Sam Day

The 2023 draft was held just days before our November holiday. Ahead of the draft itself, clubs were allowed to trade draft selections. Most of the clubs took advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their drafting possibilities or to select a player they were keen to have. As always, it is club by club in alphabetical order so readers can scroll to the clubs of their interest. The preseason and rookie drafts were held just after the main draft and are included here.

THE DRAFT

DRAFT DAY TRADES

Trades completed during the 2023 AFL Draft:

1. St Kilda gets pick 42. Melbourne gets a future third round selection.
2. Brisbane - pick 24, Gold Coast - picks 30, 51, 54, and 65
3. St Kilda - pick 27, Gold Coast - picks 40 and 42
4. Fremantle -pick 38, Gold Coast picks 46, 60 and 63
5. Adelaide - picks 8 and 17, GWS - picks 11, 15 and a future second
6. Essendon - pick 10, Geelong - picks 11 and 31
7. GWS - pick 17, St Kilda - pick 18 and a future second
8. Brisbane - pick 51, Gold Coast - a future fourth
9. Fremantle - pick 35 , Richmond - pick 38 and a future third
10. West Coast gets pick 38. Richmond pick 40 and a future third
11. Port Adelaide - pick 48, North Melbourne - a future fourth
12. St Kilda - pick 50, GWS - a future third
13. Port Adelaide - pick 52, Hawthorn - a future fourth
14. Sydney - pick 53, Hawthorn - pick 59 and a future fourth
15. Essendon - pick 54. Richmond - a future fourth

The first number is the draft selection followed the player name, (junior club), age (years old), height (in centimeters and then in feet and inches, weight (when available) in kilograms and then pounds, position, and player profile.

Gold Coast quartet Jack Hombsch, Jordan Murdoch, Jarrod Harbrow and Zac Smith have all announced their retirements. Hombsch and Murdoch played for the Suns for three seasons. Hombsch played just 18 games for the Suns after stints with GWS and Port Adelaide. Hombsch said, “It’s something that’s been in the works a little bit this season, but I feel pretty comfortable with the decision. Playing for three clubs I’m pretty grateful for because you just meet so many good people along the way ... I’ll certainly miss the footy club and I’ll miss playing AFL because it’s one of the best jobs going around.”

Murdoch started with Geelong before joining Gold Coast and played 110 games across 10 seasons. Murdoch said, “I feel I’m ready to begin the next step in my life. My wife Emma has followed me for 10 years and I think it’s time I take a back seat and let her follow her dreams. She’s been right there and incredible support for me throughout my career ... My highlights have been to see the development of the young guys at the club and chip in with bits and pieces that I’ve learned along the way and just try to help them.”