AFL Mock Draft: Our experts play the role of club recruiters in live draft

If a club jumps Essendon for Connor O’Sullivan on Monday night, what will the Bombers do? That’s exactly what happened in our expert mock draft. See how the top 30 could play out.

The AFL Draft is just days away.

Who could your club take and how will it unfold?

Our draft experts Chris Cavanagh, Jordan Pinto and Dan Batten played the role of club recruiters and ran through their very own live mock draft.

WATCH THE REPLAY ABOVE OR SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY PICK

The exercise includes father-son and academy bids and provide an insight into what clubs might be thinking on the night.

The mock draft will be based on club needs and who would be a good fit for your side, rather than a actual prediction on where each prospect will be taken.

We will be unveiling our phantom draft later this week, which will predict who is going where, based on the latest intel – so stay tuned for that.

WHO WE’RE PICKING FOR

Chris Cavanagh — Collingwood, GWS, St Kilda, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

Jordan Pinto — Adelaide, Carlton, Hawthorn, Melbourne

Dan Batten — Essendon, Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney

Note: We took turns matching Academy and father-son bids

Will Harley Reid land at the Eagles on Monday nightt? Picture: Getty Images

2023 AFL MOCK DRAFT

1. West Coast (Chris Cavanagh)

Harley Reid

Bendigo Pioneers/VIC, Midfielder/Forward, 187cm, 85kg

Chris Cavanagh says: Unless North Melbourne is giving me picks 2 and 3, I’m bringing Reid west. After some dismal years, the Eagles need an injection of hope and that will come by selecting Reid at No.1 – a player who could change the face of the club over coming years. He’s ready to go at AFL level next season and under the new collective bargaining agreement, the Eagles will have him locked in for at least three years. Perth might be a long way from Tongala, but West Coast is a big and powerful club which should back itself to make the move work.

2. Gold Coast (Jordan Pinto)

Jed Walter

Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD, Forward, 194cm, 97kg

Matching North Melbourne’s bid

Jordan Pinto says: Held out faint hope that North might let him through but, like Gold Coast will on Monday night, had no hesitation in matching the bid. Attacks the body just as ferociously as he attacks the ball in the air. There haven’t been too many key-forwards come through the draft like Walter in recent times.

3. North Melbourne (Dan Batten)

Colby McKercher

Tasmania Devils/TAS, Midfielder, 180cm, 76kg

Dan Batten says: The Roos aren’t exactly short on blue chip midfielders, but at this range you have to draft the best available talent and that’s McKercher with Jed Walter matched by Gold Coast. The Tasmanian oozes class, has blistering speed, finds the footy for fun and can launch long range goals on the run.

Daniel Curtin in action for Western Australia at the national under-18 carnival. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos

4. North Melbourne (Dan)

Daniel Curtin

Claremont/WA, Defender/Midfielder, 197cm, 95kg

Dan says: North Melbourne is crying out for a key defender and Curtin is the best of the lot in the draft. Thought hard about taking Zane Duursma, but Curtin is No.4 on my draft board anyway. Love his intercepting, tidy skills by foot and his potential to be used in the midfield or up forward.

5. Hawthorn (Jordan)

Zane Duursma

Gippsland Power/VIC, Midfielder/Forward, 189cm, 79kg

Jordan says: The Crows called after Duursma got past North Melbourne, but it was a brief conversation. The smooth-mover is dynamic – and often unstoppable – in the forward-half and has serious potential as a tall, goalkicking midfielder. A great result for Hawthorn here.

6. Western Bulldogs (Chris)

Nick Watson

Eastern Ranges/VIC, Forward, 170cm, 68kg

Chris says: There are plenty of talented talls in the Bulldogs forward line, but there is a void of good smalls. Cody Weightman kicked 34 goals this year, but played a lone hand as a specialist in an attack that was otherwise filled by midfielders resting forward. Watson looks the perfect partner for Weightman, as a clever pressure forward who can weave some magic and hit the scoreboard with ease.

7. Gold Coast (Dan)

Ethan Read

Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD, Ruck, 202cm, 92kg

Matching Melbourne’s bid

Dan says: We were hoping Read would receive a bid a bit later, but he’ll be worth the extra draft points. Read finished third in the entire pool for the 2km time trial and it shows in his game, working his backside off around the ground where he becomes a fourth midfielder. See definite similarities to Tim English, and his running gives him the potential to play as a key position player at either end of the ground.

Nate Caddy’s upside is as high as any prospect this year. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

8. Melbourne (Jordan)

Nate Caddy

Northern Knights/VIC, Forward, 193cm, 88kg

Jordan says: Ethan Read was too good not to bid on. After the Suns matched, I looked very, very closely at on-ball star Ryley Sanders, but there isn’t a player in the draft like Caddy. His upside is as high as any and he’d be a great addition to the Demons’ front-half, if not the midfield down the track.

