AFL Draft 2023: Where your club stands for mid-season and end of year drafts
A host of blockbuster deals went down during last year’s trade period. Which future picks are looking the goods eight months later? See what your club has coming in from rivals.
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The AFL Draft order is taking shape.
Who are the next gen stars your club could target, and who is in the mix to join your side in next week’s mid-season draft?
And which father-sons and academy guns do they have to look forward to?
We assess where your club stands for the mid-season and end of year drafts.
ADELAIDE
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 11, 20, 23, 85, 103
The Crows gave up their first-round selection (No. 5) last year in trading for Gold Coast star Izak Rankine then made their first pick at 17 when they matched a bid on father/son defender Max Michalanney. Adelaide held onto its 2023 first-round selection during pick swaps last year.
Who to barrack against: The Kangaroos and Suns, whom both traded their 2023 second-rounders in pick swaps with Adelaide last year. It is hard to see that North pick rising much higher than 20, while Gold Coast looks likely to finish in the bottom half of the ladder, which will give the Crows three picks inside 30.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Adelaide can potentially use a pre-season draft pick to replace injured second-year midfielder Zac Taylor, who is expected to miss three months with a Lisfranc problem. With Taylor sidelined, could a midfielder such as Frankston’s Mitch Szybkowski appeal? The Crows selected mature-age on-baller Brett Turner in last year’s mid-season draft, only to delist him after just 136 days on the list. Adelaide SANFL defender Jack Madgen, formerly of Collingwood, has nominated.
BRISBANE LIONS
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 31, 50, 55, 65, 91
The Lions gave away their own first and second-round picks to the Western Bulldogs during the trade period last year as part of the deal which saw them secure gun midfielder Josh Dunkley. After a good draft haul last year which included No. 2 pick Will Ashcroft, Brisbane is not too fussed about being down the order this season. Next year they are eyeing off another highly-rated father-son in Will’s younger brother, Levi.
Who to barrack against: The Lions hold second and third-round picks which are linked to Geelong, so will be hoping the Cats don’t surge to a minor premiership again. They also have a fourth-round pick linked to Fremantle.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Lions entered the season without a vacant list spot, having signed Conor McKenna and Darragh Joyce through the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period. Brisbane has no current long-term injuries which would allow it to open up a spot for the draft.
CARLTON
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 8, 64, 66, 82
A top-10 pick would do little to satisfy the restless Blues faithful if they went another year without finals. The Blues then don’t have a selection until the fourth round, but the club is open to getting back into the draft, as it did last year. Carlton traded its 2023 second-round pick to Collingwood on draft night to snare rebounder Lachie Cowan at pick 30, and swapped its third-round selection with Fremantle for wingman Blake Acres. The Blues have access to the twins of 233-game Blue Scott Camporeale – Lucas and Ben - next year, with Lucas earning All-Australian selection at the U16 national championships in 2022. The pair trained with Carlton earlier this year.
Who to barrack against: The Blues have Essendon’s fourth round pick but the Bombers’ rise means it is unlikely to be of much value.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Carlton has no available list spots for the mid-season intake after signing up Blues VFL defender Alex Cincotta and developing ruckman Hudson O’Keeffe through the supplemental selection period, after season-ending injuries to Zac Williams and Sam Philp.
COLLINGWOOD
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 18, 27, 74, 92
The Magpies have their own first-round pick this year, but their second-round pick went to GWS for as part of the Bobby Hill trade and their third-round secured Adelaide utility Billy Frampton. Don’t expect too much more trading this year. Some young key-position players look like being a focus in the national draft.
Who to barrack against: The Magpies will be hoping that arch rival Carlton misses finals once again, given they hold the Blues’ second-round pick. They exchanged pick 30 last year to secure it.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Collingwood coach Craig McRae said last week that the club had no plans to take part in the mid-season draft given they have no available list spot and no season-ending injuries.
ESSENDON
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 10, 29, 48, 63, 84
The Bombers hold their own first, second and third-round picks, which means their finishing position will determine where they land in the draft order. Key defensive posts have been a weakness when injuries have struck this year, but Essendon has picked up Zach Reid and Lewis Hayes in recent drafts. Reid’s younger brother, Archer, is a top key forward prospect in this year’s draft pool.
