The 2023 AFL Draft is near, and with the draft order locked in until night one of the count, recruiters and scouts are beginning to settle on their plans for this year's intake.

The opening night will see the entire set of first-round selections taken, with the current 22 picks potentially ballooning out to 28 selections following Academy and father-son bids.

North Melbourne have five selections for the first round, while West Coast are in line to open the draft with Pick 1 and are assumed to have Bendigo's Harley Reid in their sights.

So how will the entire first round play out at the 2023 AFL Draft?

Here is Zero Hanger's second edition Mock Draft, which covers the first round of the draft - totalling 28 selections.

For the purpose of this exercise, we have decided not to predict live trades for the draft, with the order remaining as it currently reads with the addition of matched Academy and father-son bids. 

This exercise follows our first edition Mock Draft from October, with our second edition set to look at possible alternative selections for a range of clubs and showcase the ripple effect of those changes. 

17. Pick 17 - St Kilda: Ollie Murphy

Murphy's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 13 (Essendon)
St Kilda's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Koltyn Tholstrup

Position: Key Defender
Height: 200cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Brighton

The Sandringham key defender slides four selections and into the lap of St Kilda - the club he has grown up supporting.

Murphy will be one the Saints have an eye on and hope slides to their opening selection, with list boss Stephen Silvagni perhaps looking to not only bolster his club's defensive options but also add to their ranks with the addition of a local product.

Murphy was a standout at this year's National Championships with Vic Metro, taking out MVP honours for his side after showing off his aerial impact and clean ball use.

FULL PROFILE

Vic Metro draft talent Ollie Murphy at 2023 National Championships (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos)

1 COMMENT

  1. Well, I certainly hope this is NOT the case….

    Goad rather than Green. – he has much more room for improvement and is better athletically – and he is not shy of attempting goals.

    I’d not think it wise to pick a Tasmanian who will very possibly end up in the new club there, and it’s always better for the crows to pick locals rather than Victorians.

    This draft is by a Victorian who thinks that the Crows are based in Melbourne.

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