2025 AFL Draft: Every club’s picks and who they could be targeting
Will the ‘Unicorn’ get through? Or will Richmond take the bolter off the board before Essendon’s call? With four of the first six picks in this year’s draft, all eyes are on the Tigers and Bombers.
The 2025 AFL Trade Period is over, with all attention now turning to next month’s national draft.
Here is how your club is placed heading into the draft, who they are linked to and who they could target with their early picks.
ADELAIDE
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 15, 46, 53, 55, 71, 73
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 16, 48, 55, 64, 73, 75
Not much changed during the trade period for the Crows, who still hold a later first-round pick which will get pushed back until at least pick 20 on draft night after early father-son and academy bids are matched. In that range, the Crows should still have some good options available. Big-bodied Murray Bushrangers midfielder Riley Onley is the type of player you could picture running around in a Crows’ jumper next year. He’s a strong 194cm onballer who has long impacted games inside the contest but also showed this year he can have some impact on the outside. Damaging South Australian wingman Harley Barker, who suffered an ACL injury mid-year, could be another option at that first pick. If he was still on the board at Adelaide’s second selection, Onley’s Bushrangers teammate Liam Hetherton – a highly-rated 197cm forward who missed most of this year with a stress fracture in his back – would be another good fit. The Crows also have access to Gippsland Power midfielder Mitch Stevens as a father-son prospect, with his dad Mark having played 101 games for the Crows including featuring in the 1998 premiership.
BRISBANE LIONS
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 19, 42, 45, 51, 54, 66, 77
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68, 79
The Lions don’t have a top-15 pick in this draft, but are still well-placed to secure a top-five player in midfielder Daniel Annable. The Lions Academy star is a clearance-winning machine who also brings great leadership traits and impressed at every level he played this year including in eight VFL appearances. Brisbane holds 1756 draft points, which should be enough to secure Annable. Even if the onballer received a bid as early as pick 4, the Lions would only need 1766 points to match it – just 10 points short of that they have currently got. Brisbane could easily do a pick swap to find those extra points or take a small points deficit into next year if required. The Lions also have fellow Academy members Isaac Waller, Harrison Bridge and Tyan Prindable available in this year’s draft, but that trio are all rated as later chances.
CARLTON
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 9, 21, 40, 49, 67
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72
As much as the Blues never loved the idea of losing key forward Charlie Curnow during this year’s trade period, his move to Sydney has left the club well-placed from a draft perspective. Carlton holds two first-round picks across each of the next three drafts and has two gun father-son’s on the way over the next two years. Murray Bushrangers product Harry Dean is the first of those, with the 193cm defender rated a top-10 prospect in next month’s draft. Given that, unless the Blues can trade up to a top-five pick, it makes sense for them to retain pick 9 and use it to match a bid on Dean, or select another top-end talent first if one doesn’t come. That ensures they keep pick 11 – which would simply slide back a few spots if a bid on Dean came as early as pick 5 – so that the club can bring in two top-end players this year. South Australian key forwards Aidan Schubert and Mitch Marsh or Eastern Ranges small forward Lachy Dovaston could all be appealing with the second high-end pick in that range.
Carlton is also keen to bring Next Generation Academy member Jack Ison through the door, as a classy 190cm midfielder-forward. Ison shapes as a likely second-round selection, which the Blues would hope they could match a bid on with picks 43 and 54. The two first-round picks in 2026 will ensure the Blues land father-son Cody Walker, a top-two prospect who dominated as a bottom-age player this year and has already nominated Carlton as his club of choice.
COLLINGWOOD
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 38, 57, 69, 75
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77
The Magpies entered this year without a first-round draft pick and nothing has changed. Their pursuit of Dan Houston last year saw them cough up that selection, which means they won’t be involved in the draft until the middle of the second round – unless they trade back in using a future pick. That pick 39 should wind in a few spots to the mid-30s after early father-son and academy bids are matched by clubs with stacks of selections, including Gold Coast and Brisbane. Collingwood has flagged an intent to target midfielders, so players like Sandringham Dragons running-machine Jack Dalton, West Australian captain Fred Rodriguez or St Kilda-linked onballer Kye Fincher could come into the frame in that area of the draft. Collingwood advised father-son prospect Tom McGuane earlier this month that they would not nominate him for the national draft. The door was left open for McGuane to be a potential rookie draft pick, but rival clubs have since shown interest in the impressive Western Jets midfielder. Collingwood is also yet to make any commitment to Next Generation Academy member Zac McCarthy, an exciting 198cm mobile forward who can also pinch-hit in the ruck. McCarthy looms as a potential second-round pick. As things stand, the Magpies may be able to secure a midfielder and then match a bid on McCarthy soon after.
