft prospects: The next batch

[Roger Mellie 4,025]

11 hours ago, RyanD said:

I would be interested to see how supporters would rate the prospects without a draft guide as to where they will go. The draft guess work for supporters is confirmation bias 101. You know they are a high-draft pick when you watch these videos, so it always stands out more. If you just had footage and no guide for the top 30 players, 95% of supporters wouldn't get close to picking the top 10. 

100% agree. I was just looking at the Colby McKercher highlights thinking - yep he looks a bit like LDU with a tiny dash of Marc Murphy. Then I read other posters say he plays like Toby Greene, then Luke Shuey and Sam Walsh.

I'm happy to concede I have NFI and will continue to glean the info of the very decent talent scouts on DL.

Edited August 15, 2023 by Roger Mellie
xox

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

One WA boy attracting attention as bolter. Previously a ruckman been turned into key defender. Raw with athleticism and a project player for clubs as late pick

https://wafl.com.au/player/zane-zakostelsky

[Slartibartfast 17,279]

Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' August ranking

 

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

5 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' August ranking

 

Zane Duursma the big climber.

[Nascent 9,213]

Early prediction - Sanders pre-listed to Roos.

1. GC - Walter (matches bid)

2. WC - Curtin (either swap pick 2 with roos or select him outright, think Curtin becomes an eagle)

3. NM - Reid

4. Hawks - Duursma

Think McKercher and Watson go next

5. GC pick traded to whoever

6. Melbourne - the remaining of McKercher or Watson

 

[BW511 2,669]

17 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Early prediction - Sanders pre-listed to Roos.

1. GC - Walter (matches bid)

2. WC - Curtin (either swap pick 2 with roos or select him outright, think Curtin becomes an eagle)

3. NM - Reid

4. Hawks - Duursma

Think McKercher and Watson go next

5. GC pick traded to whoever

6. Melbourne - the remaining of McKercher or Watson

 

If North get Sanders and Reid, they will have enough for two elite midfields 

[Sydee 4,442]

34 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Early prediction - Sanders pre-listed to Roos.

1. GC - Walter (matches bid)

2. WC - Curtin (either swap pick 2 with roos or select him outright, think Curtin becomes an eagle)

3. NM - Reid

4. Hawks - Duursma

Think McKercher and Watson go next

5. GC pick traded to whoever

6. Melbourne - the remaining of McKercher or Watson

 

Would have thought Watson was the last thing we needed to improve our list IMO 

[Nascent 9,213]

1 minute ago, Sydee said:

Would have thought Watson was the last thing we needed to improve our list IMO 

He's in that top tier of talent and would be hard to pass up.

He is having a better junior season than kozzie, has a more well rounded game and can play all over the ground despite his size.

More importantly he is elite off both feet and is an aerial threat. 

Would be instant best 22 next year and improves our forward half, not an idea to be dismissed for mine.

After McKercher, Sanders and Reid there's not a lot of highly rated mids in this draft. We would be looking at prospective flankers and key position players ranked outside the top 10 if we were to go down a different route from the 7 listed above.

Still, a lot to play out and perhaps a bolter will yet impress late in the season but hard to see other players at this stage pushing into that category. Caddy and O'Sullivan perhaps a watch as well as Wilson, though he has knocks on his contested game.

All hypotheticals anyway. Good chance McKercher falls to us and we would probably be very happy with that.

[Nascent 9,213]

27 minutes ago, BW511 said:

If North get Sanders and Reid, they will have enough for two elite midfields 

Indeed.

I can see them trading out Thomas and Powell if it nets them some players or picks to fill in key position roles. Phillips constantly in and out of the team as well although I think he's talented enough to persist with after an interrupted start to his career.

North could and should take Curtin if available in my view.

[Colm 2,155]

20 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Would have thought Watson was the last thing we needed to improve our list IMO 

You’re probably right in terms of the type our list needs. We are well covered with Chandler and Kossie although the later may spend more time in the middle going forward. 
But what if Watson is best available at our pick and then there’s a bit of a drop off?

Think Cal said he’s in the mix for the Hawks at pick 3( although Duursma’s form may have changed that). 

Edited August 16, 2023 by Colm

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

19 hours ago, Nascent said:

Agreed.

