Bombshell deal to blow up ’club defining’ AFL Draft over player teams are ‘infatuated’ with

A legendary coach is “infatuated” by one player who’s set to shape the AFL Draft as rivals consider bombshell ploys to swoop on him.

Dan Curtin is set to shape the AFL Draft.

The 2023 AFL Draft could be set for a couple of major surprises with one player set to shape the make-up of the top 10.

Monday night will see the first round of the Draft held in Melbourne as the next generation of stars find a home at an AFL club.

Nearly 30 players will have their footy dream come true on a night expected to feature plenty of father-son and Academy bids.

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Midfielder Harley Reid has long been touted as the clear No. 1 pick, boasting skills that have earned comparisons to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin.

West Coast hold the top pick of the draft and after fielding several offers from rival clubs for a potential deal to swap the No. 1 pick, the Eagles are predicted to take Reid at the start of the draft.

Intrigue surrounds North Melbourne, who possess a monster draft hand of five picks in the first round — picks 2, 3, 15, 17 and 18 — as the struggling club tries to rebuild.

Key defender Dan Curtin has gone up draft boards in recent times and is expected to attract a heap of interest from clubs desperate to land the 197cm prospect.

The Herald Sun reports West Coast are even willing to trade their 2024 first round pick to land Curtin, completing a dream draft double with Reid.

Dan Curtin is set to shape the top 10 of the AFL Draft. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Curtin could be available for the GWS Giants at pick No. 7 and the Eagles could offer their top pick for next year, which could well be the 2024 No. 1 pick if they struggle against next season.

The Giants would need to consider whether they need another defender and where West Coast’s 2024 pick will land.

After losing Ben McKay to Essendon in the trade period, North Melbourne are also said to be very interested in Curtin, who could help bolster their key position stocks.

Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson has flown over to Perth to meet with the West Australian product and is believed to be “infatuated” with Curtin.

“Alastair Clarkson, he has become a little infatuated with Dan Curtin I believe,” footy journalist Ryan Daniels said on Triple M.

“There’s a lot of interest from North Melbourne. I think that’s where this is heading. Dan Curtin’s going to end up at North Melbourne.”

Hawthorn premiership player Xavier Ellis said: “I would like there’s more relevance (for North Melbourne) getting a spine (key position player) than a midfielder like Harley Reid.

Harley Reid is likely to be picked by West Coast at No. 1 in the Draft. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

If North Melbourne don’t pick Curtin, other clubs including Hawthorn, Melbourne, Geelong, Essendon and Adelaide could pick him up.

“The one that is the big discussion point is Dan Curtin. He’s a boy from Claremont in WA, 197cm,” AFL draft expert Cal Twomey said on Triple M.

“This week Hawthorn flew him over to tour their headquarters, met the coach. That’s not a definitive yes but shows their interest in him.

“Where he goes is going to shape the whole top 10. West Coast could then trade back in later in the top 10 if he’s still available or sliding down the order. North Melbourne, he’s been in the mix for. Melbourne as well, if he gets to pick six.

“He’s the one key defender in the top six or seven. He’s a really interesting one.”

Dale Thomas said with five picks inside the first round, “surely this a club defining draft” for North Melbourne.

Elsewhere, Hawthorn are expected to pick small forward Nick Watson, Western Bulldogs are linked to Ryley Sanders, Melbourne have honed in on Caleb Windsor and Zane Duursma is expected to go to North Melbourne.

Watch the 2023 AFL Draft on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports on Monday from 7pm AEDT.

Originally published as Bombshell deal to blow up ’club defining’ AFL Draft over player teams are ‘infatuated’ with