One game remains in this year’s National AFL Under 18 Championships – one of the most important annual events for aspiring AFL players as part of their draft campaigns – with Vic Metro and Vic Country clashing on Sunday.

But there’s a lot to unpack from nine games so far, with several players boosting their prospects, while more question marks still linger on others.

Foxfooty.com.au assesses the landscape after the completion of most champs games in in AFL Draft Watch ahead of the 2025 AFL national draft – with the first round to be held on Wednesday November 19, followed by the remaining rounds on Thursday November 20.

TOP OF THE CLASS

Like last year, there’s no clear consensus on who the top player in the 2025 draft class is. Richmond took Sam Lalor with Pick 1 in 2024, Carlton traded up the draft order as it had Jagga Smith (Pick 3) as the top player on its draft board and Lions father-son selection Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5) was the top of several media power rankings.

For some recruiters spoken to by foxfooty.com.au, Calder Cannons’ ruck-forward Cooper Duff-Tytler is the best prospect in it. A potential AFL unicorn at 200cm, Duff-Tytler has impressed draft watchers with his unique athleticism, aerial ability and cleanliness with ball in hand, especially below his knees. He hasn’t necessarily had a ‘wow game’ during the national carnival, but he’s been impressively consistent – like he has been across all levels this year to date.

South Australia captain Dyson Sharp also proved his doubters wrong, leading his state to a drought-breaking title and winning the SA MVP award. And he’s a strong chance to take out the Larke Medal – which will be confirmed after Sunday’s Country-Metro game – as the best player across the carnival, kicking five goals and averaging 27.0 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, 7.5 score involvements, 6.5 inside 50s, 6.0 clearances and 5.0 tackles from four games.

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Cooper Duff-Tytler of Victoria Metro. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

A bankable, ready-to-play midfielder with strong leadership traits, Sharp for months had been regarded among the top-10 players in this year’s draft class. Yet many scouts were hesitant to put him too high on draft boards, citing other players in the pool could have a higher ceiling at AFL level.

But Sharp couldn’t have been more impressive across his four games for SA – especially his middle two matches against Vic Metro and WA – with scouts impressed by his leadership and improved outside game. He now has to be in the top-five conversation, especially if he carries his form into Central District’s SANFL league team.

Brisbane Lions academy star Daniel Annable – a well-balanced 183cm midfielder with clean hands, great vision and coalface strength – has only solidified his top-five contender status too, averaging 24.8 disposals, 7.0 score involvements, 5.5 inside 50s and 4.2 clearances. The prospect of him joining the reigning premiers next year – and linking up with Will and Levi Ashcroft, as well as academy graduate Sam Marshall, in the midfield for years to come – would be tough for opposition scouts and fans to stomach.

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And if you had any doubts over Dylan Patterson’s top-five credentials prior to the championships, you’d be close to jumping on the bandwagon now. The Gold Coast Academy star has had some breathtaking moments – including a match-winning run against WA – across his four games, which saw him average 19.8 disposals, 5.0 rebound 50s, 4.8 score involvements and 400m gained. Patterson’s explosive speed and penetrating kick are massive weapons.

Eastern Ranges big-bodied 191cm midfielder Ollie Greeves would be a strong chance to take out Vic Metro’s MVP award, averaging 25.7 disposals, 12.0 contested possessions and 4.7 clearances from three games. Greeves has been a standout at the coalface in all three matches, showing off clean hands in congestion. Clubs like his footy smarts, kicking skills and toughness at the contest.

Like Greeves, Geelong Falcons defender Josh Lindsay looms as a top-10 pick, showing off terrific composure and pinpoint ball use out of the back-half. He’s averaged a team-high 24.3 disposals, 4.7 intercepts, 4.0 marks and 467m gained in a consistent campaign for Vic Country.

And Fred Rodriguez – a tough, bankable and team-oriented midfielder with a great workrate out of South Fremantle – had a strong carnival, showing off an improved inside game to compliment his outside traits. Rodriguez took out WA’s MVP award, averaging 18.0 disposals, 4.5 tackles and 4.3 clearances across the four games. Whether he’s still WA’s top prospect, however, remains a point of contention among AFL clubs.

