An exciting Tasmanian utility and line-breaking Victorian winger loom as possible top-10 selections.
Plus why the Eagles would be “crazy” to not trade Pick 1.
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FIRST-BOUND BOLTERS… TO TOP-10 SHOCKS?
Not only have Launceston’s James Leake and Eastern Ranges’ Caleb Windsor surged into first-round calculations, they now loom as potential top-10 selections.
Leake and Windsor have been the two biggest draft bolters across the back-end of 2023, catching the eye of clubs with their game-breaking ability.
The Herald Sun on Wednesday night reported Leake — a versatile utility with an excellent leap, strong pair of hands, lethal ability around goal but also a shrewd intercept marker — had been linked to several clubs with top-10 selections, including Melbourne (Pick 6), the Giants (Pick 7) and Geelong (Pick 8). The report also suggested St Kilda (Pick 13) had interest in Leake.
Meanwhile, AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey suggested on his podcast ‘Gettable’ there was “momentum” behind Windsor being a top-10 selection.
After averaging 16 disposals and five inside 50s for Vic Metro at the national carnival, Windsor starred for the Ranges, averaging 19 disposals from his final eight Coates Talent League games. But what scouts were most impressed with was Windsor’s ability to push forward and consistently hit the scoreboard, kicking at least one goal in all of those eight matches.
His electric speed as on display at the national combine, placing third in the 20m sprint (2.916) while also finishing inside the to 10 of both vertical jump tests.
EAGLES WOULD BE ‘CRAZY’ NOT TO TRADE PICK 1
Four-time Power best and fairest winner Kane Cornes believes West Coast would be “crazy” not to trade Pick 1 after the club reportedly knocked back two further offers for the prized selections from two rivals.
It was reported by AFL Media on Wednesday that the Eagles had knocked back two offers from North Melbourne and Melbourne respectively for its Pick 1.
The report stated the Kangaroos offered West Coast Pick 2, as well as two of their later first-round picks — they hold Picks 15, 17 and 18 — in exchange for Picks 1 and 23 from the Eagles.
Meanwhile the Demons, who traded up in the order during this month’s AFL exchange period, offered the Eagles their two first-round selections (Picks 6 and 11), as well as Pick 42 and their future first-rounder in exchange for Pick 1.
Should the Eagles trade their Pick 1? | 02:45
Speaking on SEN’s Sportsday on Wednesday, Cornes said he was baffled the Eagles had rejected the Demons’ offer in particular.
“Are they crazy? Or do they know something that we don’t? Perhaps that is the strength of this year’s draft being incredibly shallow, because that seems like an extraordinary offer,” Cornes told Sportsday.
“Three first-round picks — and two of those high-end first-round picks — plus a sweetener of Pick 42. That wasn’t good enough.
“I suspect it will be (eventually). I’ve been adamant that West Coast will trade that and they’d be crazy not to, so I think that will be around the mark come draft night or closer to it.”
It’s widely expected powerful 185cm Bendigo Pioneers prospect Harley Reid will be taken with the first selection in this year’s draft. It just depends on which club will hold the pick.
