We predict the top 25 selections at this year’s draft

2. Willem Duursma Gippsland Power/Victoria Country

Midfielder/defender, 191cm, 21/6/2006

U18 champs stats (avg): 24.3 disposals, 13.5 uncontested possessions, 2 clearances

2025 All-Australian The latest AFL/W prospect from the Duursma clan – behind Xavier, Yasmin and Zane – is arguably the most talented player in this class. Duursma tends to take too many risky kicks, but that is purely about decision-making because he is technically excellent, which is why he regularly took kick-in duties for Country. Some recruiters see Duursma’s bold play as another tick rather than a red flag, but would like to see his contested game improve. He saved his best for last at the championships, producing a 27-disposal effort against Vic Metro before impressing for Casey last weekend, too. Duursma is in the No.1 mix, but not everyone has him in the top five.

3. Daniel Annable Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies

Midfielder, 184cm, 5/4/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 24.8 disposals, 4.3 clearances, 5.5 inside 50s

2025 All-Australian Brisbane Lions Academy draft prospect Daniel Annable. Credit: Instagram It speaks volumes for how bulletproof Annable is as a prospect that he was not as efficient as usual with his kicking at the championships, but still finished just one vote behind Dyson Sharp for this year’s Larke Medal. The expectation is he will step straight into the Lions’ senior side next year and help them immediately, just like Will Ashcroft before him. His 28-touch, four-clearance performance in the VFL last weekend only confirmed those suspicions. Annable rarely fumbles, and makes quick decisions in congestion, where his handballing, in particular, releases teammates and creates scoring opportunities. Some even see a bit of Simon Black in him.

4. Cooper Duff-Tytler Cooper Duff-Tytler is the leading ruck prospect in the draft. Credit: via Getty Images Calder Cannons/Victoria Metro

Ruckman/forward, 200cm, 22/8/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 14.5 disposals, 4 marks, 0.8 goals

2025 All-Australian The upside is tantalising with Duff-Tytler, whose athleticism and follow-up work remind scouts of Fremantle star Luke Jackson. His running goal from barely inside 50, off a handball receive, against Oakleigh in the opening round of the Talent League was one such example. There are some doubts that Duff-Tytler can be a No.1 ruckman in the AFL, given his relative lack of height and queries on his ruck craft. However, there is confidence he can be highly valuable as a forward-ruck, if that was how his career panned out. Duff-Tytler took some strong contested marks in the championships and has good skills for a big man.

5. Harry Dean Murray Bushrangers/Victoria Country

Defender, 193cm, 13/11/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 15.3 disposals, 3.5 intercept marks, 7.8 intercept possessions

2025 All-Australian Peter Dean (left) was a reliable defender in the 1980s and 90s for Carlton, who are poised to pick up his son Harry in this year’s draft. Credit: Ray Kennnedy / Getty The son of dual Carlton premiership backman Peter is set to continue the family’s legacy at the Blues. He will eventually be a wonderful complement to Jacob Weitering down back with his intercepting skills, athleticism, competitiveness, aggression, skill and composure. The consensus was that Dean would be viewed as a top-15 pick by the end of the championships – but that prediction sold him short. The standout defender in this year’s crop is considered a top-10 lock now, and many rate him even higher. Dean’s height means he is less likely to be an option on the Sam Darcys and Riley Thilthorpes of the league, but he projects as a gun No.2 defender.

6. Dylan Patterson Dylan Patterson is an exciting prospect. Credit: via Getty Images Gold Coast Suns Academy/Allies

Defender/wingman, 183cm, 1/9/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 19.8 disposals, 5 rebound 50s, 400 metres gained

2025 All-Australian There is no one more exciting in this class than Patterson, whose brilliant goose step is a nod to his rugby league background. He is a triumph for the AFL’s northern academies, given several NRL-aligned clubs were desperate for his signature by the time he turned 15. He has difference-making speed, loves taking opponents on, is always trying to create something, and has even drawn Andrew McLeod comparisons for the way he moves. Patterson’s decision-making needs work, and he can fade in and out of games, but he should be a serious weapon for Gold Coast for a very long time. This ranking might be too conservative.

