Draft Profile Mature Agers 2025 edition

[lionshine]

Some real movers this week on my power rankings for VFL listed only. We had some byes but movement to great to gloss over

Ive seen enough of Riley Baldi to see him drop completely out. Wins a lot of ball but has little impact and with his handball dominant game, I dont see his game translate to the next level.

With this in mind, some familiar faces are back in the 5


#1 - Tom Macarthy - Richmond VFL (+2 spots)

Another big game from the soon to be 25 year old defender/mid. With second team high disposals. I can well and truly see the 190cm runner picked up in the mid season draft.


#2 - Flynn Young - Weribee (New to the list)

Ive been sleeping on this guy but the 181cm fwd mid just keeps getting the job done. Kicks goals, sets up goals, racks up possessions and is now working up and down the ground. I think he is every chance to take the overall Fothergill - Round - Mitchell medal as leagues best under 23 player (dob 3.2.02). I really like him having zoned in on him in recent weeks.


#3 - Massimo Raso - Richmond VFL (- 1 spot)

Think the short fella is still a huge chance despite a quiet game today. Has still managed to influence games


#4 - Riley Mason - Collingwood VFL (+/-)
Has enough credits in the bank to be on this short list. AFL lister Charlie West is getting all the ball but Mason should not be doubted.

#5 - Mat Foley (+/-)
Despite the bye, will keep him here after a hot start since returning to the team from injury

Some new names to keep an eye on with the mid season draft coming;

Louie Montgomery (GWS) is also Port father/son eligible at the end of the year has started 2025 sensationally. At 23 is coming into his prime. His twin brother Harper is doing a reasonable job as well.

Hugo Bromell (Coburg) is coming into his own since returning to the midfield averaging 22 and 5 I50s over last three weeks. At 185cm and 22 years old, he is coming into his own. I had completely overlooked 20 year, 185cm Richmond VFL lister Harry Scott who was one of his sides best in todays 2 point loss to North VFL. Has been good a few times this year. Cam Nyko from my Bombers is a mid sized utility who has z booking left foot that can play any where as well.

Louie Montgomery is only 19 isn’t he? Not 23. And his brother Harper is not a twin, he is two years older at 21.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Louie Montgomery is only 19 isn’t he? Not 23. And his brother Harper is not a twin, he is two years older at 21.

Yeah, a quick Google says this is all correct. Where does one pull "twins" from when they're very clearly years apart?

 

[Yoda_]

wrongly assumed

 

[Mutineer]

Has anyone mentioned Richmond's Tom McCarthy yet?

I watch all games that Kane McAuliffe plays and this fella has really caught my eye 2 weeks in a row, a real aggressive runner off half back, good size and excellent skills, a real metres gained type running back,

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/all-the-midseason-draft-news-as-west-coast-closes-in-on-tom-mccarthy/news-story/1bef7ae1fdd63546daf60e93cf4964e3

All the AFL mid-season rookie draft news and whispers as West Coast closes in on Tom McCarthy​

Even Tom McCarthy cannot believe his “impossible” rise from football oblivion to No. 1 mid-season draft pick.
Two years ago, he was playing division two football in the Southern League for Highett.

Six months ago, he was still stacking shelves with yoghurt, milk, cream and ham as the assistant manager of a Woolworths dairy section.

On Wednesday, the attacking half back flanker from Richmond’s VFL side is certain to be taken with the first pick in the mid-season draft.

On Sunday, having been rested to ensure he dodged injury in Richmond’s weekend VFL clash, he watched West Coast’s loss to Adelaide aware he will be a teammate of Harley Reid and Oscar Allen within days.

 

[glengowan]

Lukas Cooke from the Eagles in the SANFL is having a breakout year as a key position defender. 21yo, 196cm, quite skinny still, but quick, skilful by foot and an excellent mark. Has been a key forward previously with a taste of league football. There was a need for a key defender so he trained as that over pre-season and has taken to it like a duck to water and in my opinion, would be a good pick up. The key defenders aren’t easy to find, especially those that can play both roles of defending well and rebounding. Plenty of upside with learning position and building the body as well.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Bagger72]

A very weak Vic Metro indicating a very weak draft. That suggests perhaps the 19-23 y.o cohorts will be more attractive circa mid 2nd round. imo

 

[Futbolista]

A very weak Vic Metro indicating a very weak draft. That suggests perhaps the 19-23 y.o cohorts will be more attractive circa mid 2nd round. imo

No! A weak vic metro doesn't mean a weak draft.

 

[Mutineer]

Has anyone mentioned Richmond's Tom McCarthy yet?

I watch all games that Kane McAuliffe plays and this fella has really caught my eye 2 weeks in a row, a real aggressive runner off half back, good size and excellent skills, a real metres gained type running back,

Bump

!st up AFL game...

 

[Yoda_]

Harry Scott (Richmond VFL)

Remember the name from the Punt Rd factory that is the VFL Tigers program

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Bump

!st up AFL game...



