Nick Daicos isn’t the only star from the 2021 super draft set to make a finals mark

20 hours ago 2

Nick Daicos’ 2021 draft mates are overdue for some recognition – and this year’s finals series shapes as an appropriate platform.

Collingwood’s father-son marvel slipped to the No.4 pick in his draft, with the Magpies eventually matching a belated bid from Gold Coast, who subsequently pivoted to interceptor Mac Andrew, a Demons next-generation academy graduate.

Nick Daicos is the star of the 2021 AFL draft - but not the only one.

Daicos and No.2 selection Sam Darcy – the Western Bulldogs’ father-son unicorn – have captured the most attention, but others have generated their share of headlines.

The dux of the class, Jason Horne-Francis, started at North Melbourne, but requested a trade to Port Adelaide at the end of a debut season where he clashed with teammates and was involved in an ice-bath controversy.

Finn Callaghan, whom GWS picked after the Dogs matched their Darcy bid, knocked back an enormous offer from St Kilda – $18 million for 10 years – to stay at the Giants, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (a brilliant pick at No.11) became the AFL’s first $2 million man when he re-signed at the Saints last week.

Horne-Francis, Darcy and Richmond’s No.9 pick, defender Josh Gibcus, are the only top-10 draftees from 2021 whose clubs won’t feature in September – but let’s focus on the ones that will.

3. Finn Callaghan (GWS Giants)

2025 key statistics: 28.1 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 4.5 tackles

Callaghan said that re-signing with the Giants after rejecting St Kilda’s mega offer freed him up, and the breakout season that followed was evidence of that. The smooth-moving midfielder produced career-best numbers, and sat 14th in the AFL Coaches’ Association player-of-the-year award through 22 rounds. Callaghan’s consistency was illustrated in him having no fewer than 21 disposals in any of his 20 games. He boasts an excellent left-foot kick, and his run-and-carry style makes him an offensive force.

4. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

2025 key statistics: 30.4 disposals, 6.3 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Few players can match the output of Daicos’ first four seasons, including playing in a premiership, winning a best-and-fairest, three times being an All-Australian, coaches’ player of the year in 2024, players’ player of the year in 2025, and the Rising Star in 2022. He placed third in the Brownlow Medal in 2023 and was second last year. Daicos has been in the conversation as the game’s best player since his second season, and averaged at least 30 disposals for three straight years. Put simply, the Magpie is a superstar.

5. Mac Andrew (Gold Coast)

2025 key statistics: 13.8 disposals, 1.7 intercept marks, 7.2 spoils

The Demons are probably still dirty that they missed out on Andrew, who is precisely the type of player they would love to have as they continue to regenerate their list. Andrew is stick-thin but boasts ruckman height and outstanding athleticism that helps make him a weapon in defence for the Suns. His intercept marks are slightly down this year, but his spoils are way up and he is losing fewer one-on-one contests. There is a reason Gold Coast were willing to lock Andrew away until 2034 on a deal worth up to $12 million.

Mac Andrew is an intercepting weapon in defence for Gold Coast.

6. Josh Rachele (Adelaide)

2025 key statistics: 12.1 disposals, 1.9 goals, 5.7 score involvements

Rachele has not played since suffering a knee injury against Melbourne in early July, but is nearing a return and is extra valuable since Izak Rankine’s suspension. The goalsneak from Shepparton was having the best season of his brief career until then, kicking 25 goals in only 13 games, including eight multi-goal efforts. Rachele is a powerful athlete capable of slotting freakish goals but also reliable on set shots. He is a very good mark overhead for his height, too. Rachele is the match-winner the Crows may need in September.

7. Josh Ward (Hawthorn)

2025 key statistics: 20.7 disposals, 7.6 contested possessions, 3.7 inside 50s

Ward was a slower burn than many of the top-10 picks in this draft, but put together his best season so far in 2025. He became an integral part of the Hawks’ on-ball brigade and spent more time as an inside midfielder, including recording eight games with at least four clearances – earning himself a four-year extension. Ward has impressive acceleration off the mark that comes to good use at stoppages, followed by him releasing a teammate with a handball or driving a long kick inside 50.

8. Jye Amiss (Fremantle)

2025 key statistics: 7.3 disposals, 1.3 goals, 1.8 forward-50 marks

Amiss kicked 41 goals in his second season in 2023 and now forms part of the Dockers’ three-pronged tall attack, alongside Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss. The trio combined for 98 goals in the home-and-away season, performing a vital role in Fremantle returning to the finals. Amiss is comfortable playing as the Dockers’ deepest forward or roaming further afield, and one of his strengths is creating separation to take marks on the lead. He is also an excellent set-shot exponent who maximises his opportunities.

Neil Erasmus is starting to make his mark for Fremantle amid rival interest in him.

10. Neil Erasmus (Fremantle)

2025 key statistics: 15.8 disposals, 6.7 contested possessions, 2.9 clearances

Erasmus has not had the same exposure at AFL level as his top-10 classmates – which is why the likes of Western Bulldogs and West Coast have expressed interest in him – but he played 15 of his 38 matches this season. He ensured he will be part of the Dockers’ finals campaign with a strong finish to the regular season, amassing 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six clearances and a goal. Erasmus is a big and strong presence who offers Fremantle a point of difference at stoppages. The Dockers have offered him a three-year deal.

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