AFL Draft 2025: The top prospects to watch at every WAFL Colts club
Western Australia is tipped to have a bumper crop of AFL Draft contenders in 2025. We profile more than 40 of the players who scouts will be watching this WAFL Colts season.
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The WAFL Colts season kicks off this weekend – and plenty of young stars are expected to catch the eye of AFL recruiters in 2025.
WA talent staff believe that this year’s pool offers better depth than last where Bo Allan and Cody Angove were the only sandgropers picked in the first round.
We name the players to watch from every team.
CLAREMONT
Cody Curtin (200cm, 98kg): The brother of Adelaide top 10 pick Daniel, there’s a strong chance Cody could also be the first WA product picked in this year’s draft. The 200cm talent can play at both ends of the ground but impressed with six goals in a recent U18s summer squad practice match. He’s spent most of the pre-season with Claremont’s league side and is in line to play some senior football as a defender later in the year.
Charlie Banfield (191cm, 83kg): The son of premiership Eagle Drew, West Coast will get first dibs on the father-son prospect. Banfield played for WA at the National Championships last year as a bottom-ager but he also enjoyed a strong Colts year, averaging 15.7 disposals in Claremont’s premiership push. Set to line up on the wing and at half-forward this year.
Oscar Willis (186cm, 76kg): The medium defender was picked in WA’s U18s squad last year and learnt plenty from the experience. Willis uses the footy well and he has the ability to play on small and tall forwards. Has been training with the Academy’s summer squad.
Max Hansen-Knarhoi (175cm, 83kg): Has been named as co-captain this year and could come into State calculations if he starts his year off strongly. Will play a mix of midfield and forward minutes.
Joseph Hopkyns (193cm, 89kg): Missed all of last year due to injury but has returned as an overager and will share the captaincy with Hansen-Knarhoi. A versatile key defender who moves well for his size.
EAST FREMANTLE
Cooper Ramsay (202cm, 93kg): Unfortunately we won’t see Ramsay for the next few months after he suffered a stress fracture in his shin training with the state squad. But it’s hoped that Ramsay has given selectors something to think about with his talent and skills over summer. Mild mannered, Ramsay is said to have a similar personality and thirst to improve as Tim English. Will hopefully be back in action and the draft mix later this year.
Joshua Nomlatyu (198cm, 88kg): A key position prospect, Nomlatyu played as a key defender for the state program over summer but kicked 12 goals as a forward for the Sharks last year. His biggest asset is his versatility and closing speed. He’s quicker than his opponents once the ball hits the deck and he can also play in the ruck if required. Likely to settle in defence for East Fremantle this year and is a Fremantle NGA prospect.
Luke Carrello (177cm, 80kg): After averaging 23.5 disposals in the Colts last year, Carrello has been training with the senior program this pre-season and played all three practice matches with the club’s WAFL side. A senior debut beckons at some stage this year but the midfielder covers the ground well and wills his way from contest to contest. Also boasts elite fitness and clean skills
EAST PERTH
Luke Hallett (185cm, 85kg): Powerful, strongly built and with a booming kick, Hallett is the Royals’ most promising prospect in 2025. The inside midfielder has battled turf toe and a hamstring strain this pre-season so he’ll have a delayed start to the year. But when he does return, he’s one to keep an eye on. Will split his time between the Colts and PSA at Aquinas.
Mathew Petagna (188cm, 82kg): Plays his best footy as the third tall in defence and is one of East Perth’s best interceptors. Petagna is set to hold a leadership role at the Royals this year in evidence of his strong character, a big reason why he’s in state team contention.
Sebastian Royle (204cm, 73kg): A somewhat unknown quantity after missing all of last season with a stress fracture, Royle is building momentum in the ruck for East Perth. Unfortunately had to have his appendix out recently but he’s a great size and there’s excitement about what he could do this year. He’ll be commuting to and from Margaret River this year which complicates things.
Kael Wallace (192cm, 85kg): Like Royle, Wallace has battled a stress fracture in his foot but he’s due back in a few weeks. The Mt Hawthorn junior is a talented third tall/key defender who reads the game well and offers great skills down back.
