New South Wales prospect Liam Hetherton is a 198cm key forward from the Murray Bushrangers.
Hetherton missed most of 2025 with a back injury but has a compelling range of traits as a powerful tall, which he showcased early in 2025, briefly playing through injury, and in the back end of 2024.
A mobile contested marking force who follows up well and has clean skills below his knees, Hetherton has the traits to anchor a forward line at AFL level.
From the same Coates Talent League club as now AFL-listed brothers Matt and Jack Whitlock, he has shown himself to be a momentum player, with the ability to kick goals in quick bursts, and on raw talent, is in the top echelon of forwards of this draft class.
Given his long-term injury and absence, Hetherton could prove to be a bargain selection for a club needing a key forward, with the athletic spearhead having entered the year in top 10 calculations prior to being sidelined.
Hetherton is an unlikely selection for the first night of the draft, but a selection that early can’t be ruled out.
Clubs keen on a key forward include GWS, Geelong, Fremantle and North Melbourne, who all hold picks in Hetherton’s range.
44
RANK
Liam Hetherton
Murray Bushrangers
Forward
HEIGHT: 197cm
â–¶
Strengths
Power
Marking
Forward Craft
Draft Range
Pick 25-50
Potential Landing Spots
GWS (Pick 35)
Geelong (Pick 40)
North Melbourne (Picks 25, 26 and 40)
Fremantle (Pick 47)