Resource 2025 AFL Draft prospects and discussion.

[Golumless]

Can we have guys who missed being drafted (ie Onley, Greaves) as train on players and take them as SSPs over the summer?

Yup, providing they get through the rookie draft (and considering how, uhh, shit this draft came off, they'd be a good chance to get through), they would be eligible as train on/SSPs.

 

[Carn The Texan]

Yup, providing they get through the rookie draft (and considering how, uhh, shit this draft came off, they'd be a good chance to get through), they would be eligible as train on/SSPs.

i asked this of Vader in another thread and he will almost certainly know but i might as well ask here, is there some advantage to us in terms of contract flexibility/length/cost etc to do it this way?

 

[Two Eight]

i asked this of Vader in another thread and he will almost certainly know but i might as well ask here, is there some advantage to us in terms of contract flexibility/length/cost etc to do it this way?

 

[Two Eight]

i asked this of Vader in another thread and he will almost certainly know but i might as well ask here, is there some advantage to us in terms of contract flexibility/length/cost etc to do it this way?

Maybe the club needs to get a closer look at prospects they are unsure of or compare two closely matched young players before taking one as SSP.

 

[Mutineer]

Maybe the club needs to get a closer look at prospects they are unsure of or compare two closely matched young players before taking one as SSP.

Or maybe an AFL delisted midfielder or a State League midfielder?

 

[Golumless]

i asked this of Vader in another thread and he will almost certainly know but i might as well ask here, is there some advantage to us in terms of contract flexibility/length/cost etc to do it this way?

By memory, SSP picks are under the same contract terms as rookie picks. The big thing would just be that you get to see a player for a couple of weeks at training to see how they compare to your squad, instead of relying on U18s/state football and guessing.

 

[Mutineer]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-2025-every-clubs-haul-verdicts-on-new-talent/news-story/f736191c33d2b3f57310d55d1c92f9a5

​

​

EVERY CLUB'S DRAFT HAULS AND VERDICTS​

ADELAIDE


22. MITCH MARSH 192cm, Key Fwd, West Adelaide/Kangarilla
50. ARCHIE LUDOWYKE 197cm, Key Fwd, Sandringham Dragons/East Sandringham
MATTHEW FORREST’S VERDICT: Life after Taylor Walker

13

Taylor Walker

Age

35

Ht

192cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.7

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

8.0

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

1.6

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.6

5star

has become clearer, with the Crows taking two players – both key forwards. But Marsh and Ludowyke are very different, with Marsh a more mobile, between-the-arcs tall while Ludowyke can start in the goal square

LOL

PORT ADELAIDE


Nil
Port Adelaide became the first team in AFL Draft history to leave the draft without taking a pick – the Power plan to upgrade three rookies onto the senior list.

 

[BRL121]

i asked this of Vader in another thread and he will almost certainly know but i might as well ask here, is there some advantage to us in terms of contract flexibility/length/cost etc to do it this way?

I think I read yesterday that their contract doesn't come off the salary cap if it's the standard minimum contract. >$100K, it comes off. So, yes.

 

[Mutineer]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/code-sports-afl-draft-dossier-power-rankings-profiles-and-stats-on-2025s-top-100-prospects/news-story/87670ba047ff011d1a141b994bcac21e?utm_source=HeraldSun&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editorial&utm_content=HS_FRONT-PAGE_CUR_01&net_sub_id=520224613&type=curated_collection&position=4

Every top prospect still available in the 2025 AFL Rookie Draft​

The national draft is over for another year and with only 60 players taken there’s still an immense amount of elite talent that could still get picked up. Get the latest on all the top prospects.

UNLUCKY PROSPECTS WHO DESERVE ROOKIE CHANCE​

OLLIE GREEVES

Draft ranking: 15

The stiffest of the bunch by some margin, Greeves was viewed as a potential top-10 selection at stages and a likely first-round pick throughout most of the year, but didn’t hear his name called. Greeves was Vic Metro’s MVP, averaging 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions and just under a goal per game. However, the 191cm midfielder’s workrate and endurance was put under the microscope by AFL clubs, so much so that he ran an individual 2km time trial on the eve of the draft (a solid time of 6min 47seconds). In the Ranges preliminary final win, Greeves registered 35 disposals, 14 marks, four goals and 219 SuperCoach points. Would be an absolute steal as a rookie.

