The 2023 AFL National Draft is less than a month away and with it fast approaching we've finalised our first edition Mock Draft - looking at how the opening round of the count might unfold.
The first round of November's draft has extended to 22 selections following the establishment of free agency compensation selections and one additional pick via the AFL's assistance package for North Melbourne.
With Academy and father-son bids predicted to come on the opening night of the draft, the first round could be extended past the mid-20s in what shapes as an intriguing queue.
Below we've worked through the first round of the draft order to present our opening Mock Draft of the season.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have decided not to predict prior or live trades for the draft, with the order remaining as it currently reads with the addition of matched Academy and father-son bids.ย
VIEW: FULL 2023 AFL DRAFT ORDER
6. Pick 6 - Gold Coast: Ethan Read (matched Academy bid)
Position: Ruck
Height: 202cm
Weight: 92kg
State: Queensland
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
The second predicted Suns Academy bid, with the Bulldogs forcing Gold Coast's hand with the pick that was originally theirs prior to this year's trade period.
With the Suns having split that selection into a multitude of picks, they'll have the points to facilitate bids for their trio of top-rated teenagers, and Read is certainly one for the club to get excited about.
At 202cm, the Palm Beach Currumbin ruckman can also play in defence, and flexed his aerobic capacity with a third-place finish in the 2km time trial at October's AFL Combine.
Read took out the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best Academy player from the Talent League's Academy series.
Another to consider:ย N/A
