ChaserJ

I’m in the same camp (we need midfielders - or at least one to pick up the baton from Oliver & Petracca). Wilson gives us a ball user with flair and creativity. More outside at this stage, can play in the forward line. He has what we lack in creativity and ball use (has pace as well). There are some questions on his work in the contest, but I like him. Will be hard for him to push up inside the top 8 or so, which is starting to firm up, but if he shows improvement in the contest, could do it. Sanders has been excellent this season, possibly the best inside mid in this years crop. Bit of an Oliver Wines type, does his best work inside, hasn’t shown a tonne in other areas of the ground. From Tassie, so some will have questions whether that’s a potential retention issue down the track, but he relocated to Vic for school last year, maybe not so big an issue. Would have to bide his time for a midfield spot with us, would like to have seen him show some positional flexibility for that reason.

Draft talent wrap from Foxsports: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-prospects-2023-order-rankings-west-coast-pick-1-harley-reid-daniel-curtin-koltyn-tholstrup-nate-caddy-stars/news-story/aa4b1bef53fc9c2cf56d3962b8c947f9

Latest rankings from Rookie Me Draft Central: https://central.rookieme.com/afl/power-rankings/afl-draft-power-rankings-june-2023/

Anyone keen to watch Nates performance (and Harley Reid kick 4 at the other end), game is up on YouTube now:

I’d add that there are a couple of very good WA kids that look like they’ll sit in that 6-15 range who would hold a lot of appeal. 2 was too high for Ginbey (who’s easily in the Eagles best 5 performers this season) last year, but he was who they wanted. I can see a similar scenario this year.

Bit of commentary on how the depth of this years crop is looking ATM: https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/06/23/draft-experts-give-first-indication-into-quality-of-2023-class/

Played inside mid for a lot of the game. Finished with 20 touches and most of his good work came inside the contest and he won a few clearances, used his bigger frame well, but wasn't able to break away from congestion like he has for Gippsland (SA were good in the contest - McAullife in particular - and got numbers around the ball). Switched forward when Reid had a run on the ball in the second half (Duursma had 11 touches to half time), was less prominent then. While not a standout game, it was good to see Duursma play on the inside and win clearances and lay a pretty good number of tackles (read that he laid 8 for the game).

He was excellent today. Crows have themselves a ripper to look forward to next year.

Fair point. North made the (pragmatic) call to trade whilst a good deal was available. I get the feeling JHF & his management leveraged the potential value drop and weaker hand given the single yr remaining on the contract.

I agree. Don’t get me wrong, happy to capitalise on any opportunities it may present for Melbourne, but having been on the other end of go home draftees, I reckon the minimum length of the initial contract has to be longer than 2 years now.

Over in the u18 Champs thread @bandicoot

Jordan Croft looking like a very good key fwd prospect for the Dogs so far for Metro. Kynan Brown busy early. Live stream of SA v Metro in AFL website now.

Would still like to us to use a couple of those picks to climb up the order, even if it’s not for pick 1. Being able to make a choice from Duursma, Caddy, Watson or Wilson would be excellent. Think one of those cliffs in quality JT talks about probably kicks in at that pick 8 mark. The Championships will absolutely help crystallise the order, but gee GC look like their getting a windfall this year.

Thanks @adonski, I could be wrong on the contract status, probably still gettable while he's out of the side.

Would love us to have a go at luring Elijah Hollands in from Gold Coast. When up and running is a dynamic mid/fwd who could be part of our next wave in midfield behind Petracca & Oliver. OOC this year and Humphrey looks to have taken his spot in the starting line up.

That analysis kinda confirms what we’ve known for a while about the quality of our ball use.

Like this @JimmyGadson. Like the call on Caddy as well, he looked very good swinging between mid and up forward. Another one of that group in the first 6 or so in this draft that I could see us climbing up the draft order for. On Himmelberg, I thought this was a very good read on Harry (and high marking in general) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/marking-out-history-how-to-take-a-speccie-with-harry-himmelberg/102385180

Haha, got my fair haired talls mixed up. Meant Himmelberg!

Worth bearing in mind that Himmelberg & McKay could attract compensation picks inside the top 10. That could either work to create more opportunity or lead to the complete opposite. At least we have some chips to play with and agree with other that Reid is far from the only player worth snaking up the ladder for.

We're in West Footscray, was also hoping for some Casey fixtures out West. Will have to settle for catching a Coates Talent League game at Willy later this season.

Full replays should be uploaded on YouTube within a few days as well if you can’t watch live on the app.

I wouldn’t sleep on his Tassie midfield running mate in McKercher either. One of the classiest midfielders in this years group.

Yeah, I was admittedly being a bit cheeky in the comparison, but if you start building a profile, you could draw some similarities. I think the broader view on how good Curtin could be is only going to build from here.

190+cm, good overhead, can play in all zones, wins clearances in midfield and has a classy left boot. Pretty sure I've seen this story before (2013 to be exact). https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/05/09/wafl-player-focus-daniel-curtin-claremont/

Foxsports with an early rundown of this years draft crop: Why Harley Reid is the clear No. 1 of 2023, Suns and Tassie conundrums and mid-season whispers: AFL Draft Watch