2023 Draft Watch

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I hate the Colonel, with his wee beady eyes…

"He puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes you crave it fortnightly smart arse"

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

For those who aren't aware of what the Underdog and I are saying

[The Underdog]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

For those who aren't aware of what the Underdog and I are saying

I like to think that there are no such people.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

No. Definately not. The Colonel stands for junk food no matter how tasty and how many times I have binged on it!

Id rather something cool like 'The Sandman' like the classic Aussie car which was cool and everyone wanted one.

Not Metallica's 'Enter the Sandman?' (Something similar to Brahms?)

[Uninformed]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Love it, some creative thinking. Could it be the Blizzard?

I am feeling it! Both are so good what could be better that a combination.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Mark Duffields top 12 WA prospects

1. Daniel Curtin (Claremont) 197cm, 93kg, Intercept defender/big midfielder

The cackle around this draft has him on the drift but on talent and potential he should be inside the top five. If he drifts further than that either or both WA clubs should seriously consider cashing in future picks to get back up the order to get him. He appeals as a tall defender but has shown he can play midfield. Some clubs have him inside their top three.

2. Koltyn Tholstrup (Subiaco) 188cm, 80kg, Forward/midfielder

Like Curtin, he finished the season in the seniors and played two finals. His 15 disposal preliminary final effort was impressive. Tholstrup is strong and has an X-factor as a forward who can play tall. Most locals have him as the second best West Australian kid in this draft crop and the Eagles rate him highly so it will be interesting to see if they try and creep up the order to get him.

3. Riley Hardeman (Swan Districts) 185cm, 70kg, Rebound defender

Captained the WA under 18s team, had a solid national championships and finished the year winning plenty of football for Swans at Colts level. He is quick and is a long kick. Occasionally did not use the ball as well as expected this year and has drifted slightly in draft reckoning off the back of that. Still a very impressive youngster and it would be a surprise if he is still there after the first round.

4. Lance Collard (Subiaco) 185cm, 70kg, Small forward

Lightning quick, puts on good pressure and came rattling home late in the season with five goal hauls in both of his colts finals for Subiaco before testing brilliantly at the draft combine. It means the West Coast NGA prospect won’t be there at pick 40 when the Eagles would be able to match a bid for him. May go in the first round. The angst over that may cause a change in NGA draft rules.

5. Mitch Edwards (Peel Thunder) 205cm, 88kg, Ruckman

Fremantle NGA prospect and like Collard almost certain to be taken before pick 40. Both WA clubs have lobbied hard for NGA rule changes. Very athletic and played solidly for WA at the national titles. He had graduated from Colts to Reserves at Peel by the end of the season and was doing well at that level against older, stronger bodies. Arguably the best ruck prospect in this draft.

6. Zane Zakostelsky (Claremont) 196cm, 90kg, Tall defender/ruckman

Got everyone’s attention with a best on ground display in the WAFL colts grand final when he paved the way for Clarmeont’s premiership off the back of 18 hit outs, 22 disposals and four tackles. Strong and athletic and showed aptitude as a tall defender in games for WA during the national titles.

7. Clay Hall (Peel Thunder) 188cm, 84kg, Inside midfielder

He had a very strong national championships and played nine games of senior football for Peel, averaging almost 18 disposals per game. His strong season says he should be drafted, it is just hard to know where. Is the son of former Geelong player Derek and the Cats are said to be interested. He has been under the nose of Fremantle all season and they will have picks around his probable draft ranking.

8. Aiden O’Driscoll (Perth) 177cm, 70kg, Forward/mid
Lightning quick younger brother of Fremantle pair Nathan and Emma. He lit up the WAFL Colts grand final with his speed and brilliance and he appeals at AFL level as a small forward with the traits he brings. Another who might capture Fremantle’s attention given the club has lost Lachie Schultz to Collingwood.

9. Reece Torrent (Peel Thunder) 183cm, 80kg, Midfielder/forward

Came through the ranks at Peel going from Colts to reserves and playing a game in the seniors at the end of the season after being an under age star in Thunder’s 2022 colts premiership. There is a bit to like about him. Has a strong body, reads the play well and has a knifing left foot that he put on display a number of times in the national titles.

