AFL draft buzz: Latest first-round whispers as Melbourne eyes Western Australian talent
Essendon has long been linked one of the best defensive prospects in this year’s AFL draft. But, two rivals are preparing to scupper those plans.
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Melbourne is circling key tall Daniel Curtin and made the 8000km round trip to interview his Western Australian livewire teammate Koltyn Tholstrup.
The Demons are in a strong position to land Curtin as a flexible key position player who could emerge as the long-term replacement for 31-year-old Steven May.
The Hawks will have the first call on the 195cm Curtin at pick four but could instead pick up exciting small forward Nick Watson, while the Bulldogs like midfielder Ryley Sanders at five.
It means the Demons could land Curtin at six and then take exciting forward-midfielder Koltyn Tholstrup at 11 after visiting him in Esperance in regional WA last week.
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Gun recruiter Jason Taylor is believed to have flown to Perth and then taken a light plane to the southern tip of WA to meet the 188cm goal kicker and his parents.
It is understood the Demons are the only club to have made the mega trip down to Tholstrup’s hometown to interview the popular and physical game winner.
He could form one of the most exciting forward combinations in the league if he joins forces in red and blue with Kysaiah Pickett.
Curtin could also help compensate for the potential departure of Harry Petty if Adelaide is successful in bringing the South Australian tall home.
But several live trades on draft night could yet shake-up the order as rivals including Adelaide (pick 10) and Sydney (12) zero in on pick seven from GWS Giants.
Essendon (pick nine) has targeted key defender Connor O’Sullivan, but Adelaide and Sydney are plotting a move up the order to land O’Sullivan first and pip the Bombers if they can get seven.
Geelong is eyeing powerful forward Nate Caddy at pick eight to help secure a replacement for Tom Hawkins.
If GWS complete a deal with Adelaide to slide back to pick 10, the Giants could secure classy outside midfielder Caleb Windsor at 10.
The Demons also have Windsor in the mix to help bolster their transition game, but would be ecstatic to secure Tholstrup if Windsor is already gone.
As the Herald Sun revealed last month, West Coast remains interested in swapping its future first-round draft pick with either Hawthorn or Melbourne to land Curtin.
But the Demons and Hawks are expected to knock back that offer in the chance West Coast bounces up the ladder next year with an improved injury list.
Versatile Tasmanian defender James Leake could also bolt into the top-10, while Geelong is also considering Murray midfielder Darcy Wilson and Essendon has kept tabs on WA defender Riley Hardeman if the Bombers slide back into the teens.
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Originally published as AFL draft buzz: Latest first-round whispers as Melbourne eyes Western Australian talent
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