7. Dyson Sharp Dyson Sharp shows his passion playing for South Australia. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images Central District/South Australia

Midfielder, 188cm, 23/5/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 27 disposals, 3.3 centre clearances, 6.5 inside 50s

2025 All-Australian (captain) Sharp has silenced critics who once considered him just a “man-child”. The powerful onballer was outstanding in trial games pre-championships, and went on to dominate throughout the carnival to win the Larke Medal and stamp himself as a top-10 selection. Sharp is physical and competitive in the contest, wins centre clearances for fun – in part thanks to his high football IQ – has underrated burst with his first few steps out of stoppages, and is more athletic than some gave him credit for. He can rush at times and not be as clean with his disposals, but that is common with inside midfielders, given the job description. Sharp is also highly regarded for his leadership.

8. Josh Lindsay Geelong Falcons/Victoria Country

Defender/midfielder, 183cm, 7/4/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 22.3 disposals, 4.8 intercept possessions, 444 metres gained

2025 All-Australian Josh Lindsay won the best on ground medal playing for the Australia under-18a against Coburg VFL in April. Credit: via Getty Images Perhaps, only Willem Duursma rivals Lindsay as the best kick in the 2025 class. Lindsay has played as a midfielder at times, but is more likely to play at half-back and on a wing at AFL level, where his kicking skills, elite endurance and reliability come to the fore. He has already proven himself as a big-game player – including being Team Heppell’s best player in the 2024 Futures game on grand final day – and is viewed as one of the safest picks in the draft. One scout described Lindsay as “pretty bulletproof”. The Falcons product makes up for not having breakneck speed with his game sense and ability to see opportunities before others.

9. Mitch Marsh West Adelaide/South Australia

Forward, 191cm, 15/2/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 8.5 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals

2025 All-Australian

Marsh surged up draft boards with a series of impressive championships performances that saw him lead all players with 12 total goals, including bags of five and four against Vic Country and the Allies, respectively. He is not key-position height, so he will be a third tall up forward in the AFL, but is excellent overhead, finishes well and has genuine range on his left boot. What also appeals about Marsh is the belief he can be much more than just a forward – and there is talk he will perform different roles late in the season, including on a wing. There are scouts who see similarities in Marsh to a young Jordan Dawson, and his coachability also received a tick.

10. Sam Cumming North Adelaide/South Australia

Midfielder/forward, 186cm, 27/7/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 17 disposals, 3.3 inside 50s, 1 goal

2025 All-Australian South Australian Sam Cumming. Credit: AFL Photos You will struggle to find a recruiter who places Cumming outside the top 15, but an increasing number have him in the top 10, even while accepting there are rough edges on him as a prospect. He rotated between the midfield and attack for South Australia, and made an impact in both areas – blending toughness, strength, power and aggression with a defensive commitment that is rare in teenage prospects. As a forward, Cumming is good overhead and kicks plenty of goals. There are question marks on his running ability and kicking, but he has performed strongly at SANFL league level, on top of his championships output, and there is upside here.

11. Aidan Schubert Central District/South Australia

Forward/ruckman, 198cm, 21/12/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 17 disposals, 3.3 F50 marks, 2.5 goals

2025 All-Australian Loading Few players, if any, improved their draft stock more at the championships than Schubert, who established himself as a standout in a class thin on key forwards. He is a strong runner – the attribute most recruiters bring up first about him – takes lots of marks as a result, competes hard, is agile, and can go in the ruck. Schubert took six contested grabs against Metro and no fewer than three marks inside 50 in any of his four championships matches. His awkward kicking style is the other talking point with Schubert, but bothers some more than others.

12. Jacob Farrow West Perth/Western Australia

Defender/midfielder, 188cm, 21/9/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 19 disposals, 1.8 intercept marks, 464 metres gained

2025 All-Australian There is a lot of love in recruiting ranks for Farrow, who looks set to be the first West Australian drafted. He is the modern prototype for a half-back flanker: laser-like left boot with easy power – he went at almost 87 per cent kicking efficiency at the championships – racks up intercepts with his ability to read the play, marks well overhead, and moves the ball quickly. Farrow is also a sharp handballer. There is a chance he pushes into top-10 contention as the year progresses, particularly if he proves he can play impactful midfield minutes. 13. Oliver Greeves Eastern Ranges/Victoria Metro

Midfielder, 191cm, 7/2/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 25 disposals, 11.8 contested possessions, 4.5 clearances

2025 All-Australian

Only Dyson Sharp won more disposals at the championships than Greeves, who finished runner-up to the South Australian for the Larke Medal. He boasts great size and strength for a midfielder, and his football smarts come to the fore in contested situations, which is a significant reason he is such a consistently big ball-winner. Recruiters would like to see Greeves place more emphasis on his defensive running and improve his decision-making with his kicking, but believe he is the type of player who will be able to adjust once he graduates to AFL level. 14. Lachy Dovaston Loading Eastern Ranges/Victoria Metro

Forward, 177cm, 29/5/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 12.8 disposals, 5 contested possessions, 2.3 goals

2025 All-Australian If you want a small forward this year, then Dovaston is the one to target. Hailing from the same Talent League club as Nick Watson, recruiters believe the mulleted goalsneak is more advanced than the Hawk at the same age with his forward-50 pressure and tackling. He is equally comfortable slotting a set shot as dribbling one through or snapping. What has impressed recruiters about Dovaston’s development is his greater willingness to involve others, and his improved running capacity is evidenced in how hard he works getting up and down the ground.

15. Xavier Taylor Eastern Ranges/Victoria Metro

Defender, 191cm, 30/1/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 15 disposals, 1.5 intercept marks, 5.8 intercept possessions This ranking reflects the value of what Taylor does well: he can play on taller and smaller forwards, has a knack for being in the right spots to intercept, is aggressive, competitive, agile and athletic, and has a safe pair of hands. As it was put to this masthead, every club needs a versatile defender like him. However, Taylor is polarising. Some clubs rate him around here, and others have him much lower, in large part because of his at-times dubious decision-making, including an unfortunate tendency to kick into the man on the mark. 16. Max King Sydney Swans Academy/Allies

Forward/midfielder, 192cm, 1/9/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 7.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 0.7 goals

The most common perspective on King is you have to envision what he could become when rating him as a prospect rather than focusing too much on his current output. The breakout game recruiters hoped for at the championships did not occur, but he is an exceptional athlete, and it is easy to fall in love with his potential when he pulls down one of his sky-scraping marks. King remains a low possession-winner, but if that does not change, he could still be valuable as a high-impact forward. That said, there is risk here. 17. Harley Barker Sturt/South Australia

Wingman, 187cm, 2/5/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 16 disposals, 3.3 inside 50s, 5.8 score involvements

2025 All-Australian Barker loomed as a top-10 smokey if he finished the season strongly, but suffered an ACL rupture after the championships, playing in the under-18s for Sturt. That setback makes it difficult now to rank him because recruiters like him and feel like he boasts similar attributes to fellow wingman Caleb Windsor, a top-10 selection two years ago. Barker’s size, speed, endurance and skill combination made him a weapon for South Australia, repeatedly involved in scoring chains but also willing to push hard into defence to offer support.

18. Sam Grlj Sam Grlj is in the frame to be a first round selection. Credit: via Getty Images Oakleigh Chargers/Victoria Metro

Midfielder/defender, 182cm, 26/7/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 17 disposals, 12.3 uncontested possessions, 2.3 intercept possessions Once viewed as a potential top-five pick, Grlj has work to do to prove he even warrants being taken here. His first month of the season was electric, where his speed, line-breaking run and intensity had scouts likening him to Max Holmes. Those traits are coveted and mean Grlj is unlikely to fall too far, but there are concerns about his lack of polish and habit of rushing when he has the ball. There was also disappointment about his lack of midfield time for Metro at the championships, but there is still a good chance he climbs the order again.