Still a bit to play out but for me it will be Reid, Walter and Curtin as the first three names read out on draft night, order to be determined.

We'll most likely be picking from McKercher, Duursma, Watson or Sanders if available.

Watson for me is x-factor and ill love him in our team with one of picks if he is still there. He has largely been deployed in the forward line, but i wonder if he has ever had a run through the middle and could he entrench himself as an outside player? 

[Nascent 9,213]

12 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

Watson for me is x-factor and ill love him in our team with one of picks if he is still there. He has largely been deployed in the forward line, but i wonder if he has ever had a run through the middle and could he entrench himself as an outside player? 

He has and he finds the ball at will. Has even played off half back.

[Dee Viney Intervention 1,938]

24 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

Watson for me is x-factor and ill love him in our team with one of picks if he is still there. He has largely been deployed in the forward line, but i wonder if he has ever had a run through the middle and could he entrench himself as an outside player? 

Spends a bit of time in midfield rotating forward for Caulfield Grammar, against SA in nationals he was playing off half back flank at one stage. Absolutely has X factor, speed and makes good decisions with the ball and is lethal around goals. Gives us options enabling Kossie to spend more time in the midfield, Chandler if he builds his tank could also roll thru there, Chandler or Watson could play high half forward / wing with Kossie deep. Gives us a real different look with speed, skill and elite forward pressure. Plenty of options depending on opposition match ups and form of senior players. McKerchin and Duursma would also be great fits and fill an immediate need  improving connection and our forward line.

[Its Time for Another 4,218]

Isn't the go home factor something to take into account with McKerchin. I would have thought once the Tassie team is recruiting he'd be a real danger of going. Especially if they get the right to take a contracted player from each club. As in Scully to GWS. Personally I wouldn't roll the dice on this risk. 

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

14 minutes ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Spends a bit of time in midfield rotating forward for Caulfield Grammar, against SA in nationals he was playing off half back flank at one stage. Absolutely has X factor, speed and makes good decisions with the ball and is lethal around goals. Gives us options enabling Kossie to spend more time in the midfield, Chandler if he builds his tank could also roll thru there, Chandler or Watson could play high half forward / wing with Kossie deep. Gives us a real different look with speed, skill and elite forward pressure. Plenty of options depending on opposition match ups and form of senior players. McKerchin and Duursma would also be great fits and fill an immediate need  improving connection and our forward line.

We do need better decision makers and ball users. So i reckon you could start him off half back in his career. I can definitely see a need McKerchin in our team, but im just suspect of Duursma - whose spot does he take in our current 22? Is it someone like Sparrow? 

[Nascent 9,213]

10 minutes ago, Its Time for Another said:

Isn't the go home factor something to take into account with McKerchin. I would have thought once the Tassie team is recruiting he'd be a real danger of going. Especially if they get the right to take a contracted player from each club. As in Scully to GWS. Personally I wouldn't roll the dice on this risk. 

It's definitely a potential risk. I'm sure our recruiting team will be doing their due diligence there.

[Fat Tony 5,231]

The highlights of Nate Caddy are very impressive. Skilled and balanced. Good overhead.

I like Duursma a lot but you don't need to be Jason Taylor to see that Caddy also has a lot of talent.

[Dee Viney Intervention 1,938]

15 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

We do need better decision makers and ball users. So i reckon you could start him off half back in his career. I can definitely see a need McKerchin in our team, but im just suspect of Duursma - whose spot does he take in our current 22? Is it someone like Sparrow? 

Watson could cover Bowey for injury or loss of form but I think you are wasting him in the backline and would have him close to goals or at JVR ‘S feet. Duursma would start as a forward possibly taking Mekshams spot with the ability to roll through the midfield in time. McKerchin could fill a number of roles mid / wing rotating forward. 

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

1 hour ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Watson could cover Bowey for injury or loss of form but I think you are wasting him in the backline and would have him close to goals or at JVR ‘S feet. Duursma would start as a forward possibly taking Mekshams spot with the ability to roll through the midfield in time. McKerchin could fill a number of roles mid / wing rotating forward. 

Not sure on Bowey - he is just going...barely. Frankly i have been disappointed with Salem and Bowey the most this year. Salem has at least an excuse in injury and thyroid. They need to find some spark in their game to more speed on the ball.

