Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[briztoon]

He has the other Cat B spot freed up by promoting Reville to the main list.

Yup, both Reville & Brain upgraded to the senior list.

3 live selections at the draft, and Waller as a rookie academy selection.

I wouldn’t read too much into us picking just academy kids, as there’s an industry wide feeling that this draft really falls away in the 30’s, and there are very few genuine KPD prospects.

 

[Perrip]

2026 AFL Academy Squads are out
Father-son Blue, potential No.1 pick headline 2026 AFL Academy squad

• Caylen Murray

Promising key forwards among 2026 AFLW Academy Girls squad

• Mia Geere
• Harlee McIlwain
• Aiyana Pritchard

 

[Section 5]

I noticed Ed from Rookie Me Central has a few clubs going into deficit. That may not happen though.
Using the + drop down menu he explains the pick used to get the player and what's left over, or the deficit.

He has the Suns going into deficit with three 3 players total being 654 points
He selected Uwland at 2 so if Uwland goes at pick 3 or more those deficit points may not happen
Suns: P20 B Addinall 305 points. P40 J Murray 214 points. P45 K Coulson 135 points.
Other clubs being Swans M King 305 points P32. Cats J Mellor 150 points P44. Saints K Fincher 182 points P42

 

[Viceregal]

I noticed Ed from Rookie Me Central has a few clubs going into deficit. That may not happen though.
Using the + drop down menu he explains the pick used to get the player and what's left over, or the deficit.

He has the Suns going into deficit with three 3 players total being 654 points
He selected Uwland at 2 so if Uwland goes at pick 3 or more those deficit points may not happen
Suns: P20 B Addinall 305 points. P40 J Murray 214 points. P45 K Coulson 135 points.
Other clubs being Swans M King 305 points P32. Cats J Mellor 150 points P44. Saints K Fincher 182 points P42

I was under the impression Academy picks were free ... well at least according to the main board ... ah well you live and learn!

 

[knaf]

Sheehan lists around 12 rucks/ tall forwards, so there could be plenty of options with a late pick. Be interesting to see who we take.

Kevin Sheehan's 2025 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Rucks and Tall Forwards

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top rucks and tall forwards ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft

www.afl.com.au

I want Sam Ainsworth just to increase the number of misspelling of players names and general anxiety and pedantry on the board. Life is too dull on the off season.

 

[BangyBangy]

Kevin Sheehan's 2025 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Rucks and Tall Forwards

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top rucks and tall forwards ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft

www.afl.com.au

I want Sam Ainsworth just to increase the number of misspelling of players names and general anxiety and pedantry on the board. Life is too dull on the off season.

Two Answurths on the team would be awesome.

 

[Redrat1970]

Two Answurths on the team would be awesome.

Theres another Ainsworth available in the draft as well Oskar Ainsworth!

 

[Not a Psycho]

My only exposure to Isaac Waller is the short highlights clip at RookieMe.

Isaac Waller Draft Profile

Lions Academy ruck Isaac Waller is a towering figure who attacks the aerial ball hard and boasts strong ruck craft.

central.rookieme.com

There's clearly a laundry list of items that need improvement, but I did really like the way he moves and didn't mind his competitiveness. He's not a lumberer, which for a 204cm guy is a tough ask. I don't think he has the frame to fill out to an insane degree, but you can probably say that about a lot of high-level rucks. If (God forbid) the rules remain consistent for any extended period, he could benefit in the long term.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Theres another Ainsworth available in the draft as well Oskar Ainsworth!

How about another?

A double whammy.

Coen Ainsworth.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

2025 AFL Draft Preview: Brisbane Lions

Two-time reigning premier Brisbane will pick up yet another highly touted club-tied talent, along with a slew of late Academy options.

central.rookieme.com

Interesting they think Reville is definitely getting moved off of Cat B.

 

[Not a Psycho]

I found the evolution in his kicking interesting. I saw his highlights from last year and he seemed to have a very straight action, if a little loopy and inconsistent with depth. This year my first thought watching him was that he's almost kicking it like a lefty on his right, seems to be pulling around his body a little more, especially coming out of traffic.

