From Gold Coast’s golden academy, to the club that didn’t pick at all: Analysing every club’s 2025 draft

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Almost 60 young footballers found an AFL home across the past two nights of the most compromised draft in history, while two more – Jake Stringer and Ryan Byrnes – will continue their journey after being delisted.

Among the heartache stories across Wednesday and Thursday were All-Australians Ollie Greeves, Riley Onley and Fred Rodriguez, as well as Dandenong Stingrays forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, who could yet get their chance in Friday’s rookie draft.

Harry Dean (pick No.3), Willem Duursma (No.1) and Zeke Uwland (No.2).

We took a close look at each club’s draft haul and heard from recruiting and list managers, who explained their strategy and hopes for their fresh draftees.

Adelaide

Who they picked: Mitch Marsh (22), Archie Ludowyke (50)

The Crows went local again with their first-round pick, Marsh, a 191-centimetre forward who kicked more goals than anyone at the national under-18 championships. He models himself on Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron and is the son of Adelaide’s 1998 premiership player Ben Marsh, who played 48 games for the club. They placed an unsuccessful bid on Sydney academy prospect Max King before finally ending Sandringham key forward Archie Ludowyke’s slide. Ludowyke had a goalless championships and suffered a season-ending PCL setback, but has long been touted as an AFL prospect and his athleticism and marking ability should translate.

National recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie: “Mitch is a South Australian kid whose dad played for the club – but that’s not why we picked him. We picked him because he’s really good at footy, he’s got a great attitude, high character, [and] his running is fantastic, which will allow him to play not just as a forward but hopefully up on a wing as well.”

Mitch Marsh wants to meet his namesake, the Australian white-ball captain (pictured).

Brisbane Lions

Who they picked: Daniel Annable (6), Koby Evans (38), Cody Curtin (43), Tai Hayes (44)

The Lions matched Richmond’s bid on star academy midfield graduate Annable, who could make an instant impact in the AFL, even if he has to start across half-forward. Annable is an excellent stoppage player and particularly good by hand. They traded with Carlton to climb from 50 to 38 – handing over a future third-rounder – to place a bid on speedy West Coast academy midfielder Evans, and the Eagles did not match. That came after Brisbane passed on their own academy product, new Magpie Tyan Prindable. They also added 200-centimetre key defender Cody Curtin (brother of Adelaide’s Daniel) and 21-year-old midfielder Hayes out of Southport.

National recruiting manager Steve Conole: “We’re very excited about who we managed to pick up in the draft. Four players in our talent order we all had very high, and to get Dan, initially, as an academy player, just with his resume and what he can offer the footy club, we are ecstatic about that. Then, we got three developing players who all play different roles and add a bit of depth in all areas, and we’re desperate to add that depth.”

Carlton

Who they picked: Harry Dean (3), Talor Byrne (45), Jack Ison (47)

West Coast made the Blues pay a premium for father-son defender Harry Dean, but he is a perfect longer-term sidekick for All-Australian Jacob Weitering. Dean, whose dad Peter played in two flags for Carlton, is courageous in the air, aggressive, competitive, skilful and an excellent interceptor. The Blues traded their No.9 and 11 picks on Wednesday night to gather more draft points to match bids on Dean and Ison, and gained North Melbourne’s second-rounder next year to help match a future bid on star father-son midfielder Cody Walker. Carlton also swapped their No.28 selection for Gold Coast’s 2026 second-rounder when an Ison bid still had not come. They managed to pick Byrne, who projects as a small forward at AFL level, before finally matching North Melbourne’s bid on Ison, a 191-centimetre midfielder-forward who turned heads with an impressive end to the season.

General manager of football Chris Davies: “We are really happy. We got the players we prioritised, and added some picks into the future. Harry, Jack and Talor are players we rated highly, and to accumulate some future picks was what we wanted to achieve.”

Collingwood

Who they picked: Tyan Prindable (32), Sam Swadling (37), Zac McCarthy (55), Angus Anderson (57)

The Pies started the draft with two contrasting midfield types. The Lions did not match Collingwood’s bid on academy midfielder Prindable, who thrives at stoppages, while Swadling became the second West Australian off the board and does his best work on the outside. McCarthy is a Magpies next-generation academy graduate, and it was a slight surprise he tumbled so deep in the draft – but he stands 199 centimetres, is a good athlete and could develop into a weapon in attack. Collingwood’s last pick was used on 193-centimetre midfielder Anderson, a 22-year-old late bloomer who enjoyed a strong SANFL season.

National recruiting manager Shane O’Bree: “We have four new guys into our footy club, and a nice combination of players, then Zac McCarthy at the end – our NGA boy who’s been in our program for a long time. We had three midfielders who all have different attributes, which I think complement our list.”

Essendon

Who they picked: Sullivan Robey (9), Jacob Farrow (10), Dyson Sharp (13), Max Kondogiannis (36), Hussien El Achkar (53)

The Bombers picked three times in the first round for the first time since 2020, doing so by trading for Carlton’s No.9 selection, which pushed out to 13 with bids. They tried to snare West Coast’s pick two. Robey, a 192-centimetre midfielder-forward, went from not even playing in the Talent League or at the championships to being a top-10 pick – and excited recruiters with his blistering finish to the season. Farrow also burst onto the scene this year and has excellent kicking and intercepting skills, while Sharp won the Larke Medal this year and is a midfield brute who thrives at stoppages. Essendon chose not to match Fremantle’s bid on next-generation academy prospect Adam Sweid at the end of the first round before picking medium-sized defender Kondogiannis. The Bombers matched Richmond’s bid on Sweid’s great mate El Achkar, a talented small forward.

List manager Matt Rosa: “We really believed in the top end of this draft, so we wanted as much access to the high end of the draft as we could, and we wanted to pick as high as we could. We worked on that right up until the last couple of days ... so we feel like we’ve walked out with a really good balance.”

Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid were Calder Cannons teammates and in Essendon’s next-generation academy.

Fremantle

Who they picked: Adam Sweid (25), Tobyn Murray (40)

The Dockers picked late in the first round for the second straight year, and will hope diminutive midfielder-forward Sweid is every bit the success Murphy Reid was in 2025. Sweid, who spent last year recovering from an ACL rupture, was tied to Essendon as a next-generation academy prospect, but the Bombers chose not to match the bid. He is tough, competitive, professional, and has a nose for the goals. Murray is a 20-year-old small forward out of Geelong’s VFL side who brings a combination of speed, power and toughness.

List manager David Walls: “We got two guys who are probably pretty similar in their role as mid-forwards … and they’re both pretty strong guys who are good runners. Hopefully, they can be pushing for selection. It was good in the trade period to bring Judd [McVee] in, to give us that running half-back, so to add to that, and a couple of guys forward, we’re reasonably happy.”

Geelong

Who they picked: Harley Barker (24), Hunter Holmes (33)

Barker is a classic savvy pick from the Cats. South Australia’s All-Australian winger would have been snapped up far earlier if not for the ACL rupture that ended his season shortly after the championships. Barker brings an enticing combination of size, speed, endurance and skill, and Geelong can afford to be patient with his recovery. The Cats also recruited a second Holmes, selecting star midfielder Max’s younger brother Hunter, who boasts similar athletic traits to his sibling and had a promising year for Oakleigh Chargers and Victoria Metro.

Hunter Holmes is the brother of Geelong star Max (pictured).

National recruiting manager Stephen Wells: “We really rated this draft and thought there would be a lot of good players in it, and we’ve been able to add to our stocks of young, developing talent … We think they have a long way to go with their footy, whether it be Harley’s recovery from injury, or Hunter, who has been in the system for only a year.”

Gold Coast

Who they picked: Zeke Uwland (2), Dylan Patterson (5), Jai Murray (17), Beau Addinsall (18), Avery Thomas (28), Koby Coulson (46)

What a haul for the Suns, who matched four first-round bids and brought in their five academy targets. They scored arguably the best prospect in the class in silky winger Uwland – considered Errol Gulden 2.0 – before adding defensive speedster Patterson, athletic midfielder Murray and ball magnet Addinsall. Addinsall was viewed as the gettable one for rival clubs, but Gold Coast matched West Coast’s bid on him, too. The Suns then traded their 2026 second-rounder to Carlton to draft high-leaping Tasmanian defender Thomas before matching North Melbourne’s bid on prolific midfielder Coulson, whose father Bruce is the club’s No.1 ticket holder.

List manager Kall Burns: “It feels great [to get the five academy players], and we’re really excited for the local footy on the Gold Coast … We’ve invested heavily in our academy players in 2023, 2024 and last year. The way we were able to achieve that was by making tough decisions and trading out significant top-end players who were playing roles for us, that gave us currency to invest in these drafts.”

Zeke Uwland was one of a number of academy players selected high in the draft.

GWS

Who they picked: Oskar Taylor (15), Finn Davis (51), Jake Stringer (59)

The Giants decided not to take the risk of Hawthorn selecting Taylor before them, sending a 2026 second-rounder to the Hawks to move up two spots and grab Taylor. But that move was as much about making a bid on Swans academy prospect Harry Kyle, in the hope Sydney would not match, which they did. Eastern Ranges defender Taylor surged on draft boards in the second half of the season, and burns opponents with his acceleration and attacking style. Davis is also a defender blessed with speed, and has shown he can play on taller and smaller rivals. GWS redrafted veteran forward Stringer, as was the plan.