Who to barrack against: The Bombers only hold one draft pick linked to another club, with that being a fourth-round selection tied to Sydney. That was handed over as part of the Aaron Francis trade last year.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Bombers left one list spot open after electing not to choose a player through the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period. An immediate need for Essendon is another key defender. The Bombers have been linked to former Melbourne and Carlton defender Oscar McDonald, who is 196cm and has been starring in the VFL with Williamstown. Mutaz El Nour, a versatile and athletic 192cm defender who is with Richmond’s VFL side, will also be closely looked at. Another medium defender, the 188cm Jack Cleaver, has been solid for Essendon’s VFL side since being overlooked for an SSP spot earlier this year. Inside midfielder Mitch Szybkowski, who also trained with the Bombers over pre-season, is another player to have nominated for the mid-season draft.
FREMANTLE
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 21, 40, 46, 58, 83
The Dockers gave away their first-round pick last year, as well as their first and second-round selections in the 2023 draft in the deal that brought Luke Jackson back to Western Australia. So, as it stands, they will be, again, locked out of draft’s top-end, making the encouraging signs from the club’s trio of top selections in 2021 – Jye Amiss and Matt Johnson, in particular – even more pleasing. NGA prospect Mitch Edwards, a 205cm ruckman from Peel Thunder, is highly-rated among recruiting circles and looms as a likely first-round pick, but under recent rules, the Dockers are unable to match a big inside the first 40 selections.
Who to barrack against: North Melbourne. As part of the trade that sent Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker to Arden Street, Fremantle holds second, third and fourth-round selection from the Kangaroos. But their West Australian neighbours might ensure the Dockers don’t go into the draft armed with the much-sought-after first pick of the second round.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Dockers entered 2023 with a list vacancy and look set to fill it next week. They’ve been linked to 199cm Claremont forward Jack Buller, who has booted eight goals and taken 11 contested marks in his four WAFL appearances this year, and speedy Subiaco small Robert Hansen Jr.
GEELONG
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 12, 86
Geelong’s 2023 draft hand was cleaned out by trades for recruits Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes last year, leaving the Cats with just their first round pick in the 2023 national draft. It means the ageing side will be continuing to rely on their elder statesman as the likes of Mitch Knevitt, Toby Conway and top-10 pick Jhye Clark continue to develop.
Who to barrack against: Geelong doesn’t hold any selections from other clubs, but the Pies (second and third round) will be hoping the Cats continue to slide down the ladder.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Cats left a list spot open at the beginning of the year and could look to get a ready-made talent through the door at the mid-season draft. Geelong has shown some interest in West Australian’s Jack Buller and Ben Clarke. The Cats’ mid-season pick last year, Zane Williams, lasted just six months on the list before being delisted.
GOLD COAST
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 6, 25, 30, 44, 49, 56, 62, 67, 70, 80, 98
The Suns have banked a bunch of draft points in anticipation of some top Suns Academy prospects coming through this year. Midfielder Jake Rogers, key forward Jed Walter and ruck-forward Ethan Read are all potential top-30 picks this year who the Suns will be able to match bids on.
Who to barrack against: Gold Coast holds second-round picks linked to both Adelaide and GWS, as well as third-round picks tied to Adelaide and Collingwood and fourth-round picks tied to Adelaide and St Kilda. But unfortunately the Giants are the only one of those four clubs to currently sit outside the top-eight, with the Crows having bounced up the ladder this year.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Suns filled their last two list spots through the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period, snapping up Brodie McLaughlin and Jed Anderson. They don’t currently have any season-ending injuries which would allow them to open up a new spot.
GWS GIANTS
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 4, 5, 42, 60, 73
At this stage the Giants are sitting pretty with two top-five selections entering this year’s draft after adding five top-25 prospects last year in Aaron Cadman, Harry Rowston, Darcy Jones and Max Gruzewski. With plenty of exciting forwards on offer inside the top-10, these two first-round picks could help spark their lacklustre forward line. Small forward Harvey Thomas shapes as their sole academy prospect, having already debuted for the Giants at VFL level.
Who to barrack against: The Giants will be hoping the Tigers continue to flounder as they hold their first round selection (currently pick five) from the Jacob Hopper trade last year. They would be the major winners if the Tigers decide to play the kids in the wake of Damien Hardwick’s bombshell resignation.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: GWS could decide against taking a pick despite currently holding a top-four selection and the capacity to move Darcy Jones and Adam Kennedy, who they can to the inactive list. Expect the Giants to pounce on either 193cm forward Ryan Maric or ruckman Clay Tucker if they slip through, but they could both be off the board by then.
