The 2025 national draft is less than a fortnight away, with clubs continuing to assess what to do with their first selections.<\/p>\n
From ready-made guns to long-term prospects, there\u2019s something for everyone in this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n
Foxfooty.com.au takes a look at a player every club could consider with its first selection to help fix a flaw.<\/p>\n
Watch live coverage of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft on Kayo Sports 19-20 Nov | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n Mitch Marsh (FWD; West Adelaide)<\/p>\n Midfielder Dyson Sharp would irrefutably bolster the Crows\u2019 long-term engine room prospects, but it\u2019s highly unlikely he falls to them in the order; currently set to pick at no.16. Instead, Marsh could be tailor-made for Adelaide. And it\u2019s not necessarily to fix a current list flaw \u2014 as the reigning minor premiers don\u2019t exactly have a glaring one \u2014 but rather to supplement the forward half of the ground. Ensuring the club has enough forward-of-centre options to assist its talls is important \u2014 particularly if Izak Rankine is to play more in the midfield than up forward in the coming years. The Crows obviously have Ben Keays, Josh Rachele and Alex Neal-Bullen in their best side, but the latter isn\u2019t exactly a spring chicken, and more depth in that area of the ground certainly doesn\u2019t hurt \u2014 and Marsh has scope to develop into a serious contributor down the line. The 191-centimetre prospect, who led South Australia\u2019s goalkicking this year to finish with a tournament-high 12 goals, was compared to Hawthorn\u2019s Jack Gunston by Fox Footy\u2019s draft expert Ben Waterworth<\/a>. Arguably the most appealing aspect from an Adelaide perspective is the fact that Marsh, in terms of height, stands virtually next to Taylor Walker and could replace the stalwart after he likely retires next year. There\u2019s a reason the Crows pursued Cal Ah Chee \u2014 but the 28-year-old dual premiership Lion isn\u2019t a long-term fix either, which is another reason why Marsh could be the man. <\/p>\n ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Mitchell Marsh of South Australia reacts after scoring a goal during the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Western Australia at Alberton Oval on June 15, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by David Mariuz\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n Daniel Annable (MID; Brisbane Lions Academy)<\/p>\n Daniel Annable is yet another Brisbane Lions Academy member who could make an immediate impact at the top level.<\/a> Annable is tough, hard-working and clean with the ball in hand. The gun youngster averaged 24.8 disposals, seven score involvements and 4.2 clearances for the Allies throughout the National Championships but also stepped up to VFL level when given a chance with the Lions late in the year. Playing against bigger bodies didn\u2019t bother Annable, who averaged 21.3 disposals and 4.3 clearances a game, showcasing to recruiters he can also play a role as a winger or half-forward in addition to being an inside mid. Annable does his best work at the coalface, but he can also hurt opposition sides in transition given his incredible work rate. Annable is a consistent performer week in, week out and is also a great leader amongst his peers. It\u2019s a scary thought for opposition fans when you consider he will likely be playing alongside the likes of Will Ashcroft, Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall as Brisbane\u2019s on-ball brigade for the next decade. Oh, that\u2019s before you mention they\u2019ve also got a dual Brownlow Medallist in Lachie Neale plus a pair of genuine A graders in Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage still at the peak of their powers. Another Brisbane dynasty looms.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Daniel Annable of the AFL National Academy leads his team out onto the field during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at RSEA Park on April 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n CARLTON<\/p>\n Harry Dean (DEF; Murray Bushrangers)<\/p>\n Carlton will be taking exciting father-son prospect Harry Dean as their first pick at this year\u2019s draft, although a bid will almost certainly come before their pick 9.<\/a> Dean is as competitive as they come and is one of the best young key defenders to progress through the pathways system for quite some time. The son of ex-Blue Peter, Dean is a great intercept mark and has a nice left-footed kick. He rarely gets beaten one-on-one and plays with a presence and confidence rarely seen in a key position player of his age. Dean\u2019s National Championships campaign with Vic Country was also strong, averaging 15.3 disposals and a competition-high 3.5 intercept marks. His efforts were acknowledged with an All-Australian nod, a great reward after a horror run with injury in recent years. Like a few of the others on this list, Dean could be in Carlton\u2019s round one side.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 09: Harry Dean of the Blues Academy trains during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on July 09, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n Zac McCarthy (FWD\/RUC; Oakleigh Chargers)<\/p>\n McCarthy is one of several prospects tied to Collingwood at this year\u2019s draft but he is the most promising of the lot. McCarthy is a member of the Pies\u2019 Next Generation Academy and is a talented tall who can impact the game both as a forward and as a ruck. The Oakleigh Chargers product is a strong mark but is also clean at ground level and with ball in hand for a player of his size. The Pies targeted ex-Swan Jack Buller in the trade period to replenish their front half stocks, given the likes of Tim Membrey and Dan McStay aren\u2019t getting any younger and McCarthy would certainly give the Pies a much needed injection of youth in that area of the ground too. He\u2019s still pretty raw and is more of a long-term prospect, but there\u2019s lots to like. A bid could come in the first-round, but the Pies are likely to match.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Zac McCarthy running on October 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n ESSENDON<\/p>\n Sullivan Robey (MID\/FWD; Eastern Ranges)<\/p>\n If Sullivan Robey slips past Richmond with pick 3 and 4, then expect Essendon to strongly consider the biggest bolter in this year\u2019s draft crop. No AFL club had spoken to the Eastern Ranges product prior to July this year, but he\u2019s since met with every single club. Dominant performances for Rowville at local level saw Robey get an opportunity on the Ranges\u2019 list and he did not look back, starring in the latter stages of the Coates Talent League season. He doesn\u2019t take a backwards step, does his best work around the coalface and is super powerful with a strong will to win. Some scouts have compared him to Collingwood\u2019s Jordan De Goey. Robey\u2019s best performance came against the Western Jets in a wildcard game, where he racked up 40 disposals and three goals. Robey is also a Bombers fan and would add plenty of excitement to a young and developing list.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Sullivan Robey of the Eastern Ranges celebrates after scoring a goal during the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final between Eastern Ranges and Sandringham Dragons at Ikon Park on September 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n FREMANTLE<\/p>\n Blake Thredgold (DEF; Sturt)<\/p>\n The Dockers don\u2019t have many genuine list flaws as they prepare a premiership tilt next year with a win-now list. But while they added Judd McVee to their back six ahead of the new season, they could well do some more forward planning by potentially pouncing on Thredgold later this month. Skipper Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox headline Fremantle\u2019s key defence, but Pearce is 30 years old and Ryan is 29. There\u2019s a reason the club launched a bid for now-Sydney defender Jai Serong. Thredgold is a bolter who is now considered by Fox Footy draft expert Ben Waterworth<\/a> to be off the board by the end of night one, and with the Dockers currently slated to pick at no.20, he\u2019s right in their wheelhouse. The 194-centimetre Sturt under-18s star, who averaged 11.6 disposals and 5.4 marks from 14 games this year, is athletic and pacy for his size and has drawn comparisons to reliable Gold Coast stopper Sam Collins. <\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Blake Thredgold running on October 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n GEELONG<\/p>\n Archie Ludowyke (FWD; Sandringham Dragons)<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest, the Cats don\u2019t have many list flaws at all and as a result, they can probably afford to pick a highly talented youngster with plenty of long-term upside when other clubs might be more in \u2018win now mode\u2019. One player who certainly would fit that criteria is Archie Ludowyke. Ludowyke\u2019s upside as a forward is as big as any in this year\u2019s pool, but injuries kept him from truly pushing his credentials this year and as a result, he could slide a little bit. That would be music to Geelong\u2019s ears though, who could pair Ludowyke with gun key forward Shannon Neale, with an eye to the post Jeremy Cameron era. Ludowyke loves to fly for his marks, is crafty around goal and is quite mobile for a player of his size. The Sandringham Dragons product bases his game off Giants young gun Aaron Cadman, who is on the verge of really breaking out at AFL level. Outside of Ludowyke, South Australian winger Harley Barker could be an option given he will likely slide due to an ACL injury, while Ludowyke\u2019s fellow Vic Metro tall Louis Emmett is a forward ruck who could be developed into the club\u2019s long-term ruck solution.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 27: Archie Ludowyke of the AFL National Academy is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Coburg VFL at Whitten Oval on April 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n Zeke Uwland (DEF\/MID; Gold Coast Academy)<\/p>\n While Willem Duursma is considered the pick 1 fancy this year, there\u2019s a big chance Uwland ends up the best player of this year\u2019s draft crop. Zeke Uwland is the brother of current Sun Bodhi and is one of the most talented players going around. Uwland missed the majority of his 2025 campaign due to a back injury, but he was so impressive in his bottom-age year that he\u2019ll still likely attract a bid in the top five. Uwland is a classy user who can break the lines his foot skills and speed and has been compared to Sydney superstar Errol Gulden. Uwland has a high footy IQ and is a sound decision-maker, who has also developed his leadership qualities throughout his time in the Academy system. The young gun returned late in the year to spend some time with Gold Coast\u2019s VFL side, where he averaged 16.5 disposals. Uwland has a sound athletic profile and is also a mature youngster off the field, where he studies law and works as an auditor.