There has already been plenty said and written about the 2023 AFL Draft.
Most of it centres around the expected No.1 draft pick Harley Reid and those expected to be taken in the top five or six.
But there are plenty of talented youngsters who could still have an impact at AFL level next year and beyond who might be taken later in the draft.
Geelong Falcons and Vic Country U18 coach Paul Corrigan knows the landscape intimately so is perfectly placed to identify some possible draft smokeys.
He has named defender Angus Hastie, Morrish Medallist Patrick Hughes, forward Michael Rudd and small forward Thomas Anastasopoulos as those who he expects to be selected at some point.
“Angus Hastie is one,” former Geelong player Corrigan said on SEN Breakfast.
“He’s been really good for us this year.
“I see his range, without putting too much pressure on it, around that second round mix with him as a half-back flanker.
“As you go deeper into the draft, there’s Patrick Hughes who won the Morrish Medal this year (shared with Colby McKercher). He had a fantastic season.
“Michael Rudd as a third tall key forward with us who played Vic Country also.
“Then there’s Tommy Anastasopoulos who had a sensational start to the year and had to combine Vic Country, Geelong College and Falcons with that too.
“With those players, even if they’re not in the initial draft they might be taken as a rookie later on as well.”
Another Vic Country product who was a significant contributor as co-captain alongside Reid is Harry DeMattia.
Corrigan is confident the versatile Dandenong Stingray, who is also a quality junior cricketer, will be selected inside the first round when the draft takes place.
“I think ‘H’ will be in that first round mix,” said Corrigan of the highly-rated DeMattia.
“He was co-captain with Harley Reid this year, a very versatile player.
“We talked in general about cricket v footy and what he had done at a younger level. He really enjoys his footy, really enjoys his cricket. There was no pressure on him, he just came to that decision in where he wanted to go with his sport, and footy took over.
“He’s been sensational this year as one of our leaders in the Vic Country program. He can play a range of positions on the ground and is just a terrific person to go with it as well.”
AFL Media draft guru Cal Twomey has DeMattia rated at 20 in his latest phantom draft.
The first round of the 2023 AFL Draft is on November 20 before the remaining rounds on November 21.