10. Joe Fonti (Claremont) 189cm, 73kg, Rebound defender

Was a late addition to the state under 18s program as an over ager but clubs like his speed and the bounce he adds. He performed credibly when added to the state team and his first two colts finals for the Tigers were exceptional – a continuation of strong back end of season form which has added to his draft credentials.

11. Riley Wills (Subiaco) 178cm, 73kg, Midfielder

Another over ager. Shared the Jack Clarke Medal as the best and fairest player in the 2023 Colts competition. A midfield ball magnet who kicked goals to go with 27 and 26 disposals in Subiaco’s two Colts finals and was a late addition to the state 18s team. He lost most of 2022 to a back injury but has come back strongly and tested well at the state draft combine. Right in the mix now.

12. Koen Sanchez (East Fremantle) 178cm, 71kg, Small forward/midfielder

Had an impressive national under 18 titles. Some recruiters had him on the cusp of the first round in the draft order after he won all-Australian selection and averaged 18 disposals a game kicking six goals. He has drifted a little in recruiters eyes since then but he appeals as a natural footballer with “smarts”. Clean ball handler who makes good decisions.

[mjp]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Fonti is clever, i’ll Give him that...mid sized over aged colts players don’t often get drafted though. Good rookie option as he has ‘something’.

[hujsh]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Twoomey's last rankings

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1062561/cal-twomeys-phantom-form-guide-top-draft-prospects-november-ranking

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

It's really going to come down to Watson or Sanders it seems. I'd love to know who we would want out of the 2 if both were available at our pick. Only chance that happens is if Curtin goes before our pick.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Zero Hanger 2nd Mock Draft

1. Pick 1 - West Coast: Harley Reid

Reid's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 1 (West Coast)
West Coast's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Harley Reid

Position: Midfielder
Height: 187cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: Tongala

Just like our first edition, Reid heads west to the Eagles given his reign as the top-rated talent and potentially generation-changing potential.

The Eagles couldn't possibly look elsewhere with Pick 1 and will back in their stong history of retaining interstate talent for the long haul as Reid prepares to headline West Coast's rebuild.

A physical and explosive presence in midfield, Reid is ready to leave an instant impact on the competition as early as next year.


2. Pick 2 - Gold Coast: Jed Walter (matched Academy bid)

Walter's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 2 (Gold Coast)

Position: Key Forward
Height: 194cm
Weight: 97kg
State: Queensland
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

A bid for Walter remains likely at Pick 2 given North Melbourne hold the following selection as well and would want to force the Suns to part with more draft points.

Walter might've been the No.1 pick had it not been for his links to the Suns, who will view the hulking key forward as their long-term partner for spearhead Ben King.

The Palm Beach Currumbin key forward booted 11 goals at the National Championships with the Allies and was a domain force in the Talent League on his way to kicking 18 goals in just four appearances.


3. Pick 3 - North Melbourne: Zane Duursma

Duursma's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 3 (North Melbourne)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Zane Duursma

Position: Midfielder-Forward
Height: 189cm
Weight: 79kg
State: Victoria
Club: Foster

The Roos take Duursma with their opening selection given their need for more forward flair, with the Gippsland gun a hard one to pass up given his match-winning presence and ability to roll through the midfield.

Across our two Mock Drafts to date the Roos-Duursma link up is made, with North Melbourne's following selection likely to open the door for several names to be in consideration.

Duursma claimed U18 All-Australian honours and a spot in the Talent League Team of Year to cap off a strong draft campaign that finished on a high.

4. Pick 4 - North Melbourne: Dan Curtin

Curtin's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 5 (Hawthorn)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Colby McKercher

Position: Defender
Height: 197cm
Weight: 95kg
State: Western Australia
Club: West Coast

After taking Tasmanian Colby McKercher in our first Mock Draft, the Roos look to Western Australian Dan Curtin with Pick 4 in this exercise instead.

Curtin will give Alastair Clarkson flexibility that no other prospect can given his ability to play as a lockdown defender, forward target or contested ball winner between the arcs.