National recruiting manager Adrian Caruso: “We draft on traits, and those guys have got the traits. So while right now, you look at Finn Davis as a hybrid back, and Oscar Taylor as a running back; their traits indicate to us that there’s scope for them to play other roles. Whether that’s Oscar in the midfield or on the wing, or Finn in the midfield, or on the wing, or as a running back, rather than that more hybrid back.”

Hawthorn

Who they picked: Cameron Nairn (20), Aidan Schubert (23), Jack Dalton (34), Matt LeRay (56)

The Hawks twice traded down the order before picking South Australia’s Nairn, a skilful, run-all-day winger who also kicked seven goals in an under-18 championships game as a forward. He was visibly and audibly thrilled when Hawthorn selected his Central District teammate Schubert – a 196-centimetre forward-ruck who enjoyed an outstanding national championships – three picks later. Schubert has a funky ball drop, but is competitive and boasts an enormous tank for a big guy. The Hawks traded in to draft hard-running midfielder-forward Dalton, who won Sandringham’s best-and-fairest and has been a consistently strong performer across several years. They went on to draft a third Central District player, winger LeRay, who earned All-Australian honours.

List manager Mark McKenzie: “[It was a] fantastic result for the footy club. We had some flexibility with our list spots over the two nights … so to nab the two boys tonight, and have four picks overall for the draft was fantastic. To add some second-round picks for next year, obviously, with those trades from [Wednesday] night, it was very positive for the footy club to put us in good stead next year, but also bringing in some talented boys.”

Melbourne

Who they picked: Xavier Taylor (11), Latrelle Pickett (12), Tom Matthews (30)

The Demons were delighted that Eastern Ranges defender Taylor, who was best afield in the Talent League grand final, made it through to their first pick. Taylor takes the game on with his athleticism and agility, is an intercepting force, and has improved as a decision-maker. Pickett, a mercurial small forward, is the cousin of club star Kysaiah, but earned his own reputation with a breakout SANFL season after Melbourne tracked him for almost three years. They grabbed another small forward in the second round, selecting Gippsland Power’s Matthews despite a PCL injury wiping out the second half of his season.

National recruiting manager Jason Taylor: “It was a waiting game [to see who would get through to us]. We weren’t entirely sure. We had a strategy in place to take the best available player, and then there was an element of need [Pickett] that was going to come into play for us as well with those selections, at a certain point. We were able to achieve both of those, which is a very good result for us.”

North Melbourne

Who they picked: Lachy Dovaston (16), Blake Thredgold (26), Hugo Mikunda (48)

Dovaston gives the Kangaroos another valuable small forward, or even a high half-forward, who can work alongside breakout star Paul Curtis, and at spearhead Nick Larkey’s feet, after they secured that pick from Carlton. He works hard up and down the ground, is strong defensively, and kicked loads of goals this year for Eastern Ranges. North then added to their growing key-position stocks, selecting strong-marking Thredgold with the first pick of the second round as they seek a solution down back. Mikunda is raw but has the speed and power to be a high half-forward or wing option for the Kangaroos.

National recruiting manager Will Thursfield: “It was pleasing to get that pick 11 late last week. That came out of nowhere, really. We had a handful of blokes we were really happy to take, and Lachy was at the top of it, so we were fortunate that he fell to us. We were pretty keen to improve the running power of the group, so all three blokes can cover the ground. I think that’s so important in this day and age.”

Port Adelaide

Who they picked: Nil

The Power became the first club ever not to make a single draft selection. They satisfied league rules by upgrading Tom Cochrane – brother of next year’s potential No.1 pick Dougie, who is in Port’s next-generation academy – Harrison Ramm and Josh Lai. Port Adelaide did make a trade, handing over pick 46 to Gold Coast to score an extra third-rounder in 2026. There is a chance they will leave a spot open, instead of filling it in the rookie draft, to trial potential recruits during the summer.

National recruiting manager Geoff Parker: “We definitely came into this draft with a list of players to pick. It was never [a situation] that we weren’t going to pick. When you come in where we did, pick 58, you need a long list. By the time we got to our pick, the list had disappeared, basically. We had the three mid-season picks, so we brought in some talent there, so we’ve already got three new players on our list, really.”

Richmond

Who they picked: Sam Cumming (7), Sam Grlj (8), Zane Peucker (31), Noah Roberts-Thomson (54)

The rebuilding Tigers’ Mildura mission last week to visit Cumming led to them selecting the powerful and tough midfielder-forward, who has earned some Mark Ricciuto comparisons. Richmond then prioritised Grlj’s speed-endurance combination at their second pick, after being impressed with his two performances at half-back for the Tigers’ VFL team late in the year. The speed theme continued on night two with the selections of South Australian forward-midfielders Peucker and Roberts-Thomson, cousin of Sydney’s dual premiership-winning former player Lewis.

National recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen: “We’d expect them [Cumming and Grlj] to be pushing next year, but we’re picking them as long-term prospects, so there’s no real expectation, but I know they’ll be wanting to play because they’re both pretty competitive kids.”

The Tigers opted for Sam Cumming with pick No.7.

St Kilda

Who they picked: Charlie Banfield (41), Kye Fincher (52), Ryan Byrnes (58)

The Saints pinched utility Banfield off West Coast, where he was a father-son candidate after his dad Drew – the No.1 pick in the 1992 draft – played 265 games and in two flags for the club. They believe there are shades of Mason Wood in his playing style. Banfield is a former Scotch College schoolmate of current St Kilda midfielder Hugh Boxshall. Hong Kong-born Fincher was in St Kilda’s next-generation academy, and is versatile enough to play in defence or in the midfield. The Saints redrafted 80-gamer Byrnes to complete their involvement.

Player movement manager Simon Dalrymple: “It was a pretty positive draft. We entered with a couple of picks post-pick 40, and picked up Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher. Kye is a graduate of our academy, so it’s a great reward for our academy staff ... both boys have great character, which is an important attribute to have.”

Sydney

Who they picked: Harry Kyle (14), Jevan Phillipou (35), Billy Cootee (42), Max King (49)

The Swans’ cross-town rivals GWS placed an early bid on Sydney academy player Kyle, perhaps seeing some similarities to their own star, Finn Callaghan. Kyle, a 188-centimetre midfielder-defender, joined the academy midway through last year, but is an excellent athlete already showing great promise and has significant upside. But the Swans opted not to match the Bulldogs’ first-round bid on another academy player, defender Lachy Carmichael. Phillipou – the younger brother of Saint Mattaes – polarised among recruiters, so always had a wide draft range, but Sydney invested in his athleticism and upside. The Swans then plucked 22-year-old midfielder-forward Cootee out of SANFL club Norwood, continuing their love of mature-age recruits. Sydney matched Adelaide’s bid on academy graduate King, who is one of the best athletes in the class, but still developing as a footballer.

List manager Chris Keane: “We’re really happy with the four boys across the two nights; obviously two academy boys and a couple of boys from SA, so we’re happy with the different types of players. We had to go into this process with an order, and we knew after what we did in the trade period [trading for Charlie Curnow] that those sorts of scenarios could happen, in terms of having to let Lachy go.”

Those are some strong genes… Willem Duursma (second from right) has become the fourth member of his family to be on an AFL/W list, behind siblings Xavier, Yasmin and Zane.

West Coast

Who they picked: Willem Duursma (1), Cooper Duff-Tytler (4), Josh Lindsay (19), Sam Allen (29), Tylah Williams (39)

The Eagles placed five unsuccessful bids in the first round, but should be thrilled with who they did bring in. Duursma projects as a big-time star with his 193-centimetre size, elite and aggressive kicking skills, marking strength, and positional versatility. As a bonus, he is friends with Harley Reid. Duff-Tytler is likened to Docker Luke Jackson as a fellow ex-basketballer who is a great athlete and excels at ground level. Left-footed defender Lindsay is arguably the best kick in the draft. A fourth Victorian followed when West Coast picked Oakleigh Chargers captain Allen, an athletic winger who suffered a season-ending ACL rupture. They matched Fremantle’s bid on academy goalsneak Williams, who demonstrated his speed and agility at the combine, but lost Koby Evans (Brisbane) and Charlie Banfield (St Kilda) to rival clubs.

National recruiting manager Duane Massey: “Overall, it was an outstanding result for the club. To have access to some high talent at the sharp end of the draft really sets the club up to launch into 2026 and beyond. Securing Willem, Cooper and Josh adds to the young talent we’ve selected in the past few years, and we believe they can really add value to our list for years to come.”

Western Bulldogs

Who they picked: Lachy Carmichael (21), Louis Emmett (27), Will Darcy (60)

The Dogs were tipped to use their first pick on someone who could fit in at half-back – and Sydney academy product Carmichael is exactly that. He was an All-Australian at under-16 and under-18 level, works extremely hard, has no trouble finding the Sherrin and is defensively sound. Ruck-forward Emmett adds to the glut of talls on the Bulldogs’ list, but brings rare endurance at 199 centimetres, has shown progress playing in attack and is also set to be exposed in defence next year. The Darcy legacy continues, too, with Will joining brother Sam at the club his father Luke enjoyed a stellar career. Will is a 196-centimetre project defender who will take time to develop but has exciting athletic traits.

Player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan: “I couldn’t be more excited to give Will the opportunity, and it’s great that it’s in the national draft, too. We’ve seen him grow and develop. He has some special attributes as a player as well – left foot, right foot, ground ball, can mark it. He’s going to take a while, so Dogs fans need to be a little bit patient, but we think if Will can get it right … there’s a pretty special set of attributes under there that we think we can turn into a player.”

With Roy Ward