Player Watch 2025 AFL Draft Thread (Welcome to our new Central Districts overlords!)

[sohsam]

For every Buddy there's 10 Mitch Thorps.

Even in the US where athletes play for the individual a lot more than team, there's still a focus on recruiting good team players (ignoring the show and carry on when they win etc).

apparently smaller type of players like small forwards, outside runners are easier to judge, you get what you see, like N Watson, do most people think what we got is what we saw before drafting him? versus DGB, a bust. I am not sure whether we are better off or worse off with the pick swap, giving up picks 9,31, 42 and 43 and getting pick 10, 22. It all depends whether you nail your picks, every year we say we need 3-4 replacement, so if you nail your 4 picks is obviously better than just two. I still suspect most people given the choice will prefer to be higher up the ladder. Interesting read today re Emmett a possible No 1 and now could go in 30s or 40s.

 

[sohsam]

Unlike you to be a Debbie downer Davo, I’m hoping you are terribly wrong and we get a couple of good kids this year and with our next two firsts and HH wins the Brownlow, or a Normie in a wining grand final, at minimum AA. Glass half full and all that. Just so I can stick to my Lessingdon mates.

absolutely, I am probably over optimistic, thinking our recruitment team are far superior than others and with multiple picks in 30s or 40s can do better than others early on, reality is higher chance of picking up a good player, higher up, I get it. I think is more the excitement of picking up sliders, those that start of year were supposed to be top 10 with picks 30s and 40s and seeing them hopefully become even better than top 10 players, it is rare I suppose, we will do best we can with our two first rounders.

 

[sohsam]

The thread keeps talking about a Worpel replacement. Most midfielders will not be able to play that role in first or second year - so its more likely a like for like is 3 years away.
Would Maginess be able to play Worpels role? He is also bigger faster and Versatile. He doesnt nessary have the same footy IQ. It could be that Mckenzie and Maginess come in and create a different midfield way to work, that could be better?? We are i the unknown on how Mitch will want to setup the midfield and rotations.

That is a long time away, how long did it take for N Watson to play? they were saying Sharp is afl ready, 3 years sounds like time you wait for full forward or back, even then hoping a couple of years. that is advantage of bringing in mature players like we did with puopolo and I Smith, not sure whether any around to meet our current needs.

 

[JD1992]

That is a long time away, how long did it take for N Watson to play? they were saying Sharp is afl ready, 3 years sounds like time you wait for full forward or back, even then hoping a couple of years. that is advantage of bringing in mature players like we did with puopolo and I Smith, not sure whether any around to meet our current needs.

Yes but he wasnt playing an inside clearance position. Very few inside clearance mids start that way - that is Worpels primary role. Matt Rowell did start that way, but had impact injuries early. Other midfielders who have instant impact are not inside bulls, N Daicos, S Walsh, Noah Anderson, even Will Ashcroft, dont take those roles. We were talking a like for like.

N Watson, plays a comletely different role to an inside clearance player.
I am not saying 1st year players cant impact it is certain roles you need a body to mature to have consistant impact. Key forward, ruck, inside mid are those roles.

 

[TheFourPillars]

I still feel like we used this approach in 2021. We basically had our choice of Ward, Gibcus and Amiss.

We'd just drafted DGB, so Gibcus didnt feel right.
Amiss was a good shout, however, our midfield was DIRE at that point. We didnt know what Newcombe was about to develop in to at that time, and aside maybe from Finn, we didn't have any other young mids to put our hope into.

We HAD to draft Ward.

Ward was rated where we picked him up. Given his psych and athletic profile we were always picking him

 

[Rowie6]

The draft is generally used for the future. Just remember that

The future is long looking bright then.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The thread keeps talking about a Worpel replacement. Most midfielders will not be able to play that role in first or second year - so its more likely a like for like is 3 years away.
Would Maginess be able to play Worpels role? He is also bigger faster and Versatile. He doesnt nessary have the same footy IQ. It could be that Mckenzie and Maginess come in and create a different midfield way to work, that could be better?? We are i the unknown on how Mitch will want to setup the midfield and rotations.

Anderson has been told that there is opportunity for him in 2026.

Seems the most like for like Worpel players on the list to my eyes too.

 

[eldorado]

Anderson has been told that there is opportunity for him in 2026.

Seems the most like for like Worpel players on the list to my eyes too.

Man, I'd forgotten about him as an option...

Definitely most like-for-like as well...for better or worse...

