AFL prospects Louis Emmett and Liam Hetherton on sliding down draft boards
It hurts to look for your name in power rankings and not see it there. Two prospects — one a former No. 1 contender — open up on the harsh reality of sliding down draft boards.
Sullivan Robey has dominated draft discussion after rocketing into top-five contention from obscurity.
But for every uplifting draft bolter like Robey, there is a prospect left anxious and disappointed as they tumble down draft boards.
Looking for your name in power rankings and not seeing it there.
Years of dedication striving towards an AFL dream that might not be realised, sometimes merely through a stroke of bad luck.
The draft can bring such joy, but on the flip side it can be a difficult time for many.
We spoke to two 2025 draft sliders about how they’ve handled their draft year.
NO.1 CONTENDER TO INJURY-HIT
Louis Emmett entered 2025 a No.1 pick contender along with Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Zeke Uwland and Dyson Sharp.
Boasting remarkable athleticism as ruckman, the Oakleigh Chargers talent had lofty expectation on his shoulders after a dominant bottom-age season.
It included some ridiculous performance where he ran rings around the opposition.
In consecutive Coates Talent League games last year, Emmett registered 20 disposals, 20 hit-outs, eight clearances and a goal against the Sandringham Dragons, 17 disposals and four goals in a win over Eastern Ranges, and then a lazy 28 disposals, 20 hit-outs and two goals in a loss to GWV Rebels.
The 199 centimetre prospect also shone as a bottom-ager with Vic Metro, tallying 25 disposals and 14 possessions in an encouraging display up against a ruckman one year his senior in St Kilda big man Alex Dodson.
But this year injury and inconsistency meant he was unable to showcase his best to recruiters.
“I think last year reflects a bit of what I can do. But obviously I was hoping to go into my top-age year and even be better, because that’s sort of how it works. Like, you’re at the top of the chain,” Emmett said.
“And I was disappointed when I couldn’t do that with injuries and a bit of inconsistency.
“Lot of interruptions, lot of injuries, couldn’t really have that consistent sort of form that I really like for going into the start of the year. I had a lot of high expectations on myself with the draft.
“So it was frustrating, but a lot of learnings came out of it.”
First, the Scotch College student dealt with quad and muscle fascia issues through the pre-season that heavily interrupted his pre-season training.
From there his rotten luck continued.
“Then got into the season, a few random corks at the start of the year and then had that major hip flexor injury or strain probably after the second AFL academy game,” Emmett said.
“Slipped over at school training and it was an eight-weeker. So a lot of rehab, a lot of time out, missed a lot of school footy.”
“Just a hip flexor strain, so that took me out for a long time, missed school footy, missed the first game of national champs.
“And then had to get on top of that to sort of get back and play my best footy.”
Understandably, Emmett didn’t stuff the stat sheet like he did last year, with his influence also impacted by spending more time forward.
He finished the year with a reminder of his talents – 14 disposals, 28 hit-outs, and two goals against the Calder Cannons – but even then, he wasn’t at full fitness.
“Straight after the hip flexor injury I rehabbed that, but that was still sort of there – you’re not going to be 100%,” Emmett said.
“So I didn’t really have a really good run at it, to be honest, which is pretty frustrating. But then again, I’m really keen to hit pre-season hard and build strength up in my body so I can set myself up for a good season – hopefully on an AFL list.”
For Emmett, who models his game on Fremantle star Luke Jackson, there are questions marks from clubs on his ability to impact as a forward, given his smaller given stature as a ruckman.
This has been another reason for his slide, with Emmett determined to hone his forward craft.
“I know I’m not going to be that big 205cm sort of ruckman who can play pure ruck,” Emmett said.
“They’ve got to be able to go forward and offer a chop out for the ruckman.
“And so I just want to be able to go forward and always improve my leading patterns, my bodywork and competitive marking and aerial marking.”
‘SICKENING TO WATCH’
Liam Hetherton looks out at the MCG turf at the draft combine.
The marking forward has kicked three goals on the hallowed turf in the U17 futures match on AFL grand final day in 2024.
