2023 Draft Watch

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Keep it this year.

[hujsh]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

On the other hand if Demons offered pick 6+something to get Watson (assuming Curtin doesn't slide) I'd probably leap all over that. Still would get Sanders and a nice bonus

[kruder]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

We lost Dunkley in part for a future first so that has meant we have already delayed replacing him hence I would expect it to be basically 0 chance that we would delay it further.

[kruder]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Just listening to Cal on gettable, it does sound more likely that Curtin slides which means it will be Sanders for the Dogs.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Hun Phantom:

Sanders at 6 (passing over Curtin)
Croft at 14

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Hun Phantom:

Sanders at 6 (passing over Curtin)
Croft at 14

Lual not mentioned in the 28.

I hope we can land one or two out of Freijah, De La Rue, McAuliffe, Stevens or Lual late in the draft.

[kruder]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Something about that Freijah kid, got to love his size definitely will fill out to be a serious athlete.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

At best available, and discounting needs, for our pick would it be: 1. Curtin 2. Sanders and 3. Watson?

I would cast Curtain as dominant, Sanders as prolific and Watson exciting.

I feel needs boost Watson and our plethora of talls diminishes Curtain. We have plenty of prolifics.

But on purely best available I find it hard to go past Curtain.

Dominant is appealing. What do you think?

[jeemak]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Koby Stevens was drafted in 2009!!?? My God that made me feel old.

Don't read any draft thread from now on if you don't want to repeat that feeling!

I remember the early to mid-nineties when everyone was or at least looked juiced up and much older even though they were only at most five or six years older than me at the time. Now it's all about golden boy private school kids who don't have a scratch on them.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

At best available, and discounting needs, for our pick would it be: 1. Curtin 2. Sanders and 3. Watson?

I would cast Curtain as dominant, Sanders as prolific and Watson exciting.

I feel needs boost Watson and our plethora of talls diminishes Curtain. We have plenty of prolifics.

But on purely best available I find it hard to go past Curtain.

Dominant is appealing. What do you think?

I’d be happy to take Curtin. If the go home factor isn’t the risk some suggest, I’d be happy.

Also if we want Watson, we should be publicly stating we live Curtin. Apparently WCE also offering their F1 to get Hawks Pick 5. If they think Curtin won’t get passed us maybe they pay the price to the Hawks. Then Watson is back live.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Late Phantoms:

Hun:

Sanders
Croft at 14


ESPN:

Sanders
Croft at 18


Fox Footy:

Sanders
Croft at 17

Fox on Sanders - Foxfooty.com.au Draft Power Rankings: 8

Few players in this year’s pool showed metronomic consistency — at such a high standard — across all levels like Sanders did. The Tasmanian product, who boarded at Melbourne Grammar and played for the Sandringham Dragons, barely played a bad game, thanks to his competitiveness, strong inside-outside balance and clean hands. He took out the prestigious Larke Medal for the best player of the national championships, averaging a whopping 36 disposals, 15 disposals, six inside 50s, six marks and five tackles for the Allies. He also averaged 31 disposals for the Dragons, racking up at least 25 touches in all of his nine games.

In the mix/trade watch: The Sanders-Bulldogs link is one of the strongest at the top of the draft order, according to sources. And it makes sense, considering the Bulldogs arguably need to bring some young gun on-ballers onto their list. If electric Eastern Ranges goalkicker Nick Watson slips through to this pick, the Bulldogs’ selection wouldn’t be as straight forward.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Our final order:

Western Bulldogs: 5, 48, 50, 52, 53, 56, 67

Our 4th and the 4th for Schache have dropped off. So Schache was as good as delisted.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

House of Footy Mock Draft

6. Ryley Sanders

Western Bulldogs

Allies/Sandringham Dragons (North Melbourne NGA)

MID, 185cm, 86kg

House of Footy Ranking: 7

Claiming the Larke Medal as the best player of the U18 National Championships, Sanders proved to be one of the premier clearance and contest centred midfielders in the pool, composed in his ability to work through traffic and push forward.

Rocking the knee high socks, Sanders’ game shares similarities to that of former pick one Jason Horne-Francis, utilising his strength to lead the Sandringham Dragons to back to back Coates Talent League premierships.

Averaging 30 disposals across Sandringham’s finals campaign, the Tasmanian has boarded at Melbourne Grammar for the past two seasons, while his Indigenous heritage allowed him to be added to North Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy in late 2023.

In the Mix: The Dogs ensured they would be able to have an impact on the first round by trading up with the Suns to secure this selection, allowing them to get ahead of an early bid for Father-Son forward Jordan Croft. The Dogs are keen for Nick Watson to get to the Kennel and join Cody Weightman up forward, while Daniel Curtin is reportedly not on the club’s radar.

