AFL Draft

Listing the ideal draft prospect for every AFL team’s opening pick

Which player will each club have atop their list come draft night?

Published by
Mitch Keating

The 2023 AFL Draft is almost here, with years of planning and months of mock drafting coming to an end.

Clubs will have a rough idea of how the early selections of the draft might play out, while from the second half of the first round and onwards is anyone's guess.

All 18 sides will have their own list needs or desires, with key position talent, midfield depth or outside run all set to be considered.

Taking a balance of list needs and draft ranges into consideration, these are the prospects each club would love to see available when they first enter the draft...

Adelaide

Connor O'Sullivan

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Defender
Height:
198cm
Weight: 92kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Albury

The Crows are set to arrive on the clock with Pick 10, which is expected to move out to approximately Pick 12, and O'Sullivan is a live chance to be available to them with their first selection.

The Murray Bushrangers backman is arguably the premier tall defender among this year's draft class and is set to have multiple suitors prior to Adelaide's opening selection.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Connor O'Sullivan of the Allies during the 2023 U18 Championships match between Allies and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on June 11, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

O'Sullivan is one of the more ready-made prospects and could slot into a starting role under Matthew Nicks in 2024 given the absence of Tom Doedee and injury to Nick Murray down back.

Brisbane

Ashton Moir

FULL PROFILE 
Position: Forward
Height: 
187cm
Weight: 85kg
State: South Australia
Club: Plympton

The athletic South Australian forward has plenty of upside and would be a great get for the Lions at approximately Pick 30 when Brisbane enter the draft.

Moir is a lethal kick on either foot and is strong in the air, with the Glenelg youngster one who could benefit from being given time to develop his craft and familiarise himself in an elite environment.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Ashton Moir of South Australia is tackled by Callum Verrell of Vic Metro during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Metro and South Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

In what might be succession planning for the eventual passing of the baton by Joe Daniher, Moir could be Brisbane's long-term spearhead if the Lions look toward the promising teenager.

Carlton

Will Green

Position: Ruck
Height:
204cm
Weight:
93kg
State:
Victoria
Club:
Northcote

A ruckman is a good chance to be in the Blues' sights with their opening selection - which is set to conclude the first round at approximately Pick 28.

Green is arguably the top-rated ruckman of 2023 who isn't tied to an AFL club, with the Northern Knights talent trailing Suns Academy prospect Ethan Read in our ruck rankings this year.

A mobile and high-upside junior, Green could be a chance to slide to Carlton's pick but is sure to have high levels of interest earlier into the opening night of the count.

Collingwood

Archer Reid

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Forward
Height:
203cm
Weight: 94kg
State: Victoria
Club: Inverloch-Kongwak

Will the Pies finally look to draft a tall forward? It's not often their strategy, but if Archer Reid is available to them with their first selection - currently proceed at Pick 19 - it'll be hard to turn down.

The Gippsland spearhead stands at 2023cm and has looked to hone his ruck craft this year as well, with Reid a potential long-term replacement for veteran Mason Cox as a ruck-forward hybrid.

AFL draft prospect Archer Reid for the 2023 AFL Academy side against Carlton's VFL team (Image via Coates Talent League/AFL Photos)

Reid is a good chance to be off the table by the Magpies' opening selection, but Collingwood will be among the clubs holding out hopes he's a slider on night one.

Essendon

Nate Caddy

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Forward
Height:
193cm
Weight: 92kg
State: Victoria
Club: Yarrambat

The Bombers hold Pick 9 and will be waiting to see how the opening few selections pan out before knowing what avenue they'll take.

Caddy, an athletically gifted key forward, would aid Essendon's lacking key forward stocks and is seen as a live chance to don the red sash in 2024 given his draft range and the Bombers' list needs.

Vic Metro draft talent Nate Caddy vs Western Australia, 2023 (Image via Coates Talent League/AFL Photos)

With a new-look backline and a stacked midfield, Caddy would be a welcome addition at The Hangar.

Fremantle

Lance Collard

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Forward
Height:
180cm
Weight: 65kg
State: Western Australia
Club: North Beach

The Dockers will be hoping Collard is still on offer at Pick 34, with the West Coast NGA talent a potential first-round selection and also a chance be in the Eagles' sights early into the second round.

Fremantle are among the club who could trade up their place in the draft order, while Collard has a small chance of making his way to their first selection.

Subiaco draft prospect Lance Collard playing for the Lions in 2023 (Image via Subiaco FC ,Facebook)

The local small forward would be an ideal pickup for list boss David Walls after the recent departures of Lachie Schultz and Liam Henry.

Geelong

Dan Curtin

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Defender
Height:
197cm
Weight: 95kg
State: Western Australia
Club: West Coast

Curtin's range falls as early as Pick 2 and likely no later than Geelong's first selection, with the Claremont key-position prospect a fitting selection for the Cats.

Able to play as a key defender, through midfielder or in attack in needed, the Western Australian is as versatile as they come.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Daniel Curtin of the Team Houli Squad poses for a photo during the 2022 AFL Futures match between Team Houli and Team Murphy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

With the Cats looking to fill multiple holes, Curtin will be near the top if their on Monday night.

Gold Coast

Jed Walter

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Forward
Height:
194cm
Weight: 97kg
State: Queensland
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

The Suns currently don't hold a draft pick until the second round, however that is a result of their planning to attain the likes of Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham through matched Academy bidding.

Walter is the headlining prospect out of the Suns' golden crop of kids, with the hulking key forward arguably the best teenager on offer outside of likely No.1 pick Harley Reid.

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

With the Suns looking to embark on their first finals campaign in 2024, Walter could be one to play a part in their next campaign given his size and ready-made talent.

GWS

Colby McKercher

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
180cm
Weight: 76kg
State: Tasmania
Club: Launceston

The Tasmanian ball-winner is unlikely to slide to the Giants' first pick, but there's certainly no ruling it out.

McKercher could fetch a selection as early as Pick 2, but if overlooked could slide several selections, while the Giants themselves could look to advance their place in the order given they hold multiple first-round picks.

Allies draft talent Colby McKercher (Image via Graham Denholm/AFL Photos)

His pace, accumulation and match-winning ability would be a nice addition to Adam Kingsley's contending list.

Hawthorn

Zane Duursma

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder-Forward
Height:
189cm
Weight: 79kg
State: Victoria
Club: Foster

Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie will be hoping Duursma slides past the Roos' opening two picks, with the athletic half-forward a perfect match for Sam Mitchell's side.

The U18 All-Australian member would complement Hawthorn's forward line with his size and athleticism while also being able to support the Hawks' promising midfield pack.

2023 AFL Draft prospects Zane Duursma (left) and Caleb Windsor (right) outside the MCG (Image via Coates Talent League, Twitter)

With North Melbourne needing to decide on their first two picks, the Hawks will be keen to see who's on offer, and if it's Duursma.

Melbourne

Zane Duursma

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder-Forward
Height:
189cm
Weight: 79kg
State: Victoria
Club: Foster

Another club that would love to see the Foster forward slide through to their opening pick, with the Demons home to Duursma earlier this year during their pre-season program and big fans of what they saw.

The Demons would package Picks 6 and 11 to potentially make a move for the talented attacker, but they'll still be happy with whoever else is on offer if it's not Duursma at Pick 6.

Christian Petracca and Zane Duursma during Melbourne's open training session at Gosch's Paddock, Melbourne in 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)

Some more fire power and midfield depth will be exactly what Melbourne is searching for early into the draft.

North Melbourne

Dan Curtin

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Defender
Height:
197cm
Weight: 95kg
State: Western Australia
Club: West Coast

With Picks 2 and 3, the Roos have some freedom to decide on who they'll swoop on with their earliest selection.

