Gold Coast list manager Craig Cameron has offered a warning to his West Coast counterparts as intrigue continues to grow on this year’s Pick 1 in the National Draft.
Already a talking point, the first pick in 2023 carries extra narratives. Draft experts say Bendigo Pioneer Harley Reid is head and shoulders above the rest of his class, but reports – which Reid has denied – suggest he doesn’t want to go to the Eagles, who hold Pick 1.
West Coast already has a safe bet in Dan Curtin, a likely top five pick already, as a Western Australian swingman who has shown immense promise.
North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Melbourne all have interest in getting pick one across the Nullarbor.
While Reid and other likely top picks – including Curtin, Jed Walter, Nick Watson and more – make up a very talented top five, Cameron has reservations on draft depth.
“I’m always reluctant to pot a draft because three years down the track someone emerges that none of us rated and makes us all looks like fools,” Cameron began on SEN Mornings.
“But there is a feeling that it lacks depth and I think the fact that Victoria didn’t go as well in the Under 18 Championships as it normally does, Victoria generally provides 55 per cent of the draft pool, that probably tells a story of lack of depth.
“There will always be good players at the top end of every draft. But there is some concern about what might happen when you get into the 20s and 30s.”
Cameron was then asked if West Coast gives up Pick 1, what should they hope for in return.
Kane Cornes has suggested on Monday morning that Melbourne should hand over Picks 6 and 10 (should they get it) to West Coast for pick one, a trade that on draft index points suggests the Demons are giving up more.
But the Suns list boss believes West Coast shouldn’t go too far down the order.
“It’s a really good question. He (Reid) is a very good player, the boy they might pick at pick one,” he replied.
“I wouldn’t like to get too far outside the top five. I’d be targeting North’s early picks if I was giving up pick one, I would say.”
North Melbourne holds Picks 2 and 3 for November’s National Draft.
Gold Coast traded out its Pick 4 in return for three first-rounders from the Western Bulldogs last week. The Suns are expected to match academy bids on at least three players in the first round.
Draft picks can still be traded right up until the event, even after the trade period’s conclusion on Wednesday.