Analysis 2025 Draft watch

[Aphrodite]

 

[Aphrodite]

2025's most wanted: Draft Combine nominees revealed

The players picked to attend the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine have been named

www.afl.com.au

 

[Stamos]

5. Harry Dean
Murray Bushrangers/Victoria Country
Defender, 193cm, 13/11/2007
U18 champs stats (avg): 15.3 disposals, 3.5 intercept marks, 7.8 intercept possessions
2025 All-Australian​

The son of dual Carlton premiership backman Peter is set to continue the family’s legacy at the Blues. He will eventually be a wonderful complement to Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

down back with his intercepting skills, athleticism, competitiveness, aggression, skill and composure. The consensus was that Dean would be viewed as a top-15 pick by the end of the championships – but that prediction sold him short. The standout defender in this year’s crop is considered a top-10 lock now, and many rate him even higher. Dean’s height means he is less likely to be an option on the Sam Darcys and Riley Thilthorpes of the league, but he projects as a gun No.2 defender.

Famous names and exciting prospects: We name the top 25 prospects for this year’s AFL draft

Some familiar surnames are expected to be called out at the top of this year’s AFL national draft.

www.theage.com.au

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

If we are to lose one of the KPFs I'm big on Louis Emmett this year. Ruck/FWD but imo a more natural forward, plays with a lot of mongrel and really jumps for his grabs. Think he'd be a perfect pair with HOK long term. Plays with Ison too at Scotch and seems to have a good connection with him kicking inside 50.

 

[CJMB]

If we are to lose one of the KPFs I'm big on Louis Emmett this year. Ruck/FWD but imo a more natural forward, plays with a lot of mongrel and really jumps for his grabs. Think he'd be a perfect pair with HOK long term. Plays with Ison too at Scotch and seems to have a good connection with him kicking inside 50.

what range?

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

what range?

Could be anywhere between 10-30. Had a few injuries this year which effected his form but starting to rise up the rankings with some solid performances. His under age year was really strong so recruiters might remember that when assessing his prospects.

 

[CJMB]

Could be anywhere between 10-30. Had a few injuries this year which effected his form but starting to rise up the rankings with some solid performances. His under age year was really strong so recruiters might remember that when assessing his prospects.

yeah alright, call it halfway between Dean and Ison.

So ideally we'd love to get an extra in before Harry, then maybe go after an Emmett before Ison is called. Gresham &/or Clark as rookie/catb. Potentially Flynn Riley too.

That'd be a nice boost across all kpp types, plus some outside/smalls and whatever we can manage before Dean.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

yeah alright, call it halfway between Dean and Ison.

So ideally we'd love to get an extra in before Harry, then maybe go after an Emmett before Ison is called. Gresham &/or Clark as rookie/catb. Potentially Flynn Riley too.

That'd be a nice boost across all kpp types, plus some outside/smalls and whatever we can manage before Dean.

Depending on who leaves

Josh Lindsay
Harry Dean
Louis Emmett
Jack Ison

Would be very happy with that haul for the future. Hard to say without knowing who's leaving though?

 

[Ninja Worrier]

Could be anywhere between 10-30. Had a few injuries this year which effected his form but starting to rise up the rankings with some solid performances. His under age year was really strong so recruiters might remember that when assessing his prospects.

Who was #22 for Scotch in that video? Was marking everything

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Who was #22 for Scotch in that video? Was marking everything

Emmett

 

[BluesForEternity]

Agree that Emmett looks great and that he is more a forward than a ruck. Surprised he isn’t being discussed more - what’s the knock on him?

Also, if we pick Emmett up, our team slowly but surely becomes a collection of Scotch graduates - between Jagga, Lord, Ison, and then Emmett…

EDIT: just saw comment above re: injuries. I reckon he's an exciting prospect!

 

[CrippaTheGoat9]

Taylor Byrne, what’s his range? Is he tied to any club?

 

[Coona Blues]

Taylor Byrne, what’s his range? Is he tied to any club?

Probably the most bankable small for mine. Dovaston has more press, but not sure he is without risk. Range will be difficult quality small forwards need a suitor guess anything from 12-30ish. Being 174cm may put him at the back end of the range.

Would like him to be in our mix. Can’t pass up Dean. Lindsay probably a dream.

Not concerned busy reports of a weak draft. There are players there that we could use. The draft is light for bankable mids outside of the academy kids which builds the poor draft perception.

 

[jooce8891]

If someone could dream up the exact type of player we need up forward this would just about be it. Shame with Cody he'll be borderline impossible to get.

next year is going to be an insane draft.

 

[The Return of the Paf]

If we are to lose one of the KPFs I'm big on Louis Emmett this year. Ruck/FWD but imo a more natural forward, plays with a lot of mongrel and really jumps for his grabs. Think he'd be a perfect pair with HOK long term. Plays with Ison too at Scotch and seems to have a good connection with him kicking inside 50.

Yeah, I wondered who that big bloke was in that school footy highlights video. He looked a natural and thought he was a bit good, which is a good sign.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Sam Grlj fair game for Richmond VFL yesterday and Harry Scott continued his good form.

 

[CrippaTheGoat9]

I reckon we could be targeting the suns pick 4 with the pick we get for TDK to avoid anyone bidding on Dean. I think we want to get 2 top 10 picks into our list this year.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

I reckon we could be targeting the suns pick 4 with the pick we get for TDK to avoid anyone bidding on Dean. I think we want to get 2 top 10 picks into our list this year.

