The 2025 AFL national draft is over, with 58 players realising their childhood dreams and landing on an AFL list.

And while there’s plenty of stories to celebrate, there’s just as many youngsters who will be disappointed after missing out last night.

But one thing is for sure, it’s not the end of the journey.

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On Friday afternoon from 3.20pm AEDT, the AFL rookie draft will begin. There’s also the pre-season draft, while some clubs will leave list spots open and invite players to train with the club over summer in a bid to land an SSP spot.

Throughout the year, plenty of experts have questioned the depth of talent in this year’s pool, but there are still some serious talents left for clubs to pounce on.

Follow the 2025 AFL pre-season and rookie drafts in our live blog below!

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The Pre-Season Draft will also happen first, but Adelaide is the only club that’ll be using a pick. The Crows will use the draft to add dual premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee to their primary list.

AFL Media reported that five clubs had 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).

Melbourne and Collingwood had also indicated they would take Kalani White (Demons father-son) and Jai Saxena (Magpies NGA) as Category A rookies.

Elsewhere, a host of clubs have already committed to re-drafting 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 leaves selections for West Coast (up to four spots), Hawthorn, Fremantle, Port Adelaide (up to three), Adelaide, Richmond, Carlton, St Kilda, Geelong and Melbourne (one).

Perhaps the unluckiest player who missed out during the national draft is Vic Metro on-baller Ollie Greeves, who put together a strong draft year. Greeves was awarded the Vic Metro MVP during the National Championships and finished runner up in the Larke Medal and had reportedly grabbed the attention of several clubs, yet none were willing to pounce in the national draft. Greeves is a beast at the contest with his footy smarts, clean hands and toughness, but some recruiters had question marks surrounding his defensive transition and ceiling at AFL level. Whether or not he gets a chance in the rookie draft remains to be seen, but he’s undoubtedly a talented prospect who is a strong leader off the field.

Then there’s Dandenong Stingrays jet Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, who polarised recruiters this year with his game-to-game consistency, but his matchwinning ability is undeniable. The Vic Country forward’s outing against Western Australia during the National Championships was particularly impressive, where he booted four goals from 18 disposals. He also had an outstanding game with the Rays late in the Coates Talent League, where he snagged five goals from 29 touches in a clash against the GWV Rebels. Injuries meant he struggled to get continuity into his game this year and what his role at AFL level would be remains a question, but his best is very good.

Draftee teary after missing big moment! | 01:24

Western Australia MVP Fred Rodriguez is another youngster who’s currently in limbo. Rodriguez had a strong National Championships campaign with the Black Swans, showcasing his creativity and competitiveness. Rodriguez is also a great character off the field, having captained both WA and South Fremantle’s colts. A big-bodied midfielder who is already a professional, Rodriguez works hard both ways, can kick on both sides of his body and does his best work around stoppages.

There’s a host of mature-age prospects who could be worth a look as well. Frankston duo Tom Blamires and Jackson Voss were integral in the Dolphins’ rise to a preliminary final this year and would flourish in an AFL program. Blamires can play across all three lines and leaves no stone unturned in his quest to improve, while Voss, the nephew of Carlton coach Michael and son of ex-Saint Brett, possesses a lethal kick and can generate plenty of rebound out of the back half. Richmond VFL prospect Harry Scott is another name to keep in mind after a strong finish to the VFL season as an inside midfielder.

Eagles select Duursma, Duff-Tytler | 02:50

Murray Bushranges tall Liam Hetherton struggled with a back injury throughout his 2025 year, but is a mobile tall forward with plenty of talent. A powerful forward who is strong in the air, Hetherton is still pretty raw given his limited exposure, but impressed in his under-aged year. Speaking of talls, Eastern Ranges ruck Marcus Krasnadamskis was a burgeoning basketballer before focussing more on footy this year. Krasnadamskis is an athletic, mobile ruck who has plenty of upside.

South Australian midfielder Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier is a classy on-baller with a wicked side-step and a good kick who is a chance, while Sandringham Dragons prospect Rory Wright and West Australian small forward Leon Kickett are other names who could be in the mix.

Crocker: No ego at the Roos | 01:02

There’s also plenty of club-tied talent as well. All eyes will be on Collingwood, who will weigh up plays for father-son prospect Tom McGuane. McGuane is the son of premiership Pie Mick who finds the footy for fun. Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway is another name to watch following his consistent draft year, where his composure under pressure was a real standout.

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:

2. Richmond:

3. Melbourne:

4. Port Adelaide:

5. St Kilda:

6. Carlton

7. Sydney Swans:

8. Fremantle:

9. GWS Giants:

10. Gold Coast Suns:

11. Adelaide Crows:

12. Hawthorn:

13. Geelong Cats:

14. Brisbane Lions:

ROUND 2

15. West Coast Eagles:

16. Port Adelaide:

17. St Kilda:

18. Sydney Swans:

19. Fremantle:

20. Adelaide Crows:

21. Hawthorn:

22. Geelong Cats:

ROUND 3

23. West Coast Eagles:

24. Port Adelaide:

25. Fremantle:

26. Hawthorn:

27. Geelong Cats:

ROUND 4

28. West Coast Eagles: