2023 Draft Watch

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

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.

I love Curtin's left foot. His delivery is Gilbey-esque. It is a real weapon and stands out from the others.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I love Curtin's left foot. His delivery is Gilbey-esque. It is a real weapon and stands out from the others.

A mate in the West described it as similar to a young Bontempelli when he is played as a midfielder. High praise.

[Mofra]

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.

I like what I've seen of Callinan. Smart, perhaps not quite as 'zippy' as some want a small forward to be but he's the exact type to take late that we've been hesitant to in past drafts. Football is in his blood (his dad should have been in the AFL system years earlier than he was).

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

It will be fascinating to see who we get at pick 6. If it's Watson or Sanders it could shape the later picks we have. If it's Watson we might be keen to add a midfielder with a later pick or if it's Sanders then perhaps adding a small forward becomes a focus.

Here are some names that might be in the mix for us.

Luamon Lual would be our preferred 3rd pick in the draft. A good moving defender who's been part of our NGA program and has a genuine attachment to the club. Had a few good games for Vic Country and for the GWV Rebels later in the season and that should appeal to a few clubs. Lets keep the fingers crossed that he gets too the club especially given he trained with us in January.

George Stevens could be in the mix as well and also trained with us back in Jan. A strong and competitive midfielder with some Dunkley like traits in the way he plays Stevens probably has some interest from Geelong given he played a couple of games for them in the VFL. Played for Vic Country and the GWV Rebels

Joel Freijah is the modern day winger or forward who a good mark and a hard runner who also has some goal kicking abilities.
Like Lual and Stevens Freijah played for Vic Country and the GWV Rebels

Kade Del Rue is a versatile midfielder/forward who played for Vic Country and the Dandenong Stingrays. Really good with his 2nd efforts and tackling and is a nice kick.

Kane McAuliffe is a midfielder from SA who tested brilliantly well at the National Combine. Played for both North Adelaide and SA this year and is a strong tackler and tidy kick.

Koen Sanchez is a great small forward who also possess a strong mark for his size. Knows how to kick a goal as well. He seems to be more of a marking small forward than a ground level crumber but he is very effective. Played for both WA and East Fremantle. Athletically he looks up to AFL standards.

Jack Callinan is a smart small forward who knows how to kick a goal. He's got a point of difference to Sanchez because he's more of a ground level player. He didn't test that well at the combine but he still should be strongly considered.
Played for the Allies and Devils this year.

Nathan Philactides is a highly athletic defender who really takes the game on. Very quick and aggressive player and a thumping long kick. If we miss on Lual, Philactides might be in the mix with 2024 likely to be Duryea's last season. Philactides Played for Vic Metro and Oakleigh Chargers.

A few rookie options might be Charlie Harrop, Will Lozenz, Ry Cantwell, Michael Rudd and Kobe Shipp.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I see Twomey's draft is in.

He has us taking Sanders at 6, matching Croft's bid at 15.

His comments are:

Picks: 5, 48, 50, 52, 53, 56, 67 (likely to use four live selections)

The Dogs' top pick and then father-son acquisition of Jordan Croft will shape their draft haul, but they will likely use another two live selections at the national draft. They have looked at the mature-agers available and having strongly considered Werribee gun Shaun Mannagh at this year's mid-season draft, could again look at him after his blistering end to the season as best afield in the VFL Grand Final. Wingman Joel Freijah would be in the mix when their third pick comes in, while midfielder Will Lorenz and half-back Joe Fonti could be in contention late. They will wait to see if Next Generation Academy prospect Luamon Lual is available past pick 40 but could also nab him, while the Dogs may need to bolster their ruck stocks, with Gippsland's Lachie Smith a potential later option.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Twomeys phantom has dropped and has us taking Sanders. Croft bid at 15.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I like the suggestion of Lachlan Smith who is a big brute of a ruckman and somewhat similar to Jordan Sweet with the way he moves and plays. Will Lorenz is a lightly built winger or midfielder with good skills and he is a very neat kick.
Shaun Mannagh is a hard working and mature aged midfielder. Joe Fonti is classed as mature aged when in reality he's just an over ager and won't be 19 until late December. He's an athletic defender or midfielder.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I’m loving the 15-17 Croft bid calls. At 15 we keep 53 & 56 in tact and will hopefully come into about 46 & 49. Opens up some opportunities to try to trade up into the 30’s, trade in a future pick, if Lual slides to trade one out and use the c. 60 pick to get him after discount, or take a couple of 40’s picks for a change.

