2023 AFL Draft

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https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/11/01/download-the-2023-afl-draft-guide/

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IS THIS YEAR ACTUALLY A SHALLOW DRAFT?

Part of club strategy is understanding the depth of talent – both in the upcoming draft and beyond.

For example, this draft is considered to be a shallow pool that falls away after a clear top 12 (depending on you speak to) ahead of the rest of the pack.

But Ablett dismissed such talk as being “incredibly disrespectful”, going so far to declare this year’s pool is as good as he’s ever seen.

The draft guru said the key trial facing all 18 clubs is finding the diamonds in the rough with their later picks.

“I think this group is as good as any that has come through a draft in my time in football … I’m not being facetious. But when we sit back in another eight months time and see what’s starting to come to fruition and these young men having an impact on the AFL stage, all of a sudden we look back pretty fondly on the draft.

“I mean this from the bottom of my heart – I think this draft is as good as any I’ve seen come before it. The real challenge for AFL clubs now is to dig a little bit deeper and to find these players. History suggests there are always players in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s that have gone on to play on in AFL premierships.”

SO WHO ARE THE HIDDEN GEMS TO WATCH FOR?

So who are this year’s big sleepers? Ablett nominated Kade De La Rue and Harvey Johnstone as two potential bargain pickup.

“I really like Kade De La Rue – a medium forward out of the Dandenong Stingrays – 183cm and 79kg. He’s still a very young 18-year old. He averaged 15 disposals, but it’s his efficiency art 79 per cent that really impressed me at the U18 Championships,” he said.

“He doesn’t have huge amounts of leg speed, but he just does not fumble, he’s outstanding overhead for his size and his ability to use the ball to weight his kicks on both sides of the body. It’s literally poetry in motion watching him play and I’ve got a lot of time for him

“He’s a player you want kicking the ball. Kade Del La Rue is certainly one I’d be keeping an eye on and will pop up at some stage in the draft.”

Ablett said the way Johnstone moves is resemblant of Luke Davies-Uniacke in what could be a late steal.

“The other one is Harvey Johnstone, who’s a 183cm midfielder out of the Sandringham Dragons. I just think this kid has flown under the radar a little bit and he has a lot to offer an AFL club,” he said.

“His movement reminds of a Luke Davies-Uniacke, he’s very instinctive by hand and just his movement around the stoppage is what really impressed me.

“He had an opportunity at VFL level where he played a couple of game for the ‘Sandy’ Zebras late in the year. He’s one that has probably flown under the radar but deserves an opportunity.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-2023-burning-questions-pick-1-trade-west-coast-eagles-north-melbourne-kangaroos-melbourne-demons-harley-reid-tasmania-players-sleepers-is-it-shallow-latest-news/news-story/8972de27ada0d50cc2477d2ea656fad9

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AFL draft top 30: Ranking the best prospects

By Dean Bilton
ABC sport
6 November 2023

The 2023 AFL draft is just around the corner, and a much debated crop of young footballers are set to learn their fates.

The consensus among draft watchers has been a clear group of around a dozen prospects have elevated themselves, but beyond that opinions have been mixed, setting up an unpredictable draft with surprises likely.

Here is our ranking of the best 30 players in this year's draft.

1. Harley Reid
2. Jed Walter - GC Academy
3. Colby McKercher
4. Ethan Read - GC Academy
5. Zane Duursma
6. Ryley Sanders
7. Daniel Curtin
8. Connor O'Sullivan
9. Nick Watson
10. James Leake
11. Nate Caddy
12. Jake Rogers - GC Academy
13. Caleb Windsor
14. Ollie Murphy
15. Darcy Wilson
16. Jordan Croft - WB F/S
17. Will McCabe - Haw F/S
18. Charlie Edwards
19. Caiden Cleary - Swans Academy
20. Koltyn Tholstrup
21. Angus Hastie
22. Phoenix Gothard
23. Lance Collard
24. Taylor Goad
25. Riley Hardeman
26. Will Green
27. Archie Roberts
28. Logan Morris
29. Harry DeMattia
30. Zane Zakostelsky

Full write-ups here: https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/afl-draft-top-30-ranking-the-best-prospects-from-harley-reid-and-zane-duursma-to-ryley-sanders-and-nate-caddy/ar-AA1jqu4o

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Some forums & media claim we have interest in Taylor Goad.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1059916/hes-a-ripper-the-unique-206cm-ruck-prospect-taylor-goad-dazzling-recruiters

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Gold Coast are hoping to trade picks 24 and 26.

West Coast (picks 1, 23) is interested in securing a third pick within 25, while Fremantle is also keen to get up from its initial pick (34)

@RalphyHeraldSun via @heraldsunsport

https://twitter.com/AFLTradeHub/status/1721282500910309529
 

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Richmond are coming to terms with their first pick in the draft a midfielder should be selected.

Charlie Edwards, George Stevens, Cooper Simpson, Joel Freijah are all names currently known to me that Richmond are interested in.

unfortunately we are out of the range of any good key forward prospects.

https://twitter.com/jamesdevennn/status/1721459535934849514

[Andyy]

There are always diamonds in the rough.

Need to lower the risk threshold and take a key forward. Develop them and give them a go.

Most 1st round key forwards are a bust anyway IMO. Especially the pick #1

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Richmond

Picks: 29, 41, 65, 68, 86

Richmond will be dealing in the latter stages of the draft, having given up their first-round pick in last year's Jacob Hopper deal.

The Tiger could look at ambidextrous forward Ashton Moir with its first selection, but may also opt to boost its defence with the likes of Tew Jiath.

Should the Tigers target a tall forward for the future, marking forward Logan Morris looks like a strong option. The Western Jets spearhead kicked 29 goals in the Talent League this season.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/afl-draft-2023-club-by-club-prospects-draft-order-likely-selections/ar-AA1iJx6P

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From BF:

Some KPF to keep an eye on late in the draft if we go midfielder/flanker/ruck early on.

Riley Weatherill - 197cm 93kg KPF from Eastern Ranges kicked 37 goals in 15 games at Coates Talent League games

Patrick Weckert - 191cm 93kg KPF from Woodville-West Torrens, kicked 10 goals in 3 SANFL U18s games, 16 goals in 8 SANFL Reserves games

Xavier Walsh - 195cm 91kg KPF from East Perth. Kicked 13 goals from 8 games at WAFL Colts level.

Hugh Byrne - 194cm 89kg KPF from Bendigo Pioneers, kicked 18 goals from 14 Coates Talent League games

Liam Fawcett - 197cm 89kg KPF from Central Districts, kicked 32 goals from 16 SANFL U18s games

Harry Francis - 195cm 80kg KPF/ruck from Glenelg, kicked 12 goals from 10 SANFL U18s games. (Note spent more time as a ruck than forward)

Jacob Grant - 193cm 85kg KPF from Dandenong, kicked 12 goals from 13 Coates Talent League games

Luker Kentfield - 194cm 93kg KPF from Subiaco, kicked 29 goals from 20 WAFL Colts games & 8 goals from 10 WAFL League games

Coen Livingstone - 200cm 96kg KPF/Ruck from Perth, kicked 25 goals from 19 WAFL Colts games

Michael Rudd - 193cm 91kg KPF from Geelong Falcons kicked 16 goals from 13 Coates Talent League games & 7 goals from 3 NAB Championships games

Sam Van Rooyen - 193cm 85kg KPF from Claremont, brother of Jacob, kicked 26 goals from 22 WAFL Colts games.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/national-draft-23-after-this-year-we-all-need-therapy.1369608/post-81713457

[Andyy]

Plenty of options.

We'd be mad not to take a chance on one of them.

Moir looks very interesting as a potential medium forward so I'd be fine with that if we use 41 on a KPF.

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Projected 15th overall pick [@CalTwomey] Darcy Wilson says that he has been interviewed by every AFL side ahead of the upcoming draft except Collingwood.

https://twitter.com/AFLTradeHub/status/1722077463935857143


No chance unless we somehow trade up the draft order on the night.

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Another BF draft watcher's updated phantom draft:

Pick 31, Richmond - Phoenix Gothard
Small Forward 178cm/72kg
Age: 18 (September 7, 2005)
Allies | Murray Bushrangers
Plays like: Lincoln McCarthy
Profile: Crafty and creative little forward whose speed forward of centre is a force

Rationale: With no first round selection, the Tigers need to make the most of their selections and take the best available. At this stage it’s Gothard who projects to be better than any small forward currently getting games at Tiger land. His skill and pressure will be loved at Punt Road, and he is a reliable goal kicker too.