Won't they need 4 to match a bid at 1?

 

[Blue and Silver]

Thinking about whether we will get a pick before matching Dean.

Assuming that TDK and JSOS are gone and that they are band 1 and band 2 respectively.

Currently TDK compo would be pick 7.

BUT, based on Rookie Me Draft rankings there are as many as 3 Academy prospects who could be bid on before

Uwland (GC) Patterson (GC) Annable (Bris).

That would push our first pick back to 10, which is danger territory for a bid. With Dean rated 8 in the same rankings.

We could try trade up, hold the pick and trade out on the night (if a bid comes), then maybe back in or trade it out ahead of time for value to match Dean, Ison and Walker next year.

Tricky situation

 

[CrippaTheGoat9]

Won't they need 4 to match a bid at 1?

Apparently they want to trade it like they did last year

 

[Stamos]

I reckon we could be targeting the suns pick 4 with the pick we get for TDK to avoid anyone bidding on Dean. I think we want to get 2 top 10 picks into our list this year.

It’s too much currency for us to move up, especially when there will still be a risk that a bid for Dean will come before.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Well it looks like we might be busier than we expected on draft night...

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

For context my current mood re the mass exodus that could occur...


But this as good as I've got for fixing this eternal rabble via the draft in the next couple years

Harry Dean - Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

- Matthew Carroll
Elijah Hollands - Harry O'Farrell - Josh Lindsay

Jack Ison - Cody Walker - Sam Grlj
Hudson O'Keefe - Jagga Smith - Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

Arki Butler - Harry Mckay

10

Harry Mckay

Age

27

Ht

200cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.4

5star

D

6.6

1star

K

4.6

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.4

5star

D

8.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

G

2.0

5star

- Marlon Neocleous
Ashton Moir - Louis Emmett - Brodie Kemp

Sam Cumming - Harry Charleson - Ollie Hollands - Matthew Cottrell



TDK > Josh Lindsay
JSOS > Louis Emmett
Charlie Curnow

35

Charlie Curnow

Age

28

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

9.7

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.8

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

> Sam Cumming + GCS 2026 1st + 2nd
Adam Cerra > Sam Grlj
F/S > Harry Dean
NGA > Jack Ison
NGA > Mingara Clark

2026 1st > Arki Butler
2026 GCS 1st > Marlon Neocleous
F/S> Cody Walker

 

[Coona Blues]

For context my current mood re the mass exodus that could occur...


But this as good as I've got for fixing this eternal rabble via the draft in the next couple years

Harry Dean - Jacob Weitering - Matthew Carroll
Elijah Hollands - Harry O'Farrell - Josh Lindsay

Jack Ison - Cody Walker - Sam Grlj
Hudson O'Keefe - Jagga Smith - Sam Walsh

Arki Butler - Harry Mckay - Marlon Neocleous
Ashton Moir - Louis Emmett - Brodie Kemp

Sam Cumming - Harry Charleson - Ollie Hollands - Matthew Cottrell



TDK > Josh Lindsay
JSOS > Louis Emmett
Charlie Curnow > Sam Cumming + GCS 2026 1st + 2nd
Adam Cerra > Sam Grlj
F/S > Harry Dean
NGA > Jack Ison
NGA > Mingara Clark

2026 1st > Arki Butler
2026 GCS 1st > Marlon Neocleous
F/S> Cody Walker

Get some sleep Walshy.

Any projected 22 without Cowan is just ludicrous.
How do we match Cody bids and get both Butler and Neocleous?
If Crippa is somehow leaving Lindsay becomes feasible. You like Emmett, he is an option, but there are a few in the range. We recently resigned Cez, why would we now shop him? Gold Coast aren’t passing on four Academy boys to give us their draft capital for Charlie. Love your enthusiasm mate.

Certainly do have to double down on draft prospects I have largely overlooked this year thinking our hand would be minimal. Does make for some solid rewatch of draft footage. Something to fill my days for a couple of months.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Get some sleep Walshy.

Any projected 22 without Cowan is just ludicrous.
How do we match Cody bids and get both Butler and Neocleous?
If Crippa is somehow leaving Lindsay becomes feasible. You like Emmett, he is an option, but there are a few in the range. We recently resigned Cez, why would we now shop him? Gold Coast aren’t passing on four Academy boys to give us their draft capital for Charlie. Love your enthusiasm mate.

Certainly do have to double down on draft prospects I have largely overlooked this year thinking our hand would be minimal. Does make for some solid rewatch of draft footage. Something to fill my days for a couple of months.

I had Cowan playing through the guts, must have accidentally omitted him in one of the many rehashes. Moo a b22 lock for mine.

 

[Ninja Worrier]

Get some sleep Walshy.

Any projected 22 without Cowan is just ludicrous.
How do we match Cody bids and get both Butler and Neocleous?
If Crippa is somehow leaving Lindsay becomes feasible. You like Emmett, he is an option, but there are a few in the range. We recently resigned Cez, why would we now shop him? Gold Coast aren’t passing on four Academy boys to give us their draft capital for Charlie. Love your enthusiasm mate.

Certainly do have to double down on draft prospects I have largely overlooked this year thinking our hand would be minimal. Does make for some solid rewatch of draft footage. Something to fill my days for a couple of months.

If you watch any oakleigh games let us know what you think of Hunter Holmes. Aside from the family connection, I think there may be something to work with for a later pick