 

[DrAbs]

"Draft best available." There are fine margins between a large group of the top draftees.

Say two standout talents are available to us at pick 13 - one of which is rated 8.2 on my imaginary talent scale, but plays in a position we are stocked in, whilst the second is rated 8.1, but plays in an area of the field we need to address. Which player are we taking?

Okay, I'll refine that. Best available in positions of interest. Of course if it came down to that, I would take the 8.1 player. But also the position of the list at the moment justifies adding the best talent across any line. E.g. we got KPDs via trade last year and also Mraz, but now we just let Frost & Serong go and turned McCabe into a forward. Now I wouldn't use this to justify selecting Xavier Taylor with our first pick, especially if there are still others around the mark we still rate (i.e. Cumming, Grlj, Farrow). Not sure how y'all would rank these players, but Cal's Phantom Draft has Taylor ranked higher than the latter 3. In short, I would certainly consider replenishing the KPP stocks, but not with the first pick.

 

[Atch]

Man, I'd forgotten about him as an option...

Definitely most like-for-like as well...for better or worse...

How can you forget.....The Beast From The East!

 

[Big Hotdog]

How can you forget.....The Beast From The East!

Hits it hard... just needs a motor

 

[Dr.J]

A motor and improved foot skills

The decision making is fine it’s just the execution that can let him down
Especially after repeat efforts

 

[Atch]

A motor and improved foot skills

The decision making is fine it’s just the execution that can let him down
Especially after repeat efforts

That'd should logically be improved in an AFL environment.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Our KP options are through the roof.
Barras
Battle
Sicily
Scrimshaw
Mraz
Blanck
Lewis
Dear
Chol
Ramsden
Gunston
McCabe
Not many, if any clubs have this many options. We're all good for a long time to come in this all important area.
A utility who can both play across half frwd and wing/ mid who's clever with footy smarts and a good ball user from half back and move into the midfield in time would be great fits.
This is why taking a punt on NHH, jevan, Farrow, Marsh types will be good for us.
IF Grjl isn't available at our pick.
This onley kid can run, didn't know that, big 195 cm Mid projected top ten at start of the year. Interesting option as well.

 

[Dewnior]

I don't get the love with Farrow for our 1st pick. Looks like a poor man's Scrimshaw.

fwiw I've always wanted to see how Scrim would go as a mid but I assume he just doesn't have the tank otherwise it would have been done by now.

 

[Rowie6]

I don't get the love with Farrow for our 1st pick. Looks like a poor man's Scrimshaw.

fwiw I've always wanted to see how Scrim would go as a mid but I assume he just doesn't have the tank otherwise it would have been done by now.

Yeah I was on Farrow but gone off him a tad.
I think I would prefer The Poo , Oskar Taylor, Harley Barker or NHH.
As I don’t think Cummings or The Sizzler will get to our pick.

 

[Alite]

Phantom Draft 2025

1 - WEST COAST - Willem Duursma
2 - GOLD COAST - Zeke Uwland (Bid Matched)
3 - WEST COAST - Cooper Duff-Tytler
4 - BRISBANE - Daniel Annable (Bid Matched)
5 - CARLTON - Harry Dean (Bid Matched)
6 - RICHMOND - Sullivan Robey
7 - RICHMOND - Xavier Taylor
8 - GOLD COAST - Dylan Patterson
9 - ESSENDON - Sam Cumming
10 - ESSENDON - Dyson Sharp
11 - MELBOURNE - Sam Grlj
12 - MELBOURNE - Jacob Farrow
13 - HAWTHORN - Josh Lindsay
14 - GWS - Oskar Taylor
15 - WEST COAST - Aidan Schubert
16 - WESTERN BULLDOGS - Lachlan Dovaston
17 - ADELAIDE - Jevan Phillipou
18 - GEELONG - Harley Barker
19 - ESSENDON - Adam Sweid (Bid Matched)
20 - GOLD COAST - Beau Addinsall (Bid Matched)
21 - FREMANTLE - Latrelle Pickett
22 - HAWTHORN - Mitch Marsh
23 - SYDNEY - Harry Kyle (Bid Matched)
24 - SYDNEY - Lachlan Carmichael (Bid Matched)
25 - NORTH MELBOURNE - Matthew LeRay
26 - NORTH MELBOURNE - Max Kondogiannis
27 - ESSENDON - Rory Wright
28 - CARLTON (Dean match) - Archie Ludowyke
29 - ESSENDON - Hussein El Achkar
30 - WEST COAST - Tylah Williams (Bid Matched)
31 - WESTERN BULLDOGS - Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves
32 - SYDNEY - Max King (Bid Matched)
33 - GWS - Cameron Nairn
34 - CARLTON - Jack Ison (Bid Matched)
35 - MELBOURNE - Oliver Greeves
36 - COLLINGWOOD - Zac McCarthy (Bid Matched
37 - RICHMOND - Louis Emmett
38 - GEELONG - Hugo Mikunda
39 - WEST COAST - Charlie Banfield (Crows would bid)
40 - GOLD COAST - Jai Murray (Bid matched)
41 - COLLINGWOOD - Blake Thredgold
42 - ST KILDA - Kye Fincher (Bid Matched)
43 - NORTH MELBOURNE - Jack Dalton
44 - GEELONG - Jesse Mellor (Bid matched)
45 - GOLD COAST - Koby Coulson (Bid Matched)
46 - FREMANTLE - Talor Byrne
47 - ADELAIDE - Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
48 - PORT ADELAIDE - Zane Peucker
49 - BRISBANE - Fergus McFadyen
50 - COLLINGWOOD - Fred Rodriguez
51 - BRISBANE - Tyan Prindable
52 - COLLINGWOOD - Sam Swadling
53 - HAWTHORN - Riley Onley


