Draft Profile Mature Agers 2025 edition

[eth-dog]

Round 4 completed and we are starting to see some clarity amongst who should be in the running for the mid season draft.

#1 - Riley Baldi - Casey Demons (UP 3 SPOTS)

Another big game for Casey Demons (23disposals, 7 marks, 1.0) to solid himself as arguably the best prospect who hasn't been on a list before as a mid season option.

The 178cm inside midfielder is averaging 24 touches a game and managed to sneak forward and kick an uncustomary goal for the Demons in a tough loss to a rampaging GWS Giants.

#2 - Massimo Raso - Richmond VFL (+/-)

171cm Richmond VFL small forward Massimo Raso moves into second place after another spritely performance in a fierce contest at Frankston Park. Another 3 goals takes his season tally to 8 from 4 games putting him firmly on notice.

#3 - Riley Mason - Collingwood VFL (DOWN 1 SPOT)
Tough day to stand out with so many key forwards presenting as options. (3 other key forwards kicked multiple goals on the day). 2 goals from limited opportunities was still a day in which he contributed 2 goals taking his season tally to 11 from 3 games.

#4 - Nick Williams - Southport (+/-)

Another great game from the former Suns academy member. The 190cm half back flanker is having a consistent season for the Table topping sharks. Averaging 17.5 possessions a game and 3 rebound 50's, he should be firmly on AFL clubs radars.

#5 Tom McCarthy - Richmond VFL (+/-)

No one is really jumping into the top 5 so McCarthy holds onto this spot purely by his ok performance on Saturday night. Another 16 possessions takes his season average to 20.5 a game. At 24 and new to the system, he is firmly on AFL clubs radars.


Honourable mentions to a few entering the edge of the top 5.

Jonah Campigli (Sandringham). The 2024 VAFA rising star winner (?), kicked a huge 5 goals in a boil over win for Sandy against the top 8 chasing Footscray. Has been immense the last two weeks and as a hybrid fwd, is another entering discussions as a mid season draft possibility.

Jack Andrew (Coburg Lions) kicked 4 goals from 9 possessions but the 183cm, 21 year old took some massive contested marks from his 9 possessions to go with 4 goals. On watch after a great debut game.

Christian Algeri (Collingwood VFL), had a huge game for the VFL Magpies, 23 possessions, 7marks, 3 Inside 50s and a goal in a tight, high scoring game against the Lions VFL side. At 22, another to watch for the season.

Jovan Petric (Williamstown) is a big 197cm, 21 year old KPF from Williamstown. Kicked 4 goals to take his season tally to 8 from 4 games. A big hulking key forward. Presents well.



There is a raft of known qualities in the VFL puittting up decent numbers. Joel Trudgeon (Coburg), with another 35 disposals, Joel Fitzgerald had another 26 to take his season average to 22.5 a game. Josh Green (Port Melbourne) with a further 31 in a tough loss to Essendon VFL, Flynn Gentile (Coburg) 29 possessions and 9 inside 50s.

Did anyone impress you over the weekend ?

Fitzgerald was terrible against Coburg

 

[Yoda_]

Fitzgerald was terrible against Coburg

he is continually getting his hands on the ball, thats the most impressive thing. Im hoping he can settle at half back because he looks better there than when they push him up into the midfield.

 

[eth-dog]

he is continually getting his hands on the ball, thats the most impressive thing. Im hoping he can settle at half back because he looks better there than when they push him up into the midfield.

He was a big part of 5/6 goals we got through poor errors.

 

[Yoda_]

He was a big part of 5/6 goals we got through poor errors.

Thoughts on Trudgeon, Gentile and Rhys Galvin's season so far?

I know plenty of talk about Gentile but obviously no chance just yet. Size the big restricting factor?

 

[Hamingja]

Yeah 25 or 26. Genuine option for a mature age MSD selection though.

26 turning 27 this year. It would be interesting to know how he would test athletically. We have 5 AFL quality key defenders with the emergence of COS so probably not on our radar but you would think some of the teams that are putting out teenagers to the slaughter would have to have a look.

 

[Yoda_]

26 turning 27 this year. It would be interesting to know how he would test athletically. We have 5 AFL quality key defenders with the emergence of COS so probably not on our radar but you would think some of the teams that are putting out teenagers to the slaughter would have to have a look.

agreed, the VFL seems really thin for quality key defenders.

Will Hoare (Essendon VFL), Fraser Rosman (Port Melbourne), Ethan Phillips (Carlton VFL) probably the leading candidates along with Charlie

 

[eth-dog]

Thoughts on Trudgeon, Gentile and Rhys Galvin's season so far?

I know plenty of talk about Gentile but obviously no chance just yet. Size the big restricting factor?

Not damaging enough for me. Trudge is an accumulator, Galvin I haven't paid much attention to at all tbh, doubt he'll make it.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

What was Donovan Toohey doing before Coburg?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Did anyone impress you over the weekend ?

I watched the Lions v Collingwood game at re ground and came away much more impressed with Fergus McFadyen than Riley Mason. I doubt McFadyen gets picked up in the MSD though.

 

[Yoda_]

I watched the Lions v Collingwood game at re ground and came away much more impressed with Fergus McFadyen than Riley Mason. I doubt McFadyen gets picked up in the MSD though.

I think he is still Academy tied (eligible for one year after eligibility if someone can confirm?)

Ive seen Mason do some really impressive things this year at VFL level

 

[Yoda_]

What was Donovan Toohey doing before Coburg?

eth-dog is our resident Coburg officianado but I believe Donovan is 25 so may hold him back after only just breaking out

 

[swuzzlebubble]

25 so may hold him back after only just breaking out

Would apply to Tom McCarthy too?

 

[Yoda_]

Would apply to Tom McCarthy too?

Tom putting up decent numbers. Although slowing with Tigers AFL listers returning

 

[Johnny Bananas]

What was Donovan Toohey doing before Coburg?

Playing for Fitzroy in the VAFA.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Playing for Fitzroy in the VAFA.

Ok I see won their b&f before getting picked up by Coburg

 

[swuzzlebubble]

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

There was talk about bringing back the old Match Ratio to sort out Gold Coast and Essendon’s positions in the draft order.

 

[Jen2310]

MID-SEASON PROSPECTS' CHANCE TO IMPRESS​

MID-SEASON rookie draft contenders Floyd Burmeister, Rod Ali, Zac Walker and Adrian Cole are among the 23-player squad selected for Saturday's Young Guns game.


The team was picked based on club recruiters' feedback on which overage players overlooked at last year's draft should be given a chance to impress ahead of the mid-season rookie draft.


The Young Guns will take on a Vic Metro squad on Saturday morning at Werribee's Avalon Airport Oval.


Burmeister has put himself firmly in the No.1 pick mix for the mid-season draft, while Calder Cannons' Gus Papal, Murray Bushrangers' Zac Harding and Western Jets ruckman Ayden McCarroll have also been picked.

Noah Yze, son of former Demons star and current Richmond coach Adem, is also in the team, while Sandringham small Charlie Rozenes is another who has shown his dash at the start of this year to be in mid-season considerations.

 

[Yoda_]

Young guns team list has been released, basically guys overlooked from last year in the Young Guns squad;

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

No Cooper Herbert?

 

[Yoda_]

No Cooper Herbert?

is in the Vic Metro group (#22)

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

is in the Vic Metro group (#22)

Didn’t even think to look there.

I assume he’s still MSD eligible?

 

[Yoda_]

Didn’t even think to look there.

I assume he’s still MSD eligible?

would assume so

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Ayden McCarroll anyone know much about this ruckman may be a target for WCE ?

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

How’d the Young Guns game go?