This is it. Our final say. The cream of the crop, the best of the best. With the AFL Draft now less than three weeks away, Craft of the Draft has released its definitive top 50 power rankings after following the talent pathway all year and releasing an expanding list each month.
The 2025 crop is expected to be a shallow pool with roughly 55 names expected to be taken in the National Draft. Despite conjecture about the strength of the Victorian crop, it remains the talent hotspot, with 17 players from Vic Metro programs and six from Vic Country programs.
The U18s National Championships winning South Australia are well represented with 11 members of the top 50, including eight in the top 21. Another major narrative of the AFL Draft in 2025 has been the compromised nature of the pool, with 14 members of the top 50 tied to clubs, including four players in the top seven.
To be clear: This is not a mock draft. This masthead has released two separate first-round mock drafts ahead of the AFL Draft and will release another, expanded one in the week immediately prior to the big day; but this story does not attempt to correspond the ranking with a suited club or interested suitor. This is simply a ranking of the top 50 best prospects available in this year’s intake.
Around the mark
Rory Wright is unlucky to miss the list after a brilliant finish to his season across half-back resulted in him drawing widespread comparison to champion Luke Hodge, though clubs question his lack of pace. GWV Rebels small forward Talor Byrne is also stiff after a strong season highlighted by a five-goal game for Vic Country. Sam Swadling is thereabouts as a proven ball winner, but his disposal efficiency is causing some hesitation about where he sits in the pecking order. Swadling’s Western Australian teammate Cody Curtin has a wide range, with some viewing him in the 30s and others much further back. Fremantle Academy prospect Toby Whan is also close after an excellent season for South Fremantle as a powerful midfielder in the vein of Hayden Young. Western Jets pair Oskar Ainsworth and Finn Davis are also around the mark. Brisbane Academy prospect Tyan Prindable could attract a bid after a strong season for the Allies and Brisbane VFL as a pressure forward, while Harry Scott and Tom Blamires are viewed as the leading VFL prospects in a shallow pool.
150-46
50 – Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle)
A big-bodied midfielder who does his best work at centre stoppages, Rodriguez came into 2025 as one of Western Australia’s most hyped prospects, and an MVP-winning National Championships and some strong footy for South Fremantle underlined his talent. Hard to pin down and capable of getting forward and hitting the scoreboard.
50
RANK
Fred Rodriguez
South Fremantle
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 184cm
▶
49 – Tom Burton (Western Jets)
The Vic Metro co-captain’s run-and-gun ways make him effective on counterattack, and he proved his high-end speed, endurance and vertical leap at the National AFL Draft Combine. Spent plenty of time in Western Jets’ engine room this year but has also spent time off half-back, where he can gain metres with his drive and willingness to get overlap possession.
MORE: BURTON’s GROWING MINDSET
48 – Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons)
The Essendon Next Generation Academy small forward has power and innate goal sense, booting 38 majors across 16 games at all levels in 2025. Clean at ground level, his damage factor at the fall of the ball is an impressive trait for the Calder attacker. Also has great strength and can burst through forward-50 stoppages.
MORE: UNDERRATED EL ACHKAR WEAPON CATCHING ATTENTION
48
RANK
Hussien El Achkar
Calder Cannons
Forward
HEIGHT: 171cm
47 – Koby Coulson (Gold Coast Academy)
A hard-working midfielder who earned U18s All-Australian honours after an uber-consistent campaign for an injury-ravaged Allies engine-room, Coulson has enhanced his stocks throughout 2025. Hard working, clean below his knees, and with great pressure and an appetite for the contest, Coulson took out Gold Coast Academy’s best player at the Suns’ best and fairest for 2025. His balanced, two-way skillset, which he showcased in some late-season VFL games, will hold him in good stead wherever on the field he starts his career.
MORE: CONTINUITY HOLDING COULSON IN GOOD STEAD
46 – Sam Allen (Oakleigh Chargers)
An athletic freak, an ACL injury sidelined the Oakleigh Chargers prospect for much of 2025, but he has plenty of traits attractive to AFL clubs. Didn’t get an extended opportunity to showcase his ability as an inside midfielder, but his brilliant running power was on display on the wing at Coates Talent League level last season, and his agility, speed and leap also jump off the page.
46
RANK
Sam Allen
Oakleigh Chargers
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 182cm