I'm just going to go ahead and toot my own horn, according to rookieme, his kicking coach was Grant Birchall so I sort of called this one beforehand.

 

[Nunez]

I'm just going to go ahead and toot my own horn, according to rookieme, his kicking coach was Grant Birchall so I sort of called this one beforehand.

That's crazy!
...
...
A little too crazy...

 

[Not a Psycho]

That's crazy!
...
...
A little too crazy...

I am Grant Birchall AMA

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

A hypothetical:

With Starc gone who fills that role.
Answerth still injured at the start of next year.

Could it be Dunkley?
Fletcher to the Dunkley midfield role.
Berry doing the Berry role.
Kiddy back in the backline.

 

[mpal6]

A hypothetical:

With Starc gone who fills that role.
Answerth still injured at the start of next year.

Could it be Dunkley?
Fletcher to the Dunkley midfield role.
Berry doing the Berry role.
Kiddy back in the backline.

We still have Tom Doedee card to play.
Same height, Similar size, can play tall or small and even give us rebound.
Get him fit this off-season and plug him into the defense system.

 

[knaf]

We still have Tom Doedee card to play.
Same height, Similar size, can play tall or small and even give us rebound.
Get him fit this off-season and plug him into the defense system.

Alternatively, Lester plays small and ZZ and/or Lloyd given a run as third tall. Brain and Beecken also have some claims for opportunity.

 

[Nathan Barley]

A hypothetical:

With Starc gone who fills that role.
Answerth still injured at the start of next year.

Could it be Dunkley?
Fletcher to the Dunkley midfield role.
Berry doing the Berry role.
Kiddy back in the backline.

We’ve probably got 5 better options before considering playing someone out of position

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Bridge rises above sea of uncertainty

Big game performances run in his blood, but Lions Academy prospect Harrison Bridge had his year cut short by injury at the National Championships.

central.rookieme.com

 

[mpal6]

Alternatively, Lester plays small and ZZ and/or Lloyd given a run as third tall. Brain and Beecken also have some claims for opportunity.

Agreed. My benchmark of Starcevich is when he takes on the very best - Dangerfield and Elliott. Lester may struggle with both but I have a distant memory of Doedee having the leap n strength to go with both of them. Fingers crossed for Doedee for 2026.

 

[BangyBangy]

We’ve probably got 5 better options before considering playing someone out of position

It's not that Dunks couldn't do it. I just think we're a better side with Dunkley playing his current role.

Unless you were referring to Fletcher being out of position trying to play Dunkley's role.

 

[BangyBangy]

A hypothetical:

With Starc gone who fills that role.
Answerth still injured at the start of next year.

Could it be Dunkley?
Fletcher to the Dunkley midfield role.
Berry doing the Berry role.
Kiddy back in the backline.

Never going to happen but I reckon Rayner could take the Starc role.

Strong as a bull, physical, won't be getting outmarked overhead, would also be a great backline distributor who can kick off either foot.

 

[Nuggo]

Lester may slow up this year. Doedee looked like the game may have past him unfortunately but will be given another crack at some point. Could be a pleasant surprise there. I think one of the younger guys might take it and run. What would Annable be like in Starce' role?

 

[wantok]

Lester may slow up this year. Doedee looked like the game may have past him unfortunately but will be given another crack at some point. Could be a pleasant surprise there. I think one of the younger guys might take it and run. What would Annable be like in Starce' role?

Shadeau deserves a shot at the Answerth role and Kiddy with the Starc role.

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

We’ve probably got 5 better options before considering playing someone out of position

I understand it’s a stretch but I do see Fletcher heading into the midfield. Is he an upgrade on Dunks? Maybe. Do we need a lockdown defender now? Yes.
I’m just throwing out hypotheticals to keep the forum humming during this boring month.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I understand it’s a stretch but I do see Fletcher heading into the midfield. Is he an upgrade on Dunks? Maybe. Do we need a lockdown defender now? Yes.
I’m just throwing out hypotheticals to keep the forum humming during this boring month.

I think we need a lockdown defender as much as we needed an A graders 2m tall key forward/second ruck this year