His senior experience with Claremont this year also sees Curtin as a recruit who will be good to go for Round 1 next year.

5. Pick 5 - Hawthorn: Colby McKercher

McKercher's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 4 (North Melbourne)
Hawthorn's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Dan Curtin

Position: Midfielder
Height: 180cm
Weight: 76kg
State: Tasmania
Club: Launceston

The Hawks and Roos swap prospects when compared to our first Mock Draft, with McKercher, Curtin or Eastern Ranges forward Nick Watson likely to be the trio of names list manager Mark McKenzie is considering with Hawthorn's opening selection.

With McKercher up for grabs, the Tasmanian will be hard to pass up despite the midfield ensemble that already calls Waverley home, with the onballer an explosive outlet option that would complement the likes of Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward and Will Day nicely.

McKercher took out Morrish Medal this year, needing just eight games to tie Geelong's Patrick Hughes (13 games) for the crown.

6. Pick 6 - Western Bulldogs: Ryley Sanders

Sanders' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 8 (Melbourne)
Western Bulldogs' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Nick Watson

Position: Midfielder
Height: 185cm
Weight: 86kg
State: Tasmania
Club: North Launceston

After selecting Nick Watson with their top pick in our first edition, the Bulldogs head down an alternate avenue with the recruitment of Tasmanian Ryley Sanders.

While Watson is viewed as having a strong chance to land at the Kennel, Sanders would be an ideal long-term selection for the Bulldogs given the shape of their midfield group heading into 2024.

The Sandringham and Allies ball-winner capped off a sensational National Championships by being awarded the Larke Medal as the competition's best player.

7. Pick 7 - Gold Coast: Ethan Read (matched Academy bid)

Read's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 6 (Gold Coast)

Position: Ruck
Height: 202cm
Weight: 92kg
State: Queensland
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

The second Suns Academy bid of the night, and potentially one of four that could take place during the first round, Read's name is likely to be called in the top 10 and in this case it's Melbourne who will force Gold Coast's hand for the top-rated ruckman.

Read's upside and athleticism for a player of his frame will have new coach Damien Hardwick salivating, with the Allies ruck a long-term replacement for co-captain Jarrod Witts at Carrara.

Read shot into top 10 contention through a strong National Championships stint with the premiership-winning Allies and could also be deployed behind the ball as a defensive assistant.

8. Pick 8 - Melbourne: Connor O'Sullivan

O'Sullivan's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 10 (Geelong)
Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Ryley Sanders

Position: Key Defender
Height: 198cm
Weight: 92kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Albury

9. Pick 9 - GWS: Nick Watson

Watson's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 7 (Western Bulldogs)
GWS' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Nate Caddy

Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Ringwood

The mercurial small forward falls several selections in this count due to the Hawks and Dogs' decision to look elsewhere and the list needs of others.

Watson would be a hard name for the Giants to pass up at their opening pick given his speed and sharp thinking in the front half of the field, with the 170cm able to turn the game on its head with his eye for goal and ball-work.

A move to the Giants would allow Watson to work under GWS captain Toby Greene and potentially allow the likes of Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford to push further up the field.
patience.

10. Pick 10 - Geelong: Nate Caddy

Caddy's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 9 (GWS)
Geelong's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Connor O'Sullivan

Position: Key Forward
Height: 193cm
Weight: 92kg
State: Victoria
Club: Yarrambat

The Cats will be hoping it's either Caddy or O'Sullivan who slip to their opening selection, with key position talent likely in the sights of football boss Andrew Mackie.

Much like Geelong Falcons product and two-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow, you can't let Caddy's height get in the way of his ability to crash marking contests and get first hands to a flighted ball.

With Tom Hawkins going from one-year deal to one-year deal, Caddy could be the man to take the baton alongside Ollie Henry when the Cats champion and Jeremy Cameron eventually call time.

11. Pick 11 - Essendon: Caleb Windsor

Windsor's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 15 (Melbourne)
Essendon's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Ollie Murphy

Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 76kg
State: Victoria
Club: Lysterfield

The Bombers find some extra midfield polish in the form of Windsor, who rises four spots in the draft order compared to our first edition Mock Draft.

The Eastern Ranges wingman has clean hands, speed and efficient ball skills on his side and will be among a handful of names the Bombers will have their sights on.

Essendon have been keen to trade up the order and could look to pinch an O'Sullivan or Caddy, but Bombers fans should be rapt if Windsor is the name Adrian Dodoro chooses to take with the club's opening pick.

12. Pick 12 - Gold Coast: Jake Rogers (matched Academy bid)

Rogers' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 11 (Gold Coast)

Position: Midfielder
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Queensland
Club: Broadbeach

The third Suns Academy bid comes a selection later in this edition, with Rogers earning a bid from Adelaide before Gold Coast swoop in with their stack of draft points.

The hard-nosed onballer will be an exciting addition to have waiting in the wings as the likes of Touk Miller, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson get to work under Damien Hardwick, with Rogers also able to float forward and play apply pressure to the opposition's defence.

The Suns will be hoping Rogers can slide further given their draft points total will quickly dissolve should they need four bids inside the top 25 to be matched.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Cont


13. Pick 13 - Adelaide: James Leake

Leake's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 16 (Sydney)
Adelaide's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Darcy Wilson

Position: Defender-Forward
Height: 187cm
Weight: 77kg
State: Tasmania
Club: Launceston

While their first edition Mock Draft selection of Darcy Wilson is still on the table, the Crows look elsewhere in this count in the form of Allies utility James Leake.

Leake could fetch a bid in the top 10, but in this exercise he earns a selection at Pick 13 and heads to West Lakes as a viable 'Mr Fix It' type role player given his ability to be an impactful presence at either end of the field.

The 187cm swingman has an elite leaping ability and can turn nothing into something in front of goal while also boasting a strong intercept game behind the ball.

14. Pick 14 - Melbourne: Darcy Wilson

Wilson's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 14 (Adelaide)
Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Caleb Windsor

Position: Midfielder
Height: 186cm
Weight: 74kg
State: Victoria
Club: Wangaratta Rovers

With the Crows passing on Wilson, the Murray Bushrangers midfielder is there for the taking for Melbourne - who pull off a strong pair of selections after already taking Connor O'Sullivan in this draft.

Wilson is arguably the leading outside midfielder among the class of 2023 and would be a fitting selection as a long-term replacement for the likes of Lachie Hunter or Ed Langdon out wide.

With a strong tank and an ability to find the ball with ease, Wilson is a great get for Melbourne at their second pick of the night.

15. Pick 15 - Sydney: Riley Hardeman

Hardeman's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 18 (Adelaide)
Sydney's 1st Mock Draft Selection: James Leake

Position: Defender
Height: 185cm
Weight: 75kg
State: Western Australia
Club: Caversham

The Swans selected James Leake in our first edition Mock Draft, but with the Tassie teenager off the board when Kinnear Beatson steps up, the Swans look to Hardeman as their go-to guy.

With Sydney's trend of often taking the best player available on the board, the dashing Western Australia skipper joins a rich list of black swans who call the Harbour City home.

Hardeman offers plenty of run and chase from the backline and could be an immediate favourite for senior coach John Longmire given his work rate and leadership qualities.

16. Pick 16 - Western Bulldogs: Jordan Croft (matched F/S bid)

Croft's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 12 (Western Bulldogs)

Position: Key Forward
Height: 200cm
Weight: 81kg
State: Victoria
Club: Maribyrnong Park

The Bulldogs might be satisfied with a rival's pursuit of Croft not coming until now, with just 854 draft points needed to match the bid after a 20 per cent discount on the father-son selection.

Croft is another prospect who will be afforded time and patience to develop given the Dogs' current crop of tall forwards, with the concept of having Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy also dominating the skies down the road a mouth-watering thought for Luke Beveridge.

Croft earned a place in the Talent League Team of the Year after a breakout year with the Calder Cannons and also showed glimpses of what he can offer at the higher level with Vic Metro.

