List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - Draft Analysis

[Danog]

When the late mail phantom due?

10:20pm on Wednesday

 

[Shogun]

Keep in mind Robey will grow to 194cm, and is a very strong mark and good on the lead. He could easily become a Cam Rayner type hybrid marking forward who ends up more predominantly forward, to complement the less agile Faull and Armstrong.

That’s a fair point. If Robey reaches 194 cm with the same leading patterns and aerial presence he has shown in patches, he becomes a different level of prospect. The hybrid forward role you are outlining is something Richmond have lacked. A Rayner style power mover who can hit up at the ball, crash a contest, then still be agile enough at ground level would complement Faull and Armstrong well, who project more as straight line marking targets.

My hesitation is only about sample size. The traits are there and the growth profile makes sense, but we are projecting more than we usually do with our first selection. Dyson Sharp has the runs on the board across multiple environments and looks ready sooner, but if Hartley sees genuine long term upside in Robey’s athletic development profile, then it fits the direction the list is heading. I can see the logic behind taking a swing on that type of player even if the exposed form is lighter.

Both arguments have merit. It just comes down to how confident Richmond are in the projection data and the character profile behind the scenes.

 

[beema limapep]

Robey and Cumming the late news

 

[Groupie_]

Carlton fan's melting

tweet doesnt make sense

 

[lizard man]

We will trade 3 and 4 to get pick 1 and take duursma

 

[Karp3_dm]

We will trade 3 and 4 to get pick 1 and take duursma

 

[Cotchy9]

Been watching Sam Cumming tapes the last half hour and hard not to get excited. Looks a genuine gun. Big roosting goals. Bit of an awkward kicking style but hits the target. Looks like he has a good leap and good pace . Ticks a heap of boxes

 

[Groupie_]

2 essendoom fans

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Keep in mind Robey will grow to 194cm, and is a very strong mark and good on the lead. He could easily become a Cam Rayner type hybrid marking forward who ends up more predominantly forward, to complement the less agile Faull and Armstrong.

Robey only just turned 18 (October birthdate) ,
And late to the elite junior development system.
Who knows how much growth he has left in him ( vertically and football development)

 

[Karp3_dm]

Robey only just turned 18 (October birthdate) ,
And late to the elite junior development system.
Who knows how much growth he has left in him ( vertically and football development)

worried he’s a right footed Cumbo Groupie_

 

[Truetiger]

 

[tigerdan]

So, if we do end up taking Robey & Cumming, which current Richmond mids need to start getting worried?

Hopper?

He can play back flank, as obviously there's a spot going there.

 

[tigs2010]

This was the moment I thought we were no hope of getting him anymore haha.

Was pre-Robeycop

 

[dean33]

Cal Twomey's 2025 Phantom Draft: Top 30, late picks, whispers - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1453760

Congratulations! I'll have LOTF deliver your prize asap.

 

[Disco_Stu]

X.Taylor to Essendrugs.

Then they’ll delist him ala Houli in 2029

We pick him up and three flags, with Cummy and Robey.

 

[Muddiemoose]

View attachment 2478943

Do it you coward!

 

[Truetiger]

Do it you coward!

lol so tempting for the laughs

 

[Muddiemoose]

Just asked chat GTP, looks like the early Kellaway bid is still definitely in play

Watch this space

Based on the above, here are a few players linked (by analysts) to Richmond, and why they make sense:

1. Sullivan Robey
   • Who is he? A 192 cm forward/mid from Eastern Ranges. ﹣ Reading the Play links him to Richmond in their phantom draft. Reading the Play
   • Why Richmond might pick him: He offers size, contested power, and versatility (can play forward andthrough the midfield), which suits Richmond’s desire for a “powerful forward-midfield hybrid” who can both win in stoppages and split lines. Reading the Play
   • Upside: High athletic upside + size makes him a potential “X-factor” type — not just a pure forward.
2. Sam Grlj
   • Who is he? A quick, outside-running midfielder from the Oakleigh Chargers. Zero Hanger
   • Why Richmond might pick him: He brings the “outside run” Richmond lacks. According to recruitment analysis, Grlj’s speed and burst could add dimension to their midfield, offering a more modern link-man or wing/half-back runner. Zero Hanger
   • Considerations: He’s maybe more of a long-term project; some argue his kicking or decision-making could be a question mark, but his athletic profile is attractive. ﹣ (Note: some fan debate about this) Reddit
3. Louis Kellaway
   • Who is he? Son of Duncan Kellaway
     Duncan Kellaway

     Age

     52

     Ht

     186cm

     Wt

     85kg

     Pos.

     D/M

     Career

     Season

     Last 5

     D

     14.6

     4star

     K

     7.8

     3star

     HB

     6.8

     4star

     M

     3.2

     3star

     T

     3.1

     5star

     No current season stats available

     D

     21.6

     5star

     K

     12.6

     5star

     HB

     9.0

     5star

     M

     4.6

     5star

     T

     2.4

     4star

     ; plays for Sturt (SA) and has shown versatility across half-back, midfield, and forward lines in his junior level. Zero Hanger+1
   • Why Richmond might pick him: He’s linked strongly to Richmond (father-son potential), and his composure, ball use, and decision-making could provide them with a multi-line option — someone who can defend, deliver the ball, or even rotate forward. Zero Hanger
   • Fit: Because he’s not purely a contested mid or key tall, he gives Richmond flexibility — which is valuable when you're building or rebalancing a list
     Putting it all together:
     
     • With two very early picks, Richmond is unlikely to “reach” too far down the board — they’ll probably use both on high-upside top-10 (or near top-5) talent.
     • I think their two picks will likely split roles:
       • One will go to a high-upside contested / size player (like Sullivan Robey) — someone who can be a monster in stoppages or forward.
       • The other will go to a running, line-breaking type (like Sam Grlj) or a utility/multi-line player like Louis Kellaway, giving them future flexibility

 

[Groupie_]

This was the moment I thought we were no hope of getting him anymore haha.

Was pre-Robeycop

am I watching hopper

 

[THE_GUN]

worried he’s a right footed Cumbo Groupie_

Nah nothing alike
This kid is big and strong as well as his kicking for goal is great

He also doesnt have a PTSD

 

[columbianfit]

I still think Taylor is who we really want and we are psy-opping Essendon into thinking we will take Robey and splitting with us so we can take Taylor and nab an extra pick

 

[living_in_syd]

Not impressed by cumming tbh. Not sure why not considering sharp hes the safest pick. Gotta nail some meat and bone mids

 

[Wrenny]

F: Alger Armstrong Lalor
HF: Robey Faull Kickett
C: Retschko Smillie Campbell
HB: Trainor Gibcus Banks
B: Brown Balta Gray
Foll: Sims Cumming Hotton
Int: Smith Kellaway McAuliffe MRJ

 

[Groupie_]

F: Alger Armstrong Lalor
HF: Robey Faull Kickett
C: Retschko Smillie Campbell
HB: Trainor Gibcus Banks
B: Brown Balta Gray
Foll: Sims Cumming Hotton
Int: Smith Kellaway McAuliffe MRJ

 

[bigstyletiger]

I like the look of Sullivan Robey, and I can absolutely see why Cal has connected us to him, but I’m a little cautious because the body of work isn’t as deep as what someone like Dyson Sharp has produced. Robey’s ceiling is high and the traits are obvious, but the floor is lower and that always carries some risk, especially at our current stage of the list cycle.





Richmond traditionally keep things very tight around draft time, so I do wonder whether this is genuine interest or just the usual smoke and mirrors. That said, I trust Blair Hartley’s eye for character and projection. If the club sees the tools translating, you back their judgement, because the talent ID history is strong.





Part of me wonders if this is the continuation of the Chris Toce legacy of backing upside and development over the safer, more exposed junior. I’m not against the Robey pick at all, but there’s a valid argument that someone more proven could help stabilise the list sooner.





Happy to be proven wrong, but those are the dynamics I’m weighing up.

We are in the business of winning flags not scraping into the 8. Lalor, Hotton, Robey and Cumming has the potential to be one of the most damaging midfields in the game.