The 2023 AFL Draft is near, and with the draft orderย locked in until night one of the count, recruiters and scouts are beginning to settle on their plans for this year's intake.

The opening night will see the entire set of first-round selections taken, with the current 22 picks potentially ballooning out to 28 selections following Academy and father-son bids.

North Melbourne have five selections for the first round, while West Coast are in line to open the draft with Pick 1 and are assumed to have Bendigo's Harley Reid in their sights.

So how will the entire first round play out at the 2023 AFL Draft?

Here isย Zero Hanger'sย second edition Mock Draft, which covers the first round of the draft - totalling 28 selections.

For the purpose of this exercise, we have decided not to predict live trades for the draft, with the order remaining as it currently reads with the addition of matched Academy and father-son bids.ย 

This exercise follows our first edition Mock Draft from October, with our second edition set to look at possible alternative selections for a range of clubs and showcase the ripple effect of those changes.ย 

14. Pick 14 - Melbourne: Darcy Wilson

Wilson's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 14 (Adelaide)
Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection:ย 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.

FULL PROFILE

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Darcy Wilson of Vic Country takes possession of the ball during the 2023 U18 Boys Championships match between Vic Country and Vic Metro at Ikon Park on June 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

1 COMMENT

  1. Well, I certainly hope this is NOT the case….

    Goad rather than Green. – he has much more room for improvement and is better athletically – and he is not shy of attempting goals.

    I’d not think it wise to pick a Tasmanian who will very possibly end up in the new club there, and it’s always better for the crows to pick locals rather than Victorians.

    This draft is by a Victorian who thinks that the Crows are based in Melbourne.

Comments are closed.