Willem Duursma, Archie Ludowyke and Zeke Uwland are also in the top-picks category, but more on them in the below categories …

THE CHAMPS ‘BOLTERS’

Amid South Australia’s undefeated campaign emerged a few first-round contenders, and possibly top-10 chances, depending on which clubs you speak to.

For some, Sam Cumming was already in the top-10 conversation prior to the champs. Four games later and he’s only strengthened that status, kicking four goals and averaging 17.0 disposals.

After dominant displays at SANFL Under 18s level, recruiters were pleased Cumming stepped up on the national stage, with one talent-watcher labelling him “the prototype AFL midfielder”. Even better, Cumming has made a splash for North Adelaide’s league team since the champs, racking up 16 disposals against Sturt before a brilliant display against South Adelaide last weekend, booting 3.1 from 21 disposals, six inside 50s, five clearances, five tackles and five marks.

Sam Cumming (vc) of South Australia. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Another potential top-10 prospect is West Adelaide’s Mitch Marsh – an exciting 191cm forward who spearheaded SA’s forward line. Marsh was the Croweaters’ top goalkicker, booting five goals against Vic Country in SA’s final match to finish with 12 for the tournament. His competitiveness in the air, strong marking on the lead, forward craft and accurate kicking – combined with his speed and athleticism – make him a tantalising prospect.

Central District 198cm big man Aidan Schubert, too, was a constant forward-half presence, kicking 10 goals for the carnival. His mobility, aerobic capacity, competitiveness and ground-level cleanliness – which helped him rack up 21 and 19 disposals respectively in his final two games – now have him in first-round calculations.

And Sturt’s Harley Barker also has fans. A damaging, run-and-carry winger with an athletics background, Barker kicked four goals and averaged 16.0 disposals, 5.8 score involvements, 5.5 marks and 335m gained. Unfortunately for Barker, he ruptured his ACL returning for Sturt a fortnight ago, but not before making a champs statement.

WA, too, has a few players surging up boards, most notably West Perth 189cm prospect Jacob Farrow, who’s mounting his case to be the first WA player picked. Farrow, who’s been likened to Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson, averaged 19.0 disposals and 4.8 marks from his four matches, with his best outing coming against the Allies at Marvel Stadium where he was WA’s designated distributor out of the defensive 50. He finished with a game-high 29 disposals, nine marks, six intercepts and a whopping 803m gained.

Sam Swadling – a hard-working, composed and clean 187cm midfielder out of West Perth – also has lots of fans at AFL club level. He kicked three goals and averaged 19.0 disposals, 7.5 contested possessions and 6.0 score involvements to be arguably WA’s most consistent player across the champs.

At the Allies, Lachlan Carmichael put his hand up to be recognised as this year’s top Swans Academy prospect. He averaged a team-high 24.8 disposals, 6.0 score involvements, 5.0 marks, 4.8 rebound 50s and 382m gained. There’s a bit of Liam Baker about 183cm defender Carmichael with his composure, toughness and balance, while he also generates back-half drive to go with his elite footy IQ and positioning nous.

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Meanwhile, Carlton father-son prospect and Murray Bushrangers defender Harry Dean – the son of dual premiership Blue Peter Dean – continued to impress recruiters with his power, toughness and competitiveness. He’s averaged 13.0 disposals, 6.7 intercepts and 5.7 marks from three games to become, arguably, the No.1 key defender in the draft class. The Blues now will almost certainly have to match a bid on Dean in the first round – which makes a potential first-round compensation pick for free agent Tom De Koning so crucial, considering the Blues as it stands don’t hold a first-rounder.

The wildcard to keep an eye on is Eastern Ranges forward Lachy Dovaston, whose past two games for Vic Metro have been eye-catching. After booting 2.3 from 18 disposals against WA, Dovaston turned it on against the Allies booting 4.1 from 18 disposals, five inside 50s and five tackles. Likened to young Hawthorn star Nick Watson, Dovaston has outstanding forward craft, with flair and poise around goal.

THE LINGERING QUESTIONS

The versatile Willem Duursma remains a strong top-end prospect with big upside at AFL level. But whether he’s at the pointy, top-five end of the class type remains a point of contention among recruiters.

