Central District prospect Dyson Sharp took out the Larke Medal after a terrific U18s National Championships, where he averaged 27 disposals, five tackles and more than a goal per game to proliferate his stocks.
Sharp’s greatest strength is his contested craft, and, arguably, other than Josh Lindsay’s kicking, no player has a greater weapon than Sharp’s aptitude around stoppage. While not overly quick or evasive, he positions himself well, reads the ball off the ruck’s hands and is a natural ball-winner.
He has clean hands and his strength and physicality make it exceptionally difficult to stop him when he gets the ball in his hands, and he has the capacity to shrug off contact and dispose of the footy. When his team doesn’t win it, he’s tenacious with his pressure and sticks his tackles.
The important improvements in his game, though, have been what he’s capable of doing elsewhere. Getting exposure playing senior footy for Central District has proven that he not only has the size to bully players his age but has the talent and nous to do it against bigger bodies too, while also playing as a high forward, which demanded him to show some different parts of his game.
But given how established that appetite for the contest is, it’s some other things he’s done which have been greatly impressive.
His ability to work hard to get forward and impact the scoreboard has added another element to his game, and he has shown an ability to take metres when he gets a chance on the outside and uses his thumping kick.
South Australia’s Dyson Sharp was awarded the Larke Medal and was named captain of the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships All Australian Team. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos
While he doesn’t have the athleticism of some other prospects, and won’t always feature on the highlights reels, he has some traits that will appeal for a club that is after a trusty contested ball-winner and wants to improve around stoppage.
Alongside fellow high-end prospect Dan Annable, Sharp is viewed as one of the very best leaders in the draft class and is noted by those around his clubs as being one of the most coachable players, with those intangibles highlighting that he’d fit seamlessly into an AFL environment
As we record in September, West Coast has been heavily linked to Sharp, and it’s patently obvious why. Much has been spoken about the Eagles’ over-reliance on young star Harley Reid, and Sharp shapes as a player that could come in and play early, given his mature frame and sturdy them up in the long term. For all the talk about the shift towards run and carry in the AFL, the first thing teams need to do is get their hands on it, and Sharp is greatly effective at doing just that.
Don’t be surprised to see Sharp impact early in his time on an AFL list – and don’t be surprised to see him continue developing and building out his game as he ruthlessly leaves no stone unturned to take the next step.
10
RANK
Dyson Sharp
Central District
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 188cm
Strengths
Stoppage Craft
Strength
Ball-Winning
Ready Made
Draft Range
Pick 1-15
Potential Landing Spots
West Coast (Pick 1 and 15)
Richmond (Picks 2 and 3)
Essendon (Pick 4 and 5)
GWS (Pick 12)
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