By Marc McGowan
The AFL draft is only four weeks away, with childhood dreams set to be realised and clubs hoping to land valuable pieces of their premiership puzzle. With the trade period complete, list bosses are making decisions on fringe players and surveying the delisted free agent market as they weigh up how many picks to make at the draft.
Every club must have a minimum of 37 players and maximum of 44 on their list. Primary lists must have between 36 and 38 footballers, with between four and six category A rookies to reach a combination of 42. Teams can also have two category B rookies.
Levi Ashcroft, Jagga Smith and Sid Draper are among the top draft prospects in this year’s crop of prospective AFL players.Credit: Wayne Taylor, AFL Photos. Artwork: Matt Davidson
Adelaide
Arrivals: Isaac Cumming (free agency), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade), James Peatling (trade)
Departures: Lachie Gollant (delisted), Will Hamill (delisted), Elliott Himmelberg (free agency), Ned McHenry (delisted), Patrick Parnell (delisted), Rory Sloane (retired)
Draft picks: 4, 64
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 41 (one category B rookie)
The Crows traded for three players who should be senior regulars in 2025, and have the chance with pick four to add to their midfield. Much depends on what happens before them, but rival recruiters think one of Jagga Smith, Harvey Langford or South Australian talent Sid Draper will land at West Lakes. Adelaide can make one other selection in this draft, which will likely be matching a bid on, or drafting, father-son forward Tyler Welsh, whose dad Scott played 129 of his 205 games for the Crows and won the club’s goalkicking three times. Tyler is a 191-centimetre forward who kicked five goals in a SANFL senior game late in the season. A bid will almost certainly come beyond pick 40. Adelaide can also fill their second category B spot.
Brisbane Lions
Arrivals: None
Departures: Joe Daniher (retired), Kalin Lane (delisted), Jarryd Lyons (retired), James Madden (delisted), Carter Michael (delisted), Jaxon Prior (delisted), Harry Sharp (trade)
Draft picks: 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 60, 66
Uncontracted: Luke Beecken
Contracted: 37 (two category B rookies)
The Lions essentially have five list vacancies because they’ve promised to redraft Darcy Craven and Darragh Joyce as rookies. Lions list boss Dom Ambrogio has stated they will recruit a recycled forward to help fill the retired Joe Daniher’s void, with Sam Day, Nathan Kreuger, Sam Weideman and Matt Taberner among the options. Brisbane are already committed to matching bids on father-son gun Levi Ashcroft (brother of Norm Smith medallist Will) – who may go as early as pick two – and fellow midfielder and academy product Sam Marshall, whose draft range is anywhere from the late teens to the mid-20s.
The Brisbane Lions are reigning premiers and will have first rights to claim exciting father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft, who’s likely to be picked up in the first five selections.
Carlton
Arrivals: Nick Haynes (free agency)
Departures: Dom Akuei (delisted), Jack Carroll (delisted), Matt Carroll (delisted), David Cuningham (delisted), Sam Durdin (delisted), Matt Kennedy (trade), Caleb Marchbank (delisted), Jack Martin (delisted), Alex Mirkov (delisted), Matt Owies (trade)
Draft picks: 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 72
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (including two category B rookies)
Carlton will have an opportunity to pick up talented twins Lucas (left) and Ben Camporeale at the draft as they are sons of club legend Scott Camporeale.Credit: AFL Photos
Delisted pair Matt Carroll and Durdin will have the chance to compete for a list spot this summer, with the Blues currently having six openings. At least half those should be filled in the national draft, where they traded up to the No.3 selection. Carlton will have the chance to pick a highly rated midfielder at that spot, with Finn O’Sullivan, Jagga Smith and Harvey Langford among the likely options. They will also match bids on the Camporeale twins, Ben and Lucas, sons of 1995 premiership player Scott. The Blues would love it if right-footed inside midfielder Ben snuck past pick 38 before a bid comes for him, to get a selection in first, with left-footed winger/half-back Lucas tipped to last deeper into the draft. Irishman Matt Duffy will also join the club for the 2025 season, filling the second category B rookie slot alongside countryman Rob Monahan.
