In the first chapter of Zero Hanger'sย positional rankings for the final week leading up to the 2023 AFL Draft, we'll be counting down the five best forward prospects on offer.
Between spearheads, small forwards or hybrid assets, the premier attacking names among this year's class each offer differing skill sets and strengths, with each of the top five a live chance of earning top 10 draft selections.
Two of the five players listed have ties to AFL clubs via either father-son or Academy links, while a further two teenagers in this list won't be the first from their families to step up to the elite level.
Accompanied by comments from AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan, here are the FIVE best forward prospects for the 2023 AFL Draft...
3. Nick Watson
FULL PROFILE
Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Ringwood
A mercurial small forward with a seemingly endless bag of tricks, Watson is a bonafide match-winner who stands at just 170cm tall.
Viewed as a potential top five selection for 2023, the Eastern Ranges talent played further up the field across his Talent League season and would record 20 or more disposals in five of his 11 games.
His best outing would come in Round 3 against the Northern Knights, where he collected 34 disposals and had seven scoring shots.
At the higher level with Vic Metro, Watson would look comfortable in attack as either a deep forward threat or as a roaming half-forward presence who could have a big impact on the transition.
Watson booted 14 goals from his four matches at the National Championships to only strengthen his draft stocks, while he was also among the best performers for the AFL Academy this year in having an impact at either end of the field across their encounters with Port Adelaide's SANFL side and Carlton's VFL unit.
Kevin Sheehan Says: A small forward who is quick, agile and crafty and has a real appetite for the contest. Gave a glimpse of his potential last year when he booted 23 goals in 10 matches in the talent pathway. Was impossible to contain in the National Championships this year, booting 14 goals in four matches for Victoria Metro to top the goal kicking.
