The 2023 AFL National Draft is less than a month away and with it fast approaching we've finalised our first edition Mock Draft - looking at how the opening round of the count might unfold.
The first round of November's draft has extended to 22 selections following the establishment of free agency compensation selections and one additional pick via the AFL's assistance package for North Melbourne.
With Academy and father-son bids predicted to come on the opening night of the draft, the first round could be extended past the mid-20s in what shapes as an intriguing queue.
Below we've worked through the first round of the draft order to present our opening Mock Draft of the season.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have decided not to predict prior or live trades for the draft, with the order remaining as it currently reads with the addition of matched Academy and father-son bids.Â
VIEW: FULL 2023 AFL DRAFT ORDER
20. Pick 20 - North Melbourne: Lance Collard
Position: Forward
Height: 180cm
Weight: 65kg
State: Western Australia
Club:Â North Beach
What's West Coast's loss will be North Melbourne's gain as the Roos bid for the Eagles Next Generation Academy talent Lance Collard in the opening round and prior to the Pick 40 cutoff for matched NGA bids.
Collard steadily built up stocks this year at the WAFL Colts level with Subiaco, booting 32 goals from his 11 games. But it would be his combine testing that pushed him further up the rankings.
The pacey small forward took out the quickest time for the agility test this month ahead of Lions teammate Koltyn Tholstrup and would also finish with the fourth-best time for the 20m sprint.
Another to consider:Â George Stevens
