Game Day 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Day Day Three - Rookie Day

[serial_thrilla]

 

[Ysaye]

I’m hoping we take at least one pick tomorrow. Still a couple of guys I like - BOB, Onley, Ainsworth for example. But who knows their plan.

As I said earlier in this thread, I wouldn’t have taken NHH. Inconsistent, without a definitive position. Bust written all over him. I also think Rodriguez is a solid player without any standout attribute, in fact his biggest selling point was probably just that he was from WA.

Onley would be a really good value rookie pick IMO.

Even though I feel the draft went as expected (lowest ever picks), I still feel for everyone that missed out; it's a tough business.

 

[serial_thrilla]

Man I wonder what happens when guys almost unanimously rated top 25 in mock drafts go undrafted

Greeves and NHH both got found out in interviews.

 

[eastfreo75]

Greaves and NHH both got found out in interviews.

Can you expand?

 

[Superkoops]

2 rookie spots opened up by losing Reidy and upgrading Sharp. We may be holding one open for Cox, if we want more train ons we either don’t pick tomorrow or we move Sturt to LTI list.

Forgetting Narkle.

3 picks left
Sharp (Upgraded) > Pick 11 (1 live pick)
Narkle (Retired) > SSP Ruck (Cox - 1 year only please)
Reidy (Traded) > SSP train on
Jones (Delisted) > Dudley

 

[King Huskii]

I’m hoping we take at least one pick tomorrow. Still a couple of guys I like - BOB, Onley, Ainsworth for example. But who knows their plan.

As I said earlier in this thread, I wouldn’t have taken NHH. Inconsistent, without a definitive position. Bust written all over him. I also think Rodriguez is a solid player without any standout attribute, in fact his biggest selling point was probably just that he was from WA.

Have you actually watched Fred play wafl?

His state games had him play against far stronger state sides with many mids running through and getting first touch through more dominant rucks and middle surroundings each other.

He had limited supply

He is worth a rookie spot. You are clearly underseling him.

 

[Tonga Bob]

Forgetting Narkle.

3 picks left
Sharp (Upgraded) > Pick 11 (1 live pick)
Narkle (Retired) > SSP Ruck (Cox - 1 year only please)
Reidy (Traded) > SSP train on
Jones (Delisted) > Dudley

Draper upgraded too.

 

[Tonga Bob]

 

[purplerunsdeep2]

I'm sure we have 3 rookies and Luke and Whan will be Cat B's?

 

[serial_thrilla]

Can you expand?

Greeves rumoured to have FIGJAM qualities.

 

[serial_thrilla]

I'm sure we have 3 rookies and Luke and Whan will be Cat B's?

Will be confirmed at midday tomorrow.

 

[Superkoops]

Draper upgraded too.

Cat-B rookie not Cat-A

Rookie draft that Sharp, Reidy and Narkle have left from is not the same as Draper.

Draper’s spot gets taken by Whan.

 

[Chris25]

Have you actually watched Fred play wafl?

His state games had him play against far stronger state sides with many mids running through and getting first touch through more dominant rucks and middle surroundings each other.

He had limited supply

He is worth a rookie spot. You are clearly underseling him.

Yep.

I’m not saying he isn’t worth a rookie spot. But parts of this board were saying we had to pick him with our first rounder. Admittedly saying being from WA is his best attribute was more a little dig at them. I think he’s a solid player who does a lot right, just not really anything elite.

 

[Docker82]

I'm sure we have 3 rookies and Luke and Whan will be Cat B's?

Yep that's 100% the case.

34 or 36 spots left on senior/rookie lists (not sure if North have extra spots still?). Ah Chee will go in the PSD tmr.

Don't there's anymore then 10-12 really taken tomorrow tbh. That's excluding the redrafted guys, father sons and Category B rookies.

 

[Docker82]

Forgetting Narkle.

3 picks left
Sharp (Upgraded) > Pick 11 (1 live pick)
Narkle (Retired) > SSP Ruck (Cox - 1 year only please)
Reidy (Traded) > SSP train on
Jones (Delisted) > Dudley

We'll have pick 9. Essendon and Western Bulldogs are done and have full lists.

90% sure Carlton pass too.

I think we'll take one player tomorrow but wouldn't be surprised if it's two.

We've generally passed one rookie draft pick the last few years. The train on spot has been there due to a long term injury, which we have again (Sturt).

 

[Ysaye]

Yep.

I’m not saying he isn’t worth a rookie spot. But parts of this board were saying we had to pick him with our first rounder. Admittedly saying being from WA is his best attribute was more a little dig at them. I think he’s a solid player who does a lot right, just not really anything elite.

If people look back at this thread and the number of people saying at some many points "no we are going to lose out on Whan and/or Fred damn the Eagles/Carlton/Hawthorn/etc." it would be kind of ridiculous in hindsight....that's what it felt like picking up this thread after work tbh.

