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.Â
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.Â
27. Pick 27 - St Kilda: Charlie Edwards
Edwards' 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
St Kilda's 1st Mock Draft Selection:Â Logan Morris
Position: Midfielder
Height: 191cm
Weight: 85kg
State: Victoria
Club: Sandhurst
A selection that will suit the Saints' desires given Edwards' standing as a tall midfielder with speed on his side.
The Sandringham Dragons ball-winner reached new heights after moving into the middle from the back third and could now join teammate Ollie Murphy in heading to Moorabbin as a first-round selection.
The 191cm talent has clean hands and can be used as a forward threat before making his move into midfield in the long run.
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.