View attachment 2343583

29 today also.

 

[jesterwester]

McCarthy just averaging a lazy 30 touches in AFL footy over his first 2 games.

Looks like a seasoned veteran already. Really impressive debut and backed it up again. WC look better already.

Does make me wonder just how many other guys are out there who should be on a list talent wise who don’t make it because they just didn’t get the oppurtunity. Hoping we see a few more recruited this year.

 

[Mutineer]

McCarthy just averaging a lazy 30 touches in AFL footy over his first 2 games.

Looks like a seasoned veteran already. Really impressive debut and backed it up again. WC look better already.

Does make me wonder just how many other guys are out there who should be on a list talent wise who don’t make it because they just didn’t get the oppurtunity. Hoping we see a few more recruited this year.

I only watched him twice when I was watching Richmond's VFL team because I have a particular interest in Kane McAuliffe and honestly he stuck out like the proverbial dog's balls
How he hadn't been mentioned as an obvious MSD prospect at that point was amazing with attacking metres gained half backs with very penetrating boots so much in vogue in the AFL.

 

[Yoda_]

I only watched him twice when I was watching Richmond's VFL team because I have a particular interest in Kane McAuliffe and honestly he stuck out like the proverbial dog's balls
How he hadn't been mentioned as an obvious MSD prospect at that point was amazing with attacking metres gained half backs with very penetrating boots so much in vogue in the AFL.

he didn't have the body of work in 2024 that he was putting up in 2025. A more inside game to compliment his run and carry as a half back put him on the map.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Harry Scott (Richmond VFL)

Remember the name from the Punt Rd factory that is the VFL Tigers program

Kicked the winner today apparently

 

[tigs2010]

Kicked the winner today apparently

He sure did. He's looking bloody good

 

[go_the_dockers]

Who are the best small forwards in VFL, SANFL and WAFL?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Who are the best small forwards in VFL, SANFL and WAFL?

Massimo Raso and Jay Dahlhaus would probably be the only two with draftable traits from the VFL.

Frank Szekely is the only small forward in the top 10 of goals kicked in the SANFL.

Could be wrong but don’t think there are too many standout fast small forwards in the WAFL either.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Frank Szekely is the only small forward in the top 10 of goals kicked in the SANFL.

Even kicked 3 goals last weekend in a game where his team got destroyed by 115. But at 26 he's probably too old to get taken by an AFL team at this point. I think his best chance was in last year's MSD and it didn't happen.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Even kicked 3 goals last weekend in a game where his team got destroyed by 115. But at 26 he's probably too old to get taken by an AFL team at this point. I think his best chance was in last year's MSD and it didn't happen.

Mannagh was 26 when he got drafted to Geelong.

In a draft pool that looks to have no depth and not many genuine small forwards it would make a lot of sense for clubs to go hunting in the state league.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Mannagh was 26 when he got drafted to Geelong.

In a draft pool that looks to have no depth and not many genuine small forwards it would make a lot of sense for clubs to go hunting in the state league.

It's possible, though I'd argue Mannagh had the more impressive state league run, 28 possessions and 6 goals in a losing grand final effort is extraordinary.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Even kicked 3 goals last weekend in a game where his team got destroyed by 115. But at 26 he's probably too old to get taken by an AFL team at this point. I think his best chance was in last year's MSD and it didn't happen.

It still boggles the mind that a team like Carlton wouldn't leap at the chance to dump duds like Orazio Fantasia and Lachie Fogarty and take a chance on a guy who might give them 5 solid years.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

It still boggles the mind that a team like Carlton wouldn't leap at the chance to dump duds like Orazio Fantasia and Lachie Fogarty and take a chance on a guy who might give them 5 solid years.

We might still

 

[Yoda_]

Think we'll likely have a larger amount of state leaguers at the end of the year. Quite a number of 19 - 23 year olds doing a lot of good things at VFL level. Can't comment on the other state leagues but here is a quick list of names id be keeping an eye out for

Nathan Sulzberger (North Melbourne)
Joel Trudgeon (Coburg)
Jackson Voss (Frankston)
Harry Scott (Richmond)
Josh Green (Port Melbourne)
Solomon McKay (Essendon)
Tom Blamires (Frankston)
Nick Williams (Southport)
Louie Montgomery (GWS)
Tobyn Murray (Geelong)
Ethan Williams (Sandringham)
Massimo Raso (Richmond)
Jay Dalhousie (Weribee)
Josh D'Intinistano (Coburg)
Josh Browne (Collingwood)
Austin Johnson (Richmond)
Christian Algeri (Collingwood)
Flynn Riley (Carlton)
Ryan Eyre (Collingwood)
Lachlan Monteith (Essendon)
Lachlan Reidy (Frankston)
Ajang Kuol Munn (Port Melbourne)
Tom Hird (Port Melbourne)
Matt Foley (Essendon)
Cam Nyko (Essendon)
Riley Mason (Collingwood)

 

[Jack Richards]

No love for Josh Green?