List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft

[THE_GUN]

Duursma 36 & 1.3
Greeves 23
Hetherton 14 & 3.1
Onley 28 & 1
Hibbins-Hargraves 18 & 1

Gippsland had a couple of good bottom agers too.

Malady kicked 4.2 & Neocleous had 23 & 2.1

Wow thats crazy
36 poss and 1 goal 3 is total domination

 

[TheOptimum18]

He definitely doesn't have Jackson's athleticism.

Has there been a ruck taken in the first 3 picks of a draft that has ever work out?

Depends what you mean by "work out".

You'll need to project a bit, but:

Sam Darcy was a pick 2 (although whether he's genuinely a ruck can be debated, I guess).

Thilthorpe also a pick 2, and starting to become a difficult matchup for teams (probably more of a fwd/ruck, but isn't that what CDT seems to be modelled as so far?).

Luke Jackson himself was a pick 3.

I'm not necessarily saying we take CDT with our first pick, but at the same time, I'm not sure straight out rejecting him with an early pick because of his position as a ruck is also the right thing to do. If the kid's good enough to go early, then so be it.

 

[bc27]

For pick 1, CDT and Sharp at Norths Pick


There’s no way your passing on CDT. his potential is a better Tom De Konnig

 

[KrispyKreme]

I’m seriously thinking we get Duursma as a winger and Rodriguez for midfield speed.. we can bring forward a future first if we are that desperate for a ruck

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Watching some Duursma highlights from the weekend ( including an incredible smother and goal assist that suggests he’s got more to his game than just flashy dashes off hb/wing) he’s put on some size. He’s definitely no beast but doesn’t look like the spindly specimen from last year.
Very interesting prospect!!! Just struggling to get past the Duursma name

 

[tigs2010]

Watching some Duursma highlights from the weekend ( including an incredible smother and goal assist that suggests he’s got more to his game than just flashy dashes off hb/wing) he’s put on some size. He’s definitely no beast but doesn’t look like the spindly specimen from last year.
Very interesting prospect!!! Just struggling to get past the Duursma name

Willem Smith would be a fan favourite on here.

Slapping oppo teams for 15 years

 

[Calcium Man]

I know it feels wrong. I was at the game today. CDT was amazing, athletic freak that covered the ground well from start to finish. He out hunted Emmett. CDT would be our best centre bounce player immediately in 2026. And when he rested at FF today he led to the right spots, didn't look out of place at all.

Honestly didn’t think CDT was amazing (missed 1st quarter) just good with high level flashes. Surprised he had 26 touches tbh. He and Emmett both showed impressive traits but felt they both have a lot of development required.

Too many times the ball would get 1m outside their vicinity and they’d just stand there offering nothing to teammates as the pack slowly rolled away from them. The pack would finally stop 10-15 m away and then ump would wait for them both to jog over to throw it up. There was no tackling or anything around the pack once the ball got out of arms reach. I was getting so frustrated.

CDT could smash through blokes in close (he’s much better than Emmett at this) and saw him do it a couple of times, but again only if the ball from ruck fell to his feet. I missed the goal Twomey showed but only really remember him getting involved in transition twice, Emmett virtually unsighted in transition (remember him once hitting up leading forward in 2nd in transition) until last when he took 3-4 semi contested mark on wing as an outlet for oakleigh.

CDTs marking wasn’t that impressive, he took a pack mark for his 2nd goal which more fell in his lap, and he took a great one hander drifting in from side, but basic pack and overhead marking was unsighted, more often he was too easily shoved out of way. Emmets overhead marking late was far more impressive.

Overall I can see why they’re exciting and they have high ceilings but they need to dominate games like Smillie/jagga/langford last year if you were gonna take a ruck top 3 for mine. But it’s only round 1 too.

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Honestly didn’t think CDT was amazing (missed 1st quarter) just good with high level flashes. Surprised he had 26 touches tbh. He and Emmett both showed impressive traits but felt they both have a lot of development required.

