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 

9. Pick 9 - GWS: Nick Watsonย 

Watson's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 7 (Western Bulldogs)
GWS' 1st Mock Draft Selection:ย Nate Caddy

Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Ringwood

The mercurial small forward falls several selections in this count due to the Hawks and Dogs' decision to look elsewhere and the list needs of others.

Watson would be a hard name for the Giants to pass up at their opening pick given his speed and sharp thinking in the front half of the field, with the 170cm able to turn the game on its head with his eye for goal and ball-work.

A move to the Giants would allow Watson to work under GWS captain Toby Greene and potentially allow the likes of Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford to push further up the field.

FULL PROFILE

Eastern Ranges draft prospect Nick Watson (Image by Rookie Me Central)

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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