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AFL draft: WA’s top prospect talks North Melbourne links, player comparisons and versatility
“Being in WA would be great, but at the same time I’d definitely like the opportunity to go to Melbourne.
Western Australia’s top draft prospect Dan Curtin says it would be an “absolute honour” to play for North Melbourne under four-time head coach Alastair Clarkson, with the Kangaroos a likely suitor for the Claremont gift.
Curtin’s 2023 campaign has put him in a good position to top the draft board next month, helped steer the Tigers Colts after being awarded WA MVP at the national championships last month and also featuring in the WAFL senior series. . Claremont level in final.
The 195cm full-back, who can also play in midfield and attack, averaged 23.3 disposals, 4.3 marks and 4.8 disposals in a multi-dimensional role to help Western Australia rank among their best players in all four Championship games.
Curtin even moved to midfield and won his ball against some of the leading ball players in his class to show his versatile traits that AFL scouts were looking at. The West Coast youngster is now likely to be in the top five of the national draft and behind expected No.1 pick Tongan talent Harley Reid.
North Melbourne is currently second behind the Eagles, while the Roses could also secure the third pick in the draft with free agency replacement Ben McKay.
With West Coast needing major outside interest in their prized asset, Reid is likely to move to Lathlain Park, allowing the Roses to claim a leading name from the Eagles’ own backyard in Curtin.
The chance to stay in WA would be an ideal scenario for the highly-rated prospect, but Curtin is not worried about where he will land as the teenager hopes his dream will come true.
Speaking at this year’s draft combine, Curtin said he understands the bond he has developed with the Roses and would relish the opportunity to work under Clarkson if possible. “Being in WA would be great, but at the same time I’d definitely like the opportunity to go to Melbourne,” Curtain said.
“I want to be a very loyal player if I have the opportunity to be drafted. So I would love that opportunity [in Melbourne].
“It would be an absolute honor (to play under Clarkson). He is a very experienced coach and I would love to have him as my coach.”
The 18-year-old tried his best to block out the noise that surrounded him all year. He gained attention in parallel with his star rise. Able to devote all his attention to helping Claremont make finals – both at senior and Colts level – football was ironically Curtin’s best distraction.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to leave, especially with friends and family,” she said.
– I try to eliminate it as much as possible, but I notice it now and then.
“I did honestly. Especially in the final I was able to focus on that and stay away from everything. It can all be a bit over the top sometimes.”
Curtin will miss this year’s Draft Combine due to a hamstring problem, but flew to Melbourne to speak to the club’s recruiters and coaches, as well as interact with other AFL prospects.
The talented teenager said the setback, while premature, was not significant enough to leave scouts concerned.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” he said.
– I would have liked to show my athleticism, but I had a really good season.
“It won’t put me off for too long, it’s nothing too serious. It’s just not worth the risk at the Combine ahead of the AFL pre-season.”
AFL clubs have been intrigued by Curtin’s unrivaled ability to play all three lines of the field with great comfort – this year’s most versatile talent began his junior career as a halfback before growing 5-10cm in one summer break.
Curtin revealed that he has often been asked by clubs where he prefers to play, as Curtin believes his best football is played in the back line.
Some clubs have even mentioned long-term plans for a big man who could hope to move down the track to midfield, such as Sydney’s Callum Mills.
“Most clubs are pretty consistent where they say I’ll play in the back line and then when I’m a bit older I could definitely look at playing in midfield,” he revealed.
“It was really good (to be able to move to midfield this year). I kind of pushed it with the coaches through the state champs and they said let’s just put it out there and if the opportunity comes they’ll let me play center. Fortunately, it worked.
“During my youth football, I always played in the middle. Only when I had growth, I started to be in a key position.”
Curtin often watched the playing styles of WA pair Tom Barrassi and Sam Taylor, two of the best stoppers in the business. Curtin studied their interception, game reading and defensive skills and was able to take traits of the best and fairest winning duo and apply them to his own game. But it could be another WA Royal figure Curtin has a soft spot for, with Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich a wise comparison to Curtin in the eyes of some.
Pavlich earned the first of his six All-Australian selections in the backline before being named in the team’s top three later in his career.
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