9. GWS (Chris)

Ryley Sanders

Sandringham Dragons/TAS, Midfielder, 186cm, 86kg

Chris says: Jordan (Crows) came calling with two of Adelaide’s first-round calls, but I couldn’t overlook Sanders here. The Giants should be looking to bolster their midfield and Sanders is the clear pick of the remaining onballers. Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio were still playing some great footy this year, but Ward is 33 and Coniglio turns 30 next month. Sanders is a midfield bull who finds plenty of the footy inside and outside the contest and uses it well. He would pair nicely with Tom Green in the Giants’ midfield of the future.

10. Geelong (Dan)

Connor O’Sullivan

Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT, Defender, 198cm, 92kg

Dan says: We were hoping the Sanders slide would continue, but we’re more than happy to pick up O’Sullivan. The strong-marking key defender is an upgrade on Esava Ratugolea and could play a role for the Cats next year with his size and elite running capacity.

11. Gold Coast (Chris)

Jake Rogers

Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD, Midfielder, 170cm, 68kg

Matching Essendon’s bid

Chris says: He’s on the smaller side for AFL midfielders these days, but the Suns would not be the slightest bit put off by that. Rogers is right up there among the top tier of players in this year’s draft, as a quick, agile, clean and tough inside midfielder. Touk Miller has been an outstanding player for Gold Coast over the years and Rogers is a very similar type.

12. Essendon (Dan)

Darcy Wilson

Murray Bushrangers/VIC, Wing/forward, 185cm, 74kg

Dan says: A tough choice beween Wilson, Caleb Windsor and James Leake, but I settled for the attacking outside player in Wilson. Feel his elite speed-endurance mix will compliment Essendon’s engine room, and he can make a serious impact forward of centre as a winger or half forward.

Caleb Windsor lands at the Crows in the mock draft. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos

13. Adelaide (Jordan)

Caleb Windsor

Eastern Ranges/VIC, midfielder, 184cm, 76kg

Jordan says: After being knocked back by GWS for what would’ve been Ryley Sanders, the cheers rang out in Adelaide’s (mock) draft room after the Bombers overlooked the classy mover, Windsor, who has a great turn of speed, which helps him get out of trouble, break lines and kick goals on the outside. He’s shown enough to suggest he can develop into the smart, all-round midfielder – one with clean hands at ground level who finds targets under pressure – the Crows need.

14. Melbourne (Jordan)

James Leake

Tasmania Devils/TAS, Defender, 187cm, 77kg

Jordan says: I would’ve considered Windsor but a good result for the Dees here. There’s a lot to like in the air and on the ground – and in multiple positions – about Leake, who Melbourne would probably look to start forward early on.

15. Hawthorn (Jordan)

Will McCabe

Central Districts/SA, Defender, 197cm, 86kg

Matching Sydney’s bid

Jordan says: The bid is a bit earlier than expected, but I’m matching it, bringing the son of 138-game Hawk, Luke, to the club. McCabe is terrific at winning the ball back off the opposition in the air and attacking, but he’s also very good one-on-one.

16. Sydney (Dan)

Ollie Murphy

Sandringham Dragons/VIC, Defender, 200cm, 85kg

Dan says: After yet another Sydney first-round bid, I have gone with Murphy. The Swans lack key defensive depth and Murphy is not much further back on my board than McCabe. Will take some time, but Murphy is an elite runner with go-go gadget arms that can clunk marks and spoil. Not bad for a player standing 200cm.

17. Western Bulldogs (Chris)

Jordan Croft

Calder Cannons/VIC, Forward, 200cm, 81kg

Matching St Kilda bid

Chris says: If I’m the Saints, I’m thinking that Croft should not slip any further. I’m also thinking he would look good in my forward line alongside Max King. But the Bulldogs will clearly be matching the bid wherever it comes for their father-son. Jordan’s dad Matthew was a defender, but his son is a hard-working, mobile, marking tall forward who showed some significant growth in his game this year.

St Kilda’s new cult hero Koltyn Tholstrup? Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

18. St Kilda (Chris)

Koltyn Tholstrup

Subiaco/WA, Forward/Midfielder, 186cm, 86kg

Chris says: The Saints added a little X-Factor to their forward half last year in Mattaes Phillipou, but could do with some more after losing Jade Gresham to free agency. Tholstrup is a dynamic forward who can also pinch-hit in the midfield and have an impact with his agility and running power. Having played a significant amount of senior WAFL football this year, he’s also a player capable of making an immediate impact.

19. Adelaide (Jordan)

Charlie Edwards

Sandringham Dragons/VIC, Midfielder, 191cm, 85kg

Jordan says: The class and smarts of Windsor at 13, now the height and explosiveness of Edwards here, in a haul that could seriously change the look of the Crows’ midfield in the coming years. Edwards has played across half-back but it’s the way he put his big body, clean hands and breakaway speed to great effect in the midfield that caught the eye.

20. North Melbourne (Dan)

Lance Collard

Subiaco/WA, Forward, 180cm, 65kg

Dan says: North Melbourne can afford to take a punt with one of these end-of-first-round picks, and Collard has freakish ability as a small forward. The difference between his best and worst was stark this year, but his upside is as high as any in the draft pool. His exciting potential has seen the Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect bolt into first-round contention.