<\/a><\/p>\n GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Zeke Uwland during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session on January 20, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n Oskar Taylor (DEF; Eastern Ranges)<\/p>\n If previous seasons are a guide, trying to predict who the Giants take with their first-round pick this year is fraught with danger, because the Giants love to take a bolter. While he wouldn\u2019t quite be a bolter, Eastern Ranges defender Oskar Taylor is one name who has come with a rush in the second half of 2025. Taylor has everything you want in a half-back for the modern game: he\u2019s quick, is a good one-on-one defender and is very consistent. Could Taylor be the man to take over from Lachie Whitfield when his time is up? Quite possibly. Taylor was one of the best athletic performers at the Draft Combine and has plenty of dash and dare to showcase at AFL level. He just looks like a Giants player and it\u2019s easy to see him becoming a key contributor to the Orange Tsunami.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Oskar Taylor of the Eastern Ranges win the ball against Oliver Griffin of the Sandringham Dragons during the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final between Eastern Ranges and Sandringham Dragons at Ikon Park on September 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n HAWTHORN<\/p>\n Jacob Farrow (DEF\/MID; West Perth)<\/p>\n The Hawks have put ample work into the leading West Australian prospect in this year\u2019s crop. Farrow is a talented defender\/midfielder who has been compared to the likes of Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson and Fremantle jet Hayden Young throughout the year<\/a>. His kicking is one of his best weapons and his ability to rebound by using his foot skills and athleticism has caught the eye of plenty of clubs at the top echelon of the draft. Throughout his four outings for WA in the National Championships, Farrow averaged 19 disposals and 4.8 marks, cementing his status as one of the top talents. Similarly to Dawson and Young, Farrow would likely begin his career in the back half before eventually progressing to the on-ball brigade. Hawthorn had a swing and a miss at Essendon\u2019s Zach Merrett throughout the trade period, but the addition of Farrow would be a big boost to their future.<\/p>\n PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 07: Jacob Farrow of Western Australia in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n MELBOURNE<\/p>\n Dyson Sharp (MID; Central District)<\/p>\n The Dees have had somewhat of an exodus this off-season as they look to reset under new coach Steven King. Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were both traded away, while Judd McVee and Charlie Spargo also found new homes. It\u2019s left Melbourne\u2019s on-ball brigade pretty thin, and Jack Viney isn\u2019t getting any younger either. At the top of Melbourne\u2019s priority list should be finding some midfield support for the likes of Harvey Langford, Trent Rivers and Xavier Lindsay. South Australian beast Dyson Sharp would be a superb fit, especially when you consider he\u2019s a terrific off-field character who could one day captain an AFL club. Sharp had a brilliant National Championships campaign that was both consistent and eye-catching, which saw him win the Larke Medal and South Australia MVP. The big-bodied midfielder averaged 27 disposals, 7.5 score involvements and six tackles a game, showcasing his strengths around the coalface and his ability to burst from stoppage. There\u2019s a general consensus amongst recruiting circles that Sharp is ready made and could play round one in 2026. Melbourne president Brad Green said earlier this year that the Dees\u2019 centre bounce for round one would be Gawn, Petracca, Viney and Oliver, but there\u2019s a genuine chance it could instead be Gawn, Viney, Langford and Sharp. <\/p>\n ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Dyson Sharp of South Australia reacts after scoring a goal during the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Western Australia at Alberton Oval on June 15, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by David Mariuz\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n Louis Emmett (FWD\/RUC; Oakleigh Chargers)<\/p>\n The Roos made a bold play on draft night last year, trading away their future first-round pick to secure the rights to talented tall Matt Whitlock. As it stands, the Roos\u2019 first pick this year is pick 25, although that is likely to be in the 30s by the time father-son and Academy bids are matched. The Roos have targeted midfielders and on-ballers at the top in recent seasons, but there\u2019s a clear need for key position players moving forward. That\u2019s why they went so hard at Whitlock last year, because the likes of Nick Larkey and Charlie Comben need some help at both ends of the ground. One long term prospect who they do have some interest in is Oakleigh Chargers tall Louis Emmett. Emmett is quite mobile for a player 200cm tall and is a strong contested mark. He\u2019s a hard-worker with an elite endurance base who could slip into North Melbourne\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – June 30: Louis Emmett of