Top 25 local footy AFL Draft smokeys from Victoria ranked in order
AFL clubs are looking to local leagues more often to improve their lists. We have ranked the best draft chances out of community footy — headlined by a top-five contender.
AFL recruiters are thinking outside the box to acquire the best talent in the country.
In the mid-season draft alone, North Melbourne plucked key forward Cooper Trembath after one VFL game and four matches for Blackburn, while Gold Coast selected Caleb Lewis, who bagged 66 goals in the Southern league
Port Adelaide invited Josh Lai to train and then eventually added him to their list through the supplemental selection period in February after the Power spotted him starring for Cheltenham in the Southern league.
In 2023, Collingwood selected Joe Richards with pick 48 after he turned heads in the Ovens & Murray for the Wangaratta Magpies.
Geelong recently plucked 2025 debutant Oli Wiltshire straight from Barwon Heads in the Bellarine competition and has a long history of recruiting out of local leagues, the most famous being five-time All-Australian Tom Stewart.
It is proof that no matter the competition, AFL recruiters are always watching.
We have compiled a list of the local footballers in the draft and supplemental selection period mix, headlined by potential top-five prospect Sullivan Robey, who only got a look-in at Coates Talent League level after impressing for Rowville in the Eastern league.
To qualify, players must have featured in at least four community games in the last two seasons, with additional under-19 prospects also included.
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