Rookie Draft and Pre-Season Draft

GOLD COAST - Leon Kickett
ADELAIDE - Callum Ah Chee


WEST COAST - Hunter Holmes
RICHMOND- Louis Kellaway
MELBOURNE - Kalani White
PORT ADELAIDE - Cody Curtin
ST KILDA- Zac Harding
WESTERN BULLDOGS - Will Darcy
FREMANTLE - Oskar Ainsworth
COLLINGWOOD- Thomas McGuane
HAWTHORN - Tom Burton
ADELAIDE - Mitchell Stevens

WEST COAST- Koby Evans
ST KILDA- Avery Thomas
FREMANTLE- Marcus Krasnadamskis
HAWTHORN- Jasper Hay

HAWTHORN- Liam Hetherton


Cat B
ADELAIDE - Indy Cotton
BRISBANE- Isaac Waller
FREMANTLE- Toby Whan & Ryda Luke
GEELONG - Ben Rongdit
SYDNEY- Noah Chamberlain & Kaiden McNamara
WEST COAST- Wes Walley & Koby Evans

Courtesy of eDPS

This is more info from the same phantom draft:

HAWTHORN HAWKS
List size 43 of 44
37 Senior
4 Rookies
2 Category B
1 Rookie spot for train on
3 National Picks
1 Rookie Upgraded

List balance targets
Small Defender 2
Tall Forward 2
Tall Defender
Centre Midfielder
Small/General Forward

Draft Selections
Pick 13 – Josh Lindsay
Pick 22 – Mitch Marsh
Pick 53 – Riley Onley
Rookie – Liam Hetherton, Thomas Burton, Jasper Hay
Rookie Upgrade – James Blanck

Hawthorn has had great success with left-footed defenders in recent times and I see no reason to change a winning strategy, with Lindsay arguably being the best kick in the draft. Others to consider here are Farrow if he slides and Taylor, or maybe take Schubert and target other areas with the next pick.

A Jack Gunston successor in Marsh could be excellent value for hawks at pick 22 and Onley could be another bargain with the last pick in the draft. Burton provides more dash from the backline and Hetherton another tall forward target to allow Will McCabe to settle down back. Finally, Hay offers a more long-term defensive option, though there may potentially be a small forward preference instead.

 

[FB19]

As T4P has said many times draft isn’t to fill immediate needs. It can for certain roles but you shouldn’t bank on it.

This is more info from the same phantom draft:

HAWTHORN HAWKS
List size 43 of 44
37 Senior
4 Rookies
2 Category B
1 Rookie spot for train on
3 National Picks
1 Rookie Upgraded

List balance targets
Small Defender 2
Tall Forward 2
Tall Defender
Centre Midfielder
Small/General Forward

Draft Selections
Pick 13 – Josh Lindsay
Pick 22 – Mitch Marsh
Pick 53 – Riley Onley
Rookie – Liam Hetherton, Thomas Burton, Jasper Hay
Rookie Upgrade – James Blanck

Hawthorn has had great success with left-footed defenders in recent times and I see no reason to change a winning strategy, with Lindsay arguably being the best kick in the draft. Others to consider here are Farrow if he slides and Taylor, or maybe take Schubert and target other areas with the next pick.