17. Pick 17 - St Kilda: Ollie Murphy

Murphy's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 13 (Essendon)
St Kilda's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Koltyn Tholstrup

Position: Key Defender
Height: 200cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Brighton

The Sandringham key defender slides four selections and into the lap of St Kilda - the club he has grown up supporting.

Murphy will be one the Saints have an eye on and hope slides to their opening selection, with list boss Stephen Silvagni perhaps looking to not only bolster his club's defensive options but also add to their ranks with the addition of a local product.

Murphy was a standout at this year's National Championships with Vic Metro, taking out MVP honours for his side after showing off his aerial impact and clean ball use.

18. Pick 18 - Adelaide: Harry DeMattia

DeMattia's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 24 (Collingwood)
Adelaide's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Riley Hardeman

Position: Midfielder
Height: 185cm
Weight: 78kg
State: Victoria
Club: Edithvale-Aspendale

DeMattia is one of the big risers between our first and second Mock Drafts after sliding to Collingwood's first selection in last month's exercise.

The dual-sport star would be an enticing name for the Crows given his ability to play across all three lines, with the Vic Country co-captain a true leader who can put his team on his back with his speed and hunger.

Vic Metro's Archie Roberts or ruck options Mitch Edwards and Will Green might also be in consideration for the Crows at this point of the draft.

19. Pick 19 - North Melbourne: Lance Collard

Collard's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 19 (North Melbourne)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Lance Collard

Position: Forward
Height: 180cm
Weight: 65kg
State: Western Australia
Club: North Beach

Another selection that has the same outcome as our first edition Mock Draft, with the Roos likely looking toward Subiaco small forward Lance Collard with their first of three late first-round picks.

The lightning-quick livewire would be among a handful of names on Brady Rawlings' list at this point of the draft, and with the Roos' desire to sharpen their attacking third, Collard could be the one atop that list.

His efforts at the draft combine only strengthened his expected placing as a first-round pick, with the speedy attacker a player Roos fans would love to have at the feet of their tall forwards.

20. Pick 20 - GWS: Archie Roberts

Robert's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 23 (North Melbourne)
GWS' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Koen Sanchez

Position: Defender
Height: 184cm
Weight: 79kg
State: Victoria
Club: Hampton Rovers

After taking the attacking Koen Sanchez in our first Mock Draft, the Giants switch to defence this time around and select Sandringham Dragons half-back Archie Roberts with their second selection of the count.

Given they secure Nick Watson with Pick 9, we can only assume the Giants won't double-up on forwards and will instead look toward adding some run and ball use from the backline.

A Talent League Team of the Year selection, Roberts has a nice mix of explosiveness and aerobic capacity to leave his mark on the game in all four quarters.


21. Pick 21 - Hawthorn: Will McCabe (matched F/S bid)

McCabe's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 19 (Hawthorn)

Position: Key Defender
Height: 197cm
Weight: 86kg
State: South Australia
Club: Tanunda

22. Pick 22 - North Melbourne: Mitch Edwards

Edwards' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 27 (Carlton)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Archer Reid

Position: Ruck
Height: 206cm
Weight: 89kg
State: Western Australia
Club: South Mandurah


23. Pick 23 - North Melbourne: Archer Reid

Reid's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 22 (North Melbourne)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Archie Roberts

Position: Key Forward
Height: 203cm
Weight: 94kg
State: Victoria
Club: Inverloch-Kongwak


24. Pick 24 - Collingwood: Koltyn Tholstrup

Tholstrup's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 17 (St Kilda)
Collingwood's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Harry DeMattia

Position: Forward
Height: 186cm
Weight: 86kg
State: Western Australia
Club: Newtown Condingup


25. Pick 25 - Adelaide: Will Green

Green's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 25 (Adelaide)
Adelaide's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Will Green

Position: Ruck
Height: 204cm
Weight: 93kg
State: Victoria
Club: Northcote


26. Pick 26 - Sydney: Caiden Cleary (matched Academy bid)

Cleary's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
Sydney's 1st Mock Draft Selection: N/A

Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
Weight: 79kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Sydney University


27. Pick 27 - St Kilda: Charlie Edwards

Edwards' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
St Kilda's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Logan Morris

Position: Midfielder
Height: 191cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: Sandhurst


28. Pick 28 - Carlton: Luamon Lual

Lual's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
Carlton's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Mitch Edwards

Position: Defender
Height: 182cm
Weight: 72kg
State: Victoria
Club: South Warrnambool

The Western Bulldogs miss out on this NGA talent as Carlton makes the move to add some run and carry to their defensive third.