 

[Tonga Bob]

Cat-B rookie not Cat-A

Rookie draft that Sharp, Reidy and Narkle have left from is not the same as Draper.

Draper’s spot gets taken by Whan.

Oh yeah that’s right. As you were

 

[Cobbler]

Ok - I’ve lost track. Someone break it down for me.

Who we grabbing in rookie draft?
Who can we just list?

Thanks

 

[apuchar]

Ok - I’ve lost track. Someone break it down for me.

Who we grabbing in rookie draft?
Who can we just list?

Thanks

Hopefully Rodrigez

Toby Whan and Ryder Luke we can just list on the Cat B.

 

[purplerunsdeep2]

And our 3 rookies tomorrow will likely be

Cox
?
Pass for SSP or mid season

 

[Dockeroo]

Yep.

I’m not saying he isn’t worth a rookie spot. But parts of this board were saying we had to pick him with our first rounder. Admittedly saying being from WA is his best attribute was more a little dig at them. I think he’s a solid player who does a lot right, just not really anything elite.

Said it a few days ago that if Fred was from oakleigh or Calder no one would have mentioned him on this board.

I’m delighted we have focused on selecting what we think is the best talent not someone from WA that a few nuffies got attached to during the year.

If we pick Fred in the rookie draft we obviously believe he’s the best kid still available. If we don’t, we won’t. That’s all I’m after from my clubs list manager.

It’s nothing personal against any WA player this year but there is clearly a perception from all 18 clubs that there is a poorer crop of talent from WA this year and we are (rightly) in the business of picking the best players for our club not the best players from WA.

 

[apuchar]

AFL Draft: Fremantle Dockers snare mature-age forward Tobyn Murray with first pick on night two
Mitchell Woodcock & Josh Kempton
The West Australian
Thu, 20 November 2025 5:47PM
Comments
Tobyn Murray is heading to the Dockers.
Tobyn Murray is heading to the Dockers. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Fremantle list boss David Walls says mature-age recruit Tobyn Murray has taken his game “to another level” this year after developing as a small forward.

It comes as Walls revealed that Next Generation Academy products Toby Whan and Ryda Luke would be added as category B rookies on Friday morning.

And Collingwood premiership ruckman [PLAYERCARD]Mason Cox[/PLAYERCARD] has agreed to a two-year deal to join the Dockers when the pre-season supplemental selection period opens on Monday after meeting with them on Thursday.


Murray was one of the shocks of the draft when the 20-year-old Geelong VFL forward was recruited by the Dockers with pick No.40.

It comes on the back of a 22-goal season in 17 VFL matches for the Cats, while his speed, power and endurance only enhancing his reputation.

“We’ve been watching him for a couple of years. He was more of a midfielder but has been at the Geelong VFL side for the last couple of years, he’s moved to a mid-forward role and taken his game to another level,” Walls told The West Australian.

“He’s super fit, a really strong build. Gets up and down the ground really well and took his game to another level this year.

The Game Cricket 2025
“He had some real breakout performances this year in the VFL, one against GWS when he kicked five goals and found a lot of the footy. With a good summer maybe he can push for selection.”

Tobyn Murray.
Tobyn Murray. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos
Walls said the Dockers would lodge the paperwork for South Fremantle pair Whan and Luke to land as Category-B rookies early on Friday.

And they have agreed to a deal for Cox, 34, who will reunite with coach [PLAYERCARD]Justin Longmuir[/PLAYERCARD] after the pair worked together at Collingwood.


“It was good for them to catch up and talk about the club, where he sees himself,” Walls said.

“He is keen and he’s coming over to play. He’s not coming over to sit down at Peel, so he’ll be having a massive crack.

“His durability has been unreal. He played 10 games this year including two finals for Collingwood. He’ll come over, be pushing to play and might ruffle a few feathers.”

It will leave the Dockers with two extra rookie spots, with one set to be left open over the summer for train-ons.

Charlie Banfield with father Drew.
analysisAFL
Why Eagles missed out on father-son prospect Banfield
Mitchell Woodcock

Tylah Williams celebrating with his family after being drafted.
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Fremantle’s recruiting department have had success targeting forwards with senior experience in recent years, including [PLAYERCARD]Sam Switkowski[/PLAYERCARD] and Lachie Schultz, who was traded to Collingwood in 2023.

Murray slotted 22 goals across 17 appearances with the Cats in the VFL last season, including a bag of five against Greater Western Sydney which drew the interest of recruiters.

He was still a regular feature for his local side Colac as recently as last year, when he won the Geelong Football Netball League’s rising star award.


Murray will join Adam Sweid — who Essendon opted not to match a bid on with pick 25 in the first round of the draft on Wednesday — in making the move west from Victoria to join the Dockers.

Earlier this year, Geelong’s VFL coach Mark Corrigan said Murray was “absolutely ready to be on an AFL list”.

“His physical attributes are through the roof in terms of his speed, his power and his aerobic capacity,” Corrigan told News Corp.

“He’s one of those rare kids who can cover 14, 15km a game and his high speed is unbelievable. He’s tough in the contest and he knows where the goals are.’’

 

[King Huskii]

Yep.

I’m not saying he isn’t worth a rookie spot. But parts of this board were saying we had to pick him with our first rounder. Admittedly saying being from WA is his best attribute was more a little dig at them. I think he’s a solid player who does a lot right, just not really anything elite.

Once the season unfolded there was very few who wanted him first pick we had.

He's definitely worth drafting and he's extremely driven.

 

[Alfonz]

Yep.

I’m not saying he isn’t worth a rookie spot. But parts of this board were saying we had to pick him with our first rounder. Admittedly saying being from WA is his best attribute was more a little dig at them. I think he’s a solid player who does a lot right, just not really anything elite.

I'm happy we went with the players we did, but your description of Rodriguez could apply to many players who were drafted. For example, I don't see why Carmichael, Addinsall, Prindable, Mikunda ... to pick out some 180-184cm mids ... are any better/worse than Fred. They're all just solid players with similar attributes.

I think Rodriguez would be viewed as an extreme flight risk as a Dockers fanatic and that made it harder for east coast teams to select him. We had other priorities and limited list spots. WC had picks too early for him and NGA kids to decide between.

 

[lint]

Do we just draft all the small forwards and pick up Neon Leon Kickett in the rookie draft tomorrow? Do a Brisbane and stack our forward line with electric smalls?

 

[gjn73]

AFL Draft: Fremantle Dockers snare mature-age forward Tobyn Murray with first pick on night two
Mitchell Woodcock & Josh Kempton
The West Australian
Thu, 20 November 2025 5:47PM
Comments
Tobyn Murray is heading to the Dockers.
Tobyn Murray is heading to the Dockers. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Fremantle list boss David Walls says mature-age recruit Tobyn Murray has taken his game “to another level” this year after developing as a small forward.

It comes as Walls revealed that Next Generation Academy products Toby Whan and Ryda Luke would be added as category B rookies on Friday morning.

And Collingwood premiership ruckman Mason Cox has agreed to a two-year deal to join the Dockers when the pre-season supplemental selection period opens on Monday after meeting with them on Thursday.


Murray was one of the shocks of the draft when the 20-year-old Geelong VFL forward was recruited by the Dockers with pick No.40.

It comes on the back of a 22-goal season in 17 VFL matches for the Cats, while his speed, power and endurance only enhancing his reputation.

“We’ve been watching him for a couple of years. He was more of a midfielder but has been at the Geelong VFL side for the last couple of years, he’s moved to a mid-forward role and taken his game to another level,” Walls told The West Australian.

“He’s super fit, a really strong build. Gets up and down the ground really well and took his game to another level this year.

The Game Cricket 2025
“He had some real breakout performances this year in the VFL, one against GWS when he kicked five goals and found a lot of the footy. With a good summer maybe he can push for selection.”

Tobyn Murray.
Tobyn Murray. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos
Walls said the Dockers would lodge the paperwork for South Fremantle pair Whan and Luke to land as Category-B rookies early on Friday.

And they have agreed to a deal for Cox, 34, who will reunite with coach Justin Longmuir after the pair worked together at Collingwood.


“It was good for them to catch up and talk about the club, where he sees himself,” Walls said.

“He is keen and he’s coming over to play. He’s not coming over to sit down at Peel, so he’ll be having a massive crack.

“His durability has been unreal. He played 10 games this year including two finals for Collingwood. He’ll come over, be pushing to play and might ruffle a few feathers.”

It will leave the Dockers with two extra rookie spots, with one set to be left open over the summer for train-ons.

Charlie Banfield with father Drew.
analysisAFL
Why Eagles missed out on father-son prospect Banfield
Mitchell Woodcock

Tylah Williams celebrating with his family after being drafted.
AFL
Williams eager to repay Eagles’ faith after being drafted
Mitchell Woodcock

Fremantle’s recruiting department have had success targeting forwards with senior experience in recent years, including Sam Switkowski and Lachie Schultz, who was traded to Collingwood in 2023.

Murray slotted 22 goals across 17 appearances with the Cats in the VFL last season, including a bag of five against Greater Western Sydney which drew the interest of recruiters.

He was still a regular feature for his local side Colac as recently as last year, when he won the Geelong Football Netball League’s rising star award.


Murray will join Adam Sweid — who Essendon opted not to match a bid on with pick 25 in the first round of the draft on Wednesday — in making the move west from Victoria to join the Dockers.

Earlier this year, Geelong’s VFL coach Mark Corrigan said Murray was “absolutely ready to be on an AFL list”.

“His physical attributes are through the roof in terms of his speed, his power and his aerobic capacity,” Corrigan told News Corp.

“He’s one of those rare kids who can cover 14, 15km a game and his high speed is unbelievable. He’s tough in the contest and he knows where the goals are.’’

Almost sounds like a winger