Too many times the ball would get 1m outside their vicinity and they’d just stand there offering nothing to teammates as the pack slowly rolled away from them. The pack would finally stop 10-15 m away and then ump would wait for them both to jog over to throw it up. There was no tackling or anything around the pack once the ball got out of arms reach. I was getting so frustrated.

CDT could smash through blokes in close (he’s much better than Emmett at this) and saw him do it a couple of times, but again only if the ball from ruck fell to his feet. I missed the goal Twomey showed but only really remember him getting involved in transition twice, Emmett virtually unsighted in transition (remember him once hitting up leading forward in 2nd in transition) until last when he took 3-4 semi contested mark on wing as an outlet for oakleigh.

CDTs marking wasn’t that impressive, he took a pack mark for his 2nd goal which more fell in his lap, and he took a great one hander drifting in from side, but basic pack and overhead marking was unsighted, more often he was too easily shoved out of way. Emmets overhead marking late was far more impressive.

Overall I can see why they’re exciting and they have high ceilings but they need to dominate games like Smillie/jagga/langford last year if you were gonna take a ruck top 3 for mine. But it’s only round 1 too.

Will be interesting to see how he tests ie vertical/running leap, speed etc. Is he in Jackson’s freakish athletic range?
Also how dangerous he is up forward as the year progresses.
Guessing he still has plenty of improvement to come, being so late to the AFL elite pathway.

 

[Calcium Man]

Will be interesting to see how he tests ie vertical/running leap, speed etc. Is he in Jackson’s freakish athletic range?
Also how dangerous he is up forward as the year progresses.
Guessing he still has plenty of improvement to come, being so late to the AFL elite pathway.

Be nice if he grows to 204cm too.

According to pre (maybe from DontArgue4 account on there?) he ran 2.97 20m and 21 yo-yo.

 

[tigs2010]

Be nice if he grows to 204cm too.

According to pre (maybe from DontArgue4 account on there?) he ran 2.97 20m and 21 yo-yo.

Putting THE_GUN 's hat on he looks more than 1cm taller than Emmett

 

[noobermensch]

An elite karate kid headband was just one of the highligts in a massive performance from Thrillem Duursma in the opening round of Talent League play who put his hand up to say that he's right in the mix for pick 1 consideration. He looks locked in to the mid/fwd role and he showed that he's equally dangerous in either position. When in the forward line he created a number of scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates, and when played through the middle his size was a serious disruptor, helping his team win the ball or applying strong tackling pressure. He was at his most influential out in space, finding a stack of the footy and using his athleticism to present strongly for his teammates.

 

[Richmond Flats]

Forget using a first rounder on a ruckman, ever.

8 of the last 9 premierships were won by the following ruckmen: Darcy Fort, Darcy Cameron, Rhys Stanley, Toby Nankervis, Jamie Vardy and Jordan Roughead.

Even Hawthorn won them under Hale who was reliable but not a superstar.

I think I'm leaning towards Duursma and Rodriguez. They would transform our team.

 

[KimKershaw1959]

Fred Rodriquez and Oliver Greeves please

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Be nice if he grows to 204cm too.

According to pre (maybe from DontArgue4 account on there?) he ran 2.97 20m and 21 yo-yo.

Wow that’s impressive!

 

[THE_GUN]

An elite karate kid headband was just one of the highligts in a massive performance from Thrillem Duursma in the opening round of Talent League play who put his hand up to say that he's right in the mix for pick 1 consideration. He looks locked in to the mid/fwd role and he showed that he's equally dangerous in either position. When in the forward line he created a number of scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates, and when played through the middle his size was a serious disruptor, helping his team win the ball or applying strong tackling pressure. He was at his most influential out in space, finding a stack of the footy and using his athleticism to present strongly for his teammates.

I was very impressed when i seen the numbers yesterday but after watching that footage
Wow it was either a very very windy blustery day or his disposals are totally crap
i would be surprised if 50% of them were effective and his DE would be totally crap.

 

[noobermensch]

I was very impressed when i seen the numbers yesterday but after watching that footage
Wow it was either a very very windy blustery day or his disposals are totally crap
i would be surprised if 50% of them were effective and his DE would be totally crap.

