tigs2010
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Thanks.Here’s the latest mail on who your club could land later this month.
AFLPhantom Draft 2025
1
WILLEM DUURSMA
193cm Midfielder/Forward, Gippsland Power
Drafted: WEST COAST
We say: Don’t expect there to be any surprises early, with Duursma having been earmarked as the No. 1 pick for some time. He’s not a Harley Reid-level standout selection and you could mount a case for others to be ahead of him, but in a compromised draft he looks a relatively safe bet for the Eagles as one of the best players on the open market. West Coast needs some more support for Reid through the midfield and Duursma has the ability to provide that long-term. While he featured in defence at stages this year, he played his best footy as a midfielder-forward for Gippsland Power. Duursma finished second in Morrish Medal for the best and fairest player in the Coates Talent League, proving himself to be a smart ball-winner around contest who has good burst speed and a strong tank. Like one of his idols — Marcus Bontempelli — he can also push forward, take an overhead mark and kick a goal. Duursma has known Reid — a long-time family friend — for half his life and the young Eagles’ star has been encouraging him this year to “come over” to Perth. He also has an existing relationship with another West Coast target, Cooper Duff-Tytler, through both football and basketball over the years.
2
ZEKE UWLAND
Matching bid from West Coast 180cm Midfielder/Defender, Gold Coast Suns Academy
Drafted: GOLD COAST
We say: Let the bidding begin. Many recruiters believe Uwland is the most talented player in this year’s draft pool, despite him not being able to show it this year. The Suns Academy member only played four VFL games at the tail end of the season after recovering from a stress fracture in his back which was discovered in late 2024. But like other clubs, West Coast loves him and hasn’t forgotten what Uwland was able to produce as a bottom-age player last year. A silky left-footer who could be the next Errol Gulden and has future club captain written all over him, he possesses high footy IQ, strong athletic traits and genuine X-Factor. The Suns have done plenty of work with Uwland in recent years and are ready and waiting to match an early bid, which will see Zeke join his older brother Bodhi at the club.
3
COOPER DUFF-TYTLER
201cm Ruckman/Forward, Calder Cannons
Drafted: WEST COAST
We say: There is a view among recruiters that there are a clear top-six players in this year’s draft. Duursma and Duff-Tytler are the only players within that group who the Eagles can actually get their hands on, with Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast), Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast), Dan Annable (Brisbane Lions) and Harry Dean (Carlton) all club-tied. There has been speculation that the Eagles could trade this pick to Essendon, with the Bombers believed to be “obsessed” by Duff-Tytler. But it would need to be an incredibly strong offer for West Coast to give a switch even a moment’s thought. The Eagles are also huge fans of Dean and the prospect of them bidding on him here is very real. However, Duff-Tytler also fits a list need as an incredibly athletic ruckman-forward who does things other players his size simply can’t do. While he still has some areas to work on with his game, the junior basketball star looks like he could be Luke Jackson 2.0.
4
DYLAN PATTERSON
Matching bid from Richmond 183cm Defender/Midfield, Gold Coast Suns Academy
Drafted: GOLD COAST
We say: Here comes ‘Bidmond’. Rival clubs believe Tigers list boss Blair Hartley is “on the war path” and ready to call out multiple club-tied stars in succession. Presuming Uwland’s name has already been called by West Coast, Patterson is favoured to be next up given he would suit Richmond beautifully with his blistering speed, power and penetrating kick. The Tigers have done plenty of homework on Patterson and have conducted home visits with him, along with Zeke Uwland and Dan Annable. Again, the Suns are ready to match a bid on the line-breaking rugby convert, who has impressed at VFL level across the past two years as a courageous and composed halfback or wingman. Scouts note that Patterson is prone to “a few errors” and still needs to improve the defensive side of his game, but he has all the markings of a game-changer at AFL level. A hamstring injury meant Patterson didn’t test at the draft combine, but he would have been every chance to take out the 20m sprint if he had.
5
DAN ANNABLE
Matching bid from Richmond 184cm Midfielder, Brisbane Lions Academy
Drafted: BRISBANE LIONS
We say: Next up for the Tigers, another bid. Annable is more than deserving of attracting one within the top-five after the ultra-professional onballer produced an ultra-consistent 2025. At least one club — which doesn’t have a pick in this range — has Annable at No. 1 on its draft board. Recruiters note that Annable “doesn’t play a bad game” and he has an appetite to work from contest to contest, clean hands, is dynamic around clearances and gets himself involved in scoring chains. He also possesses impressive leadership traits, having served as a captain of the Brisbane Lions Academy, AFL Academy and Allies this year. The Tigers would love a player — and person — like Annable, but the Lions’ draft strategy for 2025 has long been centred around matching an early bid on their Academy ace.
6HARRY DEAN
Matching bid from Richmond 194cm Defender, Murray Bushrangers
Drafted: CARLTON
We say: Rounding out the group of top-six talents in this year’s draft is Dean, who didn’t quite know where he stood coming into this year but shot up draft boards at a rate of knots mid-season. Carlton recruiters were squirming in their seats at Moorabbin in July as they watched Dean — who was playing for Vic Country — pick off everything that came his way in the final match of the under-18 national championships against Vic Metro. That performance solidified the father-son prospect’s standing as a genuine top-10 pick, disrupting the Blues’ initial draft plans. Dean is a strong competitor who is hard to beat one-on-one, reads the play well to take intercept marks and is composed with ball in hand when he wins the footy back. Richmond could do with another key defender but the Blues won’t be passing up the opportunity to bring in the son of two-time premiership player Peter, who looks ready to play a key role down back in 2026.
7
SULLIVAN ROBEY
192cm Forward/Midfielder, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: RICHMOND
We say: He looms as one of the biggest draft bolters in history. Robey was playing under-19s football for his local club Rowville in mid-June, before being invited back to the Ranges and setting the Coates Talent League on fire in the back half of the season. He has added 17cm over the past two years but has managed to maintain a powerful frame at the same time courtesy of an impressive home gym set-up. Robey started forward with the Ranges this year, where he can take a strong mark and is a beautiful kick on goal. But he also excited when he ran through the midfield in a wildcard round game against the Western Jets and racked up 40 disposals, five clearances and three goals. While Robey also has strong interest from West Coast and Essendon, Richmond looks to be his most likely landing spot.
8
XAVIER TAYLOR
192cm Defender, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: RICHMOND
We say: Behind Dean, Taylor is the best defender in this draft pool and it would be big surprise if he wasn’t one of the Tigers’ first two selections in this year’s draft. Speedster Sam Grlj has also been heavily linked to Richmond, which is understandable given he impressed those at Punt Rd during two VFL appearances for the club late in the year. However, Jagga Smith and Harvey Langford also pulled on the yellow and black last year and were overlooked come draft night. So, there is a growing view in recruiting circles that Grlj could push outside the first dozen picks, given Richmond is his main suitor inside that range. Taylor is a Tigers supporter who looks up to Nathan Broad and brings similar defensive intent and intercept ability in the air. He is also a teammate of Richmond’s other target in Robey, so it could be a win for all involved if he is to land at Punt Rd. If he doesn’t, Essendon would quickly snap him up next.
9DYSON SHARP
187cm Midfielder, Central District
Drafted: ESSENDON
We say: The pressure is on the Bombers to nail these two early picks, amid a disastrous 2025 to date both on and off the field. Essendon would love Duff-Tytler but are no chance of securing him unless they trade up to the Eagles’ second selection, while Robey and Taylor are other players firmly in their sights. But if that trio are all off the board, the Bombers might be crazy to overlook Sharp. As bankable as almost anyone inside this top-10, the South Australian onballer was the best-performed player on the biggest stage this year as he won the Larke Medal at the under-18 national championships. There, Sharp captained his state to a title with a team-first attitude, while he spent most of the rest of the season playing senior football in the SANFL and showing he is “ready-made” for the next level. As good as he is around the ball, some recruiters also believe Sharp’s work during rotations forward this year has been understated. He is an Essendon supporter and the Bombers have expressed significant interest in him as a player who could bolster their midfield and help to fill a leadership void.
10AIDAN SCHUBERT
197cm Forward/Ruck, Central District
Drafted: ESSENDON
We say: The Bombers are being linked to North Adelaide’s Sam Cumming with one of these first two selections, but also keep an eye on Schubert. The mail is that Essendon has been quietly sniffing around the exciting tall, who lit up the under-18 national championships with a four-goal haul in South Australia’s first match against the Allies. Athletically gifted, Schubert finished top-10 in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine and he is a player who competes strongly in the air and kicked goals at every level this year. Schubert models his game on Shannon Neale and rival clubs believe he fits at Essendon to complement Nate Caddy long-term. He also has a pre-existing relationship with Sharp if the Bombers do go that way with their previous pick, with the Central District products having played significant football together this year.
11
SAM CUMMING
184cm Midfielder/Forward, North Adelaide
Drafted: MELBOURNE
We say: There is a question mark over whether Cumming gets past Essendon, with the Bombers also believed to be keen. But the Demons would be delighted if he does slip through, with rival clubs believing he is Melbourne’s No. 1 target. A fierce competitor who has been likened to former Crow Rory Sloane, Cumming has power, speed and plenty of class. Originally from Wentworth in New South Wales, he moved to Adelaide for school and served as a vice-captain of South Australia at the under-18 national championships. Cumming looks to be an ideal pick for the Demons as the club seeks to rejuvenate its midfield after the off-season departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. He would be a third high-end midfielder drafted in the past two years, following Harvey Langford (pick 6) and Xavier Lindsay (pick 11) last year.
12
LACHY DOVASTON
178cm Forward, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: MELBOURNE
We say: While the Demons are all over Cumming, what they do with their second pick is a touch less clear. They have been linked to a tall and have done their work on Schubert, while Archie Ludowyke has been another name floated. But if Essendon get to Schubert first, Melbourne might change tact. The Demons have been linked to small forward Latrelle Pickett, who is a cousin of Kysaiah and a player they would love in their line-up. But it might be a bit early for that. It is not too early for Dovaston, though, who is the best small forward in the draft class. Compared to Nick Watson, he applies good pressure, works hard up the ground and has great forward craft to hit the scoreboard in different ways. Dovaston kicked 38 goals from 16 games for the Ranges — the second-most in the Coates Talent League — and took out the agility test at the draft combine. He has also been linked to other clubs including Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, but the Dees have the chance to get in first.
13
JACOB FARROW
Pick traded 188cm Defender, West Perth
Drafted: WEST COAST
We say: This is Carlton’s pick as things currently stand. But there is talk about a pick swap between the Blues and Eagles which could edge the team from the west a touch higher up the draft board. Here’s how it could look: Carlton hands over what is currently, pre-draft, pick 9 for West Coast’s pick 13 and 34. It would leave the Eagles with three of the first 13 picks, while it would net the Blues a few extra draft points to help match an early bid on Dean. Win-win. The Eagles think Farrow will be off the board by the time their third pick rolls around as the order currently sits, with the top West Australian prospect being linked to Greater Western Sydney which sits one spot ahead. But a trade with Carlton would allow West Coast to jump ahead of the Giants and secure a classy rebounding defender who has been likened to Jordan Dawson and could similarly develop into a gun midfielder in time.
14
SAM GRLJ
182cm Defender/Midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers
Drafted: HAWTHORN
We say: If Grlj is overlooked by Richmond, there’s every chance he slides through to the Hawks. The Eagles have also taken a good look at him if they secure Carlton’s earlier pick, but the opportunity to select the best prospect from the west in Farrow would be hard to pass up. Grlj is a player who possesses excellent speed, power, endurance and a nice step through traffic, with line-breaking types like him becoming increasingly valuable in modern football. He posted top-10 results in both the 2km time trial and 20m sprint tests at the national draft combine and impressed across halfback in two VFL appearances for Richmond late in the year. The Hawks have also been linked to fellow halfback Josh Lindsay, with a long-term replacement for Karl Amon being part of their thinking. Big-bodied midfielder Ollie Greeves and small forward Lachy Dovaston are other names to watch at this selection.
