Harley Reid, the Tongala-raised boy surprise, entered the yr because the consensus greatest prospect within the 2023 draft crop, and West Coast confirmed he remained there by anointing him the No.1 choice on the AFL draft on Monday night time.
However there have been some surprising strikes in a primary spherical that stretched to 29 picks as seven bids have been made and matched for academy and father-son prospects.
Prime draft decide Harley Reid in his new Eagles jumper.Credit score: Justin McManus
The draft went to script till decide eight, when Adelaide swooped on Better Western Sydney’s coveted eighth choice – buying and selling picks 11 and 31 – to draft key defender Daniel Curtin.
The Crows, together with most golf equipment, didn’t count on Curtin to be obtainable so late within the draft till final week and did their homework throughout the weekend to prepared themselves for the chance.