At 192cm, the silky Duursma has an elite kick, great lateral movement and the flexibility to play in multiple positions on the field. His ability to explode from congestion after receiving handballs has been likened to Giants star Finn Callaghan.

Duursma – the youngest of the four Duursma’s – started the champs as a midfielder against WA (27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 3 contested marks) before settling in defence for his most recent two games against SA (24 disposals, 5 intercepts) and the Allies (19 disposals, 5 intercepts). While he’s been prolific in all games, some recruiters spoken to by foxfooty.com.au noted some inconsistency with his kicking and had some question marks around his defensive work.

Willem Duursma of Victoria Country. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Other scouts, however, noted that while it’s been good to see Duursma spend time in all thirds of the ground this year, the positional shifts throughout the year might’ve hindered his draft campaign momentum. Most of Duursma’s best performances this year have come for the Gippsland Power playing as an on-baller pushing forward to hit the scoreboard.

Then there’s Vic Metro’s Archie Ludowyke and Swans Academy prospect Max King, and the uber-talented duo struggled to make a big splash in the championships.

Ludowyke has had some standout games this season – he’s kicked bags of four and five goals for the Sandringham Dragons, while he kicked five goals across two AFL Academy games against VFL opposition – but went goalless against SA and WA before suffering a knee injury against the Allies on the weekend.

King – an athletic 191cm prospect who’s strong overhead and clean at ground level – has top-five talent, but didn’t catch fire for the Allies during the carnival. He threatened to against WA at Marvel Stadium – he took a spectacular mark and ultimately kicked the match-winner – but missed several opportunities in front of goal, booting 2.3 from eight disposals and five marks. That performance was sandwiched between games of 0.2 against SA and 0.0 against Vic Country, while he didn’t play in the final match against Vic Metro due to illness.

Scouts have seen glimpses of Metro duo Sam Grlj and Louis Emmett’s best, but probably need a greater sample size to declare they’re bona fide top-end picks.

Renowned for his burst away from congestion, Grlj has averaged 17.0 disposals from three matches, but has yet to produce a genuine ‘pick me’ game, although scouts are excited by his great combination of speed, power and endurance.

Ruckman Emmett, meanwhile, has struggled to hit the same heights this year as he did as a bottom-ager, putting his first-round prospects in some doubt. But scouts were encouraged by Emmett’s most recent outing against the Allies, finishing with 14 disposals, six marks (two contested) and 12 hit-outs.

Another player scouts would like a greater sample size on is Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves.

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves of Victoria Country. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

The silky 186cm Dandenong Stingrays player a clear standout in Vic Country’s tight loss to WA, booting four goals from 18 disposals where he started on a wing before pushing more forward as the game progressed. Most importantly, he hit the scoreboard when the game was up for grabs.

But a few weeks later, Hibbins-Hargreaves was well held against SA, finishing with one goal from seven disposals. It’s why AFL clubs are keen to see greater game-to-game consistency from Hibbins-Hargreaves, who was sidelined earlier this season with a shoulder injury.

Then there’s Riley Onley, who’s been one of Vic Country’s best players during the carnival so far. His most recent performance against the Allies was eye-catching, finishing with a team-high 28 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 13 score involvements, seven clearances, six marks and six inside 50s fans.

Fans of Onley (195cm) reckon he has all the traits of a modern-day midfielder: Size, speed and endurance. Others point out he needs to work on his outside game and defensive pressure. So whether he’s in the first-round mix remains unclear.

And then there’s 200cm Claremont big man Cody Curtin – the younger brother of Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin.

An excellent one-on-one mark and a penetrating kick, Curtin played as a forward-ruck for WA. He started his carnival with three goals against Vic Country then went goalless against SA and the Allies, before finishing with three majors against Vic Metro.

While Curtin’s glimpses have been impressive, scouts would really like to see how Curtin fares playing reserves or league WAFL footy later in the year.

IN THE MIX

Several club-tied prospects certainly boosted their draft stocks throughout the National Championships, including a pair of Next Generation Academy Bombers and a couple of young guns tied to the Pies.