15
JEVAN PHILLIPOU
Pick traded 183cm Midfielder/Forward, Woodville-West Torrens
Drafted: ADELAIDE
We say: The Crows have discussed a trade with Carlton which would see them hand over a future first-round pick in exchange for Carlton’s pick 11 — which would land here. The Blues want to bank draft points to match a bid on top-two prospect Cody Walker next year, and this selection would be pushed back significantly anyway to match a bid on fellow father-son Harry Dean this year. Phillipou missed the under-18 national championships with a broken wrist but has attracted plenty of interest from clubs inside the top-20 and would suit the Crows. He is a driven, natural footballer with impressive athletic traits including his leap, burst speed and agility. Phillipou is dynamic through the midfield and can take a nice overhead mark and kick a goal when forward. If it is not the Crows who trade in for this pick, could it be St Kilda who does a similar deal? Ross Lyon wouldn’t mind another Phillipou at Moorabbin if Jevan was to join his brother Mattaes. The Saints play is unlikely, but it is not without a chance.
16ARCHIE LUDOWYKE
197cm Forward, Sandringham Dragons
Drafted: GWS GIANTS
We say: Oskar Taylor’s name continually comes up in discussions about the Giants’ first pick, along with fellow rebounding defender Jacob Farrow. They fit a team which brings the Orange Tsunami brand of footy. But there’s also some mail about the Giants swinging a little bit of a surprise and picking key forward Ludowyke, who is firming to be taken in this part of the order. The Dragons product was sidelined for the second half of the year after suffering a PCL injury during the national championships but impressed early in the year, including a five-goal haul in round 2 of the Coates Talent League. With Jesse Hogan turning 31 in February and Jake Stringer set to celebrate his 32nd birthday in April, rivals believe the Giants could do with another young forward to pair up with Aaron Cadman and Ludowyke presents well, flies for his marks and has high footy IQ. He actually models his game on Cadman, so GWS fans could be seeing double in the years ahead.
17
JOSH LINDSAY
183cm Defender/Midfielder, Geelong Falcons
Drafted: WESTERN BULLDOGS
We say: The Bulldogs are looking closely at halfbacks, having also been linked to Jacob Farrow, Oskar Taylor and Lachlan Carmichael. But Lindsay might be their man if he gets past the likes of Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. One of the best kick’s in the draft pool with a laser-like left-foot, he has drawn Christian Salem comparisons and showed this year that he can be a damaging player with his ball use and run and carry off halfback. Scouts had Lindsay pegged as a top-10 prospect earlier in the year, but have been some questions over his athleticism and ability to play other roles. Still, what he is good at would excite the Dogs, who would pack some real halfback punch by pairing him with Bailey Dale over coming years.
18
MITCH MARSH
191cm Forward, West Adelaide
Drafted: ADELAIDE
We say: Taylor Walker is going around again next year, but the Crows are pondering what life after the 35-year-old looks like. It is why Marsh is firmly in the picture — particularly if Adelaide does trade with Carlton and end up with two first-round picks this year. An athletic marking and lead-up forward, Marsh has been compared to Jeremy Cameron given his huge tank and willingness to work hard up the ground. When inside the forward 50 arc, he can take a big contested mark and is usually an accurate goalkicker. Marsh booted 12 majors across four games for South Australia at the under-18 national championships, including five in the final game against Vic Country. Rivals believe he would complement Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty nicely into the future.
19OSKAR TAYLOR
Pick traded 183cm Defender, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: ESSENDON
We say: The Bombers don’t currently hold this pick, but they could come draft night. There has been talk of a deal with Gold Coast which could see Essendon give up picks 21 and 27 for the Suns’ pick 18 (which becomes this selection) and 36. It is a deal which would give Gold Coast a few more draft points for bid-matching purposes, as well as help Essendon get ahead of a bid on Next Generation Academy prospect Adam Sweid. Another draft bolter, Taylor wasn’t included in Vic Metro’s squad for the under-18 national championships but rose up club boards in the back half of the year. He brings a defensive mindset and is solid one-on-one but then can then break the lines with his speed and neat left-foot kick coming out of the back half. Taylor posted the top time in the 20m sprint at the national draft combine and placed second in the agility test, further exciting recruiters. Some believe that Taylor won’t get past the Giants, but time will tell.
