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 

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.

FULL PROFILE

Gold Coast talent Jed Walter in the 2023 Coates Talent League (Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)

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.

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