List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - Draft Analysis

[T4P]

They still lost players that were regarded as members of the best 23:
Ainsworth played 24 games in 2025
Flanders 23 in 2025
Budarick 19 in 2025
Fiorini 18 in 2025
Lukosius 21 in 2024

All of which allowed them to gather the picks they needed to have enough points to end up with those academy players.

Whether we like it or not the Suns aren't cheating the system IMO, they are paying a hefty price to get access to these academy kids who if not for the Suns Academy wouldn't be playing AFL at all.

Your argument was that the system would be broken if those clubs were able to keep all those players they lost and then still land the top end talents.

Saying the system isn't broken because they've lost best 23 players to land those top picks is like saying trading Jack Ross for a top-ten pick is the same as trading Matt Rowell for a top ten pick.

For Richmond to get picks 7, 12, 14 and 21, we lost Rioli, Bolton and Baker. Consensus at the time was that we got more than we should've.

For Gold Coast to get picks 2, 5, 17 and 18 they've given up role players (not in top ten B&F) that wouldn't get anywhere near that return in an open trade market. They paid a price sure, but it's a heavily subsidised price by a system weighted to favour them

 

[SumTingWong]

Can we afford to have identical types in Kickett and MRJ in the same forward line?

45 /

Kickett is shit too?

 

[prodigy]

Just on the whole bidding system and how 'unfair' it is. I'd just like to point out that for the Suns to be able to match the bids they had for Uwland Patterson Murray & Addinsall, they traded out the likes of Lukosius Atkins Flanders Ainsworth Fiorini & Budarick to allow them to acquire the picks they needed to match those bids, so it's not like they aren't losing talent to acquire talent. The Lions gave up Starcevich to gain the picks they needed to get Annable, while Carlton were only in position to match Dean because they opted to let TDK depart for a compo pick and traded out Curnow for multiple R1 picks that will allow them to also match Walker next year.

So to say that the system is broken is IMO the wrong take. It's not ideal that a side that finished 2nd last ended up with the 7th best player in the draft on rankings, but the clubs that got in before us to pick up players didn't get them for free, they paid a hefty price to do so.

The system would be broken if those clubs were able to keep all those players they lost and then still land the top end talents, but they haven't and it's not much different to us last year losing a heap of experienced talent that allowed us to acquire the extra 6 R1 talents that we did last year and the extra R1 talent that we got this year.

...this is certainly a take.

A lot of the points obtained by the sale of those players went into trading for Petracca. The fact that they were able to do that by trading out less than A-grade players and still be able to accumulate enough points to match FOUR FIRST ROUND BIDS is absolutely insane.

 

[Tigerbob]

How is his decision-making and performance under pressure?

In the lead up to this draft, someone mentioned composure was an issue for him, but I don’t know if that’s the case. What do you think about that side of his game?

Looks good for me. His kicking efficiency is high. So for me I don’t see this being an issue. He tends to run into some danger but his amazing agility and pace combo means he gets out of it most of the time and always seems to release the footy.

He sometimes looks like he’s going too fast for his teammates and hence looks rushed but to me he’s very skilled.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Just my 2 cents.

We seem to have picked 2 players with speed, hardness, multi-position, leadership, and great attitude. They fill out skill sets we didn't pick last year, and both are high potential players. So it seems like a we've built a portfolio of players who can provide us with a wide range of high end capabilities. By that I mean that we seem to focus on hard nosed guys who allow us to play against the monster mids, go fast outside, have skills, and all have a good to great defensive attitude.

Probably not all will make it. But we're certainly not falling for the trap GWS (first 5-8 years) and North did in having the same type replicated, so that their squad was limited in how they play.

And the focus on guys who like to play it hard and tough is good. We're going to be a bitch of a team to face in years to come.

 

[Lsta062]

Looks good for me. His kicking efficiency is high. So for me I don’t see this being an issue. He tends to run into some danger but his amazing agility and pace combo means he gets out of it most of the time and always seems to release the footy.

He sometimes looks like he’s going too fast for his teammates and hence looks rushed but to me he’s very skilled.

Great to hear, thanks!

From the footage pre-draft, I couldn’t work out why people didn’t want Grlj at our picks because he looks pretty good. He’s very much a modern game midfielder. So I was wondering what his downsides were, and then someone mentioned this running himself into danger thing.

But it sounds like it’s not much of an issue. It’s also not the worst issue to have either, so if anything we can coach that out of him

 

[LTT]

On raw stats, Robey will be the equivalent of an eight-year gelded maiden trying to knock off his elusive first win at the Woolamai or Yea picnics in five years' time.

Taranto would be flat out beating my grandmother in a foot race, and she's sadly been deceased for 20 years.

Based on Essendon's record in 5 years' time Robey will be another delisted inside mid

 

[Grechy]

In Cal Twomey's draft rankings on August 27th, Robey was not in his top-30. Robey played his last game for the year on Sept 20th. Yes, his 40 and 3 game was after August 27th, but let's not panic just yet that we've missed a Bontempelli/Dusty clone.

