The top prospects in the AFL mid-season rookie draft 2025

AFL clubs are busy finalising their targets ahead of next week’s mid-season rookie draft. We’ve got the latest intel on the 45 names who have attracted interest across the country.

Recruiters believe a junior basketball star with exciting athletic traits could be a slam dunk in next week’s AFL mid-season draft if a club is willing to wait for him to realise his full potential.

Rod Ali has been one of the most talked about prospects in this year’s mid-season draft pool after turning his attention from basketball to football over summer.

Ali was playing division four under-19s for Mitcham in the Eastern Football League just 13 months ago, but has rapidly developed since committing to the AFL talent pathway programs late last year.

The 186cm defender — who had played as a ruckman at local level given his huge natural leap — was invited to pre-season training at the Eastern Ranges and his early-season form in the Coates Talent League has led to even greater opportunities.

Ali featured in two exhibition matches for the Young Guns and has also had a taste of VFL football for Collingwood, playing two games over the past fortnight.

“He trained once with us last year and then we didn’t see him until he turned up day one of pre-season when we invited him again,” Eastern Ranges coach Lauren Morecroft said.

“He hasn’t missed a beat since November 20. I think he’s missed one training. He’s super committed and I think it’s all clicked for him that this was a really good opportunity for him to take his footy to another level.

“There’s a small sample size at Coates League and VFL level now, but he’s competitive and he has really good moments.”

Ali can play tall or small and logged 11 disposals, seven marks (five intercept marks) and eight spoils in a particularly eye-catching round 3 match against the Western Jets.

“He’s nice in the air, good on the ground and hard to beat at times,” Morecroft said.

“He’s impressive but he’s also going to thrive in an AFL environment, I think.”

Collingwood has been one club keeping close tabs on Ali, but he has also been linked to Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast who are among plenty of other fans.

One recruiter from another club said Ali needed “a lot of work” over at least the next 18 months to be able play consistent senior football but his potential upside was huge.

“He’s certainly got something to work with,” they said.

“If I had a young developing list and I was trying to keep moving, I’d probably bring him in.”

Ali scored 226 points from 19 games for the Knox Raiders’ under-20 side in the Victorian Junior Basketball League last year.

The AFL mid-season rookie draft will be held on May 28.

Originally published as The top prospects in the AFL mid-season rookie draft 2025