AFL Draft 2023: The latest news and whispers from South Australia as the Crows eye possible Daniel Curtin play

Who could Port take late? Will the Crows trade up for Dan Curtin? Is the Goad interest real? Where will the other SANFL kids land? Get all the latest draft mail from South Australia.

Adelaide could make a bold play to land a Western Australian widely regarded as the best defender in this year’s draft pool.

The Crows have been in talks to trade up for pick 7, held by GWS, and some rival clubs believe they are likely trying to do so with the intent of taking Daniel Curtin.

Curtin, a 197cm All-Australian centre half-back who also impressed as a midfielder this year, was tipped to be available at the Giants’ selection on night one of the draft on Monday.

The 18-year-old was previously considered a top-five prospect.

Adelaide, which holds picks 10, 14 and 20, is keen to climb the order but has conceded getting one of the first six selections is unlikely.

GWS may decide to keep No. 7 or trade it to West Coast.

The Eagles have put their 2024 first-round selection on the table and are believed to have local Curtin in their sights.

Trading with West Coast will tempt the Giants, given the Eagles are coming off a wooden spoon and the pick up for grabs may be No. 1 next year.

But GWS is debating whether to lose an early selection for the unknown of what will happen in 2024 because Adam Kingsley’s side is in the premiership window.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHERE THE SA PROSPECTS MIGHT LAND

Daniel Curtin in action for WA at the under-18 national championships. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos

Sliding back several spots in a trade with Adelaide might become the Giants’ preferred live trading option because it could ensure they still got the player they wanted.

So GWS is essentially deciding between drafting Curtin themselves or trading down the order for what it considers the best deal.

Curtin ticks plenty of boxes for Adelaide, which is light on for top-end key defensive talent and taller midfielders.

The Crows’ on-ball unit could use more size, even after shifting 191cm captain Jordan Dawson into the engine room last season.

Curtin is six centimetres taller than Dawson, has five on Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli and two on Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps.

He is agile for his size, boasts a nice sidestep in traffic, a neat kick, composure with the ball and his intercept marking is a strength.

The left-footer played as a midfielder in WA’s 28-point win over SA at Perth Stadium in June, registering 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six clearances, seven score involvements and seven tackles.

Curtin returned to defence the next championships match, before going on-ball again in his state’s final game against Vic Metro (27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight clearances, five score involvements, seven tackles).

He was Claremont’s colts’ premiership captain and played six times for the club’s seniors.

Curtin would be expected to start his AFL career as a key defender.

Curtin was Western Australia’s MVP after starring in the midfield and defence during the carnival. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

The Crows have shown interest in Murray Bushrangers defender Connor O'Sullivan. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

If the Crows did secure pick 7, they could instead snaffle another 197cm backman, Murray Bushrangers’ Connor O’Sullivan.

Adelaide has been linked with him but Essendon, which holds No. 9, is also believed to be interested so jumping ahead of the Bombers will allow the Crows to pounce.

Geelong (pick 8) and Essendon are said to be less likely to trade back than the Giants.

Tasmanian swingman James Leake, who is 187cm and has played mostly in defence, is considered a likely target for the Giants and a candidate for Adelaide if it keeps pick 10.

South Australian ruckman Taylor Goad is firming for the Crows, who are among several clubs interested in the first round.

As for Port Adelaide, it is understood to have had a longstanding liking of Sandringham Dragons medium defender Matt Carroll and may consider small forwards Lachie Charleson (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) or Loch Rawlinson (Sturt).

But just who will be available at the Power’s first selection is difficult to predict.

Carlton has been linked with Carroll with its early picks.

Port has No. 69, 83 and 87 as it stands, but will move up, likely into the 50s, once academy and father-son bids absorb other selections.

It is expected to be a lean year for the SANFL, which may have only a handful of players selected in the national draft.

The draft’s first round will be held on Monday night and the rest on Tuesday evening.

Pre-season and rookie picks are on Wednesday.

WHISPERS AROUND SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PROSPECTS

– with Jordan Pinto

Taylor Goad (South Adelaide, ruckman)

Adelaide is shaping as a strong chance to land Goad – and it makes sense. Reilly O’Brien is 28, Kieran Strachan is the same age and a back-up, while 21-year-old Riley Thilthorpe is being used primarily as a forward. Goad would give the club a next generation ruckman with enormous potential. But if the Crows really want the ex-basketballer they may need to swoop with their top selection (10, as it stands) because of apparent interest from Melbourne (11), Sydney (12) and St Kilda (13). Rival clubs will not be surprised if Adelaide takes him at 14 – if he gets there – because the Kangaroos (15, 17, 18) also like him and are in need of a ruckman. It is doubtful he is available at the Crows’ third selection at 20.

Taylor Goad is a strong chance to land at the Crows. Picture: Dean Martin

Which club will give the supremely talented Ashton Moir a chance? Picture: Michael Klein

Kane McAuliffe (North Adelaide, midfielder)

The powerful inside on-baller’s draft range is expected to be around 20 to 40. He is said to have interest from Adelaide (20), St Kilda (21, 40), Richmond (29, 41) and Sydney (45).

Will McCabe (Central District, tall defender)

Either of Adelaide (pick 10 or 14), Sydney (12) or St Kilda (13) are tipped to bid on Hawthorn father-son candidate McCabe, who many draft observers regard as South Australia’s top prospect this year. The Hawks will almost certainly match the bid.

Henry Maerschel (Sturt, key defender)

Richmond is a chance to grab Maerschel if he gets through to the rookie draft.

Ashton Moir (Glenelg, forward)

Carlton and West Coast are believed to have the most interest in a player whose stocks have dropped in the eyes of recruiters. The Blues enter the draft at 22 but taking him in the second round, at 28, seems likelier. Interestingly, the Eagles have pick 23, before a bit of a wait until No. 37.

Loch Rawlinson (Sturt, small forward)

Looms as a late selection or rookie for a club with a need for a small forward. Port Adelaide and Fremantle are potential candidates.