A Jack Gunston successor in Marsh could be excellent value for hawks at pick 22 and Onley could be another bargain with the last pick in the draft. Burton provides more dash from the backline and Hetherton another tall forward target to allow Will McCabe to settle down back. Finally, Hay offers a more long-term defensive option, though there may potentially be a small forward preference instead.

Definitely a developing kpf and Gunston replacement and kicker off half back high on the list. Onley a good shout though doubt he gets to that pick. Still would love us to get 2 teens picks and take Taylor and marsh and then either Onley or Ludowyke/Hetherington later.

 

[chopflop]

Just had a look again at some vision. Harley Barker, moves like an AFL, speed, long strides, neat skills and looks to be a natural winger who provides plenty of width and attacking threat. I like his game at the AFL level

Just read an article about Farrow, apparently has already started a speed program before this season - worries me because he looks slow and it s obviously something already identified. Just not sure if he transitions to a permanent mid with the lack of acceleration and bounce - very much in the Hibbert from the scum mould for mine. I would like someone at 11 with atleast some elite traits - Farrow does have a nice leg but watched him butcher a few also.

 

[lethalselbow09]

That’s Sam Cumming guys for the 50th time

 

[Jmaddawg]

As T4P has said many times draft isn’t to fill immediate needs. It can for certain roles but you shouldn’t bank on it.

Definitely a developing kpf and Gunston replacement and kicker off half back high on the list. Onley a good shout though doubt he gets to that pick. Still would love us to get 2 teens picks and take Taylor and marsh and then either Onley or Ludowyke/Hetherington later.

Just on Riley Onley I would suggest he hasn’t stopped growing at 195cm, his old man is a big unit and former ruckman in our area. Could easily develop into a key forward.

 

[SSSSSS]

Anderson has been told that there is opportunity for him in 2026.

Seems the most like for like Worpel players on the list to my eyes too.

THE BEAST FROM THE EAST

 

[burner1]

Just had a look again at some vision. Harley Barker, moves like an AFL, speed, long strides, neat skills and looks to be a natural winger who provides plenty of width and attacking threat. I like his game at the AFL level

Just read an article about Farrow, apparently has already started a speed program before this season - worries me because he looks slow and it s obviously something already identified. Just not sure if he transitions to a permanent mid with the lack of acceleration and bounce - very much in the Hibbert from the scum mould for mine. I would like someone at 11 with atleast some elite traits - Farrow does have a nice leg but watched him butcher a few also.

Yup. As long is Barker’s knee is fine he seems to have all the tools to be a v. good wing at AFL level, particularly on expanses of MCG. He’s a good height / mark as well. Very comfortable if he was our first pick.

Compare that to eg Lindsay who has a few more holes in his game (ie lacks genuine speed / doesn’t break lines with run for a hbf). Or Farrow who needs a bit of projection (albeit we did that with Will day). Or Marsh who’s a 190cm primarily lead mark forward - which rarely translates to afl etc.

 

[daniel23]

Just had a look again at some vision. Harley Barker, moves like an AFL, speed, long strides, neat skills and looks to be a natural winger who provides plenty of width and attacking threat. I like his game at the AFL level

Just read an article about Farrow, apparently has already started a speed program before this season - worries me because he looks slow and it s obviously something already identified. Just not sure if he transitions to a permanent mid with the lack of acceleration and bounce - very much in the Hibbert from the scum mould for mine. I would like someone at 11 with atleast some elite traits - Farrow does have a nice leg but watched him butcher a few also.

Im with you on farrow. And if I'm picking him as a half back im taking Lindsay over him. He just seems a natural footballer and like Murphy Reid last season the industry still seems to critique players like that on what they can't do rather than what they can.

Plus im getting bo Allan vibes from farrow , I dont see Allan making it as a mid. Ginbey was a better prospect than both and his midfield time ended pretty quickly.

I'm still big on greaves at worst he ends up as a better kyle Langford type who we see play in the f50. Before injuries Langford was a decent player.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Not to be throwing shade here, but please do your own research on Farrow IF you're only taking Davo's critique on board.

We all see things differently.

I'm not saying he's a guaranteed star, but his AFL attributes are plain as day to see. Sometimes all players need are the fundamental tools and the right work ethic.