EXCITEMENT MACHINE: Harley Reid is the best of the 2023 draft crop and has won plenty of awards, the influential midfielder is almost a lock for the number one pick.
(Photo: Coates Talent League Facebook)
As we inch closer towards the AFL National Draft, many young men from all over the country are vying to live out a childhood dream and have their name read out come late November. But only the very best will be selected in the Top 10.
In this opinion piece, I will look into and attempt to predict the first 10 draft picks come the end of the year.
1. Harley Reid - 185cm, 85 kg - Bendigo Pioneers/Victoria Country
Highly regarded as the undisputed number one draft pick come November, Reid has again been impressive throughout this year, firming his chances to be taken with the very first pick. Possessing incredible strength, speed and skill, Reid’s talent and versatility on the football field is something that must be seen to be believed.
Reid is considered a utility and a very difficult match-up for the opposition wherever he is situated on the ground. More recently, during the Under-18 National Championships for Vic Country, the powerful Reid has been used mainly as a forward, while also rotating through the midfield.
A solid carnival, which included a 14 disposal, five clearance and three goal effort, as well as a dazzling 26 disposal and two goal game against Western Australia has all but locked him in as the coveted number one pick at the draft.
2. Nick Watson - 170cm, 67kg - Eastern Ranges/Victoria Metro
The small utility affectionately known as “The Wizard” has been a serious draft bolter since the start of the year. Despite being on recruiters' radars already last year, he has produced some incredible performances again this year that see him as one of the best footballers in the country.
Watson is a wonderfully skilled small utility that has break-neck speed and an incredible leap for a player of his height.
He has done his chances no harm at all, kicking huge bags of goals in school football for Caulfield Grammar. In Vic Metro’s Under 18 National Championships' thrashing of Western Australia, Watson produced a scintillating half of football. He finished by kicking 5.3, all of which came in the first half, to go along with 13 disposals on the way to a best on ground performance.
He looks set to be a lock for top five and I firmly believe he can push higher.
3. Colby McKercher - 181cm, 73kg - Tasmania Devils/Allies
McKercher is considered near the best out and out midfielder in this year’s draft crop. Boasting remarkable consistency and an uncanny ability to win massive amounts of the football, McKercher has gone from strength to strength throughout this season. His numbers make for a ridiculous stat line in the Coates Talent League this season. He averages a whopping 31.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 4.2 tackles, seven inside 50’s and has shown a strong ability to impact the game offensively, kicking seven goals from his six games.
In the recent national championship games against Vic Metro and Vic Country, McKercher produced 31 disposals and a goal, and 32 disposals, eight clearances, six inside 50’s and two goals respectively.
That consistency is something that AFL clubs and recruiters will highly value, and he looks a player that is ready-made to step up and perform at AFL level next season.
4. Jed Walter- 195cm, 91 kg - Gold Coast Suns Academy/Allies
An AFL Academy member like the three players before him, Walter is a big strong presence who is clearly the best key forward in this year’s draft pool. With a strong frame and athletic profile, Walter was able to dominate all opposition players in his limited Coates Talent League games for the Gold Coast Suns Academy. He finished by playing four games, averaging an impressive 18.3 disposals, almost six marks while kicking 18 goals.
Those 18 goals included particularly huge games against NT Thunder Academy and the GWV Rebels, where he kicked eight and six goals respectively.
There is so much excitement around the player Walter could become, possessing impressive mobility and athleticism for a man his size. These traits have proven massive strengths in his game this year.
Walter has had a relatively strong carnival in a quality Allies side that came away with the title. As a Gold Coast Suns Academy member, the club will get first preference for him in this year's draft.
5. Zane Duursma - 189cm, 79 kg – Gippsland Power/Victoria Country
The brother of Port Adelaide duo Xavier and Yasmin in the AFL and AFLW, Zane is also forging a strong path towards the big time. Duursma is one of the most exciting players in this year’s draft, with his speed, mobility, goal sense and overall 'X Factor' constantly cutting open opposition teams this season.
Duursma has also had the experience of training with multiple AFL clubs and even pulled on the boots for the Casey Demons in the VFL, where he showed great signs against bigger and more experienced bodies. He has been an important member of the Vic Country side throughout the national championships, producing impressive performances against South Australia and the Allies in particular.
He had 20 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles against South Australia and threatened to take the game away from the Allies early, with multiple impressive goals. He rounded out the carnival with a massive game that is bound to catch the eye of recruiters, collecting 22 disposals and kicking four goals with a 'best on' performance.
A player with undeniable talent and upside, there is no doubt he will be a fantastic AFL player. Clubs will just be looking for a little more consistency within games leading up to the draft.