HAWTHORN
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 3, 32, 51, 77, 95
After a thumping 116-point win over West Coast, the Hawks looks likely to avoid the wooden spoon. They now sit one game and 18.3 per cent ahead of the bottom-placed Eagles. The Hawks might therefore miss out on clear No. 1 pick Harley Reid, but should still secure a top-five talent after they landed Cam Mackenzie (pick 7) and Josh Weddle (pick 18) last year. But they do have has three father-son prospects on offer, headlined by Will McCabe, son of 138-game Hawk Luke. Primarily a key defender, McCabe has shown promise at both ends in the SANFL U18s competiton and at the U16 championships last year as an over-ager. Where he stands in the draft pecking order will become clearer after the upcoming national championships. The Hawks also have access to key forward Calsher Dear, son of the late Paul, and Ned Maginness, the son of Scott and brother of Hawks midfielder Finn.
Who to barrack against: The higher the Western Bulldogs finish this year, the worse it will be for the Hawks. The Hawks hold the Bulldogs’ second and third-round selections.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Hawthorn will take at least one pick in next week’s mid-season draft. The Hawks entered the season with one vacant list spot and opened up a second one last week after ruckman Max Lynch (concussion) was moved to the long-term injury list. They got a good look at top prospect Ryan Maric last weekend after the 193cm mobile forward played for VFL affiliate Box Hill and starred on debut with 15 disposals, eight marks and two goals. Hawthorn has also had Ethan Stanley as part of its VFL program this year, a 188cm midfielder-forward who has attracted some mid-season draft interest. Another name to watch in connection with the Hawks is Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker, who stands 204cm and impressed in the recent Young Guns series.
MELBOURNE
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 9, 15, 28, 34
After taking just two picks at last year’s national draft, the Demons will have a strong hand in 2023 with four selections inside the first two rounds. Melbourne made a play to move up the board and snare matchwinner Bailey Humphrey last year – could they put up a godfather offer to land the No. 1 pick and prodigious talent Harley Reid?
Who to barrack against: Holding Fremantle’s first and second round picks from the bumper Luke Jackson trade last year, Demons fans were jumping for joy watching the Dockers’ diabolical start to the year, with. But Fremantle has jumped to 10th after three straight wins, pushing the coveted first pick — currently at No. 9 — closer to double figures.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Melbourne has no available list spot to take part in the mid-season draft, barring a serious injury this weekend.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 2, 16, 39, 53, 59, 76, 94
The Roos don’t have a second-round selection in the 2023 draft after trading it away in a pick swap with the Crows last year to land forward Brayden George. But the rebuilding club, again, has two first-round picks, bringing it right into the mix for more top-end talent. And there’s plenty of that after Harley Reid, too – think mercurial small Nick Watson, freakishly-skilled forward Ashton Moir and goalkicking midfielder Zane Duursma.
Who to barrack against: Port Adelaide’s form, which has seen it shoot to third on the ladder, isn’t what North Melbourne fans want to see, with the Roos holding the Power’s first-round pick this year. Chances of another two top-10 selections look to be fading – without a trade anyway.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Small forward Jack Mahony won’t play this year so the Roos are still a chance to put him on the long-term injury list and take part next week, after keeping a close eye on the talls in the mid-season pool.
RICHMOND
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 24, 43, 61, 79, 97
The Tigers entered the draft at pick 49 last year and are without a high-end pick again this year. Their first-round pick is held by Greater Western Sydney, traded as part of the deal to get Jacob Hopper to Punt Rd last October.
Who to barrack against: The Tigers don’t hold picks linked to any other clubs at the moment.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Small forward Jason Castagna’s surprise retirement earlier this year has opened up a list spot for the mid-season if the Tigers want to use one. A key defender could fill a short-term need, given the continuing injury issues of Robbie Tarrant (hip) and Josh Gibcus (hamstring). Three of Richmond’s VFL-listed players have all attracted interest and are sure to also be looked at by the Tigers, in versatile defender Mutaz El Nour, forward James Trezise and rebounding halfback Luke Teal.
PORT ADELAIDE
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 37, 47, 72, 90, 108
The Power’s 2023 draft stocks took a hit last year in trades for North Melbourne young gun Jason Horne-Francis and West Coast goalsneak Junior Rioli. If Mitch Georgiades or Miles Bergman - both of whom they wanted to keep but were without deals for next year - sought trades at the end of the season, Port could get back into the draft’s first round.