Also, let's put the 2024 (top-30) and 2025 (top-31) drafts together instead of analysing them in isolation....so we've got 10 x picks across 61 x players - and it's generally accepted that in the open draft, only Duursma and CDT would've been locks for a first round pick in 2024, so our picks 7 & 8 would come early second round in a combined list.

So for our 10 x picks it would be:

Lalor
Smillie
Hotton
Faull
*** (2025)
Trainor
*** (2025)
Armstrong
Sims
*** (2025)

So picks 5 and 7 is where we took Cumming and Grjl.....

Having secured Lalor and Smillie, and already having TT, Hopper and McCauliffe, would it have made any sense to secure another hulking mid-fwd in Robey? Or a slow clearance beast in Sharp? Or an intercept defender in Taylor having secured Trainor, got Gibcus back on the park, seen Brown become a best-23 lock and confirmed Balta is going to play permanent defence?

Or would it have made perfect sense to secure elite midfield speed, endurance and defensive intent via Cumming and Grlj?

And if available, to complete a perfect mix, no reason we can't take Greeves (35 and 4 goals in an U18 PF, and touted top-15 for almost entire season). Or NHH or Poo (classy wingers). Or Emmett (potential #1 ruck).

The club has absolutely nailed it. Cumming and Grlj are exactly what we need, and at 7 & 8 not a reach at all in a draft regarded as pretty shallow.

Kudos Tigers for not getting caught up in the hype (as I was along with everyone else).

People are underselling Sharp. His athletic profile had him slide down but he has better agility then most give him credit for. I was really hoping for Sharp at #4 as I just think he's an incredibly safe bet to be a long term player.

 

[The Vaucluse]

Your argument was that the system would be broken if those clubs were able to keep all those players they lost and then still land the top end talents.

Saying the system isn't broken because they've lost best 23 players to land those top picks is like saying trading Jack Ross for a top-ten pick is the same as trading Matt Rowell for a top ten pick.

For Richmond to get picks 7, 12, 14 and 21, we lost Rioli, Bolton and Baker. Consensus at the time was that we got more than we should've.

For Gold Coast to get picks 2, 5, 17 and 18 they've given up role players (not in top ten B&F) that wouldn't get anywhere near that return in an open trade market. They paid a price sure, but it's a heavily subsidised price by a system weighted to favour them

I agree that the system is far from perfect and the AFL has realised this as the two broadcasters have intervened and said we can’t allow such a lopsided ladder, because people turn off.

The push to grow the AFL product in terms of viewership, attendance and participation in the northern States (growth
markets) is now offset with the introduction of Tasmania, and the need to ensure that the bottom 5 teams are competitive most weeks and these games are somewhat attractive to watch.

 

[LTT]

A quick thumbs up for the Tigers picks so far.

Cumming and Grlj very nice selections. You needed mids and got two highly rated mids.

Would have been happy taking both at the Eagles.

I think Obeanie is being polite. CDT was a no brainer for the eagles IMO but probably not a priority for us. Duursma was the best available. Interestingly Robey was possibly a better fit than Duursma at WC and WC passed on Robey like we did.

 

[TJTIGER]

Sharp played seniors sanfl last year for 2nd half of season.

Pretty sure It was mentioned that Cumming played senior footy at 14 yrs old... may have been by Rhy on RFC website?

 

[LTT]

Not gonna lie feel a little smug today having the 2 players I was most keen on ending up being picked by the club, but it doesn't mean that they'll automatically be a success. Both will need to knuckle down and firstly earn their way into the 23 and then once there deliver on their potential to end up being the type of players that the clubs believes they can become.

What I liked most about them is that they are really complimentary to the mids that we already have and add a real POD to our midfield group with the extra speed they bring.

HRS will be nervous

 

[G String]

Pretty sure It was mentioned that Cumming played senior footy at 14 yrs old... may have been by Rhy on RFC website?

actually finished 3rd in the bnf as well

 

[Wrenny]

7 out 3 in so far…

IN:

Patrick Retschko (traded from Geelong)
Sam Cumming (national draft, pick 7)
Sam Grlj (national draft, pick 8)
31 - Poo/NHH/Emmett
61 - Kickett/BOB/Allen
RD - Kellaway
Cat B - Lockwood

OUT:

McIntosh (not offered a contract)
Bauer (not offered a contract)
Koschitzke (not offered a contract)
Blight (not offered a contract)
Young (traded to West Coast)
Dow (not offered a contract)
Colina (not offered a contract) - Cat B

 

[_RT_]

Your argument was that the system would be broken if those clubs were able to keep all those players they lost and then still land the top end talents.

Saying the system isn't broken because they've lost best 23 players to land those top picks is like saying trading Jack Ross for a top-ten pick is the same as trading Matt Rowell for a top ten pick.

