AFL Draft: Willem Duursma, Zeke Uwland and Dyson Sharp headline 2025 AFL Academy squad

The AFL Academy squads have been announced for 2025 – and there are big names everywhere you look. Find out who could feature at the top end of next year’s draft.

Victorian utility Willem Duursma will be vying to become the fourth sibling in his family to play football at the highest level as he looks towards his top-age draft year.

Duursma – who is the younger brother of Essendon midfielder Xavier, Carlton AFLW winger Yasmin and North Melbourne forward Zane – has been named in the 2025 Marsh AFL Academy squad as one of next year’s leading draft prospects.

Duursma is one of 28 players who have been named in the initial boys’ squad, which also includes some other famous names.

Willem Duursma is a top prospect in the 2025 AFL Draft. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos

South Australia’s Dyson Sharp is another early No. 1 pick contender. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

Zeke Uwland, who is the younger brother of Gold Coast defender Bodhi, is another member of the squad, along with Cody Curtin, whose older brother Daniel was drafted by Adelaide last year.

Gold Coast Suns Academy member and Melbourne father-son prospect Kalani White – whose father Jeff played 236 AFL games for the Demons – has also made the cut.

The top-end of next year’s draft pool is stacked with northern Academy prospects, with Uwland and White being two of four Suns Academy members picked in the national squad.

Highly-rated Brisbane Lions Academy member Daniel Annable also features, as do Sydney Swans Academy duo Lachlan Carmichael and Noah Chamberlain.

Originally published as AFL Draft: Willem Duursma, Zeke Uwland and Dyson Sharp headline 2025 AFL Academy squad