It was an extremely windy day, you can see the trees in the background going wild. But also, disposal by foot for Willem is a question mark entering the season so we do need to see improvement from him.

 

[tiger_tough]

I was very impressed when i seen the numbers yesterday but after watching that footage
Wow it was either a very very windy blustery day or his disposals are totally crap
i would be surprised if 50% of them were effective and his DE would be totally crap.

Thought the same. Number looked excellent, footage not so much

 

[KrispyKreme]

I was very impressed when i seen the numbers yesterday but after watching that footage
Wow it was either a very very windy blustery day or his disposals are totally crap
i would be surprised if 50% of them were effective and his DE would be totally crap.

This is exactly how I felt

 

[Tiger51]

Excellent report on the performance of this years Draft and MSD prospects
Zerohanger

AFL Draft Focus: Pick 1 contenders shine, club-tied talent and Mid-Season prospects catch the eye​

Top names made early statements, while there is reason for Carlton, Richmond, Essendon and Adelaide fans to get excited.​

JONTY RALPHSMITH
STAFF WRITER | MARCH 31, 2025 - 10:03AM


The first round of the Coates Talent League, Australia's premier talent pathway competition, got underway over the weekend, which brought with it plenty of talking points.



Club-tied talent, top 10 prospects, mid-season fancies and 2026-eligible talent all shone, while some lesser-known quantities made a statement, and there were some standouts from the VFL and SANFL.
See what has the industry talking below...

Race for Pick 1​

The three frontrunners for the number one pick for the 2025 National Draft all had strong outings on the weekend.
Willem Duursma was best on ground in Gippsland's win over Murray.
The athletic dynamo had four shots on goal and was as flashy and hard working as usual, and his contest work was notable.
With many questioning his strength over the footy entering 2025, Duursma used Round 1 to show his willingness to regularly put himself at the bottom of the pack and put his head over the ball. His movement at stoppage, often when matched up on much bigger-bodied AFL Academy member Riley Onley, made him a dangerous asset.
Calder's Cooper Duff-Tytler, duelling at times with fellow top 10 prospect Louis Emmett, stood out with his work on the spread and ability to open up the ground with possession, finishing with 26 disposals and two goals against Oakleigh.
Dyson Sharp played senior footy for Central District, and while he finished with just 10 disposals playing half-forward, his clean hands at the foot of marking contests was impressive, and he had three shots at goal, while also setting up his team's match-winner.

Carlton father-son, Richmond NGA Cody Walker shows promise​

Let's not oversell it, it wasn't a best on ground performance and Cody Walker still has a few gears left to reach in his Coates League career, but it was a promising start to his season.
Two moments in particular stood out: a classy finish around the body from 30 in the first quarter which showed his ability to get the ball from hand to foot quickly, and his finishing polish; and a last quarter score assist.
With his team leading by two kicks with less than five minutes to play, Walker got the ball in space inside 50 and pulled his kick to find a short target and help run the clock down, rather than blaze away.
It's the sort of maturity Carlton has been crying out for in close finishes to start the season.
Walker had multiple centre bounce attendances each quarter, lining up on stronger bodies and looking adept, while his read of the play was also impressive to start his bottom-age campaign.

Carlton father-son starts well​

Harry Dean, the son of Blues legend Peter, was arguably his team's best in Murray's loss to Gippsland, with his intercepting a feature as the match went on.
Took several big marks, crashed packs and showed a nice turn of speed in his 17 disposals.

Essendon NGAs shine​

Hussien El Achkar was the hyped player of pre-season from Calder and delivered with a four-goal performance in Round 1.
The powerful small forward looks set for a big 2025, as does his Dons NGA teammate Adam Sweid.
Following a strong practice match against Western Jets last week after 2024 was wiped out by an ACL rupture, Sweid turned in a fine performance on the ball against arguably the best midfield in the competition.
He played with confidence and was hard to stop with ball in hand.

Best of the 19-year-olds​

Bendigo's Connor Evans' toughness, dash and aerial work all stood out after a tragic off-field accident prevented the 2024 Vic Country squad member from taking part in the National Championships.
Namesake Tom Evans collected 33 disposals and showed a good balance of attack and defence in a new backline role.