After selecting a ruckman in Mitch Edwards with the last pick of the first round in our first edition Mock Draft, the Blues look elsewhere given neither the Western Australian nor Will Green are available at Pick 28.

Lual would only better his line-breaking skills under the tutelage of Adam Saad at Princes Park, with the Talent League Team of the Year representative to be joined by the likes of Arie Schoenmaker or Tew Jiath in potentially being in the Blues' sights.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I'd be ok with Sanders and Croft and some late speculation.

Lual doesn't look like making it through.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I'd be ok with Sanders and Croft and some late speculation.

Lual doesn't look like making it through.

Note that this 2nd mock is an alternative mock rather than an update. It's a mock based on an alternative reality to their first mock. So it's a speculative mock of their first speculative mock..................................................

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I'd be ok with Sanders and Croft and some late speculation.

Lual doesn't look like making it through.

We will get a very good player at pick 6 and I suspect it might be Watson with Sanders as the most likely option if Watson is gone
Croft of course and we will be praying for Lual.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Meet the Wizz, Nick Watson

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1062826/magic-touch-nick-wizard-watson-on-size-boomer-harveys-impact-and-talking-smack

Magic touch: 'Wizard' on size, Boomer and talking 'smack'

Nick Watson may be one of the shortest players in the game next season, but he hasn't let his size hinder him in what has been a standout draft year

By Callum Twomey


IN AN interview with the Western Bulldogs' recruiting team at last month's Draft Combine, Nick Watson was asked to talk about himself for two minutes without mentioning football.

"I thought it was going to be easy," Watson told AFL.com.au. "But I didn't last long. I brought up dad and said he was coaching at Montrose. They said 'Hang on, is that footy?' 'Yep, I give up!' It was harder than I thought. I was trying to talk about my family and somehow brought up footy."

It probably wouldn't surprise anyone who has known the footy-mad Watson, seen him play or even consumed just a 10-second clip of his highlights reel to know the central role of the game in his life.

And next Monday, when the first night of the draft is held at Marvel Stadium, the Eastern Ranges prospect will be one of the first few names called as he starts his AFL career.

The 18-year-old's parents, Lori and David, remember their youngest son kicking a footy better than he could walk as a toddler. At kindergarten, he would boot the ball into the tree, climb up and get it and then do it again. He was at Auskick when he was three, trailing around older brother Brad, before he played in the under-8s competition.

But with no scoring allowed, he found his competitive fix in the local basketball competition, quickly making the representative side Kilsyth Cobras in Melbourne's eastern suburbs as a point guard.

"I thought I played a bit like (NBA player) Chris Paul. Dad stopped coming to my games because I started wearing kneepads and all that. I watched too much NBA," Watson said.

He made the Victorian under-12s football side – twice – and continued to play both sports before siding with football, for two main reasons. First was the crossover – he had training with his basketball team on a Sunday morning and then would arrive at his football club tired before the game begun.

The other was his size. As a small kid, he didn't see his future with basketball, despite his talents on the court.

"He was quick, so if he could get the ball and make a fast break nobody could beat him down to the ring. But once he got to under-14s they're all about six-foot-four, so he'd come up against brick walls," Lori recalled. "He'd always score and run between their legs pretty much. He loved basketball but I knew deep down football was his thing."

Watson had always been one of the smaller kids. "He'd say 'Do you reckon I'll grow more, mum?', and we'd say to just control what you can," Lori said.

Now, at 170cm, Watson will be one of the shortest players in the AFL once he has his name called, despite clubs traditionally shying away from small forwards with early picks. He looks back to the under-15 championships, when he was the leading goalkicker in the carnival as an under-aged player while being mentored by former North Melbourne great Brent Harvey, whose son Cooper was in the same team, as a key moment in his belief his size didn't matter.