Watson with speed and skill could really change things up there. It all depends on game plan of course, but if we really want to isolate our forwards and minimize turnover, it all starts in D50 with good, athletic players with skill. It is why Collingwood's average forward line looks so good. 

[whatwhat say what 22,757]

Speed forwards are rolled gold in modern footy

Watson would be a great addition 

But I’m still all in on getting Reid

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

6 hours ago, Its Time for Another said:

Isn't the go home factor something to take into account with McKerchin. I would have thought once the Tassie team is recruiting he'd be a real danger of going. Especially if they get the right to take a contracted player from each club. As in Scully to GWS. Personally I wouldn't roll the dice on this risk. 

They don’t even know what season they will be coming in at this stage, yeah we lost Jackson, Wiz and Thompson over the years but back the culture and take the best available 

[Superunknown 4,217]

What would Maverick Do?

I feel the need, the need for Reid!

 

[Stiff Arm 4,419]

Anyone know much about this fella? From AFL site:

SANDRINGHAM Dragons prospect Charlie Edwards has clubs watching him as the big-bodied midfielder makes a late dash up the draft board.
"He had that breakout game against Dandenong and he just controlled the ball. He can play as inside and outside midfielder and is a very good athlete," said Mark Wheeler, Sandringham's talent manager.
Edwards played for the Dragons at the start of the year but had limited pre-season given his strong cricket talents, however, he has taken the eye of scouts in recent weeks. 

[Sydney_Demon 1,175]

21 hours ago, Nascent said:

Early prediction - Sanders pre-listed to Roos.

1. GC - Walter (matches bid)

2. WC - Curtin (either swap pick 2 with roos or select him outright, think Curtin becomes an eagle)

3. NM - Reid

4. Hawks - Duursma

Think McKercher and Watson go next

5. GC pick traded to whoever

6. Melbourne - the remaining of McKercher or Watson

 

@Nascent Could you explain what this pre-listing of Sanders means? I understand North are applying for this on the basis of their support for him over a number of years of junior development. But I don't see how this differs from NGA like Melbourne & Mac Andrews where clubs can use discounted points but is only an option outside the Top 40 picks. The following Fox Sports article seems to summarise it pretty well:

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/north-melbourne-kangaroos/afl-news-2023-north-melbourne-three-top10-draft-picks-ben-mckay-compensation-first-round-pick-ryley-sanders-next-generation-academy-prelisted/news-story/fe2d2db23015d4b1d2d232f3983cd3b0

Am I write in assuming this pre-listing will effectively be North's requested special assistance compensation for 2023? Especially if it's in addition to a ridiculous potential Pick 3 free agency compensation for Ben McKay, it seems a massive ramping up of the compensation they received last year which was 2nd & 3rd round 2023 picks that had to traded in 2022 for players (these picks 21 & 40 are now owned by Fremantle).

[Nascent 9,213]

38 minutes ago, Sydney_Demon said:

@Nascent Could you explain what this pre-listing of Sanders means? I understand North are applying for this on the basis of their support for him over a number of years of junior development. But I don't see how this differs from NGA like Melbourne & Mac Andrews where clubs can use discounted points but is only an option outside the Top 40 picks. The following Fox Sports article seems to summarise it pretty well:

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/north-melbourne-kangaroos/afl-news-2023-north-melbourne-three-top10-draft-picks-ben-mckay-compensation-first-round-pick-ryley-sanders-next-generation-academy-prelisted/news-story/fe2d2db23015d4b1d2d232f3983cd3b0

Am I write in assuming this pre-listing will effectively be North's requested special assistance compensation for 2023? Especially if it's in addition to a ridiculous potential Pick 3 free agency compensation for Ben McKay, it seems a massive ramping up of the compensation they received last year which was 2nd & 3rd round 2023 picks that had to traded in 2022 for players (these picks 21 & 40 are now owned by Fremantle).

Correct. That's one of the avenues they are requesting to be a part of their assistance package.

As you stated, under current rules they wouldn't be able to match a bid within the top 40. North are hoping to circumvent that with their assistance package by pre-listing him, meaning they won't even have to use draft points at all. He'll just be on their list come the end of draft night.

Suns got a similar deal when the were able to pre-list Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey.