50. Fred Rodriguez – South Fremantle
A big-bodied midfielder who does his best work at centre stoppages, Rodriguez came into 2025 as one of Western Australia’s most hyped prospects and an MVP-winning National Championships and some strong footy for South Fremantle underlined his talent. Hard to pin down and capable of getting forward and hitting the scoreboard.
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RANK
Fred Rodriguez
South Fremantle
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 184cm
49. Marcus Krasnadamskis – Eastern Ranges
An aggressive ruck, Krasnadamskis only committed to footy this year after putting a fledgling underage national basketball career to one side. Didn’t take long to impress for Eastern Ranges with his polished skill execution and a lightning-quick 20-metre sprint highlighted his excellent athletic profile. Has a lot of admirers as a player with great scope.
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RANK
Marcus Krasnadamskis
Eastern Ranges
Ruck/Forward
HEIGHT: 199cm
48. Jai Murray – Gold Coast Academy
A little bit of out of sight, out of mind has been the story of Jai Murray’s year, with a stress fracture in his foot keeping him sidelined since May. It was a blow for the strong running utility who was in strong form to start the season for Gold Coast’s Academy, arguably performing better than any of his more highly touted teammates. Uses it well, is dangerous in transition and can win hard balls.
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RANK
Jai Murray
Gold Coast Academy
Midfielder/Defender
HEIGHT: 187cm
47. Sam Swadling – West Perth
Clean, hard-working and strong in the contest, the West Perth talent will offer clubs a balanced midfielder likely to be available at some stage of the second round of the AFL Draft. Earned All-Australian honours after a consistent carnival for the Black Swans. Will start his career as a forward but does his best work higher up the ground where his hard running and ball-winning come to the fore.
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RANK
Sam Swadling
West Perth
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 187cm
46. Rory Wright – Sandringham Dragons
Has drawn comparisons across the industry to Luke Hodge since his move from the midfield to half-back. Caught the eye early in the year as an aggressive midfielder, and his courage, intercepting and kicking penetration off half-back to finish the season has further strengthened his draft case.
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RANK
Rory Wright
Sandringham Dragons
Defender/Midfielder
HEIGHT: 183cm
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45. Talor Byrne – GWV Rebels
The crowning moment of Byrne’s season was a five-goal ‘draft me’ game in Vic Country’s clash with Vic Metro, where he provided recruiters with a synopsis of his full package. Is strong over the footy, deceptively hard to beat in the air, clean at the foot of marking contests and has good speed off the mark which enables him to power away from stoppages. A complete front-and-centre forward who also proved energetic when injected into the midfield.
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Talor Byrne
GWV Rebels
Forward
HEIGHT: 174cm
44. Tom Burton – Western Jets
The Vic Metro co-captain’s run-and-gun ways make him effective on counterattack, and he proved his high-end speed, endurance and vertical leap at the National AFL Draft Combine. Spent plenty of time in Western Jets’ engine room this year but has also spent time off halfback where he can gain metres with his drive and willingness to get overlap possession.
43. Koby Coulson – Gold Coast Academy
A hard-working midfielder who earned U18s All-Australian honours after an uber-consistent campaign for an injury-ravaged Allies engine-room, Coulson has enhanced his stocks throughout 2025. Hard working, clean below his knees, and with great pressure and an appetite for the contest, Coulson took out Gold Coast Academy’s best player at the Suns’ best and fairest last week. His balanced, two-way skillset, which he showcased in some late-season VFL games, will hold him in good stead wherever on the field he starts his career.
42. Max Kondogiannis – Oakleigh Chargers
A medium-tall defender who plays above his size with his aerial impact, Kondogiannis’ U18s National Championships for Vic Metro increased his stocks. Showed an ability to lock down and take the game on with his kicking and reads the game excellently.
41. Hussien El Achkar – Calder Cannons
The Essendon Next Generation Academy small forward has power and innate goal sense, booting 38 majors across 16 games at all levels in 2025. Clean at ground level, his damage factor at the fall of the ball is an impressive trait for the Calder attacker. Also has great strength and can burst through forward-50 stoppages.
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RANK
Hussien El Achkar
Calder Cannons
Forward
HEIGHT: 171cm