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. 

22. Pick 22 - North Melbourne: Mitch Edwards

Edwards' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Pick 27 (Carlton)
North Melbourne's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Archer Reid

Position: Ruck
Height: 206cm
Weight: 89kg
State: Western Australia
Club: South Mandurah

The Fremantle NGA talent is just the second ruckman taken so far in the first-round and the first who is available to all 18 clubs, with Edwards making his way to Arden Street as the Roos looking to add to their long-term ruck plans.

Tristan Xerri is set to take on the first-string duties, giving Edwards the needed time to develop and add size before stepping onto the scene.

The Western Australian tall was in consideration as a top five prospect early this year and could be a draft steal for the Roos with their fourth selection of the night.

FULL PROFILE

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Mitchell Edwards (Peel Thunder) in action during the 2023 AFL National Draft Combine at Margaret Court Arena on October 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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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