The number one pick in the upcoming AFL draft has been one of the most talked about picks in recent history. Not just because of the consensus that the number one pick will be Harley Reid, but because of how the number one pick changed hands throughout the season.
West Coast had a historically bad season which was almost made even worse when they caused a surprise upset and beat the Western Bulldogs in Round 23. This loss meant that West Coast jumped up one spot on the ladder and a game clear of the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
While West Coast supporters were excited to see the boys in the winner’s circle, the win came at a significant cost to West Coast’s draft position and the possible future success of the club, given the highly-touted number-one pick, Harley Reid.
North Melbourne supporters couldn’t believe their luck as no one expected West Coast to win any of the final regular season games, meaning they’d have to settle for pick two in the AFL draft. Was North Melbourne’s luck finally turning?
Enter Round 24, the final Round of the regular season, West Coast played Adelaide at home and much like the outcome for most of the season, the Eagles were beaten convincingly. North Melbourne played Gold Coast on the other side of Australia and against the odds, came out and beat the Suns, despite trailing at half-time. This win by North Melbourne meant West Coast moved back to the bottom of the ladder where they had been all season and again had the rights to the number one pick in the AFL draft.
North Melbourne Offer
Since the end of the AFL season, rumours have been swirling that North Melbourne will make a play for West Coast’s number-one pick and today, they made their first offer.
West Coast Eagles receive from North Melbourne picks 15, 18, and 21 as well as a 2024 end-of-first-round pick.
North Melbourne receive pick one.
North Melbourne put four picks on the table to trade for West Coast’s pick 1.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 11, 2023
15, 18, 21 & an end of first rounder next year. North among clubs eyeing Gold Coast’s pick 18 if they keep trading back.
Eagles aren’t accepting that deal but you suspect more Roos offers are coming.
It has been reported that West Coast knocked back the offer; however, reports state North Melbourne will come back with a stronger offer considering their current draft hand consists of top picks 2, 3, 15, 17, and 18. Also, given their recent track record, North Melbourne will most likely be towards the bottom of the ladder next season, which means their future picks could be of interest to West Coast as well.
If you’re the West Coast Eagles, what are your demands for the number one pick? Or are you keeping it?
