1m agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 7:20am
The rich Indigenous history behind Melbourne’s pick
Melbourne sprung the biggest surprise of the first round by selecting draft bolter Latrelle Pickett with the No.12 pick.
Pickett joins a line of Indigenous legends to have been selected at the pick, a list which includes his cousin and now teammate, Kysaiah.
Other Indigenous greats to have been selected at No.12 are Shaun Burgoyne, Gavin Wanganeen and Cyril Rioli.
“I’m the same boat as Shaun, obviously — ‘Silk’ — , played 400, and Cyril’s been one of my idols growing up, one of my heroes, and Koz as well,” Pickett said.
“I definitely have it in me — it would be great to have a career like that.
“It’s a dream come true.”
ABC/AAP
6m agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 7:15am
Dons draftee overawed by reported triple trade offer
Dyson Sharp (left) received his Bombers jumper on draft night from his childhood hero Dyson Heppell (right). (Getty Images)
Feeling he owes it all to Essendon, draftee Dyson Sharp is ready and willing to become a crucial cog in lifting the Bombers off the bottom of the AFL ladder.
South Australian product Sharp was Essendon’s last first-round pick at the national draft, selected at No.13 after the Bombers withstood desperate attempts from Adelaide to secure the young midfielder.
The Crows had reportedly offered three different deals for Sharp, who captained South Australia as a junior.
Sharp, a childhood Essendon fan, also wasn’t certain of his destination, given the Crows had been assertive with their interest.
“It was pretty hard to say and Essendon weren’t really revealing their cards too early,” Sharp told AAP.
“I spoke with Adelaide earlier in the week and for them to show that much interest and throw the whole kitchen sink at the Bombers — it’s pretty rewarding.
“And then for the Dons not to give up and to back me and keep me, that’s also a very, very good feeling, so I owe it all to them now.”
Essendon also selected midfielder-forward — and fellow fan — Sullivan Robey at No.9 and defender Jacob Farrow at No.10.
AAP
11m agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 7:10am
Who are your big winners out of the first round?
I’m keen to hear your thoughts! Which team’s business impressed you all the most from night number one?
Can you go past the Suns? Or the Bombers? Or maybe it was the Eagles walking away with the top two players from the open pool.
16m agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 7:05am
Who are some players to keep an eye on tonight?
Fred Rodriguez (pictured) is one of eight under-18 All-Australians still yet to be drafted as the second night of the draft commences. (Getty Images)
There is still plenty of talent left on the board here as the second round gets underway.
A couple of prospects who were expected to go on night one have slid into night two, which makes me wonder whether we might see some live trades happening.
Some of the best players available are talls Louis Emmett, Archie Ludowyke and Blake Thredgold and midfielders Jevan Phillipou, Ollie Greeves, Fred Rodriguez and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves.
Then you’ve got the rest of the academy-tied boys, and there are a lot of them. Tylah Williams (WC), Max King (Syd), Jack Ison (Carl), Zac McCarthy (Coll), Hussien El Achkar (Ess), Kye Fincher (StK) and Toby Whan (Freo) is just a selection of the players who could receive bids at some point tonight.
21m agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 7:00am
Welcome!
25 players found new homes as the 2025 AFL draft got underway last night with the first round. (Getty Images)
Good evening, and welcome to ABC Sport’s live coverage of the second night of the 2025 AFL draft!
We had a rollicking first round last night as 25 of the best youngsters in the country found their new AFL homes.
The Suns walked away with four more academy prodigies, while the Bombers added three talented youngsters of their own.
The picks continue tonight as the second round and beyond officially gets underway.
We’ve seen time and time again that some absolute gems come from this stage of the round, so don’t make the mistake of turning away too early.
The action will get underway shortly after 7pm AEDT once again, so strap yourselves in as we bring you all the latest on each pick!