Pick 41, Richmond - Cooper Simpson
Inside Midfielder/General Forward 181cm/79kg
Age: 18 (February 13, 2005)
VIC Country | Dandenong Stingrays
Plays like: Jade Gresham
Profile: Speedy goal kicking midfielder

Rationale: An underrated midfield prospect in this draft, Simpson’s numbers have been consistently impressive so much so I expect him to be taken. The Tigers need additional midfield depth in my opinion and Simpson is one who can be developed into a good player.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/adzys-2023-phantom-two-rounds-so-far-updated-06-11-23.1374040/

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The BF draft board's actual phantom draft gave us Archer Reid and Koen Sanchez.


Round 1
Pick 1 - West Coast Eagles - Harley Reid
Pick 2 - Gold Coast Suns - Jed Walter (Matched bid) [Picks 24, 26 and 27 used to match, 203 points in the bank for next match]
Pick 3 - North Melbourne - Colby McKercher
Pick 4 - North Melbourne - Daniel Curtin
Pick 5 - Hawthorn - Zane Duursma
Pick 6 - Western Bulldogs - Nick Watson
Pick 7 - Gold Coast Suns - Ethan Read (Matched Bid) [Picks 30 and 34 used, 58 points for next match]
Pick 8 - Melbourne - Nate Caddy
Pick 9 - GWS - Ryley Sanders
Pick 10 - Geelong - Connor O'Sullivan
Pick 11 - Western Bulldogs - Jordan Croft (Matched Bid) [Picks 46, 48, 50 and 51 used, 101 points for next match]
Pick 12 - Essendon - Caleb Windsor
Pick 13 - Adelaide - Darcy Wilson
Pick 14 - Melbourne - James Leake
Pick 15 - Sydney - Zane Zakostelsky
Pick 16 - St Kilda - Ollie Murphy
Pick 17 - Adelaide - Harry Demattia
Pick 18 - North Melbourne - Mitch Edwards
Pick 19 - Gold Coast Suns - Jake Rogers (Matched Bid) [Picks 36, 60 and 65 used, 45 points for next match]
Pick 20 - GWS - Luamon Lual
Pick 21 - North Melbourne - Arie Schoenmaker
Pick 22 - North Melbourne - Riley Hardeman
Pick 23 - Hawthorn - Will McCabe (Matched bid) [Picks 42 and 45 used, 124 points for next match]
Pick 24 - Collingwood - Archie Roberts
Pick 25 - Adelaide - Taylor Goad
Pick 26 - St Kilda - Lance Collard
Pick 27 - Carlton - Koltyn Tholstrup

Round 2
Pick 28 - West Coast Eagles - Charlie Edwards
Pick 29 - Geelong - Joel Freijah
Pick 30 - Carlton - Ashton Moir
Pick 31 - Richmond - Archer Reid
Pick 32 - Brisbane - Angus Hastie
Pick 33 - Essendon - George Stevens
Pick 34 - Collingwood - Will Green
Pick 35 - Gold Coast Suns - Will Graham (Matched bid) [Pick 65 gobbled up. Deficit of 190 points applied to Gold Coasts 2023 2nd round pick]
Pick 36 - Fremantle - Luke Lloyd
Pick 37 - Hawthorn - Calsher Dear (Matched Bid) [Pick 46 used]
Pick 38 - Essendon - Tew Jiath
Pick 39 - West Coast - Wil Dawson
Pick 40 - Brisbane - Phoenix Gothard
Pick 41 - St Kilda - Harvey Johnston
Pick 42 - Richmond - Koen Sanchez
Pick 43 - Melbourne - Clay Hall
Pick 44 - GWS - Lachie Charleson

Round 3
Pick 45 - Sydney - Caiden Cleary
Pick 46 - Fremantle - Shaun Mannagh
Pick 47 - Brisbane - Cooper Simpson
Pick 48 - Brisbane - Joe Fonti
Pick 49 - Sydney - Jack Delean
Pick 50 - Western Bulldogs - Kane McAuliffe
Pick 51 - North Melbourne - Logan Morris
Pick 52 - West Coast - Will Patton
Pick 53 - GWS - Vigo Visentini
Pick 54 - Fremantle - Sam Clohesy
Pick 55 - Essendon - Michael Rudd
Pick 56 - Hawthorn - Nathan Philactides

Round 4
Pick 57 - Hawthorn - PASS
Pick 58 - Fremantle - Thomas Anastasopoulos
Pick 59 - Richmond - PASS
Pick 60 - Brisbane -PASS
Pick 61 - Richmond - PASS
Pick 62 - Western Bulldogs - Kade De La Rue
Pick 63 - Carlton - Aiden O'Driscoll
Pick 64 - Western Bulldogs - PASS
Pick 65 - Port Adelaide - Jack Callinan
Pick 66 - Western Bulldogs - PASS
Pick 67 - Geelong - Billy Wilson
Pick 68 - GWS - PASS
Pick 69 - Carlton - Sam Van Rooyen
Pick 70 - GWS - PASS
Pick 71 - Collingwood - Will Lorenz

Round 5
Pick 72 - Port Adelaide - Tarkyn O'Leary

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2023-bigfooty-phantom-draft.1374171/page-5

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Cal Twomey said Richmond's chief recruiter Matt Clarke will be on their Gettable show next week.


Twomey - Richmond will use two picks. Likely to go tall with one of their picks. Will Archer Reid be available?

https://www.afl.com.au/video/1062185/gettable-see-our-mock-draft-plus-latest-whispers-hawks-big-call-who-slips

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Kevin Sheehan’s 2023 AFL Draft top prospects: Midfielders

afl.com.au
8 November 2023

NATIONAL COMBINE

Kade De La Rue
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Beaconsfield
Date of Birth: 19/11/05
Height: 183cm

A medium midfielder/forward whose strength is accumulating the ball and then making good decisions with his neat disposal. Had an excellent season with the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League where he averaged 20.5 disposals, 4.4 tackles and 2.8 clearances across 11 matches. Represented Victoria Country in all four of its matches at the National Championships including being among his team’s best with 22 disposals and five marks in the victory against Western Australia. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine due to injury.

Joel Freijah
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: GWV Rebels
Community Club: Horsham Saints
Date of Birth: 14/11/05
Height: 190cm

A wingman who has real composure, is clean below his knees and distributes the ball very well. Announced himself as an AFL prospect when he kicked six goals from 26 disposals in the GWV Rebels’ loss to the Dandenong Stingrays in Round 4. He holds his width when playing on the wing, providing his team with an outlet option with its ball movement. Had a consistent year at club level averaging 19.6 disposals in 14 matches for the Rebels and finished third in the club’s best and fairest while playing in all four matches for Victoria Country. A strong all-round athlete, he ran a time of 2.98 seconds in the 20m sprint during pre-season testing and then completed the 2km time trial in 6:13 at the national Draft Combine.

Clay Hall
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Community Club: Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
Date of Birth: 12/05/05
Height: 189cm

Prolific disposal winner who uses the ball effectively on his preferred left foot and excels at stoppages using his clean hands and vision to create for his team. Has already played nine matches at senior level with Peel Thunder averaging 18.9 disposals. Starred when he represented Western Australia at the National Championships averaging 27.2 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles to win All Australian honours. Is the son of former West Coast Eagles and Geelong Cats forward Derek Hall but is not eligible for either club under father-son rules given Derek played only two games for the Eagles and 74 matches for the Cats. Didn’t test at the Draft Combine due to injury.

Will Lorenz
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Boroondara Hawks
Date of Birth: 19/02/05
Height: 186cm

A lightly-built wingman or forward who produced some eye-catching matches last year including an under 17s game against Queensland where he had 32 disposals and kicked three goals to begin to build his profile. A left-footed kick with good speed as well as a neat step through traffic, he mixed his football between Marcellin College and the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 19.4 disposals in seven matches for the latter. At representative level he played for the Australian under 18 team in their matches against Port Adelaide (SANFL) and Carlton (VFL) as well as playing three matches for Victoria Metro averaging 19 disposals. Tested soundly at the national Draft Combine with his 3.06 seconds for the 20m sprint and 6:33 for the 2km time trial both solid performances.  He is the grandson of former Hawthorn premiership captain and AFL Hall of Fame member Graham Arthur.

Kane McAuliffe
State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Central Augusta
Date of Birth: 01/03/05
Height: 187cm

A big-bodied and powerful midfielder who wins his own ball and is a penetrating left-foot kick. Is a strong and aggressive tackler as well as being an accomplished extractor of the ball from stoppages using his clean hands and vision to set up the play. Progressed from dominating under 18s games at club level to playing seven matches at reserves level averaging 18.7 disposals. Featured among South Australia’s best in the National Championship matches against the Allies and Victoria Metro and averaged 18 disposals, 3.8 clearances and 8.5 tackles across the tournament. Showcased his power and speed at the national Draft Combine with his running vertical jump of 95cm ranking third and 2.93 seconds for the 20m spring ranking fifth.

Eion McElholm
Country: Ireland
County: County Tyrone
GAA Club: Loughmacrory
Date of Birth: 28/06/05
Height: 178cm

Small midfielder/forward who is a star of the Gaelic game. His work rate, speed and agility along with his innate ability to score are weapons that make him one of the top players of his age in Ireland. Is a slick decision maker and uses the round ball with absolute precision on both feet. Has adapted very quickly to the oval ball in tryouts in Australia. Reads the Gaelic game exceptionally well and has the athletic capabilities and mindset to convert to AFL. His dazzling speed was eye-catching at the national Draft Combine with a top 10 finish in the 20m sprint with his time of 2.99 seconds.

Aiden O’Driscoll
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: Northern Saints
Date of Birth: 22/07/05
Height: 175cm

Wingman who caught the eye with his pace for Western Australia at the National Championships and was among the best players against South Australia and Victoria Country. Showed good footy smarts to keep his width on the wing and provide an outlet for his team and generally was a neat ball user. His elite combination of speed and endurance set the national Draft Combine alight, where he was ranked number one for the 20m sprint with a blistering 2.87 seconds and finished fifth in the 2km time trial with an effort of 6:06. Played nine matches for Perth at under 18 level, averaging 15.8 disposals and kicking seven goals. Comes from an AFL football family with his brother Nathan and sister Emma both playing with Fremantle.

Tarkyn O’Leary
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Parkdale Vultures
Date of Birth: 01/07/05
Height: 178cm

Left-footed wingman whose ability to run all day and present as an outlet option is a real asset. A neat distributor of the ball, he also has good footy smarts and a sharp competitive edge which allows him to be effective as an inside player when required. He averaged 15.4 disposals and 2.5 tackles in 13 matches for the Sandringham Dragons and was a member of their Coates Talent League premiership team. Was also a consistent performer for Victoria Metro at the National Championships. Was ranked first in the 2km time trial at the national Draft Combine with a time of 5:48.

Cooper Simpson
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Mt Martha
Date of Birth: 13/02/05
Height: 181cm

An ultra professional midfielder with pace, composure and great finishing skills. He also has a neat step through traffic and runs hard both offensively and defensively. Has shown the ability to perform when challenged and in the big moments when the game is on the line. Started the season in good touch with the Dandenong Stingrays but suffered an ankle injury in Victoria Country’s opening game of the National Championships and was unable to play any further matches at that level. Made an impressive return for the final four matches with the Stingrays including having 28 disposals against the Tasmania Devils which reminded scouts of his class and AFL potential.

Reece Torrent
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Community Club: Halls Head
Date of Birth: 03/08/05
Height: 184cm

Powerfully built wingman who impressed for Western Australia at the National Championships with his sharp competitive edge and game awareness. Was one of his state’s best against the Allies and played all four matches during the tournament, averaging 16.8 disposals and three tackles while showing a real appetite for the contest. Continued to develop with his club Peel Thunder throughout the year, where he progressed from the under 18s through the reserves before making his senior debut late in the year. Had strong performances in the agility test (8.26 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:24) at the national Draft Combine which demonstrated his athletic prowess.

Caleb Windsor
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Lysterfield
Date of Birth: 09/06/05
Height: 184cm

A wingman with pace to burn. His preparedness to take the game on is a real weapon along with his decision making and ball use. Played all four games for Victoria Metro at the National Championships and was his team’s best player in the loss to the Allies, while also shining with 22 disposals in the win over Western Australia. Across his 16 matches with the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League he averaged 19.4 disposals to be one of their most consistent players during their run to the grand final. Recorded a slick time of 2.92 seconds in the 20m sprint during the national Draft Combine highlighting his dazzling acceleration and backed it up by recording 6:28 for the 2km time trial which demonstrated a combination of elite speed and endurance so essential on the wing.

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