That and an encouraging bottom-age CV saw him earn a spot in the AFL Academy as one of the better key forwards in the pool entering 2025.
“I was just talking about it with my mate the other day that it was the best day of our lives playing at the MCG, grand final,” Hetherton said.
There hasn’t been too many smiles from Hetherton since then.
The North Albury product first felt some pain in his back while playing a practice match against the Bendigo Pioneers in the pre-season, playing out the game despite being hampered.
“Then every game from then on, it built up and then just became unbearable in the last couple of games,” Hetherton said.
Those ‘last couple of games’, the 198cm spearhead slotted a bag of five goals against the Bendigo Pioneers and followed it up with three goals, 14 disposals and six marks (three contested) against Northern Territory.
It brought his tally to 11 goals in three Coates Talent League matches, all while being significantly affected.
“I’d probably say I was about 70 (per cent), and then slowly went down to about 60-50, so around there towards the end,” Hetherton said.
Having been passed fit by specialists, Murray Bushrangers coach Mark Brown forced him to get a scan.
“Saw a few physios and then it was disregarded really. They said there’s nothing wrong, which made it a little bit more disappointing that I found out the hard way with my coach, Browny, actually was the one who made me get the MRI in the end,” Hetherton said.
“He said I wasn’t allowed to play unless I got one, so disappointing when I found out about that. And then obviously I was looking forward to peak at nationals, which was my big goal for the year, to really have a good nationals and stand out there.
“But it was cut short of that. So all my goals have been changed, and just focus on the small things and getting back as good as I can.”
Hetherton’s family, friends – including 2024 GWS draftee Phoenix Gothard – the Bushrangers and North Albury provided a strong support network as he diligently attacked his rehab.
He went down to watch one Allies game at Marvel Stadium, one of many long drives to Melbourne with his dad, Steve to see specialists.
But otherwise he was forced to watch the national championships at home, while his Murray Bushrangers teammate Harry Dean bolted into top-10 contention.
“It was pretty sickening to watch all the boys go out there, with all the hard work I’ve put in through pre-season and throughout the year to then be cut short of that, hurt a lot,” Hetherton said.
“But just continued to get around the boys and support them and wish them the best for the year.”
“I really lean on Phoenix Gothard, who used to go to my school too, we used to be in the same homeroom. And he’s been a really good person that’s supported me as well throughout my rehab.
“Me and dad came to Melbourne probably six to eight times throughout the rehab journey, see the doctor and everything. So (my parents) were probably my big support crew.
“And even down at the local club, one of my really good mates, George Godde, who did his ACL as well, we’ve been doing a lot of rehab together and continuing that journey.”
Meanwhile, Hetherton was reduced to kicking 10-20 metres with a partner, unable to run, and stuck at home on the weekends as his school mates enjoyed the fun of 18th birthdays.
“I’ve been alone with myself because I wasn’t allowed to travel, go out to parties. It’s pretty hard when you’re in your 18th year and a lot of people are going out and everything,” Hetherton said
“So with my rehab, being diligent with that and staying home and really sticking to my routine was the most important part. And then continuing to just do that and keep my consistency for the three, four months that I was out put me in really good stead.
“And to not take everything for granted, especially in footy with injuries and dealing with all that, so I think it’s been my big part of my journey.”
SOCIAL MEDIA SLIDE
As Hetherton was sidelined and Emmett injury-affected, other talented prospects boosted their draft standing.
And with draft content and social media more popular than ever before, draft rankings are almost unavoidable for prospects.
Consequently, Emmett and Hetherton saw their own names plummet down the order through little fault of their own.
“It’s pretty disappointing, honestly, to deal with all that,” Hetherton said.
“I tried to stay away from that.
“Had a lot of talks with the health and wellbeing around at Bushies and national academy too. So basically just stopped looking at all that stuff when I started to obviously notice the drops in the ranks and everything.
“Unfollowed all those accounts, just to clear my head more, have a better mental space with that. “
However, the social media algorithm has a mind of its own.
