Welcome to Zero Hanger's third and final 2023 AFL Mock Draft, where we'll cover the entire opening round of selections - predicted to be 28 picks in total.
Following our first and second Mock Drafts, this edition will take live trading into consideration and will look to select a balance of list needs and best available talent.
The opening round of the draft is set to see a suite of Academy and father-son bids lodged, meaning the order will shuffle significantly within the opening 30 selections.
The current first-round order falls between Pick 1 and 22, with the latter selection expected to balloon out to 28th overall following matched bidding.
Our final edition Mock Draft consists of ONE live trade, which includes a trio of 2023 first-round selections.
SEE ALSO: 2023 AFL MOCK DRAFT - FIRST EDITION
SEE ALSO: 2023 AFL MOCK DRAFT - SECOND EDITION
So, without further ado, here is Zero Hanger's FINAL Mock Draft of 2023.
9. Pick 9 - Adelaide (following trade): Connor O'Sullivan
TRADE:Â Adelaide trade Picks 12 and 16 to GWS for Pick 9
FULL PROFILE
Position: Key Defender
Height: 198cm
Weight: 92kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Albury
The opening predicted trade for night one of the draft, with the Crows packaging two of their three first-round picks to get access to Murrayu Bushrangers backman Connor O'Sullivan.
The trade comes as the Crows hope to bolster their backline stocks with the addition of the 198cm talent, while the Giants are happy to move back several spots in the queue but still remain in the top 12 with
O'Sullivan enjoyed a stellar draft campaign with the Allies, winning the side's MVP title as an elite intercept and lockdown defender.
Others to consider:Â Caleb Windsor, James Leake
The idea that Adelaide would trade picks 10 and 14 in order to get pick 9 – stupid past imbecility stupid.
If the recruitment staff did that they’d have some bloody hard explaining to do.
It ranks right up there with giving two first round picks for Gibbs – when he was what 30?