20
JAI MURRAY
Matching bid from Geelong 185cm Midfielder, Gold Coast Suns Academy
Drafted: GOLD COAST
We say: The Cats are a club who haven’t been afraid to place the odd bid on club-tied talent. They made two bids during last year’s draft and are every chance to make one or more bids again here. Murray has been a little out-of-sight-out-of-mind for some this year, having been sidelined for most of the season by a stress fracture in his foot. But scouts say he is “a beauty” who is still a top-20 talent and should be the third Suns Academy player to receive a bid behind Uwland and Patterson. Murray is a player with clean hands and high footy IQ who makes great decisions and uses the ball well by foot. Used as a running defender in his bottom-age year, he moved into the midfield at the start of this season and impressed as a Murphy Reid type onballer. Geelong is one club which has taken a good look at him, so a bid here wouldn’t surprise.
21OLIVER GREEVES
191cm Midfielder, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: GEELONG
We say: The Cats are interested in an inside midfielder, having also been linked to West Australian workhorse Fred Rodriguez at this selection. With Tom Atkins now the other side of 30, Greeves could be a long-term replacement in the thick of the action. The Ranges product has also been discussed at Hawthorn and Adelaide, but is a good chance to slide back a little later than he was pegged for earlier in the season. Big-bodied midfielders are not as in vogue as they were a few years ago, but Greeves hardly put a foot wrong during a super consistent season. He finished equal-second in the Larke Medal and won Vic Metro’s MVP award at the under-18 national championships. The knock is Greeves’ transition running ability and he missed the 2km time trial at the national draft combine due to a bout of influenza. But some make up testing is on the cards, which clubs will watch with interest.
22JACK ISON
Matching bid from Fremantle 191cm Midfielder/Forward, Oakleigh Chargers
Drafted: CARLTON
We say: The Dockers are looking to bolster their front half and Ison is one such player they have had in their sights. He’s a good size, oozes class with a lovely left boot and is a smooth mover who can impact both inside and outside the contest. While his consistency has been questioned at times — not helped by a few injuries over recent years — Ison put his best footy on display in a wildcard round match for the Chargers late in the year, racking up 30 disposals, 10 clearances and 10 score involvements as he spent more time through the midfield. He didn’t test at the draft combine due to a bone stress issue in his leg, but the Blues have nominated the Indigenous talent as a Next Generation Academy prospect regardless and look certain to match a bid on him.
23ADAM SWEID
Matching bid from Fremantle 176cm Midfielder/Forward, Calder Cannons
Drafted: ESSENDON
We say: The Bombers have two Next Generation Academy prospects to secure, but Sweid will be the first. Cannons teammate and good mate Hussien El Achkar is likely to receive a later bid, although some clubs believe he could slide through to the Bombers as a rookie. Sweid entered this year as an unknown quantity, having missed his bottom-age campaign due to an ACL injury. However, he hit the ground running from round 1 and was exceptional at every level. He is classy and explosive around contest, applies great pressure, makes good decisions with ball in hand and can impact the scoreboard — either directly or indirectly — when pushed forward. The Dockers have closely tracked Sweid — as have Hawthorn — so a bid here or from the Hawks two picks later is highly probable.
24
NOAH HIBBINS-HARGREAVES
186cm Forward/Midfielder, Dandenong Stingrays
Drafted: FREMANTLE
We say: The Dockers’ forward line needs some more X-Factor and Hibbins-Hargreaves can provide that in spades. A silky half-forward or wingman, the Stingrays product doesn’t need much of the footy to have a major influence on games. Hibbins-Hargreaves is a smooth mover with some serious speed, he can hit the scoreboard in different ways and generally makes good decisions and executes well by foot. He gathered 29 disposals and kicked five goals in one late-season match for Dandenong, while he also kicked four goals in a half during Vic Country’s first match of the under-18 national championships to turn the game. Fremantle is understood to be a big fan, if Hibbins-Hargreaves gets past some other potential suitors including the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.