Hussien El Achkar of Victoria Metro. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Calder Cannons small forward Hussien El Achkar was one of those, dazzling onlookers with his nous around goal, creativity and liveliness with ball in hand. El Achkar kicked 0.4 from 10 disposals to open his carnival, but booted two and three goals in the two games after that.

His performance against the Allies in Metro’s third game was perhaps most impressive, but his consistency as a stay at home small forward should be applauded. His pressure is solid and he often brings teammates into the game as well.

Then there’s his Metro teammate Adam Sweid, another Essendon NGA prospect. Sweid missed last year due to an ACL injury, but has picked up where he left off and shown plenty this season.

The Cannons gun booted four goals from 16 disposals against the Allies in what was the breakout performance that would no doubt have got Essendon fans’ tongues wagging. Sweid has shown an ability to hit the scoreboard, but he’s also strong at the contest and loves to get his hands dirty. In his previous National Champs clash against Western Australia, Sweid had 20 touches and eight tackles.

Collingwood NGA prospect Zac McCarthy has also boosted his prospects as the season has progressed. The Oakleigh Chargers tall has shown he can thrive as a forward and as a ruck, and looms as a fantastic addition to Collingwood’s squad.

The 199cm jet is great in the air and composed with ball in hand, a rare trait for players his size. Given Collingwood’s key position stocks forward of centre are ageing, his addition would be a huge boost to Collingwood’s future. The talented tall has booted five goals in his two most recent Champs outings playing primarily as a forward given Metro’s plethora of ruck options.

Zac McCarthy of Victoria Metro. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

And don’t sleep on Tom McGuane, who is the son of Collingwood champion Mick. McGuane has absolutely stuffed the stats sheet for the Western Jets this season, averaging 29.3 disposals per game, ranked fifth in the competition for players who have played multiple games. He’s clean with the ball and crafty around the stoppage, also averaging five marks and 4.3 inside 50s per game. He hasn’t quite reached the same heights for Vic Metro, where he has averaged 17 disposals and four marks a game. McGuane is a hard worker and is a good leader among his peers.

ON THE SIDELINES

While many prospects use the National Championships to boost their draft credentials, there has been a host of talented youngsters who didn’t have that opportunity this season.

Perhaps the best of those is Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Zeke Uwland, who genuinely shapes as a top five prospect. Uwland has missed the entire carnival with a back injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from finding other ways to improve his game, whether that be watching vision or helping out in the coaches box.

Uwland, the brother of Gold Coast’s Bodhi, spent time with the Suns AFL boys over pre-season and is also studying a law degree as he prepares himself for life after footy. Uwland is a great decision-maker who is excellent by foot and his leadership has also come on in leaps and bounds. He’s targeting a return via the Suns VFL team in the coming weeks assuming all goes to plan.

Another member of the Suns Academy production line is Jai Murray, who hasn’t taken part in the National Championships because of an ankle injury. Murray does some of his best work as a smooth-moving operator on the outside, where can use his endurance and line-breaking ability. A composed user, Murray can pick apart opposition sides with his ball use by foot.

Jai Murray of Team Sloane. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Murray Bushrangers key forward Liam Hetherton also hasn’t featured throughout the Championships due to a back injury. Hetherton still looms as one of the pool’s best forwards, having shown plenty of promise during the Coates Talent League season before injury struck. The 197cm tall booted 11.3 from just three matches to put his name up in lights.

He’s a strong contested mark and is clean at ground level, making him a tough matchup for opposition defenders. A member of the AFL Academy, he was highly-rated pre-injury, but given the time off it’s likely clubs have him in a range of different spots on their draft boards.

Another familiar name to footy fans will be Jevan Phillipou, the brother of young Saint Mattaes. The younger Phillipou also comes from an elite basketball background and idolises the likes of Isaac Heeney and Christian Petracca. Those comparisons are pretty apt, given his ability to find the footy, hit the scoreboard and take a big mark in the air. He’s an impact player that will excite fans for many years.

Given he missed South Australia’s Champs win with a broken arm, the Woodville-West Torrens product has flown somewhat under the radar this year, but he’s got plenty of upside. In a recent SANFL U18s clash, Phillipou had 31 touches, six tackles, six clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals.