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. 

26. Pick 26 - Sydney: Caiden Cleary (matched Academy bid)

Cleary's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
Sydney's 1st Mock Draft Selection: N/A

Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
Weight: 79kg
State: New South Wales
Club: Sydney University

The first prospect that wasn't selected in our opening Mock Draft is Swans Academy midfield Caiden Cleary, who earns a bid from St Kilda before being swooped on by Sydney.

An animal in the middle of the field with his thirst to win the ball and contested strengths, Cleary would be a great get for the Saints but will instead remain in NSW as a long-term midfielder for John Longmire to consider.

With VFL experience under his belt this year, Cleary will look right at home at the state league level in 2024 and will be pushing his case for a call-up from the get-go.

Embed from 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.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION