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
28. Pick 28 - Carlton: Luamon Lual
Lual's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Not Selected
Carlton's 1st Mock Draft Selection: Mitch Edwards
Position:Â Defender
Height:Â 182cm
Weight:Â 72kg
State:Â Victoria
Club:Â South Warrnambool
The Western Bulldogs miss out on this NGA talent as Carlton makes the move to add some run and carry to their defensive third.
After selecting a ruckman in Mitch Edwards with the last pick of the first round in our first edition Mock Draft, the Blues look elsewhere given neither the Western Australian nor Will Green are available at Pick 28.
Lual would only better his line-breaking skills under the tutelage of Adam Saad at Princes Park, with the Talent League Team of the Year representative to be joined by the likes of Arie Schoenmaker or Tew Jiath in potentially being in the Blues' sights.
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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.