Curtin is sure to be among the names they'd be considering, and given his versatility and ready-made attributes he might just be the most ideal option for Alastair Clarkson and his crew.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Daniel Curtin of the Team Houli Squad is tackled during the 2022 AFL Futures match between Team Houli and Team Murphy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

A player who can bolster the club's backline and help in midfield would be a big win for the Kangaroos.

Port Adelaide

Jack Delean

FULL PROFILE
Position: Forward
Height: 
181cm
Weight: 77kg
State: South Australia
Club: Reynella

Given they won't enter the draft until Pick 69 - or approximately in the 50s after matched bidding - the Power will just be looking to see who from the pool is still left over late into the second night.

Among the prospects who could be of interest is local goal machine Jack Delean, with the South Adelaide talent among the leading small forwards for 2023.

(L-R) Australia representatives Kane McAuliffe, Ashton Moir, Will Patton and Jack Delean with Port Adelaide's Jed Hagan. Photo: Keryn Stevens

Another name to consider could be Tasmanian Jack Callinan, the son of ex-Crows sharpshooter Ian.

Richmond

Archer Reid

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Forward
Height:
203cm
Weight: 94kg
State: Victoria
Club: Inverloch-Kongwak

At Pick 29 the Tigers will be made to play the waiting game before they come on the clock, with the 15 or so selections before them set to be quite difficult to predict.

One name that'll be near the top of their list is Voc Country spearhead Archer Reid given the Tigers' likely desire to add to their tall forward stocks.

Vic Country draft prospect Archer Reid and Vic Metro ruckman Will Green in 2023 at National Championships (image via Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

The younger brother of Essendon defender Zach Reid, Archer is a figure who could help lead Richmond's forward line in the years to come alongside Samson Ryan.

St Kilda

Caleb Windsor

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
184cm
Weight: 76kg
State: Victoria
Club: Lysterfield

At Pick 13 the Saints find themselves in a curious position, with the top 12 or so prospects viewed to be in a group of their own.

There remains a chance a top-rated teenager slides out of this group, and there St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni will be waiting.

Among that pack, the Saints will be hoping it's Caleb Windsor who slides to Pick 13, with the Eastern Ranges wingman a pacey prospect that would suit Ross Lyon's system.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Caleb Windsor of Vic Metro kicks during the 2023 AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between the Allies and Vic Metro at Brighton Homes Arena on July 02, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Sydney

Connor Sullivan

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Key Defender
Height:
198cm
Weight: 92kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Albury

In a similar position to the Saints, Sydney will be looking to see who from the top crop of teenagers is available when they first make their move.

While a small chance to slip past Adelaide or Essendon earlier into the first-round, O'Sullivan would be a dream recruit for the Swans as they look to add more height to their undersized backline.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Connor O'Sullivan of the Allies during the 2023 U18 Championships match between Allies and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on June 11, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Murray Bushrangers star also hails from New South Wales and might favour the short move up to Sydney.

West Coast

Harley Reid

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
187cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: Tongala

It's hard to go past Reid, isn't it?

What we can say is that the Tongala junior is the generational name the Eagles are craving as part of their list rebuild.

His explosiveness and match-winning aura will be on full display from as early as Round 1.

Vic Country draft talent Harley Reid (Image via Graham Denholm/AFL Photos)

Western Bulldogs

Ryley Sanders

FULL PROFILE
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
185cm
Weight: 86kg
State: Tasmania
Club: North Launceston

Sanders is a strong chance to be selected by the Bulldogs at Pick 5, with the Tasmania midfielder one who can suit both list needs and be the best available prospect on offer to the Dogs.

The 2023 Larke Medal winner would join a star-studded midfield pack at the Kennel, where he'd be afforded the time to hone his craft under the wings of Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore.

Allies talent Ryley Sanders at 2023 National Championships (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos)

With the latter well into the twilight of his career and Bontempelli needing more help, Sanders could be the man to help lead the Dogs' engine room in the long haul.

Published by
Mitch Keating