00Father-son selections are often a key area of discussion as the draft calendar rolls on, and 2023 looms to be no different.
Recent seasons have seen arguably the two best prospects from their respective classes land at AFL clubs as father-son picks, with Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos and Brisbane young gun Will Ashcroft following in their dads' footsteps to join the Magpies and Lions respectively as top-five selections in 2021 and 2022.
A total of seven father-son picks were taken last year, with Ashcroft joined by fellow first-round selection Jaspa Fletcher in heading to Springfield. Adelaide got their hands on Max Michalanney in the opening rounds as well, while Essendon came away with both Davey twins Alwyn Jr. and Jayden last November.
Daicos' draft saw a total of five father-son picks taken, with the 2023 Brownlow favourite the second to be recruited among the top four selections - coming two spots after Western Bulldogs tall Sam Darcy.
The Dogs could find themselves adding another familiar name to their key forward stocks this year as likely first-round prospect Jordan Croft continues to build his case as one of the leading attacking targets in this year's class.
Croft is one of four standout father-son prospects in 2023, withย Rookie Me Centralย draft analyst Michael Alvaro diving into potential selections for the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Sydney on the latest episode of Zero Hanger TV.
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Here's a breakdown of some of the leading father-son names for 2023.
4. Indhi Kirk (Sydney)
Son of: Brett Kirk (241 games for Sydney)
Height: 179cm
Position: Utility
Club: UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs
The Swans will have priority access to several prospects in 2023 thanks to the depths of their Academy program, with the likes of Caiden Cleary and Caleb May among the standouts for Sydney's development pathway this year.
Among the Academy squad is a familiar name, and not just because he was retained for 2023 as an over-age prospect. Indhi Kirk, the son of premiership captain Brett, has managed to take advantage of his current campaign to keep his hopes of being drafted alive.
The small-framed utility has transitioned to more of an inside midfield role this year after being retained by Sydney, having developed as an outside runner or half-forward previously.
The change has seen Kirk sit second only behind Cleary for disposals per game in the Talent League at 23.8 touches, while also averaging a team-high 8.2 tackles (third overall in the competition) and 6.8 inside 50s.
Kirk would also make his VFL debut in 2022 before adding a further four appearances at the state league level this year, highlighted by a 17-disposal game against the Northern Bullants in Round 5.
"He's shown improvement. He had a bit of an interrupted top-age season so he's come back and shown his wares for the Swans Academy," Alvaro toldย Zero Hanger TV.ย
"Flying through midfield, which is a bit different because he played on the wing last year and a little bit up at half forward. He's another hard worker, a bit of a smaller midfielder but can play on both sides of midfield which is really handy.
"He's got that toughness like his dad Brett, plays with his heart and mind, which you love to say and he's going to be another one to consider sort of later on in the piece you'd think.
"They've got a few Academy members as well. Obviously Caiden Cleary and a few others in a really even crop. I think he'll be considered.
"Someone like Leon Cameron who's coached at AFL level, who's in charge of the Swans Academy at the moment, he rates him really highly. It's a good person to have vouch for you."