Tasmania's Ollie Depaoli-Kubank was arguably the best for his side. The silky mover had a solid national carnival in 2024 but needed to put a focus on his contested work this season to take the next step, and he showed some positive signs, with his movement at stoppage and willingness to put his head over the footy, mixed with his clean hands and sharp stepping, contributing to a fine game.
For Calder, powerful athletic forward Cooper Herbert had some nice moments inside 50. Murray's Coen Ainsworth used his speed both in offence and defence, breaking lines and executing run down tackles in a well-balanced performance against Gippsland.
On a scrappy day at RSEA Park, Sandy Zebras and Dragons-listed Charlie Rozenes was a lively presence as he seeks continuity after a 2024 ruined by persistent hamstring issues.
Dandenong's Henry Hayes kicked four goals in a glimmering performance, while teammate Charlie Orchard controlled the airways in defence.

SANFL U18s watch​

In the SANFL U18s, Louis Kellaway's impressive form as a strong midfielder has been the major talking point from the early part of the season. The Richmond-father-son prospect has averaged 24 disposals as a tough midfielder for Sturt.
AFL Academy member Sam Cumming has averaged 27 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency across his first three games, and also kicked four goals, leading the North Adelaide midfield.
Noah Roberts-Thomson has also had a consistent start to the year as an attacking and dynamic onballer, while West Adelaide spearhead Mitch Marsh has averaged three goals and six marks per game to push his claim for state honours.
Central Districts duo Aidan Schubert and Josh Reichelt have each kicked five goals in their first three games, while 2026 prospect Doug Cochrane has had a splendid fortnight.

Adelaide-tied Stevens shows promise​

One for Crows fans: father-son prospect Mitch Stevens looks to have taken a step forward with his footy.
He showed typically good closing speed and was hard to beat one-on-one but also set up some attacking thrusts in the first three quarters for Gippsland.
He was moved into the midfield in the last quarter and won some clearances and delivered the ball well inside 50. A big pre-season paid dividends in Round 1.

Top key forward fights hard​

In a tough day for Murray, Liam Hetherton found a way to pop up for three goals from five scoring shots.
It felt at times that he was the lone tall target forward of the footy for the Bushrangers, and therefore got plenty of defensive attention, but still found space and took some nice marks. Also presented high up the ground and spent time in the ruck.

Tasmania's Jack Miller hard to stop​

It wasn't the most free-flowing, highly-skilled game of footy between Bendigo and Tasmania, but when the Devils went forward, Miller was the standout target.
He finds pockets of space, gets separation on the lead and has natural craft.
Miller kicked his team's only two first-term majors and one from outside 50 in the last to keep Tasmania alive: a surprise packet to watch.

VFL watch​

In the VFL, Western Jets graduate Massimo Raso has had a magnificent start to life as a Richmond Tiger.
The clean, elusive livewire has split his time between the midfield and forward line, adding energy when on the ball and dynamism inside 50.
Returning after a year of playing only local footy, Gippslander Riley Baldi has averaged 30 disposals across two games for Casey.
Werribee forward Brady Wright has impressed with his marking; and Southport ruck Brayden Crossley has continued pressing his draft case with a strong first fortnight.

Gippsland interceptor wows ​

Most tuned in for the Willem Duursma show and while he shone, he was arguably outdone by debutant Zac Walker.
The Phillip Island local read the cues well to routinely intercept high balls, finishing with 10 marks and 16 disposals.
A 194cm third tall type, Walker missed the Power's 16s squad but spent last season developing well at senior local level and has hit the ground running.
A late addition to the program, Walker is the sole 19-year-old at a club which has a history of producing Mid-Season Draft picks.
It was a who's who of Power standouts on Sunday, with aforementioned Adelaide father-son prospect Mitch Stevens, midfielders Brodie Atkins, Luke Cheffers and Zach O'Keefe and livewire captain Tom Matthews also playing well.

