Player Watch 2023 AFL Draft Pool Discussion Thread

[Strapping Young Lad]

Same rule applies to this thread as other years, keep it on topic about the kids.
Don’t get bogged down on what other teams might do or where they will finish.

Trade speculation belongs here.
That's also where you can discuss your mock drafts or pick trades.

Any McCabe, Dear or Maginness talk belongs here.

 

[danielG]

Would’ve thought it was about the career, not the first year, that was important

It’s taken a while to get here but I’m comfortable taking Curtin at our first pick.. He’s tall, athletic, reads the ball well, is good on the deck, wins one on ones… just has a lot going for him.. Sic will be 29 before next season starts so Curtin would be our next great intercepting defender.. He and McCabe complete our backline..Still want Duursma but that ships sailed, and it might be a good thing in the end..

 

[Ned Ryerson]

It’s taken a while to get here but I’m comfortable taking Curtin at our first pick.. He’s tall, athletic, reads the ball well, is good on the deck, wins one on ones… just has a lot going for him.. Sic will be 29 before next season starts so Curtin would be our next great intercepting defender.. He and McCabe complete our backline..Still want Duursma but that ships sailed, and it might be a good thing in the end..

Yeah I took a while to land on a preference but the more and more I read about Curtin it just makes sense. His versatility over Watson was the sealer - Watson can only really play in one position and if he isn't quite cut out for it at AFL level there then he's a bust. Curtin could play multiple positions and he might even get a few more cm of growth once we draft him. Kid looks ready to go round 1 next year - I would be stoked if it's for us.

 

[Flukey!]

Will McCabe be our CHB in the future? That is his current position.
If so, perhaps we don't look to Curtin and go the Wiz?

Why would we draft two young CHB's at the same time?

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Will McCabe be our CHB in the future? That is his current position.
If so, perhaps we don't look to Curtin and go the Wiz?

Why would we draft two young CHB's at the same time?

Any reason, and I have only watched highlights of course, why Curtin couldn't play as a KPD? Some sites have him as 197cm and 95kg as an 18 year old - so he's already bigger than McCabe (definitely broader). Even if he's a skilled interceptor if he's a bit bigger than say a Sicily then I don't see why he couldn't play FB.

 

[noobermensch]

A showcase of Colby McKercher at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

 

[Books]

What do the ITK's think of Will Dawson? 200 cm, versatile, but played his best footy as a KPD. Addresses a need for us and suits Sam Mitchell's preference for athletic ability and versatility.

Tipped to go in the 30-50 range. Could we trade F2 back into the draft to get him?

Watson, McCabe, Dawson, Dear. That would be a good haul IMHO.

 

[Platten44]

What do the ITK's think of Will Dawson? 200 cm, versatile, but played his best footy as a KPD. Addresses a need for us and suits Sam Mitchell's preference for athletic ability and versatility.

Tipped to go in the 30-50 range. Could we trade F2 back into the draft to get him?

Watson, McCabe, Dawson, Dear. That would be a good haul IMHO.

Why do you have to be ITK to have an opinion on a possible draftee?

 

[hawkmang]

A showcase of Colby McKercher at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

Jeez didn’t realise how quick he was, good inside -> outside mid

 

[I got the outside word]

Why do you have to be ITK to have an opinion on a possible draftee?

Because they are in the know if they can answer them correctly?

 

[SSSSSS]

A showcase of Colby McKercher at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

Ben Cousins 2.0

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Damn, I want to know how his tunnelball skills would be passed down

That gave me a decent laugh

 

[cryptor]

Why do you have to be ITK to have an opinion on a possible draftee?

You don't. But that's the opinion Books is interested in hearing.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

That gave me a decent laugh

A great moment during the drought!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Brishawk]

A showcase of Colby McKercher at his best over the course of the 2023 season.

He is a jet. If north dont take him, we should.

 

[MasterSamurai]

İ still think North will take Curtin with one of their picks. People saying he's not overly quick but he moves quite well for such a big lad. Bit like roughy, has a good footy brain so he's usually a step ahead of the play to begin with, obviously it's gonna take a little while for it to transition at AFL level. But, Watson is an interesting one, ready to go from day one, he will keep defenders honest, doesn't die wandering, always in the game when the ball is frwd of centre, a busy , electric half frwd that is capable of turning it on for a QTR to blow games open! I'm split 50/50.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Our whole off season screams Curtin. Throwing stupid $$$ at s**t defenders and picking up a small forward via trade.

Remember, we're already guaranteed a 197cm athletic defender in the first round of this draft.

 

[HomerJayS]

Will McCabe be our CHB in the future? That is his current position.
If so, perhaps we don't look to Curtin and go the Wiz?

Why would we draft two young CHB's at the same time?

There is no guarantee McCabe will make it. We don’t have anyone else (except Serong maybe?). We don’t have anyone else. A decent CHB is needed for us to dominate again. If we took both and they both become stars what the worse case scenario?

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

İ still think North will take Curtin with one of their picks. People saying he's not overly quick but he moves quite well for such a big lad. Bit like roughy, has a good footy brain so he's usually a step ahead of the play to begin with, obviously it's gonna take a little while for it to transition at AFL level. But, Watson is an interesting one, ready to go from day one, he will keep defenders honest, doesn't die wandering, always in the game when the ball is frwd of centre, a busy , electric half frwd that is capable of turning it on for a QTR to blow games open! I'm split 50/50.

Yes, I feel a team like Norf will take him:

a) Because he's a great talent
b) He's a bargaining chip if Reid wants to go home

 

[Steven Tyler]

Will McCabe be our CHB in the future? That is his current position.
If so, perhaps we don't look to Curtin and go the Wiz?

Why would we draft two young CHB's at the same time?

They don’t get pigeon-holed as a 1 position player

Naughton was drafted as a defender, Sicily as a forward etc

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

 

[Ned Ryerson]

So you're saying pay no attention to the man behind the Curtin?

 

[Bugs1977]

Follow the yellow + brown brick road you say

 

[Bugs1977]

Remember, we're already guaranteed a 197cm athletic defender in the first round of this draft.

He's 207cm with his afro out

 

[chopflop]

That highlights package sums up Curtin really well i think.

Clearly looks at his best in traffic with ball in hand. Has great agility and a dart of a left. Looks very one-paced though.

As a KPD I didn't see any of his spoils land front and centre. They all dropped out the back of the pack which is symptomatic for KPDs who are not commanding in the air. He looks like a taller Scrim when playing in the back half and that not what I am using a top five pick on.

You pick him as a mid or you don't pick him imo