15. Jordan Croft

Western Bulldogs (Matching Sydney’s Bid)

VIC Metro/Calder Cannons (Western Bulldogs F/S)

KEY FWD, 200cm, 81kg

House of Footy Ranking: 12

The Western Bulldogs will welcome a fourth consecutive year of drafting a key position player in the first round, with Father-Son forward Jordan Croft set to join the club, following in the footsteps of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (2020), Sam Darcy (2021) and Jedd Busslinger (2022).

Croft is a strong overhead marking target inside 50, positioning himself well to fly for the ball. The mobile Calder Cannons key forward has a great work rate around the ground, often getting up to the wing, and moves well for his height, recording six minutes and 56 seconds as he finished in fourth place for the 2km time trial at the National Draft Combine.

In the Mix: The Swans could be in the market for a key forward after losing Lance Franklin to retirement and making a play for Tom De Koning earlier in the season. Essendon and North Melbourne are others likely to have interest in Croft.

33. Luamon Lual

Brisbane

VIC Country/GWV Rebels (Western Bulldogs NGA)

DEF, 182cm, 72kg

House of Footy Ranking: 29

A rebounding defender from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, Lual was a solid contributor off half back and on the wing for both the Rebels and Victoria Country in 2023, capping off his U18 National Championships campaign with a goal on the run against Victoria Metro.

The Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy member is strong in the air and clean at ground level, and could provide Brisbane with some added run and carry after the retirement of Daniel Rich.

In the Mix: Brisbane could look to bolster their ruck stocks at the draft with Mitch Edwards and Taylor Goad shaping as options for the club’s first selection. Zane Zakostelsky, Phoenix Gothard and Koen Sanchez are others likely to be of interest.

7. Jack Callinan

Western Bulldogs

Allies/Tasmania

FWD, 179cm, 81kg

House of Footy Ranking: 39

The son of former Crow Ian, Callinan is a smart goalsneak, with a great set of hands allowing him to crumb and collect the ball at ground level.

Callinan’s U18 National Championships outing against Victoria Metro was a standout game for the Apple Isle forward, applying pressure all over the ground, including an impressive rundown tackle in the centre of the ground.

Callinan has a good mix of speed and burst, and was a pivotal part of the Tasmania Devils side that claimed their first ever Coates Talent League minor premiership.

In the Mix: If the Dogs miss out on Nick Watson, they will likely be in search of a small forward later in the draft. Run and dash could be found in the form of Nathan Philactides and Joel Freijah, while Footscray VFL duo Lachlan Sullivan and Josh Chatfield could also be considered.

49. Nathan Philactides

Western Bulldogs

VIC Metro/Oakleigh Chargers

DEF, 179cm, 80kg

House of Footy Ranking: 44

Oakleigh’s Co-Captain and hard running half back, Philactides takes the game on at all costs, bursting through the centre of the ground with genuine pace and agility.

The left footer had a strong start to the 2023 season, receiving a call up to play for Richmond’s VFL side, before impressing for the AFL Academy against Carlton.

A shoulder injury late in the season prevented Philactides from participating in the National Draft Combine.

In the Mix: Joel Freijah will be considered if he gets this far, while the Dog’s history of promoting VFL listed players from Footscray could see them give an opportunity to either Lachlan Sullivan or Josh Chatfield.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

With the distinct possibility that The Wizz will be gone before our pick and Sanders now clear favourite for our first pick, I wonder if we should be casting the net a bit wider.

Another favourite of mine Caleb Windsor would be a terrific choice for us. As a winger he fills a need on our list. He is quick and beautiful kick and all class. He also kicks goals!

[kruder]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

With the distinct possibility that The Wizz will be gone before our pick and Sanders now clear favourite for our first pick, I wonder if we should be casting the net a bit wider.

Another favourite of mine Caleb Windsor would be a terrific choice for us. As a winger he fills a need on our list. He is quick and beautiful kick and all class. He also kicks goals!

It sounds like Melbourne are interested in Windsor, agree would suit us down to the ground also we are in a good position. I think there is too much made of a reach etc If you think a player will be better long term and you don't wanna take a risk and slide then I would back myself in and take them. If I were Melbourne I would take Caddy, I think he is perfect for them.

Collard is a player I will watch closely over his career and I know MJP rates others ahead and he is a risk but that kid has it all on field from the vision that's available. The question is can a club get the best out of him?

Freo need to somehow get him, they have been the most vanilla club since its inception, even their coach bores me to tears listing to him they need some excitement.