NOAH HIBBINS-HARGREAVES

Draft ranking: 21

Hibbins-Hargreaves is a matchwinnner at his best, as he showed in his stunning display against WA at the national championships where he kicked four goals from all angles. He also bagged five goals and had 29 disposals late in the season for the Dandenong Stingrays. But the mercurial AFL Academy forward had an up and down year in the eyes of clubs and was left on the board. Worth a crack for any side after a low risk punt with massive upside.

LIAM HETHERTON

Draft ranking: 38

A lack of exposure hurt Hetherton, but the Murray Bushrangers big man bagged 11 goals in three games playing through a stress fracture in his back. In the last of those games he was at around 50 per cent. The 198cm prospect told this masthead it was “sickening” watching his teammates shine at the national championships while he remained sidelined. Was interviewed by close to every club and is another worthy of a shot.

FRED RODRIGUEZ

Draft ranking: 47

Western Australia’s top prospect entering the year, Rodriguez finished the national championships as an All-Australian and as his state’s most valuable player. It wasn’t enough to see him land on an AFL list. While there are some concerns over his speed and his lack of standout attributes, he is a low-risk option who will work his backside off.

RILEY ONLEY

Draft ranking: 35

195cm midfielders with blistering speed and a soaring leap don’t grow on trees. Onley didn’t test at the national combine, but recorded a 2.884 second 20m sprint, 75cm in the standing vertical jump, and 98cm in the running vertical jump, results that would have seen him place second nationally for every test. After an indifferent start to the season, Onley peaked at the right time at the national championships, averaging 23 disposals and seven score involvements for Vic Country on the way to an equal-fifth finish in the Larke Medal voting and All-Australian recognition.

TOM BURTON

Draft ranking: 45

Burton averaged a whopping 150 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals (ranked second in the competition) and seven clearances in a struggling Western Jets side this year. The AFL Academy graduate also showed promise down back for Vic Metro and ran the fifth-best 20m sprint at the national combine.

MARCUS KRASNADAMSKIS

Pegged as a draft bolter who was in the mix for the Western Bulldogs’ second pick on night two, Krasnadamskis missed out in the national draft. The mobile 201cm ruck featured for Victoria’s under-18 basketball side in Shanghai last August, and showed his athletic gifts in the back-half of the season with the Eastern Ranges.

LEON KICKETT

Another predicted bolter turned draft slider, Kickett shot onto the radar of AFL clubs late in the season after the x-factor small forward turned heads in the WAFL Colts as an over-ager. So much so that he was flown over for the national combine, the first time he had been on an aeroplane in his life. The nephew of former Roo, Bomber and Swan Derek, Kickett also has plenty of tricks and made his WAFL debut later in the season for Swan Districts.

RORY WRIGHT

Draft ranking: 49

It was a surprise to see Wright receive a state combine invite. Wright went on to star for the Sandringham Dragons during their finals run, including 22 disposals and 10 intercepts in the Talent League grand final. Recruiters have queried Wright’s speed, but they did the same with Archie Roberts in his draft year and look at him now. The halfback’s intercepting and penetrating left boot are nice assets, and he also caught the eye in the midfield this season.

BLAKE OUDSHOORN-BENNIER

A powerful midfielder-forward from North Adelaide, Oudshoorn-Bennier won the SANFL under-18 best-and-fairest in a four-way tie as a bottom-age player in 2024 and continued to play some strong footy this year as a top-ager, including at senior level. He brings burst from stoppage, agility and raking kick which catches the eye.

TOM MCGUANE

A Collingwood father-son prospect, the Magpies chose not to nominate the Western Jets midfielder in the national draft but left the door open to the rookie draft. They are set to have just one pick in the rookie draft, though, and also have another NGA prospect available in Jai Saxena. McGuane clearly showed some AFL traits this year, especially with his early-season form through the midfield for the Western Jets and his running ability which he put on show during the AFL draft combine.

TAJ MURRAY

There were hopes that the Northern Territory could have a rare national draft pick after athletic tall Murray starred for South Australia in the first game of the under-18 national championships. The 201cm ruck-forward racked up 11 disposals, 15 hitouts and kicked four goals. But Murray was struck down by illness after that first game and then had an injury which saw him miss testing at the national draft combine in October.

 

[Bayno82]

With keeping the spare list spot can they potentially steal George Stevens then before Geelong? Although they never really showed interest!

 

[Redleg Crow]

Reading draft threads about all the hopes and upside and remembering that Edwards and Ryan have yet to get a game…

 

[Redleg Crow]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/code-sports-afl-draft-dossier-power-rankings-profiles-and-stats-on-2025s-top-100-prospects/news-story/87670ba047ff011d1a141b994bcac21e?utm_source=HeraldSun&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editorial&utm_content=HS_FRONT-PAGE_CUR_01&net_sub_id=520224613&type=curated_collection&position=4

Every top prospect still available in the 2025 AFL Rookie Draft​

The national draft is over for another year and with only 60 players taken there’s still an immense amount of elite talent that could still get picked up. Get the latest on all the top prospects.

UNLUCKY PROSPECTS WHO DESERVE ROOKIE CHANCE​

OLLIE GREEVES

Draft ranking: 15

The stiffest of the bunch by some margin, Greeves was viewed as a potential top-10 selection at stages and a likely first-round pick throughout most of the year, but didn’t hear his name called. Greeves was Vic Metro’s MVP, averaging 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions and just under a goal per game. However, the 191cm midfielder’s workrate and endurance was put under the microscope by AFL clubs, so much so that he ran an individual 2km time trial on the eve of the draft (a solid time of 6min 47seconds). In the Ranges preliminary final win, Greeves registered 35 disposals, 14 marks, four goals and 219 SuperCoach points. Would be an absolute steal as a rookie.

NOAH HIBBINS-HARGREAVES

Draft ranking: 21

Hibbins-Hargreaves is a matchwinnner at his best, as he showed in his stunning display against WA at the national championships where he kicked four goals from all angles. He also bagged five goals and had 29 disposals late in the season for the Dandenong Stingrays. But the mercurial AFL Academy forward had an up and down year in the eyes of clubs and was left on the board. Worth a crack for any side after a low risk punt with massive upside.

LIAM HETHERTON

Draft ranking: 38

A lack of exposure hurt Hetherton, but the Murray Bushrangers big man bagged 11 goals in three games playing through a stress fracture in his back. In the last of those games he was at around 50 per cent. The 198cm prospect told this masthead it was “sickening” watching his teammates shine at the national championships while he remained sidelined. Was interviewed by close to every club and is another worthy of a shot.

FRED RODRIGUEZ

Draft ranking: 47

Western Australia’s top prospect entering the year, Rodriguez finished the national championships as an All-Australian and as his state’s most valuable player. It wasn’t enough to see him land on an AFL list. While there are some concerns over his speed and his lack of standout attributes, he is a low-risk option who will work his backside off.

RILEY ONLEY

Draft ranking: 35

195cm midfielders with blistering speed and a soaring leap don’t grow on trees. Onley didn’t test at the national combine, but recorded a 2.884 second 20m sprint, 75cm in the standing vertical jump, and 98cm in the running vertical jump, results that would have seen him place second nationally for every test. After an indifferent start to the season, Onley peaked at the right time at the national championships, averaging 23 disposals and seven score involvements for Vic Country on the way to an equal-fifth finish in the Larke Medal voting and All-Australian recognition.

TOM BURTON

Draft ranking: 45

Burton averaged a whopping 150 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals (ranked second in the competition) and seven clearances in a struggling Western Jets side this year. The AFL Academy graduate also showed promise down back for Vic Metro and ran the fifth-best 20m sprint at the national combine.

MARCUS KRASNADAMSKIS

Pegged as a draft bolter who was in the mix for the Western Bulldogs’ second pick on night two, Krasnadamskis missed out in the national draft. The mobile 201cm ruck featured for Victoria’s under-18 basketball side in Shanghai last August, and showed his athletic gifts in the back-half of the season with the Eastern Ranges.

LEON KICKETT

Another predicted bolter turned draft slider, Kickett shot onto the radar of AFL clubs late in the season after the x-factor small forward turned heads in the WAFL Colts as an over-ager. So much so that he was flown over for the national combine, the first time he had been on an aeroplane in his life. The nephew of former Roo, Bomber and Swan Derek, Kickett also has plenty of tricks and made his WAFL debut later in the season for Swan Districts.

RORY WRIGHT

Draft ranking: 49

It was a surprise to see Wright receive a state combine invite. Wright went on to star for the Sandringham Dragons during their finals run, including 22 disposals and 10 intercepts in the Talent League grand final. Recruiters have queried Wright’s speed, but they did the same with Archie Roberts in his draft year and look at him now. The halfback’s intercepting and penetrating left boot are nice assets, and he also caught the eye in the midfield this season.

BLAKE OUDSHOORN-BENNIER

A powerful midfielder-forward from North Adelaide, Oudshoorn-Bennier won the SANFL under-18 best-and-fairest in a four-way tie as a bottom-age player in 2024 and continued to play some strong footy this year as a top-ager, including at senior level. He brings burst from stoppage, agility and raking kick which catches the eye.

TOM MCGUANE

A Collingwood father-son prospect, the Magpies chose not to nominate the Western Jets midfielder in the national draft but left the door open to the rookie draft. They are set to have just one pick in the rookie draft, though, and also have another NGA prospect available in Jai Saxena. McGuane clearly showed some AFL traits this year, especially with his early-season form through the midfield for the Western Jets and his running ability which he put on show during the AFL draft combine.

TAJ MURRAY

There were hopes that the Northern Territory could have a rare national draft pick after athletic tall Murray starred for South Australia in the first game of the under-18 national championships. The 201cm ruck-forward racked up 11 disposals, 15 hitouts and kicked four goals. But Murray was struck down by illness after that first game and then had an injury which saw him miss testing at the national draft combine in October.

Christ it’s a tough road. Must be gutting for the kids to be rated so highly and then… nothing.

 

[Scorpus]

Can't wait to read how the "draft winners" are those with lots of high picks

 

[DJ75]

Christ it’s a tough road. Must be gutting for the kids to be rated so highly and then… nothing.

Brutal. A lot of these kids would read all the social media and ranking stuff and have thought themselves future stars. Add in coaches, teammates, family and friends all telling them the same and then....Bang. Gone. Humiliation.
Really tough.

 

[I Lost My Keays]

kickett would be a nice option for a rookie spot or Onley

 

[DJ75]

Can't wait to read how the "draft winners" are those with lots of high picks

Thanks to their dishonesty and willingness to cheat as much as possible, Port had zero picks and yet still won this draft period.

 

[jackster83]

Can't wait to read how the "draft winners" are those with lots of high picks

Essendon have won the draft and trade period for about 20 years running.

 

[Wouldbetackler]

Yeah how so?

Only our 2nd he might mean?

Phew, goes off finals ladder position.

 

[Carn The Texan]

Brutal. A lot of these kids would read all the social media and ranking stuff and have thought themselves future stars. Add in coaches, teammates, family and friends all telling them the same and then....Bang. Gone. Humiliation.
Really tough.

Interestingly in this day and age with a lot more emphasis on rookie picks and mid season picks I think it is easier than ever for them to knuckle down and come back in the future. They need good mentors and advice and a framework to show they have what it takes. No shortage of good stories in the AFL at every club about guys who build hugely successful careers despite missing draft.

 

[Crow till I die]

Brutal. A lot of these kids would read all the social media and ranking stuff and have thought themselves future stars. Add in coaches, teammates, family and friends all telling them the same and then....Bang. Gone. Humiliation.
Really tough.

The one saving grace is that as time has gone on, clubs are more open to taking mature age players so the lads that don;t make it in their U18 year if they can really kick on in the state leagues may still find their way onto a list..its a longshot but its still a thing that happens now with the mid season draft etc.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Tyler Welsh better see the writing on the wall. He's gonna need to absolutely pull his finger out to have a chance next year.

I am about 15 pages behind at the moment and playing catch up, so apologies if this has already been mentioned, but does this draft period change the dial in regards to a guaranteed rookie deal?

Is he surplus to requirements now?

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Such a strange decision going after Maley?

Unless they seem him as more of a ruck?

 

[Scorpus]

I am about 15 pages behind at the moment and playing catch up, so apologies if this has already been mentioned, but does this draft period change the dial in regards to a guaranteed rookie deal?

Is he surplus to requirements now?

I'd delist him fully and put him through the SSP process. Free up two spots for train on players and if Welsh performs, he's back on the list

 

[Mutineer]

Christ it’s a tough road. Must be gutting for the kids to be rated so highly and then… nothing.

I'd be almost certain of that group Liam Hetherton will be invited back to the Murray Bushrangers program as an overager if he misses out on a rookie spot given he only got to play the 1st 3 rounds of the Coates Talent League (11 goals) in an average Bushies 2025 team before stress fractures in his back ended his season. IMO he's every bit as good as Ludowyke just didn't get a crack this season after a very impressive underage year. I'm tipping he'll be back at the Bushies and light up the 2026 Coates Talent League and the Nationals as an overager if he doesn't land a rookie opportunity.

 

[Golumless]

I am about 15 pages behind at the moment and playing catch up, so apologies if this has already been mentioned, but does this draft period change the dial in regards to a guaranteed rookie deal?

Is he surplus to requirements now?

Yes, but we'll select him, because we want other players to trust the club when we ask to delist and reselect them in the rookie draft.