"When I started to get the sense I was going to be a smaller player I worked really hard on my craft and all of the little things I could work on instead of worrying about my height. In those days I used to get told a lot that I was going to be too small and I knew I was going to be small as well coming up against blokes who had growth spurts early and I was tiny," Watson said.

"That's where it was good having Brent Harvey there with us. He used to tell me every day that I wasn't too small. I'm the same height as him now which is good.

"He was a good mentor because when you're 14 or 15 you get caught up in being told you're too small to play AFL and it gets to your head a bit. I felt like I had to work extra hard because of my height."

His dad had a long local career and was formerly on Carlton's under-19 list. In fact, earlier this season when Sydney list boss Kinnear Beatson visited the Watsons' house, the pair recognised each other from when Beatson had been in footy operations with the Blues' team in the early 1990s. David said there were questions whether Nick's height would stop him from reaching the top.

"You always worry about it because you think there's not many players who play at that height. But I always thought he had something pretty special to offer. The way the game's played now helps him. Fifteen years ago he wouldn't have been looked at. The ground closes down and opens up now," he said. "He was never going to be six-foot-six so he kept his skills."

That under-15 championships was one of a few key points in Watson's draft path. He caught the eye for Vic Metro in its under-16s games in 2021 and then moved to Caulfield Grammar from Rowville Sports Academy. He kicked goals for fun there, while also dominating for the Eastern Ranges as a bottom-ager.

This year, he's booted more than 70 goals across all games and competitions he's played in, including being the leading goalkicker at the under-18 championships with 14 goals from four games for Vic Metro. North Melbourne, Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne have all considered him with their top-10 selections.

Watson's goal sense, speed, high-flying grabs, quick hands, in-your-face approach and sizzling celebrations tick the boxes of the typical small forward. And as a mad Collingwood fan growing up, he had an obvious hero.

"He loved Alan Didak and said to me once, 'Mum, do you reckon I could wear number four for Collingwood?'" Lori said.

However, it wasn't until he started being buffeted around that some of his talkative on-field persona, which has been highlight reel-ed and TikTok-ed through this season, came through.

"He wasn't always like that," Lori said. "It came about because he'd start getting pushed around and he'd be like 'I'm not going to just sit here and take it'. But that's not him really. He's generally pretty quiet about his footy."

Watson said his quieter, humble style can switch when he steps out to play.

"On the field I'm a bit different to how I am off it I'd say," he said.

"Off the field I'm a pretty laidback, chilled sort of guy and on the field I look pretty energetic and there's clips of me talking a bit of smack. It doesn't bother me to be honest. All my mates know what I'm like but that's just the way I play with a bit of arrogance and confidence."

That has also come with pressure. Recruiters have gone to games to watch 'The Watto Show', often switching ends to follow him in the forward line. Opposition teams, particularly in the schools competition, have sent hard tags to him and he's dealt with consistent sledging from over the fence, including the question on 'where's your wand, Watson?', a reference to his 'Wizard' nickname over recent years for his capacity to produce some football magic inside-50.

"I don't like it when he gets too push and shovey but I'm not his coach and he likes to play like that," David said.

"I always think 'Why are you over there?' and next thing you know he's got it. Then I think 'Oh well, I can't say anything about that then'. It's not where I think he should be but then he'll have the ball in his hands."

Watson's 'Wizard' moniker has stuck, so much so that when a club visited for an interview earlier this year they asked him if he knew who the original 'Wizard' was. "I knew Jeff Farmer and had seen his highlights but I didn't know his nickname was 'the Wizard'," Watson said. "I've done some research since then."

Kysaiah Pickett, Tom Papley and Bobby Hill are current AFL stars who Watson has followed closely, seeing them make an impact as small forwards. He wants to do the same – and fast.

"My mindset now is that I want to have an impact on AFL level as soon as possible," he said. "I feel like I've got that capability, I just want to put that to work and get to it in the off-season. My goal is to play early."