6. Daniel Curtin - 195cm, 93 kg – Claremont/Western Australia
Curtin is a rare talent. He is considered a key position utility, boasting skills at both ends of the ground that many others could only dream of. Hailing from Western Australia, Curtin has displayed a strong ability to play as a key forward and key defender throughout the past year in the Colts WAFL competition and looks set to be picked in the top 10.
Curtin burst into draft calculations on AFL Grand Final day last year, producing a 'best on ground' performance for the Futures side on the hallowed turf of the MCG. Since then, he has progressed further and holds strengths that are hard to find in a player in the modern game.
Despite Western Australia having a terrible national championship campaign, Curtin stood tall and dominated for his side, taking home the team's MVP award after their final game a few weeks ago. He is a highly sought after player for his ability to play at both ends of the ground and read the ball well, he is also a fantastic leader.
7. Nate Caddy - 192cm, 91kg – Northern Knights/Victoria Metro
The nephew of former Richmond premiership player Josh Caddy, Nate is following in the footsteps of his uncle. Caddy is an athletic tall forward that will hopefully grow to be a genuine key forward when he hits the AFL. He plays a similar game style to that of Jed Walter, and is very athletic and mobile, with a very strong pair of hands.
Caddy has dominated for the Northern Knights throughout this season, kicking 15 goals from just four games, averaging nearly 18 disposals and six marks.
Caddy has since produced some solid football for Vic Metro, kicking three goals to go along with 13 disposals and seven tackles in its thrashing of Western Australia a few weeks ago.
Caddy has a terrific leap and marking ability, but is also nimble and dangerous when the ball hits the ground. A nightmare for any defender, Caddy will be a special player in years to come.
8. Ryley Sanders - 186cm, 85kg – Sandringham Dragons/Allies
The bullocking ball magnet hailing from Tasmania originally, Sanders is a beast in the contest and wins plenty of contested possessions. He also has the ability to transition to the outside and hurt his opposition with his power and speed.
I believe Sanders would be a genuine steal for clubs, even at pick eight. He has set the Coates Talent League alight from his three games this season. He averages 32 disposals, five marks, five tackles and one goal per game for the strong Sandringham Dragons side.
Despite not winning his sides MVP for the Under-18 National Championships campaign, Sanders put forward a pretty good case. In the final game against Vic country, he recorded 35 disposals, six marks and five clearances and that performance basically mirrored the three before that. He would be a strong candidate to win the Larke Medal as the best player of the championships.
Due to his undeniable skill, mixed with his work rate and effort, Sanders is bound to be a prolific midfielder at AFL level for the next 10 years.
9. Ethan Read - 202cm, 87kg – Gold Coasts Suns Academy/Allies
The best ruckman in this year’s draft class, Read is a monster at 202 centimetres. He has a terrific aerobic capacity, allowing him to accumulate plenty of disposals around the ground for a player of his size, he is also very clean and skilful with ball in hand. From his four games at Coates Talent League level, Read averages a massive 20 disposals, six marks and 20 hit outs for the Suns Academy.
He is only light at 87 kilograms and although his tap ruck work is not a massive strength of his, he is nonetheless quite competent and is able to influence the contest significantly greater than other ruckmen around the ground. He plays in a pretty similar way to Western Bulldogs ruckman, Tim English.
He led an absolutely stacked Allies midfield during the championships, churning out great performances of his own.
He started strongly recording 18 disposals and 10 marks against South Australia before backing it up with 21 disposals, 11 marks and 14 hit outs against WA. He was also crucial in their recent game against Vic Country in a thrilling victory.
10. Jake Rogers - 171cm, 68kg – Gold Coast Suns Academy/ Allies
Another smaller player vying for a top 10 spot in the draft this year. Like Watson, Jake Rogers has killer speed and a spin move to die for. For a player that moves so fast, he has excellent skills and poise under duress and is one of the most naturally gifted players in this year’s draft.
Just one of a handful of guns to come out of the Gold Coast Suns Academy, Rogers won the medal for best on ground in the AFL Academy’s win over Carlton VFL back in May, turning heads with a dazzling performance.
He averages 25.5 disposals, and over six tackles in the Coates Talent League. Despite only kicking the one goal from four games, he was able to set up countless scores for his team across those matches. He is another player that performed very strongly in the national championships, regularly notching up 30 disposals or more and playing with his trademark flair. At times he may have flown under the radar because of how dominant the Allies midfield was, but he is a lock for the top 20 and will push strongly to feature in the top 10 picks at the end of the year.
That rounds out my predicted top 10 draft picks for November's AFL National Draft. It is said every year, but all of the players listed and the first round of selections, all have the potential to be dominant players at AFL level for many years.
Increased focus and anticipation will build on these players and others as we approach November, with all players pushing to turn their dream into a reality.
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