ESSENDON
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 4, 5, 20, 26, 29
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30
The Bombers reached out to West Coast and Richmond about moving up the draft order during the trade period. Those clubs are willing to listen but will need a compelling offer from Essendon if they are to hand over one of the first four picks. Even if Essendon’s draft hand remains as it is, the club is confident it can secure two quality players inside the top-10. Expect Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler and potentially Sullivan Robey to be off the board before the Bombers enter the frame, but players like South Australian captain and onballer Dyson Sharp, South Australian key forward Aidan Schubert or Eastern Ranges defender Xavier Taylor could be available and would suit nicely. Essendon is also expected to match bids on a pair of Next Generation Academy members in Adam Sweid and Hussien El Achkar, who are top-30 prospects from the Calder Cannons who are “like brothers”. Sweid is a consistent ball-winning midfielder-forward while El Achkar is a goalkicking small forward who looks up to friend and former teammate Isaac Kako.
FREMANTLE
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 12, 33, 43, 52, 70
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 20, 47, 69
The Dockers had a quiet trade period in terms of players, with Liam Reidy and Will Brodie departing and Judd McVee arriving. But list boss David Walls was still kept busy doing a few pick swaps. The Dockers slid their first-round pick back in a trade which provided them the pick 23 they used to secure McVee. Fremantle has identified the front half as an area it wants to add to. With that in mind, players who could be available at the club’s first pick include South Australian forwards Jevan Phillipou and Cameron Nairn and Victorian small and medium forwards Lachy Dovaston and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. The Dockers also have access to South Adelaide ball magnet Toby Whan through their Next Generation Academy, who finished second in the 2km time trial at the WA State Draft Combine last weekend with a time of 6min 11sec. Whan was also a joint-winner of the WAFL Colts best and fairest this year after averaging 26.8 disposals, 4.7 clearances and 0.9 goals across 12 games. Fremantle only plans to make two selections at the national draft.
GEELONG
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 18, 39, 58, 76
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 19, 40, 60, 78
The Cats put their first-round picks for the next three years on the table for Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow during the trade period, before he found his way to Sydney instead. This year’s first-round pick was also dangled in front of St Kilda for ruckman Rowan Marshall, but that didn’t prove enough to get something done, either. That leaves the Cats in possession of their late first-round pick heading into next month’s draft. Unless they can find a way to shift up the order into the early teens, classy Geelong Falcons left-footer Josh Lindsay will likely be off the board, along with a lot of other top prospects. Alternatively, a key forward like 197cm Sandringham Dragons star Archie Ludowyke could suit and still be available when Geelong’s first pick rolls around. The Cats have access to two Next Generation Academy players in medium forward Jesse Mellor and athletic defender Ben Rongdit, who could come into play later in the draft.
Archie Ludowyke kicks the match winner in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Futures Boys game! pic.twitter.com/ikRzs1l0MZ
— AFL (@AFL) September 28, 2024
GOLD COAST
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 6, 14, 17, 35, 61, 72
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 15, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52
The Suns held two top-10 picks at one stage during the trade period, before parting with both as well as their first-round pick for 2026 to get Christian Petracca through the door. It was a high price to pay for Petracca, but the good news for the Suns is they not really any worse off from a draft points perspective as they prepare to match early bids on academy talents Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson. Gold Coast entered the trade period with 3,849 draft points to its name and exited it still holding 3,773 points. If bids came on Uwland and Patterson at picks 3 and 5, for example, the Suns would require only 3,576 points to match those – so they’re covered. Securing any more academy players after that looks a little bit tricker, though. Suns Academy members Beau Addinsall, Koby Coulson and Jai Murray also attended the national draft combine earlier this month but might find their way to other clubs.
GWS GIANTS
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 13, 34, 36
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 12, 35
The Giants’ first pick slid from 13 to 14 as free agency compensation picks were slotted into the draft order during the trade period. However, a selection swap with the Western Bulldogs saw the Giants climb up two spots to pick 12, where they believe they will be in a better band to add another talented first-round pick to their list. With this selection, GWS could have access to players like Eastern Ranges rebounding defender Oskar Taylor or South Australian wingman Harley Barker. Both have good leg speed, running capabilities and use the ball well by foot, traits which would suit the Orange Tsunami side. The Giants also have access to three academy prospects in Riley Hamilton, Jim Houston and Tallia McMillan, who could be considered as late or rookie picks.
HAWTHORN
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 8, 30, 41, 60, 74
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 10, 22, 62, 76
The Hawks’ No. 1 priority during the trade period was Zach Merrett but they weren’t able to pull together an offer that interested Essendon. While those plans fell through, Hawthorn has at least been left with a solid draft hand which includes two first-round picks. The Hawks had tried to have big-bodied Eastern Ranges midfielder Ollie Greeves included in their Next Generation Academy before the AFL rejected that application and he should be around the mark at the club’s first selection. The knock on Greeves is his transition running and he missed the recent draft combine and 2km time trial through illness, but he is a competitor who wins his own footy around contest and clearance. Geelong Falcons halfback Josh Lindsay and Oakleigh Chargers line-breaker Sam Grlj could be other good options for the Hawks. Eastern Ranges ace Lachy Dovaston is the best small forward available and made a late-season appearance for VFL affiliate Box Hill, so may be another option. Dovaston would make one hell of a pairing alongside the player he looks up to in Nick Watson.
MELBOURNE
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 27, 59, 64
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71
The Demons are taking a step back to take what they hope will be a stride forward as they undertake a list re-jig. Trading Christian Petracca to Gold Coast has left Melbourne with two first-round draft picks for each of the next two years. That will mean the club could use eight first-round selections in the space of four years ahead of Tasmania’s inclusion in the 2027 draft, with Melbourne having already snapped up Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup in 2023 and Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay in 2024. The Demons will have some good options at picks 7 and 8, which could include players like South Australian marking forwards Aidan Schubert and Mitch Marsh who fit a clear list need. Sturt goal sneak Latrelle Pickett would also have to be considered if he got to Melbourne’s third pick, especially with the small forward being a cousin of current Demons star Kysaiah. Melbourne has also committed to selecting father-son prospect Kalani White, a 198cm developing tall who looms as a later pick.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 24, 25, 44, 62
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 25, 26, 46, 57
The Kangaroos would like to get back into the first-round of the draft but have conceded that is “probably unlikely” given the “severe” cost that would come with shifting up the board. North Melbourne traded its own first-round pick to Richmond during last year’s draft to secure tall Matt Whitlock, but still believes it can find a couple of good players at picks 25 and 26. In that range, the Kangaroos could look at players like Sturt key defender Blake Thredgold, Sandringham Dragons key forward Archie Ludowyke or Central District medium forward Cameron Nairn. Oakleigh Chargers forward-ruckman Louis Emmett could be another option, given North Melbourne clearly needs to add some height to its list.
PORT ADELAIDE
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 28, 47, 65
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 49
The Power never loved this year’s draft and now have about as much interest in it as a snowman has in a heatwave. Other clubs are aware that pick 49 is up for grabs, with the Power intending not to select any players in the national draft and instead upgrade rookies Tom Cochran, Harison Ramm and Josh Lai. Ideally, Port Adelaide would trade pick 49 into a third-round pick next year as they try to load up on draft points for 2026. While not yet ticked off by the AFL, expectations are that the Power will have access to No. 1 pick fancy Dougie Cochrane as a Next Generation Academy prospect. Port currently holds its own first, second and third-round picks for next year as well as a second-round pick tied to Carlton.
