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 

3. Pick 3 - North Melbourne: Zane Duursma

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

FULL PROFILE

BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Zane Duursma of the Gippsland Power celebrates kicking a goal during the round five NAB League match between the Bendigo Pioneers and Gippsland Power at Queen Elizabeth Oval on May 01, 2022 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/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.

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