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BT COME BACK!
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
Top-10 draft prospect Nick Watson has been told he is too small for years – but he thinks differently. Plus, decision time looms for another father-son and the bolters who starred at the combine.
The AFL national draft is a touch over five weeks away and a lot is beginning to take shape.
Here’s the latest draft news from around the country, following the national draft combine last weekend.
HEIGHT NO BARRIER FOR WATSON
The shortest player to attend the national draft combine says he lets his “footy to the talking” when questions come up over his height.
Eastern Ranges small forward Nick Watson measured in at 169.5cm at the combine last weekend.
The two shortest players currently on AFL lists are Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett and Western Bulldogs utility Caleb Daniel, who are both listed at 171cm.
Watson did not complete physical testing at the combine, as he recovers from an ankle issue that again flared up in the Coates Talent League Grand Final last month.
However, he is a quick and agile pressure forward with freakish goal sense who was the leading goalkicker in the under-18 national championships this year with 14 majors from four games for Vic Metro.
“I just let my footy do the talking,” Watson said.
“I’ve had it all my life, how I’m too small and all that. I just perform every game to my best ability. You can’t really say much because you don’t really know what’s happening behind closed doors (at AFL clubs). But you just let your footy do the talking at the end of the day.
“Watching players like Kosi Pickett – who’s only like 2cm taller than me – dominate the game, it gives me a bit of confidence and it’s just about having that self-belief.”
Watson is believed to be in the sights of the Western Bulldogs after the club traded up the draft order to secure pick 4 from the Gold Coast Suns.
Bulldogs small forward Cody Weightman is another player Watson looks up to, along with Pickett and Greater Western Sydney skipper Toby Greene.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
I think Watson will do well with us.
Collard?
- Hawthorn would be a good spot with Brockman leaving and young team-mates.
- I'm not sure Melbourne is a fit - they are ready now and Collard needs to play...I'm not sure he's ready to toe the line with senior players.
- Freo = Bad for Lance. Get him the heck outa here.What should I tell her? She's going to ask.Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
While the Kangaroos are seen as West Coast?s best suitor for Pick 1, rival clubs also believe Melbourne remains extremely keen on getting higher up the draft order ? either for Reid at Pick 1, or Zane Duursma or Nick Watson in the selections afterwards.
The Demons hold Picks 6 and 11, their own future first-round selection and two future second-rounders.
Multiple sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe if the Roos hold their two top-three picks, they?d use at least one of them on Zane Duursma ? an explosive medium forward from Gippsland Power with match-turning capabilities.
There?s conjecture, though, whether the Roos would take a midfielder like Colby McKercher or a key-position player like Daniel Curtin with their other selection.
So I think the assumption is Duursma and Reid are absolutely gone before our pick and likely Curtin as well especially if WCE trade pick 1 as expected. It's a question then of whether McKercher, Watson or Curtin slides with Sanders being possible if it's Curtin? I think it's in our interest for North to get pick 1.Hawthorn picks after North Melbourne ? and if Duursma is still on the table, it?s unlikely he?ll slide past the Hawks.
But if Duursma joins North, the Hawks will look at McKercher ? the best pure midfielder in this year?s draft class. But this is also where electric Eastern Ranges 170cm forward Nick Watson could come into calculations for the first time.
Watson, too, has interest from the Western Bulldogs, -
The Bulldogs? determination to move up the draft order has been driven by a desire to acquire either a star midfielder or hybrid forward at the top of this year?s Under 18 class, according to sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au, after drafting Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Pick 1, 2020), 208cm utility Sam Darcy (Pick 2, 2021) and key defender Jedd Busslinger (Pick 13, 2022) in the past three years. Plus 200cm forward Jordan Croft has officially nominated the Dogs under the father-son rule.
If it?s not Watson or McKercher at the Bulldogs? pick, gun Tasmanian midfielder and 2023 Larke Medallist Ryley Sanders would be in the mix.
If McKercher somehow slips to us we're laughing[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
My dream as someone who hasn't watched a single game
1. Reid (North)
2. Walter (GC)
3. Curtin (WCE)
4. Duursma (North)
5. Watson (Hawks)
6. McKercher (Dogs)
If North have Reid they have plenty of early pick mids and like Duursma. Hawks fans think they have plenty of mids and need some forward talent/polish. With WCE wanting a local that would mean McKercher slides.
I suspect though despite the wishes of Hawks fans they probably jump on McKercher and we end up with Watson as expected[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
I like your scenario, I think that the go home factor of Mckercher might sway North they won't be winning a premiership in the next 4 years. Curtin wow that kid looks incredible or Mckercher( Its hard not to feel Merrett vibes with him) would be my choice at this stage if they slide.Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
McKercher sliding would epic but can't see it happening. He's too good. Butters clone.Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
If North is looking for a tall for their second pick does Croft fit the bill?Comment
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Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: 2023 Draft Watch
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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