21. GWS (Chris)

Riley Hardeman

Swan Districts/WA, Defender, 185cm, 75kg

Chris says: The Giants don’t have too many immediate list holes, but they wouldn’t be unhappy to snag Hardeman at this selection. He’s got some great athletic traits – including line-breaking speed coming out of the backline – and is a nice left-foot kick who can also have a run through the midfield.

22. North Melbourne (Dan)

Harry DeMattia

Dandenong Stingrays/VIC, Midfielder/Forward/Defender, 185cm, 78kg

Dan says: We thought GWS had enough halfbacks, but Cav has pinched Hardeman away from us. Instead of Hardeman, we’ll go with the versatile DeMattia, who could be used as a rebounding defender or just about anywhere on the ground. An elite cricketer before choosing footy, DeMattia would be a lock for North Melbourne’s leadership group in the future with his character, and his speed and agility can inject some spark into the Roos side.

Will Green is the second ruckman selected in the mock draft. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

23. North Melbourne (Dan)

Will Green

Northern Knights/VIC, Ruck, 204cm, 93kg

Dan says: After Todd Goldstein’s departure, the Roos have just three recognized rucks on their list, and none under the age of 24. Green is very mobile for a player standing 204cm and his follow up work and clean hands at ground level mean he can impact once the ball hits the deck. Has great scope and can learn the ropes under Tristan Xerri for a few years as he builds size.

24. Collingwood (Chris)

Arie Schoenmaker

Tasmania Devils/TAS, Defender, 194cm, 91kg

Chris says: The reigning premiers have clearly got a pretty rock-solid defence already. However, Jeremy Howe is 33 and Nathan Murphy has had his concussion issues. So I’d be looking at bolstering the backline just a touch with Schoenmaker. The Tasmanian is a good size and has a booming left-foot kick to provide some rebound out of the back half. So I could picture him fitting in nicely at the Pies.

25. Adelaide (Jordan)

Taylor Goad

South Adelaide/SA, Ruck, 206cm, 97kg

Jordan says: The Pies jumped me here – I would’ve taken, arguably, the best kick in the draft Schoenmaker at this pick. But the Crows need to find their next No. 1 ruckman for the future and South Australian Goad could be it. He’s raw but the former basketballer is the tallest and quickest in this year’s SA crop, making him unlike any prospect to ever come out of the state.

26. St Kilda (Chris)

Wil Dawson

Gippsland Power/VIC, Defender/Ruck/Forward, 200cm, 86kg

Chris says: Having picked a smaller player in Tholstrup first up, the Saints should be looking for some height and Dawson looks a good fit. He’s played a range of positions but settled primarily down back this year. While Dawson still has a few areas of his game to work on, he’s a good size, competitive and takes intercept marks so there’s a lot to like.

27. Carlton (Jordan)

Archie Roberts

Sandringham Dragons/VIC, Defender, 184cm, 79kg

Jordan says: With the Blues list in great shape, and stars on every line, I’m going best available here and that’s Roberts, who is very good at what he does. He’s a neat ball-user who backs himself and takes the game on, setting up play from the back-half as creatively as anyone in the pool. Would slot in nicely alongside the elite running of Ollie Hollands and the line-breaking traits of Lachie Cowan on the outside for Carlton in years to come.

28. West Coast (Chris)

Clay Hall

Peel Thunder/WA, Midfielder, 189cm, 87kg

Chris says: The Eagles hold the first pick of the second night of the draft, which is always an interesting selection. If there’s a surprise slider from night one, other clubs might look to trade for it. But based on what we have here, I’d be looking local at Clay Hall. He’s a hard-working onballer who is a good size and has a nice mix between his inside and outside game. There’s also a bit of romance involved, given Clay’s father Derek played a couple of games for the Eagles 30 years ago in 1993.

Geelong local Angus Hastie. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

29. Geelong (Dan)

Angus Hastie

Geelong Falcons/VIC, Defender, 190cm, 74kg

Dan says: We weighed up Luamon Lual and Cats VFL debutant George Stevens, but we are a sucker for a local Geelong product. He fills a need, too, with Zach Tuohy entering what is likely to be his final season. The balanced defender takes the game on with his run and sidestep and can also perform lockdown roles on smalls and talls.

30. Carlton (Jordan)

Mitchell Edwards

Peel Thunder/WA, Ruck, 206cm, 89kg

Jordan says: The goal sense and footy smarts of Phoenix Gothard put him right in the mix here but, like the previous Carlton selection, WA ruckman Mitch Edwards is just too good a prospect to pass up. As a great tap ruckman, who marks strongly around the ground, Edwards proved his worth with a number of standout showings across multiple levels this year. And the Blues wouldn’t need to rush his development.

31. Richmond (Dan)

Archer Reid

Gippsland Power/VIC, Forward/Ruck, 203cm, 94kg

Dan says: The Tigers need a developing key forward after Jack Riewoldt’s retirement and Reid looks to be the next best on offer. Is quite athletic for his size and also can pinch hit in the ruck, which is handy considering Ivan Soldo’s departure.