Welcome to Zero Hanger'sย third and final 2023 AFL Mock Draft, where we'll cover the entire opening round of selections - predicted to be 28 picks in total.
Following our first and second Mock Drafts, this edition will take live trading into consideration and will look to select a balance of list needs and best available talent.
The opening round of the draft is set to see a suite of Academy and father-son bids lodged, meaning the order will shuffle significantly within the opening 30 selections.
The current first-round order falls between Pick 1 and 22, with the latter selection expected to balloon out to 28th overall following matched bidding.
Our final edition Mock Draft consists of ONE live trade, which includes a trio of 2023 first-round selections.
SEE ALSO: 2023 AFL MOCK DRAFT - FIRST EDITION
SEE ALSO: 2023 AFL MOCK DRAFT - SECOND EDITION
So, without further ado, here isย Zero Hanger'sย FINAL Mock Draft of 2023.
6. Pick 6 - Western Bulldogs: Nick Watson
FULL PROFILE
Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Ringwood
The Dogs will be waiting to see if Watson slides past the Roos and Hawks, and in this exercise, we're expecting exactly that to happen.
Watson is a high-volume small forward whose 170cm stature is quite deceiving, with 'The Wizard' able. to turn a game on its head with his cunning forward craft and goal sense.
The Vic Metro and AFL Academy talent would be a menace to defences that will already have to deal with the likes of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman.
Others to consider:ย Ryley Sanders, Caleb Windsor
The idea that Adelaide would trade picks 10 and 14 in order to get pick 9 – stupid past imbecility stupid.
If the recruitment staff did that they’d have some bloody hard explaining to do.
It ranks right up there with giving two first round picks for Gibbs – when he was what 30?