Draft
Test your 2025 sport smarts: From Piastri’s rise to Postecoglou’s demise and Melham’s double delight
How closely were you following Australian sport in 2025? Our Year In Sport quiz will separate the contenders from the pretenders. How many questions can you answer correctly?
- Greg Dundas
Latest
Why this former No.1 pick is going back into the draft
The AFLW trade period finished on Wednesday with some premiership-winning stars switching clubs, and a former No.1 pick having to re-enter the draft after her move to the rampant Roos fell through.
- Roy Ward
- Analysis
- AFL 2025
The eight AFL draftees primed to make an instant impact in 2026
Every club hopes to find a draft gem who can improve their fortunes immediately. We have identified which of this year’s draftees could do exactly that.
- Marc McGowan
- Analysis
- AFL 2025
The second-chance saloon: How one club’s trash becomes another’s treasure
Many delisted AFL players are on the lookout for new teams this off-season – but how has your club fared in the recycled market in the past?
- Marc McGowan
Nic Nat on hand to help out as West Coast’s newest recruit eyes ruck role
The silver lining from West Coast’s one-win campaign in 2025 was a bumper draft haul last week.
- Justin Chadwick
- Analysis
- For subscribers
Sharp dealing: What was behind Essendon’s brave draft plan?
They held their nerve on preferring to draft, rather than pursuing the likes of Dan Houston. The 2025 draft might’ve been compromised, but the Bombers haven’t.
- Jake Niall
- Exclusive
- For subscribers
Mitchell breaks silence on failed Merrett trade, leaves door ajar for another crack
In his first public comments since the Hawks’ attempt to snare the Essendon captain collapsed, Sam Mitchell admitted he was annoyed that the trade didn’t go through, stating Hawthorn’s offer was fair.
- Sam McClure
- Analysis
- For subscribers
From Gold Coast’s golden academy, to the club that didn’t pick at all: Analysing every club’s 2025 draft
All up, 60 footballers found an AFL home in the most compromised national draft in history. We look at each club’s haul and hear from recruiting and list managers to explain their strategies.
- Marc McGowan
From the player who cried in his room thinking his dream was over, to sons and brothers of guns: Every pick of the AFL draft
The Cats have snared the younger brother of one of their stars. See all the picks from second night of the 2025 AFL Draft, and what the players had to say on the biggest night of their careers so far.
- Hannah Kennelly, Russell Bennett and Roy Ward
The moment the most unpredictable AFL draft went off script
Essendon, Melbourne and West Coast all made waves at the top end of this year’s draft, but a move from Richmond changed everything.
- Marc McGowan
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/afl-draft-5u5