Sydney and Greater Western Sydney lift the lid on their 2023 AFL draft plans

With three of the first 16 picks between them, the Swans and Giants are set to play a big role in this year’s AFL Draft. Their respective list managers take us inside their thinking.

The Giants and Swans are both set to play an important role in this year’s AFL Draft.

GWS heads into Monday night with an incredible draft hand thanks to the future first-round pick they received from Richmond last year for Jacob Hopper. They hold picks 7 and 16 in the first round and it could be a busy night with many clubs looking to trade their way up the order.

Across town, the Swans have pick 12 which could turn into a pivotal moment in the Draft considering how highly the top dozen players are rated.

Swans list manager Kinnear Beatson and Giants recruiting manager Adrian Caruso take us inside their discussions around this year’s Draft crop, provide insight into their Academy players and give their predictions of how the night could unfold.

How many players are you looking to take in this year’s AFL Draft?

Kinnear Beatson: We’ll either take two or three in the National Draft. And if it’s three, then we’d only be taking Sam Reid back in the Rookie Draft and that would be it because that’s all we’re entitled to take under list restrictions.

Adrian Caruso: The plan at the moment is three players in the National Draft. So two early picks in the first round, one late pick and then we’ve got a bit of flexibility there with a couple of rookies, including a Category B. It will probably be five in total, three national and two rookies.

With two picks in the first round, the Giants are in a strong position ahead of Monday night. Picture: Michael Klein

What do you make of the talent in this year’s AFL Draft?

KB: It looks like a strong [top dozen or so]. But we still think there’s enough depth in there so we’ll work it out on the night whether we keep the pick and activate in the Draft, or whether we trade it out and get other picks in there.

AC: When you make a prelim, you’re usually not in a position where you can bring in top-end talent. But given that we have that pick from Richmond, we got pick seven and we’re really happy with that group of players we’re going to get. You can be targeted in terms of how many guys you’re looking at. With pick seven, there are probably five guys that are going to be gone, so we only need a group of three or four for that pick. Then with pick 16, the same thing. It means that we’ve got a group of eight or so guys [on our draft board] that we’re focusing in on for those first two picks.

Is the club looking to fill a specific need or just wanting the best player available?

KB: We were pretty active in the trade and free agency period and able to bring four players in to help in areas that we’d identified throughout the year that we were a bit light in. There’s not such a need now to try to do that through the Draft, so just trying to get the best players possible I think will be our approach.

AC: We don’t feel like we’ve got any glaring needs that we need to address. I think early in the Draft our focus is always on bringing in the best long-term talent for the footy club, that’s our philosophy.

Sydney’s Kinnear Beatson is often one of the busiest list managers when it comes to Draft night. Picture: Michael Klein

Are you looking to engage in live pick swaps during the Draft?

KB: We’ve made inquiries about trying to move forward but that just looks unlikely.

If we’re not happy with what’s at pick 12, [trading back] is potentially an option. [Trading for picks North’s picks 17 & 18] is something we’ve discussed with North, but the offer’s not on the table yet because they might get there on the night and have a better offer. But they are keen to have as many early picks as possible so it’s something they may look at.

AC: With pick seven there’s a lot of activity around that pick with clubs coming and seeking that out. We’re not going to be able to move that any higher, and we don’t really want to. It’s more if certain players are still there at pick seven, there’s other clubs coming to us and offering up, whether it’s a future pick to get that pick, or if it’s them moving up a few spots and we move back a couple of spots and pick something up along the way. All the planets need to align for live trades to happen.

The standout NSW talent is Allies defender Connor O’Sullivan, what is your interest in him going into the Draft?

AC: Connor is definitely in the mix for us. Being from Albury, he is a NSW product. He had a really strong under-18 championships with the Allies. He’s versatile and he can play both ends. Our backline is pretty well stocked but he’s shown that he can play as a key forward as well. So he’s one player that we’re considering because good talls are hard to find.

KB: I don’t think [he gets back to us]. He’s got to get past the Giants, so that’ll be hard.

Hailing from Albury, O’Sullivan has become one of the highest rated defenders in this year’s Draft. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Kinnear, the Swans have been heavily linked with ruckman Will Green. What is the latest with him and is ruck a key area you will look at?

KB: Possibly. I mean if there’s a better mid or someone there that we rate highly, we’ll take whoever is there. We’re not going to take a specific player just because of that.

Adrian, dynamic forward Nate Caddy has been linked to the Giants. What do you like about his style of play?

AC: We’ve had a number of chats with Nate during the year. I think given where our backline is at the minute and it’s pretty settled, I think looking at guys ahead of the ball is something we’ve tried to do in the last couple of years. Nate is a power forward who can impact the scoreboard and he’s super competitive. So, we definitely see a lot of upside in Nate and he’d be someone who would fit in well in our forward line.

Matching Academy bids always comes into consideration for NSW-based clubs. How are you placed for your Academy players on Draft night?

KB: Caiden is certainly of interest to us, no doubt about that. I mean, he’s an All-Australian under 18 out of our Academy. It depends on if and when a bid comes, whether we’re able to match it, and whether it puts you back into points deficit for the following year.

Swans Academy player Caiden Cleary has moved up on many draft boards following an impressive Combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

AC: We’ve done a lot of work on Harvey Thomas and Charlie McCormack. We’ve had the chats with them and their families about what it would look like if they do come to us.

They’re both probably considerations later on, like Harvey has a chance to get bid on in the National Draft whereas Charlie seems more like someone who missed out and would be a potential Cat B option if we went that way. They’re things for us to probably weigh up on Day 2 … but we always prioritise promoting from the Academy when we can.

With so many Academy players in this year’s Draft, how long do you expect the first round to be?

AC: It’ll be mid-20s. It’s going to be a lot on that first night. Given that you add in those compo picks and the Academy bids, which there could be five or six, it is going to blow out and it is going to be probably the biggest first round ever.

Finally, what do you expect to happen with Pick 1? Could there be a late play to take it out of West Coast’s hands?

KB: It’s what we have heard [that West Coast will keep it]. But I think to be fair, I haven’t bothered about contacting North or West Coast about that, it won’t involve us. What I do know is, Harley Reid won’t get to us. I think I could take that one to the bank.

AC: From what we hear, it sounds like West Coast have locked in on Harley and that there won’t be any movement. But you know, things change pretty quickly.