Victoria Metro and Charlie West of South Australiaduring the 2024 Marsh AFL Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Victoria Metro at Alberton Oval on June 30, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n Elliott Duffield (DEF; South Adelaide)<\/p>\n Port Adelaide\u2019s first pick in this year\u2019s draft is currently pick 49, but list manager Jason Cripps said last month the club were willing to shop that around, with an eye to trading into the 2026 draft, when they could have access to pick 1 contender Dougie Cochrane, who is currently going through an NGA eligibility process with the AFL. Beyond that, they have access to three star 2027 talents in Louis Salopek, Tevita Rodan and Zemes Pilot. Port Adelaide\u2019s only other current pick in 2025 is pick 85, although that will likely come in a lot after clubs pass on selections late in the draft. The Power\u2019s list is in a state of flux, but some key post reinforcements at either end of the ground could be beneficial. One name that could come into the mix is local boy Elliott Duffield. Duffield is a promising tall defender who continues to improve with each and every game he plays. He\u2019s a good decision-maker and ball user and stood tall for South Australia in some important moments during their National Championships campaign. Another defensive option could be Western Jets product Jacob Marron, while All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth is another local product who they could consider if he\u2019s still on the board.<\/p>\n ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 08: Elliott Duffield of South Australia during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Victoria Metro at Alberton Oval, on June 08, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n RICHMOND<\/p>\n Xavier Taylor (DEF; Eastern Ranges)<\/p>\n The Tigers currently hold picks 3 and 4, but will likely do some bidding on Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and Daniel Annable. That leaves players such as Sullivan Robey and Xavier Taylor right in the mix. Robey has bolted from the clouds as a result of an exceptional end to the Coates Talent League season but for the sake of this exercise, we\u2019ve taken Xavier Taylor with their first selection. Taylor has been compared to two current Tigers stars in Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad throughout his draft year. He\u2019s strong one-on-one, has a high footy IQ and is very versatile. Standing at 191cm, Taylor is the prototype third tall defender who can play on both talls and smalls. He\u2019s also a good user by foot and can break the lines with his pace. Taylor was best on ground in the Coates Talent League grand final where he amassed 25 disposals and 15 marks. He put together a consistent campaign both for Vic Metro and the Eastern Ranges where he claimed the club best and fairest.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 03: Xavier Taylor poses during the Telstra AFL Draft Combine Headshots Session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 03, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n ST KILDA<\/p>\n Kye Fincher (DEF\/MID; Sandringham Dragons)<\/p>\n The Saints were one of the most active clubs during the trade period which means their first selection right now is pick 50. They do however have access to Sandringham Dragons product Kye Fincher as a part of their Next Generation Academy. They might need to get creative however, if a bid comes late in the first-round. Fincher is a good kick and strong mark, while he has a unique combination of speed and strength as well. Fincher was one of the most consistent players across the draft year, starring for both the Dragons and Vic Metro. Elsewhere, Code Sports has reported this week that coach Ross Lyon attended just one meeting<\/a> at the draft combine this year – with highly touted prospect Jevan Phillipou, the brother of Saint Mattaes. Could the Saints pull a draft surprise and trade up the order to pair the Phillipou brothers?<\/p>\n IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Kye Fincher of Victoria Metro kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Allies and Victoria Metro at Brighton Homes Arena, on July 13, 2025, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n Max King (FWD; Sydney Swans Academy)<\/p>\n The Swans have access to a host of talented Academy prospects again this year, including athletic beast Max King. King came into the year as a potential top five draft prospect, but struggled to reach external expectations throughout his campaign.<\/a> King is powerful overhead and clean at ground level, making him a tantalising prospect at AFL level, if he\u2019s able to bring it all together. King dominated the physical testing at the combine and also had a taste of things at VFL level for the Swans, which he describes as his footy highlight so far in his career. Outside of King, running defender Harry Kyle is a Swans Academy prospect who could attract a first-round bid, while dashing defender Lachlan Carmichael is another tied to the club in the first-round mix. All three are promising prospects, but whether or not the Swans can find a way to land all three remains to be seen.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 03: Max King poses during the Telstra AFL Draft Combine Headshots Session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 03, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n Willem Duursma (UTILITY; Gippsland Power)<\/p>\n