Jake Caton (185cm, 74kg): The West Coast NGA prospect is a medium rebounding defender. Caton is athletic and reads the game well. Also the nephew of Bernie Naylor medallist and Swan Districts premiership player Kevin.
PEEL THUNDER
Matthew Becker (190cm, 82kg): A tall, rebounding half-forward, Becker played one game for Was 18s last year as an underager and has enjoyed a strong pre-season. Plays his best football as the third tall but he’s also athletic and good will ball in hand.
Basil Hart (185cm, 74kg): The Fremantle NGA prospect is a crafty small forward who’s massively improved his fitness and endurance in the last 12 months. Kicked 1.4 during a Colts game last year so you know he’s going to get his opportunities. It’s just a matter of taking them. Has been training with the Summer Squad.
Jax Williams (196cm, 86kg): Here’s a smokey. Williams has represented WA in baseball and has played footy locally for Secret Harbour but this will be his first year at Colts level. A key position player, Williams is a strong contested mark and will play at both ends. He’s still finding his feet in the talent pathway but he played in the state trial game a few weeks back and caught the eye of several.
Bol Makuach (200cm, 90kg): Like Williams, Makuach has been playing local footy for Baldivis after moving from Queensland three years ago. But Peel have high hopes for what he could achieve in an elite environment after he kicked three goals in a pre-season game. The Sudanese star has an elite athletic profile and he’ll spend most of his time in the forward line and ruck.
PERTH
Koby Evans (187cm, 82kg): Perth’s strongest draft contender this year, Evans is a member of the AFL Academy and also a West Coast NGA prospect. With his size and presence, Evans is expected to play as a big-bodied midfielder this year after cutting his teeth as a pressure forward last season. Evans also represented WA at the National Championships last year as an underager and has enjoyed a strong summer.
Dale Sutherland (183cm, 75kg): Sutherland spent most of the year at Guilford in the PSA last year but he’ll be exclusively Perth’s in 2025. A train-on with the State 18s squad last year, Sutherland is a classy halfback who reads the play well. Was part of WA’s U16s team a couple of years ago and has continued to improve.
Jadd Hill (179cm, 83kg): Hill was one of Perth’s standout underagers last year but a few injuries have impacted his start to 2025. A natural accumulator who’s set to start in the Demons’ midfield, Hill boasts great footy IQ and he’s continued to improve after growing up in Cunderdin.
Cooper Clark (192cm, 86kg): A key position prospect, Clark has bolted from the blue in the last 12 months. Injury ruled him out for the first half of 2024 but he fought back and kicked 12 goals in nine games to round out the season. A natural talent, Clark runs a great 2km time trial for his size.
SOUTH FREMANTLE
Fred Rodriguez (184cm, 85kg): The AFL Academy star is South Fremantle’s leading draft chance this year and there’s good reason why. The highly skilled midfielder boasts one of the best work rates in the competition and he delivers the ball in precision fashion. Rodriguez played for WA at the National Championships last year and is firming to play league football early in the season after spending the entire summer with the Bulldogs’ WAFL side. A special player who is currently in top 10 calculations.
Toby Whan (184cm, 82kg): Like Rodriguez, the Fremantle NGA prospect has regularly trained with South Fremantle’s senior team this season and will be in the Round 1 mix. A left-footer with explosive pace, you can find Whan bursting out of stoppages. Will play a mix of inside and outside midfield for the Colts but expect him to feature in attack if he gets a senior debut.
Max Thomas (188cm, 80kg): The medium defender is physically strong and a perennial competitor. Thomas can play on any sized opponent and he’s improved his kicking to force his way into State 18s calculations. A few recruiters have already asked the question.
Ryda Luke (187cm, 80kg): The Fremantle NGA prospect is a raw but exciting talent who is expected to take the next step this year. Luke only played five Colts games last year but he’s lightning fast, capable of flying for a big mark and then snapping a goal if the footy hits the deck. Has played as a defender in the past but will line up in attack this year. A smokey.
SUBIACO
Hudson Walker (179cm, 72kg): The midfielder has been picked in Subiaco’s league side for pre-season games and is all but certain to make his senior debut at some point this season. Walker’s two strengths are his elite speed and fitness, both well suited to the outside midfield/half-forward roles he’s set to fill this year.