“First of all, sometimes you can’t even control it. You’re just scrolling on Instagram and you see it pop up,” Emmett said.
“So it’s like, jeez, I’ve unfollowed this account and it’s still popping up in my feed, so a bit annoying.”
Then there’s the eager parents and friends following your draft journey just as closely.
“(My parents) they used to go on Instagram and see the same stuff I do and go, ‘Aw, there’s my son’, or ‘Where’s my son at’, all that sort of stuff,” Emmett said.
“Obviously it wouldn’t affect me, but they always knew not to really talk about it. They just knew that it was pretty frustrating for me being injured and they’re very supportive.”
Blocking out the noise and focusing on the advice of those that matter most – coaches and AFL recruiters – is easier said than done.
But the social media slide Emmett and Hetherton have experienced has them better prepared if a draft opportunity comes their way.
“Unfollowing is probably the major one, just don’t even see it on your feed. But then again, it’s more the mental way of approaching it,” Emmett said.
“If you do see it, just don’t let it affect your brain, your confidence or anything. Just know that when you’re out there, you have a good output and just control the controllables.
“Initially, when I did sort of buy into sort of that external stuff, it was pretty frustrating. Like, I wasn’t even playing, so I couldn’t really do anything about it.
“But looking back, I learned a lot from this year. And one of those was to block out all the external noise and just control what I can control. So that’s the big one, really.
“Especially now, I just don’t really listen to that sort of stuff.”
RANKINGS VERSUS REALITY
Injuries can often take a toll. When a prospect is out of sight and out of mind, they can be easily forgotten – at least in the public conversation.
But the best AFL scouts can take this into account and project the improvement that could be to come.
Emmett and Hetherton haven’t made headlines this year and may not be in everyone’s top 30, but they are certainly still in the thoughts of clubs as they sniff a bargain.
The pair have met with every club except Gold Coast, with Hetherton meeting with 12 sides at the draft combine alone.
Port Adelaide and Geelong are among the clubs who could look at Hetherton in the back-half of the draft.
Hetherton even received words of reassurance from scouts during the year.
“Early on I had a few calls from the clubs and recruiters. Obviously, positive news saying ‘We believe you’ve done enough’,” Hetherton said.
“Some say, ‘We hope you’ve done enough’, but honestly, you don’t really know until the draft night, so it is obviously a bit worrying until that happens.
“But will just play it day by day and see what happens. But it’s pretty good news and feedback from the clubs surrounding that.”
Emmett has also had his concerns eased in his conversations with clubs.
“Clubs are really understanding of the injuries, because injuries are a part of the game,” Emmett said.
“And my injuries have been pretty unlucky, to be honest. Like slipping over, a few impact injuries, so it’s not really a problem related to stress or overload or anything.
“I’m not sure about (where I sit in) the pecking order, but they could definitely see me at one of their clubs, hopefully, in the future.”
Hetherton has been back running since September and should in full training by the end of December.
Meanwhile, Emmett showed off his running gifts at the combine with a blistering 2km time trial, finishing third overall with a time of 6 minutes 7 seconds behind midfielders Jack Dalton and Sam Grlj.
“I sort of shocked myself a little bit, because obviously I had a few injuries. Couldn’t really get a long training block in, only had four weeks,” Emmett said.
“And I wasn’t really sure how I’d go. I just sat at my PB pace and see how long I could hold it for.
“And honestly, I feel like I had more in me by the end of the race. Like, I wasn’t even that cooked, so maybe could have kicked a bit earlier.
“So maybe could have followed Jacko and Sammy Grlj. But can’t really say that now!” he added with a laugh.
Highly-touted at the start the year, Emmett remains confident he can transform from a draft slider into a draft steal.
“I strongly believe that I have the ability to be at the top-end of the draft class,” Emmett said.
“And I know if I’m lucky enough to get to an AFL club, I can get there and work hard and outwork everyone in this draft class and maybe put myself up a few spots in a few years, let’s see what happens.”
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