For Richmond to get picks 7, 12, 14 and 21, we lost Rioli, Bolton and Baker. Consensus at the time was that we got more than we should've.

For Gold Coast to get picks 2, 5, 17 and 18 they've given up role players (not in top ten B&F) that wouldn't get anywhere near that return in an open trade market. They paid a price sure, but it's a heavily subsidised price by a system weighted to favour them

...this is certainly a take.

A lot of the points obtained by the sale of those players went into trading for Petracca. The fact that they were able to do that by trading out less than A-grade players and still be able to accumulate enough points to match FOUR FIRST ROUND BIDS is absolutely insane.

They gave up Lukosius for Ports 2025 R1 Pick & Pies 2025 R1 pick, they then traded Flanders for 7, which they then sent to the Dees with Pick 8 (Ports Pick)to bank picks 24 & 28. That's the foundation of their trading to get those academy kids, then rest of the trades while being role players were necessary for them to.vank enough points and even then they had to effectively trade out of the 2026 draft to acquire the points they needed to match all 4 so far.

Yet people actually like they gave up the equivalent of Dow Sonsie KMac & Ryan, when they gave up 5 of their best 23 in the last 2 seasons, whether they were roles players or not they haven't just parted with scraps and got handed top picks, they have parted ways with players they preferably would have like to keep and if they did they certainly wouldn't have landed the kids they did last night.

 

[TJTIGER]

Anyone know how many Rookie spots we have?

Also as a side, Harry Scott, I'm not forgetting about him either. I think he turs 20 next year, seems to have really come on at RFC.

 

[Gabe251]

I think both teams would be happy and have filled big needs, you guys killed it also

I think Grilj will be the best player in the draft. I don’t believe the duursma hype. Cumming has massive upside, always worth a risk when they have that much potential. Sharp is better right now but I think what you see is what you get

 

[T4P]

They gave up Lukosius for Ports 2025 R1 Pick & Pies 2025 R1 pick, they then traded Flanders for 7, which they then sent to the Dees with Pick 8 (Ports Pick)to bank picks 24 & 28. That's the foundation of their trading to get those academy kids, then rest of the trades while being role players were necessary for them to.vank enough points and even then they had to effectively trade out of the 2026 draft to acquire the points they needed to match all 4 so far.

Yet people actually like they gave up the equivalent of Dow Sonsie KMac & Ryan, when they gave up 5 of their best 23 in the last 2 seasons, whether they were roles players or not they haven't just parted with scraps and got handed top picks, they have parted ways with players they preferably would have like to keep and if they did they certainly wouldn't have landed the kids they did last night.

Just because they wanted to keep them doesn't make it any less of a heavily subsidised deal. Every club would take those deals in a heartbeat

 

[We are back baby!]

3.118 actually which places him within your average range. Not to mention the other mitigating factors on the day. He’s not slow

He plays for Essendon ... He is slow

 

[dean33]

I must say I thought Taylor was a lock for us however after watching his interview on fox I can see why both essendon and we passed. Comes across as a huge w***er, sure it wont bel ong before May whacks him on preseason camp.
Very happy with the 2 we've taken, both look super talents along with being great characters.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

HRS will be nervous

Sonsie is shitting himself about coming up against either of them in one on one contested work at training

 

[prodigy]

They gave up Lukosius for Ports 2025 R1 Pick & Pies 2025 R1 pick, they then traded Flanders for 7, which they then sent to the Dees with Pick 8 (Ports Pick)to bank picks 24 & 28. That's the foundation of their trading to get those academy kids, then rest of the trades while being role players were necessary for them to.vank enough points and even then they had to effectively trade out of the 2026 draft to acquire the points they needed to match all 4 so far.

Yet people actually like they gave up the equivalent of Dow Sonsie KMac & Ryan, when they gave up 5 of their best 23 in the last 2 seasons, whether they were roles players or not they haven't just parted with scraps and got handed top picks, they have parted ways with players they preferably would have like to keep and if they did they certainly wouldn't have landed the kids they did last night.

I'm not going to get into this in any further depth as I've learned that you can never change people's minds on the Internet.
One last thing I'll say is, they were able to match bids on two top 5 picks and two further first round picks by trading out the bottom rung of their best 23 players to accumulate points. These players were undoubtedly going to be transitioned out of their team eventually through natural attrition.

They need to be giving up more equity of consequence to be able to bring in the quality that they are.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

I must say I thought Taylor was a lock for us however after watching his interview on fox I can see why both essendon and we passed. Comes across as a huge w***er, sure it wont bel ong before May whacks him on preseason camp.
Very happy with the 2 we've taken, both look super talents along with being great characters.

May ain’t there anymore. He’s been boned

 

[gotiges12345]

Phillipou or NHH surely

 

[Dr Tigris]

Phillipou or NHH surely

Pretty amazing that they are still there.

Not so shabby a draft after all.