19. Louis Emmett Louis Emmett flies high for a mark for Victoria Metro at last year’s national championships. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images Oakleigh Chargers/Victoria Metro

Ruckman/forward, 199cm, 23/3/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 12.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 2 clearances Emmett’s endurance for a big man is outstanding and means he should become a valuable link-up man, whether playing in the ruck or in attack. Like Cooper Duff-Tytler, he lacks genuine ruck height, so he might need to make his AFL living as a forward-ruck – and scouts are encouraged with how his forward craft is coming along. Recruiters were a tad underwhelmed by his championships performances, but his last match for Oakleigh, where he amassed 22 disposals, 15 contested possessions and kicked two goals highlighted his upside.

20. Adam Sweid Calder Cannons/Victoria Metro

Midfielder/forward, 175cm, 14/9/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 17 disposals, 4.3 clearances, 1 goal

2025 All-Australian Sweid is tied to Essendon as a next generation academy product, and almost everyone you speak to raves about him. He is tough, strong, smart, consistent, uses the ball well and is a regular goalkicker. As always with someone of Sweid’s height, there are queries on his ability to be a full-time midfielder, but the expectation is he will become a useful high half-forward who can go through the midfield, where his clearance-winning ability is proven. Sweid is also a regular goalkicker. He is a popular teammate, too, which only adds to his appeal.

21. Archie Ludowyke Loading Sandringham Dragons/Victoria Metro

Forward, 197cm, 19/11/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 4 disposals, 1 mark, 1.7 score involvements One of the toughest players to assess in the draft pool. Ludowyke’s had an interrupted season, and won’t play again this year because of a PCL injury he sustained in Metro’s win over the Allies, so talent scouts will have to project what he could be. He failed to kick a goal in any of his three championships matches, but has hauls of five and four goals this season for the Dragons. Ludowyke has good size and athleticism for a key forward, and flies for marks, so it would not surprise if a forward-needy club takes him higher than this.

22. Harry Kyle Loading Sydney Academy/Allies

Defender/midfielder, 188cm, 16/7/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 12.5 disposals, 10.3 uncontested possessions, 1.3 intercept possessions There are scouts who have him above Max King as Sydney’s best academy prospect, and he could be a riser in the second half of the season. Kyle is in his first year in the academy, so there is enormous upside here – and his size, running ability and versatility all appeal to recruiters. The belief is he could play anywhere from the wing to half-back or even an inside midfield role eventually. As with some others, there is a greater focus on projection than his performance this season, but he is working his way into first-round calculations.

23. Sam Swadling West Perth/Western Australia

Midfielder, 187cm, 16/1/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 19 disposals, 12 uncontested possessions, 2.8 clearances

2025 All-Australian Sam Swadling playing for Western Australia. Credit: AFL Photos Swadling has little trouble getting his hands on the ball and was one of Western Australia’s most consistent performers at the championships, resulting in All-Australian selection. He tends to handball more than kick, but does so in an attacking manner that releases his teammates to create opportunities, and has the power scouts like to see from midfielders. Swadling can be prone to kicking errors with aggressive decision-making, but he has plenty of fans in recruiting ranks and is already being exposed to senior football in the WAFL.

24. Riley Onley Loading Murray Bushrangers/Victoria Country

Midfielder, 194cm, 30/3/2007

U18 champs stats (avg): 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 6.8 score involvements

2025 All-Australian Onley is huge for a midfielder and uses that height to his advantage to make his mark in the contest. He is highly talented, good athletically and typically makes good decisions with the ball, and his best deserves a higher ranking than this. Onley’s impressive championships campaign helped his cause. The shame for him is a serious hamstring tendon injury sustained in the final term against Vic Metro means he won’t play again this season.

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