25
HARLEY BARKER
188cm Midfielder, Sturt
Drafted: HAWTHORN
We say: Some clubs would have had Barker pegged as a potential top-10 pick had he not suffered an ACL injury in early July. That injury came soon after a big under-18 national championships campaign for South Australia, where the wingman showed himself to be a dynamic and damaging centre-forward player with a quality kick. Barker models his game on Ollie Dempsey and was similarly able to push forward and get on the end of goals this year. Recruiters hoping that Barker would slide back a bit further than this will be disappointed, with Barker being linked to a number of clubs in this range including the Hawks and Kangaroos.
26MAX KING
Matching bid from North Melbourne 192cm Forward, Sydney Swans Academy
Drafted: SYDNEY
We say: King lacked some consistency this year, but there were certainly some exciting signs put on display from the high-leaping forward who could be anything if he applies himself correctly. Athletically, King has it all with his huge natural leap and blistering speed. He’s also an exceptional mark overhead and a booming kick. There were knocks on King’s goalkicking and decision making at times this year, while he struggled for the Allies during the under-18 national championships after battling illness during that period. However, King impressed at VFL level for the Swans late in the year and is still firmly a top-30 prospect in this draft. He has also been linked to Fremantle, but North Melbourne is favoured to place a bid, which the Swans appear certain to match. Clubs think he will be the first Swans Academy member to attract a bid.
27
BLAKE THREDGOLD
194cm Defender, Sturt
Drafted: NORTH MELBOURNE
We say: There is a chance Thredgold could be off the board a few spots earlier, but it is hard to see him getting much further than this. Behind Carlton father-son Dean and top-10 pick Xavier Taylor, Thredgold is the best taller defender available and the Kangaroos could certainly do with some more talent in that area of the ground. Thredgold has strong hands overhead, a big leap and is quick off the mark. He played only one match for South Australia at the under-18 national championships due to a broken wrist but returned to finish the season strongly with Sturt, including winning the best-on-ground medal in a Grand Final win in September. There’s plenty of upside there.
28
LOUIS EMMETT
199cm Ruck/Forward, Oakleigh Chargers
Drafted: NORTH MELBOURNE
We say: The Kangaroos have drafted plenty of midfielders over the past few years. What they haven’t done is draft many forwards. Emmett split his time between ruck and forward roles this year and didn’t reach the lofty heights that he did during his bottom-age campaign in 2024. However, he remains highly rated and has shown enough to suggest there is something there for AFL clubs to work with. While he is a touch undersized to be a No. 1 ruckman at the next level, Emmett could provide back-up support and can take a strong mark when forward. One of his biggest strengths is his endurance and ability to cover the ground, with Emmett finishing third in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine. North Melbourne has expressed interest and Emmett comes into the frame in this part of the draft.
29
MARCUS KRASNADAMSKIS
201cm Ruck, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: WESTERN BULLDOGS
We say: This is another Ranges product who could be a bolt from the blue. Rival clubs believe the Bulldogs are eyeing Krasnadamskis, who shapes as a potential second-round surprise. Krasnadamskis was playing state-level basketball last year before deciding to switch his attention back to football this season. He made a mid-season debut for the Ranges in the Coates Talent League and served as the side’s No. 1 ruckman for the remainder of the year, showing himself to be an athletic and mobile player who glides across the ground, can jump and follows up well at ground level including by applying pressure. Krasnadamskis’ efforts at the Victorian state draft combine only further elevated his standing as he shone in the vertical jump and 20m sprint tests. He is more of a long-term project player, but one who has the potential for a big pay-off. Some recruiters wouldn’t be surprised to see him taken in the 20s amid a surge in interest and this looms as the Bulldogs’ only other pick outside of father-son prospect Will Darcy.
30HARRY KYLE
Matching bid from GWS 188cm Defender/Midfielder, Sydney Swans Academy
Drafted: SYDNEY
We say: The Giants have been looking at halfbacks and if they go with a key forward in Ludowyke with their first pick then they could continue the war with Sydney here. Kyle is tipped to be the second Swans Academy member to receive a bid behind Max King, with the halfback or wingman having bolted up draft boards this year as a prospect who provides run and drive and has a penetrating left-foot kick. There is considerable upside in Kyle — who scouts have compared to Finn Callaghan — given his limited exposure to the talent pathways and elite athletic traits. He finished top-10 in the running vertical jump, standing vertical jump and agility tests at the national draft combine, stamping his top-30 credentials.
31LACHLAN CARMICHAEL
Matching bid from GWS 184cm Defender, Sydney Swans Academy
Drafted: SYDNEY
We say: The Giants couldn’t go again on their cross-town rivals …. or could they? Carmichael is another rebounding halfback who would suit the way GWS likes to play. He drew comparisons to Liam Baker with his work off halfback during the under-18 national championships for the Allies, winning the side’s MVP award after impressing with his class, composure, ball use and footy smarts. Carmichael also made a VFL debut for the Swans late in the year. Sydney is well-placed to match bids in this part of the draft, holding three second-round picks.
32LATRELLE PICKETT
182cm Forward, Glenelg
Drafted: GWS GIANTS
We say: Rivals are linking Pickett to Melbourne, who they say is “right up their alley”. He is the cousin of current Demons star Kysaiah, so it fits. But the Giants are also understood to be very keen on the lively small and have done “a lot of work” on the South Australian. GWS’ second-round pick will be one ahead of Melbourne’s, so if Pickett is still on the board they might just beat the Demons to him. An overage prospect who turns 20 in December, Pickett has speed, agility and smarts in the forward half and regularly hit the scoreboard this season. He finished with 32.18 from 18 games for Glenelg in the SANFL reserves, including a four-goal performance in a Grand Final triumph.
33
ZAC MCCARTHY
Matching bid from Melbourne 199cm Forward/Ruck, Oakleigh Chargers
Drafted: COLLINGWOOD
We say: If the Demons don’t nab a tall with their first two picks, they will surely be hungry for one here. McCarthy is raw, but rival recruiters believe he is the modern “prototype” for a tall with the new ruck rules, given his leap and mobility to get around the ground. There have been questions around his competitiveness, but he is capable of plucking a nice mark and kicking a goal when forward and he brings good workrate to the table. Given the Magpies are also in need of a key forward, expect them to match a bid on their Next Generation Academy prospect if one does come at this mark.
34
CAMERON NAIRN
188cm Forward, Central District
Drafted: MELBOURNE
We say: The Demons would love if Latrelle Pickett slipped through to this pick, but that doesn’t look likely. They may still be able to add a quality forward in Nairn, though, who has drawn comparisons to Bayley Fritsch. At 188cm, Nairn measures exactly the same height as Fritsch and similarly possesses vice-like hands overhead, a big leap and an accurate boot. The South Australian recorded one of the best individual performances at the under-18 national championships with a seven-goal haul in a match against Western Australia. Along with his strong hands, he also has strong endurance to outwork opponents and finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine.
35
TYLAH WILLIAMS
Matching bid from Richmond 175cm Forward, Swan Districts
Drafted: WEST COAST
We say: Bidmond is back and this time they are looking at a small forward after nabbing two taller prospects inside the top 10. Williams isn’t quite the complete package just yet, but he does have exciting AFL traits as a quick and agile half-forward with some tricks. The West Coast Next Generation Academy member recorded top-10 results in the 20m sprint, agility and running vertical jump tests at the draft combine and looks up to the likes of Bobby Hill and Kysaiah Pickett. While he showed good workrate to get up the ground this year, he wasn’t a high goalkicker. That said, the Eagles have banked on a bid coming somewhere in the 30s and look likely to match on a player who has been working part-time in their merchandise store this year.
36
LEON KICKETT
173cm Forward, Swan Districts
Drafted: RICHMOND
We say: It doesn’t look like a bid for Tigers father-son prospect Louis Kellaway will come before this point, giving Richmond the chance to bring in one more player before potentially nabbing Kellaway later in the order or as a rookie. A small forward dubbed ‘Neon Leon’ is every chance here, with the Tigers believed to have been the club who pushed for him to receive a late call-up to the national draft combine. An overage prospect who turns 19 this month, Kickett is a high half-forward with good pressure and speed and a huge leap which he uses to fly for marks. Former football stars Derek and Dale Kickett are both in the family tree, but Leon has modelled his game on the likes of Cyril Rioli and Michael Walters.
Still Sully, XT & Neon Leon