Little-known Dragons duo lead the way​

It was a scrappy slugfest at RSEA Park in Sandy's clash with Western, but Ricky Theodoropoulos and Rory Wright both stood out.
The diminutive Theodoropoulos represented Vic Metro's U16s before getting limited opportunity in a strong squad last year, but his clean hands and speed stood out in Round 1.
Wright, meanwhile, was touted as a smokey to watch in pre-season, and proved an excellent sidestepping, clearance-winning midfielder.

Best of the bottom-agers​

There's already cause for excitement in the 2026 Draft. As well as Cody Walker, referenced above, there were several other bottom-agers who shone in Round 1.
Arki Butler's aerial presence as a deep target helped set up a commanding lead for Sandy, while Western's Ryan Hicks showed promise in the midfield in a tough day for his side.
Gippsland trio Cody Templeton, Wil Malady and Marlon Neocleous all impressed.
Templeton has claims to be the toughest in his team with his vigour at the coal face in his first go in a Coates Talent League midfield, Malady's speed made him a dangerous hit-up target, while Neocleous' strength and energy were both factors as the Power ran rampant.
Meanwhile, Geelong's competitive running Vic Country-listed tall forward Jack Pickett started his season with three goals.

Eastern Ranges' Vic Metro quartet start season solidly​

Lachy Dovaston, Ollie Greeves, Andy Barker and Xavier Taylor have given themselves a base to build off for 2025 with promising Round 1 showings.

Dovaston kicked three goals and applied manic pressure, looking accomplished in a half-forward position he'll look to make his own this year.
Coming off an enormous practice game against the same opposition last week, Greeves was kept a touch quieter, but still had 23 disposals and was important when the game was in the balance late, and his decision-making impressed.
Following a very limited pre-season, defender Andy Barker took six marks and looked strong against Northern's tall timber, while his partner in crime Taylor was good at ground level in the backline.

Touted Pioneer returns​

In a heartening second quarter moment, Bendigo debutant Riley Dillon kicked a set shot goal on debut, with his teammates all getting around him after a tough journey.
The strong-bodied Pioneer has long been touted by the region, but didn't play any footy last year as he was recovering from an ACL rupture, so will work towards a Vic Country trial match in 2024, with Saturday's showing a steady start, finishing with 11 disposals and 12 tackles.

Northern smalls lead way​

Those around the Knights rave about the purity of defender Roman Moxon's kicking, and it was clear why on Sunday.
The running halfback wasn't afraid to get up the ground and got plenty of handball receives, repeatedly putting it on a platter for his leading forwards.
Among those were co-captains Seb Murphy and Tyson Gresham. Murphy was arguably best on ground with his toughness around the footy, finishing with 25 disposals and seven tackles, while Gresham was also solid with 19 disposals.

 

[Bojangles17]

Can't see a world where WC don't say see ya later to Oscar Allen to pick up Cody Curtin. Probably not a fit for us given last years haul so probably a compo pick doesn't affect us as much as I thought.

Does if they finish bottom which is a distinct possibility

 

[tigs2010]

Does if they finish bottom which is a distinct possibility

More meant if they're picking a guy we don't really need/want with the pick. An interstate KPF would be very low on our list of priorities.

I think they'll roll us over there and we will have pick 1, don't think there is a return bout here to even up the ledger. Stranger things have happened though.

 

[Bojangles17]

For pick 1, CDT and Sharp at Norths Pick


There’s no way your passing on CDT. his potential is a better Tom De Konnig

I reckon any club that passed on him would be lampooned for a generation , and I'm dead serious

 

[Bojangles17]

More meant if they're picking a guy we don't really need/want with the pick. An interstate KPF would be very low on our list of priorities.

I think they'll roll us over there and we will have pick 1, don't think there is a return bout here to even up the ledger. Stranger things have happened though.

We play wc at G in 5-6 R time

 

[tigs2010]

We play wc at G in 5-6 R time

Well then, welcome to WC Pick 1. Thought it was over there.

Edit: we play them twice just saw

 

[noobermensch]

Still waiting on footage for the rest of the weekend's talent league games. In the meantime here's some more of Sam Cumming:

A slightly quieter outing this week from Cumming but he still played a large role in helping his Roosters squad claim victory with his power around the contest combined with his ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard.