The biggest national draft snub has been granted a heart-warming AFL lifeline, with Eastern Ranges star midfielder Ollie Greeves one of several fresh faces taken during the 2025 rookie draft.

After 58 players realised their childhood AFL dreams at the national draft this week, another six earned rookie list spots on Friday.

Arguably the unluckiest player who missed out during the national draft, Greeves was rookie-listed by Hawthorn — the same club that unsuccessfully tried to gain NGA access to him at the start of the year. He trained with Hawthorn twice during the 2025 pre-season.

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Greeves, who was awarded the Vic Metro MVP during the National Championships and finished runner up in the Larke Medal, had grabbed the attention of several clubs, yet none were willing to pounce on him in the national draft.

The great-nephew of Geelong legend Carji Greeves — the first winner of the Brownlow Medal — Greeves is a beast at the contest with his footy smarts, clean hands and toughness.

Western Australia MVP Fred Rodriguez was selected by West Coast with the first pick in the rookie draft.

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Rodriguez had a strong National Championships campaign with the Black Swans, showcasing his creativity and competitiveness. A natural leader and big-bodied midfielder who oozes professionalism, Rodriguez works hard both ways, can kick on both sides of his body and does his best work around stoppages.

Fellow tall midfielder Riley Onley also won a rookie list spot, with Melbourne selecting him with its sole open rookie spot. Fans of Onley reckon he has all the traits of a modern-day midfielder: Size, speed and endurance.

Fremantle selected Swan Districts small forward Leon Kickett. A late national combine invitee, the 173cm small forward plays with great energy and life, while his speed and elusiveness is eye-catching.

Port Adelaide used one of its rookie picks to upgrade Jack Watkins from its SANFL program. Watkins, who trialled with the Power over the pre-season, gets his chance after a prolific SANFL season in Port’s midfield.

Northern Knights’ Nick Driscoll was the sixth and final fresh face, taken by Geelong.

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Five clubs pre-listed academy-tied players as Category B rookies: Fremantle (Toby Whan and Ryda Luke), Geelong (Jesse Mellor), GWS Giants (Riley Hamilton) and Sydney (Noah Chamberlain and Liam Hetherton).

Hetherton, who hails from Glenroy in country NSW, wasn’t part of the Swans’ northern academy, but joined the club on Friday as a NSW zone selection.

“We believe Liam has all the attributes to become a very good AFL player,” Swans list boss Chris Keane said.

“He missed the majority of the season though injury but showed enough promise through the early parts of the year. We are excited to add a developing tall to round out our list.”

Melbourne and Collingwood also took Kalani White (Demons father-son) and Jai Saxena (Magpies NGA) as Category A rookies.

Elsewhere, a host of clubs re-drafted existing talent via the rookie draft, including Tyler Welsh (Adelaide), Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane), George Stevens (Geelong), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Geelong), Ben Jepson (Gold Coast), Conor Stone (GWS), Patrick Said (St Kilda), Dane Rampe (Sydney) and Jake Lloyd (Sydney).

It meant Tom McGuane (Collingwood father-son), Louis Kellaway (Richmond father-son), Wes Walley (West Coast NGA) and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves were left undrafted. It’s understood Walley was told by West Coast a few days ago it wouldn’t take him as a Category B rookie.

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Adelaide was the only club to have a pick in the pre-season draft and used it to add dual premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee to their primary list.

Brisbane and the Crows had attempted to negotiate a trade during the AFL exchange period, only for no deal to be struck. It means Ah Chee walks to the Crows for free.

Elsewhere, West Coast will give second chances to ex-Lion Deven Robertson, former Pie Finlay Macrae and ex-Crow Harry Schoenberg via the SSP, while Fremantle has its eyes on veteran Mason Cox to bolster their tall stocks.

AFL ROOKIE DRAFT 2025: ORDER AND LIVE TRACKER

ROUND 1

1. West Coast Eagles: Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle)

2. Richmond: Pass

3. Melbourne: Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers)

4. Port Adelaide: Jack Watkins (Port Adelaide SANFL)

5. St Kilda: Patrick Said (St Kilda)*

6. Carlton: Pass

7. Sydney Swans: Jake Lloyd (Sydney Swans)*

8. Fremantle: Leon Kickett (Swan Districts)

9. GWS Giants: Conor Stone (GWS Giants)*

10. Gold Coast Suns: Ben Jepson (Gold Coast Suns)*

11. Adelaide Crows: Tyler Welsh (Adelaide)*

12. Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves (Hawthorn)

13. Geelong Cats: George Stevens (Geelong Cats)*

14. Brisbane Lions: Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane Lions)*

ROUND 2

15. West Coast Eagles: Pass

16. Port Adelaide: Pass

17. St Kilda: Pass

18. Sydney Swans: Dane Rampe (Sydney Swans)*

19. Fremantle: Pass

20. GWS Giants: Pass

21. Adelaide Crows: Pass

22. Hawthorn: Pass

23. Geelong Cats: Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Geelong Cats)*

ROUND 3

24. West Coast Eagles: Pass

25. Port Adelaide: Pass

26. Fremantle: Pass

27. Hawthorn: Pass

28. Geelong Cats: Nick Driscoll (Northern Knights)

ROUND 4

29. West Coast Eagles: Pass

PRE-LISTED CATEGORY A ROOKIES

Collingwood: Jai Saxena

Melbourne: Kalani White

PRE-LISTED CATEGORY B ROOKIES

Fremantle: Toby Whan & Ryda Luke

Geelong Cats: Jesse Mellor

GWS Giants: Riley Hamilton

Sydney Swans: Noah Chamberlain and Liam Hetherton

AFL PRE-SEASON DRAFT 2025

1. Adelaide: Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane Lions)