Hopefully they’re all correct with 15+.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I’m loving the 15-17 Croft bid calls. At 15 we keep 53 & 56 in tact and will hopefully come into about 46 & 49. Opens up some opportunities to try to trade up into the 30’s, trade in a future pick, if Lual slides to trade one out and use the c. 60 pick to get him after discount, or take a couple of 40’s picks for a change.

Hopefully they’re all correct with 15+.

Ideally we need Adelaide to bid on McCabe with their first pick and before a bid comes on Croft as the Hawks have a couple of picks before ours. Every pick that gets swallowed up before the Croft bid is matched all helps

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I’m loving the 15-17 Croft bid calls. At 15 we keep 53 & 56 in tact and will hopefully come into about 46 & 49. Opens up some opportunities to try to trade up into the 30’s, trade in a future pick, if Lual slides to trade one out and use the c. 60 pick to get him after discount, or take a couple of 40’s picks for a change.

Hopefully they’re all correct with 15+.

Twomey mentioned that if the Swans don't bid then he's likely to last a few extra picks towards the end of the first round.

[kruder]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Very interesting that we were considering Mannagh mid-year, I wouldn't mind if he found his way on our list.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

A mate in the West described it as similar to a young Bontempelli when he is played as a midfielder. High praise.

The people who have seen him a bit in the West all seem very impressed. I was reluctant to compare to the man himself, but Bontempelli played off half back in juniors then moved to the midfield late.

Curtin is a decade on and a bit taller but still seems to have that midfield ability. His ball handling is really clean, seems to have a nice step to make space and is not slow. Great mark and strong in the contest.

Could be anything, but at worst would be a back that could play tall and small and be the ideal go to for the Toby Greene types.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I see Twomey's draft is in.

He has us taking Sanders at 6, matching Croft's bid at 15.

His comments are:

Picks: 5, 48, 50, 52, 53, 56, 67 (likely to use four live selections)

The Dogs' top pick and then father-son acquisition of Jordan Croft will shape their draft haul, but they will likely use another two live selections at the national draft. They have looked at the mature-agers available and having strongly considered Werribee gun Shaun Mannagh at this year's mid-season draft, could again look at him after his blistering end to the season as best afield in the VFL Grand Final. Wingman Joel Freijah would be in the mix when their third pick comes in, while midfielder Will Lorenz and half-back Joe Fonti could be in contention late. They will wait to see if Next Generation Academy prospect Luamon Lual is available past pick 40 but could also nab him, while the Dogs may need to bolster their ruck stocks, with Gippsland's Lachie Smith a potential later option.

Sanders seems the consensus for us. Safe as houses.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Sanders seems the consensus for us. Safe as houses.

He does seem to be a safe selection which may not always be the best option. Where does he play in his first year or two given we have a logjam for quality midfielders? I remember we ran a Ryan Griffen off a back flank for a season or two before moving him into the midfield.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

He does seem to be a safe selection which may not always be the best option. Where does he play in his first year or two given we have a logjam for quality midfielders? I remember we ran a Ryan Griffen off a back flank for a season or two before moving him into the midfield.

I have a similar reservation with a high draft-pick pure mid. With the hope that Macrae and Smith get back to form and Garcia and West level up we might begrudge him the game time. The less optimistic outlook is they do not recapture their form or improve and Libba (I can't bring myself to write it..) in which case having Sanders would be a godsend.