Collingwood
Arrivals: Dan Houston (trade), Harry Perryman (free agency)
Departures: Aiden Begg (delisted), Jack Bytel (delisted), Josh Carmichael (retired), Josh Eyre (delisted), Nathan Kreuger (delisted), Nathan Murphy (retired), John Noble (trade), Joe Richards (trade)
Draft picks: 52, 55, 58
Uncontracted: Charlie Dean, Ned Long, Oleg Markov, Reef McInnes, Lachie Sullivan
Contracted: 35 (including one category B rookie)
The Pies made two strong additions in the player movement period, and have also expressed interest in out-of-contract Saints pair Tim Membrey and Jack Hayes, plus discarded Demons defender Adam Tomlinson, as they look to ascend the ladder. Markov, Sullivan and Dean are all set to continue, while Long and McInnes face a nervous wait. New Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch will hope this draft is even deeper than touted, given they will not enter it until the 50s, although their first pick could move into the 40s once opposition father-son and academy bids are matched. Either way, the Magpies will have to wait and see who slips through to them.
Essendon
Arrivals: None
Departures: Kaine Baldwin (delisted), Jayden Davey (delisted), Dyson Heppell (retired), Nick Hind (delisted), Jaiden Hunter (delisted), Jake Kelly (retired), Jake Stringer (trade), Tex Wanganeen (delisted), Sam Weideman (delisted)
Draft picks: 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65
Contracted: 34 (no category B rookies)
The Bombers have eight primary or category A rookie spots available, plus the potential to use both category B places. Essendon will match a bid on Next Generation Academy forward Isaac Kako, who is expected to be a top-10 pick, which is why they traded their No.9 selection to Melbourne for a future first-rounder and five other picks in this year’s draft. They will hope to use their first two selections only to bring Kako to Tullamarine. The Bombers will have to wait and see who falls to them, but if they are in the market for a tall forward, South Australia’s Charlie Nicholls might be an option.
Fremantle
Arrivals: Shai Bolton (trade)
Departures: Josh Corbett (retired), Ethan Hughes (delisted), Sebit Kuek (delisted), Ethan Stanley (delisted), Matt Taberner (delisted), Conrad Williams (delisted)
Draft picks: 14, 30, 67
Uncontracted: Tom Emmett, Odin Jones, Max Knobel
Contracted: 37 (one category B rookie)
The final call on Emmett, Jones and Knobel will be made this week. The Dockers currently have six list openings, besides their second category B rookie spot. They sent three first-round picks to Richmond for Bolton, but received No.14 back. West Coast will have first dibs on local product Bo Allan at No.12, but the 191-centimetre defender/midfielder could still be on the board two selections later. If not, there will still be plenty of good options for Fremantle, potentially including classy midfielder Xavier Lindsay, intercept defender Luke Trainor, tall forward Jobe Shanahan or speedy forward Joe Berry. The Dockers will hope someone they like slips through to their second choice, with key-position players Thomas Sims and Noah Mraz, plus WA utility Hamish Davis – who has been likened to Nat Fyfe, but whose kicking needs work – possible options here.
Geelong
Arrivals: Bailey Smith (trade)
Departures: Phoenix Foster (delisted), Mitch Hardie (delisted), Tom Hawkins (retired), Emerson Jeka (delisted), Oscar Murdoch (delisted), Brandan Parfitt (delisted), Gary Rohan (delisted), Zach Tuohy (retired), James Willis (delisted)
Draft picks: 45, 57, 75
Uncontracted: Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley
Contracted: 32 (one category B rookie)
Bailey Smith dons Cats colours after being traded from the Western Bulldogs.Credit: Geelong Football Club
Dangerfield, Duncan and Stanley will all be at the Cattery in 2025, with the former hoping for a two-year deal and the latter two agreeing to one-season pacts. Geelong made their biggest off-season splash trading for former Bulldog Smith, who will bolster the club’s on-ball brigade after recovering from an ACL rupture. However, that means the Cats and wily recruiter Stephen Wells will not make their first draft selection until somewhere in the 40s, with their exact opener to be decided once father-son and academy bids fall. They picked Lawson Humphries at No.63 last year, so they will be scouring the country for some diamonds in the rough. Geelong will also sign Jack Martin as a delisted free agent.
Gold Coast
Arrivals: Elliott Himmelberg (free agency), John Noble (trade), Daniel Rioli (trade)
Departures: Rory Atkins (trade), Sandy Brock (delisted), Levi Casboult (retired), Sam Day (delisted), Brandon Ellis (retired), Oskar Faulkhead (delisted), Jack Lukosius (trade), Darcy Macpherson (delisted), Jack Mahony (delisted), Hewago Oea (delisted), Will Rowlands (delisted), James Tsitas (delisted)
Draft picks: 39, 41, 51, 61, 70, 76, 78
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (one category B rookie)
Academy prospect and midfielder Leo Lombard will be among as many as three selections the Suns make at next month’s national draft, with rookie Bodhi Uwland set to be upgraded to the primary list post-draft. Lombard could receive a top-10 opposition bid – possibly from St Kilda, who hold picks seven and eight – after sharing this year’s Larke Medal as the most outstanding player at the under-18 championships. They have already committed to adding ex-cricketer Zak Evans, who represented Australia as a fast bowler at under-19 level, as a category B rookie. Evans played five VFL games for Gold Coast late in the season after last playing football six years ago at Xavier College.
Greater Western Sydney
Arrivals: Jake Stringer (trade)
Departures: Isaac Cumming (free agency), Cooper Hamilton (delisted), Nick Haynes (free agency), Adam Kennedy (retired), James Peatling (trade), Harry Perryman (free agency), Braydon Preuss (delisted)
Draft picks: 15, 16, 21, 37, 56, 74
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (two category B rookies)
The Giants have endured a challenging off-season – without even factoring in the Wacky Wednesday drama – with the loss of key personnel before trading for Stringer. However, they gained two good compensation picks for Cumming (21) and Perryman (16). GWS are set to make four selections in the national draft, and will also fill two rookie spots. With three early picks, they may be willing to take a punt with one of their first two on Taj Hotton, a high-upside midfielder/forward recovering from an ACL rupture. Small forwards Joe Berry and Ollie Hannaford could also be in the mix, while the Giants may opt to grab a tall in this range, such as Jobe Shanahan, Jack Whitlock or Jonty Faull. GWS is also likely to match a bid on 204-centimetre academy ruckman Logan Smith.
Hawthorn
Arrivals: Josh Battle (free agency), Tom Barrass (trade)
Departures: Denver Grainer-Barrass (delisted), Cooper Stephens (delisted), Jack O’Sullivan (delisted), Ethan Phillips (delisted), Clay Tucker (delisted), Chad Wingard (retired)
Draft picks: 33, 71, 77
Uncontracted: Josh Bennetts
Contracted: 41 (one category B rookie)
The Hawks have committed to adding basketball convert Jaime Uhr-Henry, a ruck prospect, as a category B rookie for 2025, with the second of those spots potentially for Bennetts, if they choose to re-sign him. They will use two picks at this year’s draft, and their selection in the 30s could unearth a good player, given recruiters believe this is a deep draft class. A number of promising key-position types may still be on the board for Hawthorn, with the likes of Noah Mraz and Thomas Sims potentially among them. Other possibilities in that range could be talented winger Christian Moraes – the Hawks have a strong relationship with his Talent League club Eastern Ranges – or tall Claremont utility Hamish Davis.
The Hawks picked up two defensive pillars in the trade period; Josh Battle from St Kilda and Tom Barrass from West Coast.Credit: Getty
Melbourne
Arrivals: Tom Campbell (free agency), Harry Sharp (trade)
Departures: Angus Brayshaw (retired), Ben Brown (retired), Kyah Farris-White (delisted), Lachie Hunter (retired), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade), Josh Schache (delisted), Adam Tomlinson (delisted)
Draft picks: 5, 9
Uncontracted: Marty Hore, Joel Smith
Contracted: 37 (no category B rookies)
The Demons addressed needs in the player movement period, adding ruck depth (Campbell) behind Max Gawn before trading for Sharp, who will get the chance to replace Neal-Bullen in attack. They have two first-round picks, as they did last year with Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup, and will make three selections overall. Melbourne may not place a bid on Essendon’s NGA prospect Isaac Kako after trading for the Bombers’ pick nine. Midfielders Harvey Langford, Sid Draper and Josh Smillie could get through to their first selection, while key forward Harry Armstrong, defenders Alix Tauru and Luke Trainor, and classy midfielder Xavier Lindsay might be in the mix at their second pick. Hore will score another one-year deal, but Smith will be delisted. Judd McVee will be upgraded to the primary list, and Andy Moniz-Wakefield can no longer be a category B rookie.
North Melbourne
Arrivals: Caleb Daniel (trade), Jack Darling (trade), Jacob Konstanty (trade), Luke Parker (trade)
Departures: Blake Drury (delisted), Hamish Free (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (retired), Charlie Lazzaro (delisted), Bigoa Nyuon (delisted), Tyler Sellers (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired), Curtis Taylor (delisted), Tarryn Thomas (delisted)
Draft picks: 2, 62
Uncontracted: Nil
Contracted: 41 (no category B rookies)
The Roos have four list vacancies after an active trade period because they still get two extra rookie-list spots as part of their assistance package – but the most interest is in what they do with the No.2 pick. They could keep it and pick the best available player; turn it into multiple high selections in this year’s draft, potentially in a deal with Richmond; or slide a few spots this year and add a future first-rounder. Gippsland Power’s athletic interceptor Alix Tauru is strongly linked to North and would likely be available even if they picked lower in the top 10, while fellow defender Luke Trainor is another option if a rival club jumped in first on Tauru. Key forward Harry Armstrong would also fit a need.
Port Adelaide
Arrivals: Rory Atkins (trade), Jack Lukosius (trade), Joe Richards (trade)
Departures: Tom Clurey (delisted), Charlie Dixon (retired), Francis Evans (delisted), Dan Houston (traded), Kyle Marshall (delisted), Tom McCallum (delisted), Trent McKenzie (retired), Quinton Narkle (delisted), Tom Scully (delisted)
Draft picks: 13, 29, 36, 50
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (one category B rookie)
Another hectic trade period is behind the Power, who are now armed with a first-round pick and a second inside the top 30, at least before father-son and academy selections. South Australia’s leading prospect, Sid Draper, will be long gone by pick 13, but there will be several high-quality options across various positions available. Midfielder Xavier Lindsay, hard-running high half-forward Joe Berry, tall utility Tobie Travaglia and key forward Jobe Shanahan are leading candidates to head to Alberton. There will be good options up for grabs at their second pick, too, including key-position talent. Ex-basketballer Jacob Moss, who is 198 centimetres, will join Port Adelaide’s list for 2025 as a category B rookie.
Richmond
Arrivals: None
Departures: Liam Baker (trade), Shai Bolton (trade), Matt Coulthard (delisted), Noah Cumberland (delisted), Jack Graham (free agency), Dylan Grimes (retired), Dustin Martin (retired), Sam Naismith (retired), Marlion Pickett (retired), Daniel Rioli (trade)
Draft picks: 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24
Uncontracted: Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Kamdyn McIntosh
Contracted: 35 (one category B rookie)
Sam Lalor shapes as the likely No.1 draft pick.Credit: Darrian Traynor
The Tigers’ extraordinary draft hand gives them a smorgasbord of options, and they may even package some picks to secure North Melbourne’s No.2 selection. GWV Rebels midfielder-forward Sam Lalor, who has been likened to Dustin Martin, is firming to be the dux of the 2024 class, but Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith are other options at the top. A deal with the Roos would give them the chance to grab two of that trio, or even 195-centimetre on-baller Josh Smillie, another player Richmond like. It is likely the Tigers will try to get various types with their first-round picks, with Sandringham bookends Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor possibly in their mix. Having so many selections means they might also be more willing to bet on Taj Hotton’s talent after he suffered an ACL rupture this year. There are also decisions to make on their uncontracted crew.
St Kilda
Arrivals: Jack Macrae (trade)
Departures: Matthew Allison (delisted), Josh Battle (free agency), Riley Bonner (delisted), Tom Campbell (delisted free agency), Seb Ross (delisted), James Van Es (delisted)
Draft picks: 7, 8, 32, 47
Uncontracted: Jack Hayes, Olli Hotton, Tim Membrey, Ben Paton
Contracted: 36 (two category B rookies)
The Saints had a quiet trade period, but scored a second top-10 pick as compensation for free agent defender Josh Battle crossing to Hawthorn. They last did that seven years ago, when they snapped up Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield. It might also position them as the draft disruptors who might bid on academy players Isaac Kako (Essendon) and Leo Lombard (Gold Coast), something list boss Stephen Silvagni has done before. A midfielder is almost certainly on St Kilda’s radar with one of the selections, with Harvey Langford, Sid Draper and Josh Smillie possible options. The Saints also have Sandringham key forward Harry Armstrong and defensive teammate Luke Trainor on their radar. Hayes, Membrey and Paton have all met with opposition clubs, so what happens there will determine how many list vacancies they need to fill.
Sydney
Arrivals: None
Departures: Harry Arnold (delisted), Jacob Konstanty (trade), Jaiden Magor (delisted), Lachie McAndrew (delisted), Luke Parker (trade), Sam Reid (retired), Cooper Vickery (delisted)
Draft picks: 19, 22, 44, 59
Uncontracted: Aaron Francis
Contracted: 37 (two category B rookie)
The Swans tried unsuccessfully to trade their top two picks for Gold Coast’s No.13, so don’t be surprised if they attempt to move up the order. Sydney did not add anyone in the trade period, but parted with Parker and Konstanty – who likely would have been delisted, anyway – for pick 44. The queries on the Swans’ tall forwards may convince them to draft another at 19 or 22, where arguably only Harry Armstrong and probably Jobe Shanahan will already be off the board. Jack Whitlock or Jonty Faull loom as the next-best key forwards, while Whitlock’s 198-centimetre twin, Matt, can play at both ends. Small forward Ollie Hannaford and midfielder-forwards Jesse Dattoli and Tom Gross may also appeal.
West Coast
Arrivals: Jack Graham (free agency), Liam Baker (trade), Matt Owies (trade)
Departures: Jordyn Baker (delisted), Tom Barrass (trade), Coby Burgiel (delisted), Jai Culley (delisted), Jack Darling (trade), Andrew Gaff (retired), Jamaine Jones (delisted), Josh Rotham (delisted), Zane Drew (delisted), Alex Witherden (delisted)
Draft picks: 12, 26, 73
Uncontracted: Luke Edwards
Contracted: 36 (two category B rookies)
Luke Edwards sustained three concussions this year – the last of which ended his season prematurely – and he has undergone significant medical testing that will help determine whether his AFL career continues. Bo Allan is the only West Australian in top-20 draft contention, and should be available at West Coast’s first pick if they want to go local. Another player around this mark is Tobie Travaglia, who will likely start as a winger-defender, but may develop into an inside midfielder. Travaglia is friends with Harley Reid, and has a connection to fellow Eagle Tom Cole. Fellow recruiters believe the Eagles are keen on powerful Dandenong Stingrays forward-midfielder Cooper Hynes, who could be available at No.26, while key-position swingman Matt Whitlock would fill a need.
Western Bulldogs
Arrivals: Matt Kennedy (trade)
Departures: Dominic Bedendo (delisted), Charlie Clarke (delisted), Caleb Daniel (trade), Alex Keath (retired), Jack Macrae (trade), Aiden O’Driscoll (retired), Kelsey Rypstra (delisted), Bailey Smith (trade)
Draft picks: 17, 25, 35, 48
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 36 (one category B rookie)
The Bulldogs did well to score pick 25 in a deep draft for Daniel, who had become a fringe player at the Kennel. They are unlikely to be one of the clubs that uses a top-30 selection on a key-position type, given how well-stocked they are in that department. Players such as midfielder-forwards Taj Hotton and Murphy Reid, and goalsneak Ollie Hannaford, could be in contention at the Dogs’ first choice. Their ruck stocks are thin behind Tim English, so Alex Dodson may be an option at No.25. The likes of midfielder-forward Jesse Dattoli, Harry Oliver – the draft’s best small defender – and winger Christian Moraes may also be in the mix. They are set to make four or five picks in the national draft and any rookie upgrades will occur post-draft.
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