Who to barrack against: The Power has a second-rounder attached to Collingwood’s ladder finish and a third-round pick that will determined by Fremantle’s standing. Collingwood being near the top of the table means that selection will almost certainly be in the late 30s.
Mid-season draft latest: The season-long knee injury to Georgiades can open a spot for the Power if it wants. Might they consider another forward, such as North Adelaide’s Noah Casalini, as a bit of a like-for-like replacement? Port may also want to boost its key defensive stocks, though that seems more of an off-season play.
ST KILDA
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 14, 33, 52, 88
St Kilda has focused on the top-end of the draft recently, taking five top-35 picks in the past two years – Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Mattaes Phillipou, James Van Es and Olli Hotton. With those kids tracking nicely and, with the Saints expected to be an aggressive player in this year’s trade and free agency period, their draft hand might look considerably different come November.
Who to barrack against: Ross Lyon’s side holds its own first, second and third-round picks for 2023, so it’s all about the what the club – and not a rival – does this season.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: After signing former Blue Liam Stocker and Northern Knights forward Anthony Caminiti during the pre-season supplemental selection period, the Saints don’t have a list spot open as it stands.
SYDNEY
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 7, 22, 26, 41, 45, 81, 99
The Swans dropped down the order in last year’s draft as part of a pick swap with Hawthorn, which has left them in a good spot this year. Across the first three rounds they hold five picks, so it might be a busy year for list boss Kinnear Beatson.
Who to barrack against: The Swans hold Hawthorn’s second and third-round picks, so a bottom-three finish for the Hawks would be a major win.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: The Swans didn’t enter the season with a spare list spot but are able to create one now given key forward Sam Reid has been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury. The key defensive posts have been an issue for the Swans, Tom McCartin (concussion), Paddy McCartin (concussion) and Dane Rampe (neck) all currently sidelined. Former Melbourne and Carlton backman Oscar McDonald is one player who has been linked to the Swans as a result. A wingman or small defender, Indhi Kirk is another player who has been on the Swans’ radar and has performed well this year, including in the VFL. Kirk is the son of former Sydney star Brett Kirk, which makes him eligible under father-son rules at the end of the season if he is not picked up in the mid-season draft.
WEST COAST
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 1, 19, 35, 38, 54, 57, 75, 93
After Sunday’s 116-point loss to the Hawks, West Coast is now a game and percentage clear at the bottom of the ladder, leaving it in pole position to land the draft’s clear top prospect Harley Reid. But will the Eagles take the Bendigo Pioneer many are calling a generational talent, or will they use him as the carrot to accelerate their rebuild with multiple early picks? It’s going to be a fascinating watch as the season concludes. Drew Banfield’s son Bailey is father-son eligible.
Who to barrack against: The Eagles were the only club not to trade out any of their own picks last year but, after a 7-0 run, Port Adelaide’s second and third-round selections that West Coast own as a result of the mega Junior Rioli-Jason Horne-Francis trade, might not be as high as the club was hoping.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: By putting a number of players on its long-term injury list, West Coast looks set to take part in the mid-season draft and consider athletic Gippsland Power teenager Ryan Maric with the first pick. The 19-year-old booted eight goals in his three Coates Talent League matches to start the year before impressing in defence in the Young Guns game and making his VFL debut for Box Hill. Jack Buller and Clay Tucker are two others who could be in the mix, while the Eagles have also been linked with ex-Cat Quinton Narkle.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Current 2023 National Draft Picks: 13, 17, 36, 68, 69, 71, 87
After taking Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as an NGA selection in 2020 and Sam Darcy as a father-son a year later, the Western Bulldogs have access to another highly-rated tall in the 2023 draft. Jordan Croft, the son of 186-game Bulldog Matthew, booted four goals for Vic Metro in the recent exhibition match against the Young Guns, catching the eye of recruiters. The breakout performance came after the skilful, 200cm forward, who is father-son eligble, finished with five goals and 152 Champion Data ranking points against NT in the Coates Talent League.
Who to barrack against: As part of the deal that sent Josh Dunkley to Brisbane, the Bulldogs hold the Lions’ first and second-round picks this year.
Mid-Season Draft Latest: Luke Beveridge’s side left one spot open for the mid-season draft, even after picking up former Melbourne wingman Oskar Baker through the SSP period. The Bulldogs did not have a mid-season draft pick last year.
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