Wesley Walley (181cm, 73kg): He’s got the best name in this year’s draft class but Walley has the class to match. The AFL Academy and West Coast NGA prospect already boasts an insane highlights reel. He knows how to find the goals, take a grab and has plenty of natural forward instinct. Set to play half-forward but a senior debut will likely beckon at some stage.
Rydn Rae-anthonysz (182cm, 80kg): Has been training with the State Summer Program and looks set for a strong season after winning the 5m sprint in last year’s testing, showcasing his burst of speed. From Esperance, Rae-anthonysz will line up at halfback initially but is versatile and can play in the midfield or up forward.
Frazer Rickson (198cm, 89kg): Played 17 Colts games last year in the ruck but recruiters want to see him as a key defender. Rickson is a competitor with his second and third efforts. He’s also good around the ground for a taller player.
Darcy Montgomery (192cm, 85kg): Tipped to be the dark horse of Subiaco’s draft crop this year, Montgomery moves like a small forward despite his height. Like Walley, he knows where the goals are, he’s quick and he’s piecing together a nice highlights reel. A smokey.
SWAN DISTRICTS
Blake Kelly (182cm, 79kg): Kelly showed glimpses of his talent as a bottom-ager at the National Championships last year and has played league footy for Swan Districts this pre-season. Strong inside midfielder who can also play at half-forward.
Tylah Williams (175cm, 67kg): The West Coast NGA prospect is an exciting small forward who boasts electric speed. Those who’ve seen him play reckon he has a bit of Bobby Hill about him.
Harley Cummings (192c, 76kg): The son of four-club cult hero Scott Cummings, Harley plays as a tall defender unlike his old man. Cummings is a good runner and while he’s learning his craft as a defender, he can also play a variety of positions.
McCartney Murdoch (206cm, 88kg): Aged 19, Murdoch will line-up as an overager this year for the Swans in what will mark his first year in the WAFL system. He’s still developing physically but he’s shown some nice craft and skill for a ruckman.
Jamie Sidebottom (181cm, 80kg): A powerful and competitive inside midfielder, Sidebottom boasts a booming kick. Can also play inside mid.
WEST PERTH
Sam Swadling (187cm, 80kg): Was a consistent performer for the Falcons last year and West Perth believe he’s a draft chance if he continues on the same trajectory. Swadling does some freakish things that not many other players can do and while he’ll play most of his footy in the midfield, AFL clubs view him more as a forward.
Jacob Farrow (189cm, 83kg): The Grant Birchall clone has shot up in size in the last 12 months but he’s maintained his quality disposal. Farrow doesn’t miss too many targets and it’s hoped he’ll be picked in the State 18s squad if he can string some form together early in the season. West Perth love what he offers.
Judd Marcello (192cm, 88kg): The forward burst onto the scene last year when he kicked the second most goals in the Colts competition as an underager, including two bags of five. Marcello is dealing with a few injuries currently but once fit, the Falcons plan to start him forward before moving him into the midfield. Has already had interest from AFL recruiters.
Jonah Klemke (187cm, 73kg): The Fremantle NGA prospect has had a few injury challenges this pre-season but he took part in the State Academy’s summer squad. The Dockers are happy with his progress so far and it’s hoped a big year can put the halfback on more club’s radars.
Peter Young (192cm, 86kg): A serious knee injury meant Young missed the entire 2024 season but he’s making up for lost time. Young was West Perth’s best player in the Falcons first scratch match to put his team in the 18s mix. An unknown quantity.
Lochlain Carpenter (194cm, 88kg): The key defender has been picked in West Perth’s league side this pre-season and is on track to feature in the 18s squad. Boasts a strong pair of hands and has also shown he’s capable of playing up forward in the past.
Cooper Bewick (172cm, 64kg): Like Carpenter, Bewick has played league football for the Falcons this pre-season and is carving out a role on the wing. Has previously represented WA at U15 and U16s levels but his size remains a question mark.
Originally published as AFL Draft 2025: The top prospects to watch at every WAFL Colts club
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