RICHMOND
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 2, 3
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 3, 4, 38
The Tigers are holding on to their first two picks in this year’s draft – for now. List boss Blair Hartley said after the conclusion of the trade period that the club would “listen to offers”, with Essendon being among the sides looking to climb the order. But that doesn’t mean Richmond will trade either of those picks, with Hartley saying they are “pretty comfortable” with where they sit as they look to add some more high-end talent to their list. With West Coast being favoured to take Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler with the first two picks, the Tigers may look to players like Eastern Ranges draft bolter Sullivan Robey, Central District onballer Dyson Sharp, Oakleigh Chargers speedster Sam Grlj and Eastern Ranges defender Xavier Taylor. Grlj impressed for the Tigers in two VFL games late in the season, with VFL coach Jake Batchelor declaring he was “going to be a heck of a player”. Richmond is yet to fully commit to father-son prospect Louis Kellaway, but expectations are he will find his way to Punt Rd later in the draft.
ST KILDA
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 7, 48, 63
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 50, 65
The Saints were a big player during this year’s trade period, but consequently will be a very small player in this year’s draft. They traded away their first-round pick to Gold Coast for midfielder Sam Flanders. That means St Kilda isn’t set to enter the draft until around pick 50 and it is anyone’s guess who will still be available then. The Saints have access to Sandringham Dragons midfielder Kye Fincher as a Next Generation Academy member and he starred in a late-season VFL appearance for the Sandringham Zebras. But Fincher looks every chance to attract a bid in the 30s and pick 50 only has 71 draft points attached to it if the Saints were keen to match.
SYDNEY
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 10, 31, 50, 68
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 31, 32, 42, 63
The Swans have Charlie Curnow in their forward line now, but don’t have a first-round draft pick for the next three years as a result. That said, they should get at least a couple of quality players through the door this year thanks to their Academy. Max King is an exciting top-30 prospect as a 192cm marking forward with impressive athletic traits. Damaging halfback Lachlan Carmichael and rebounding defender Harry Kyle are both top-40 chances, while the Swans also have access to versatile tall Noah Chamberlain.
WEST COAST
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 1, 16, 22, 23, 37, 56
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41, 53, 58, 80
The Eagles hit the jackpot by receiving pick 2 as compensation for departing free agent Oscar Allen and now head into next month’s national draft with the first two selections. Early expectations are that they will use those first two picks on Victorian pair Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler, who have been both high-level football and basketball opponents over the years. Midfielder-forward Duursma also has a connection with young Eagles star Harley Reid, while ruckman-forward Duff-Tytler would fill a list need. West Coast was also able to shuffle up to add a third top-15 pick, where players like West Australian rebounding defender-midfielder Jacob Farrow, South Australian marking forward Mitch Marsh or Victorian small forward Lachy Dovaston could come into the picture.
With the later picks, the Eagles have access to father-son Charlie Banfield and Next Generation Academy members Tylah Williams and Koby Evans. Small forward Williams has been working part-time in West Coast’s merchandise store this year and performed strongly at the national draft combine earlier this month, while midfielder Banfield (son of Drew) took out the 2km time trial at the WA State Draft Combine last weekend. Another small forward, Wes Walley, is also available through the NGA but shapes as more of a rookie chance. The Eagles plan to use four or five picks in the national draft overall, which means they could try to trade some of those second or third-round selections into next year, depending on where bids come for their linked talent.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Draft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 11, 32
Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 14, 33, 70, 74
The Bulldogs had been exploring a potential move up the draft order by packaging up their first two picks, but nothing was locked in during the trade period at least. Regardless, the club believes there will be some “exciting and diverse” talent available to it. The Dogs could do with another young key defender to develop and should get that in father-son prospect Will Darcy, who is the son of Luke and brother of Sam. Exactly where a bid comes for the raw but promising 198cm tall isn’t completely clear, but it is likely to be after the Bulldogs’ second pick as it stands. So, if the Dogs retain their first pick where it is, they could look to add some outside run and class, with players like Woodville-West Torrens midfielder-forward Jevan Phillipou, Eastern Ranges rebounding defender Oskar Taylor, Sturt wingman Harley Barker or Dandenong Stingrays forward-midfielder Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves being potential options.
More Coverage
Originally published as 2025 AFL Draft: Every club’s picks and who they could be targeting
‘It was a shock’: Cox still seeking answers after Pies blindside
