AFL mid-season draft: Riley Mason emerges as top prospect

A year after Jack Hutchinson made the jump from country football to Collingwood’s VFL team to the mid-season draft, another Magpie reserves player could be the next bush bolter.

Riley Mason could be the next mid-season draft success story. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Bush bolter Riley Mason could showcase his AFL potential in this week’s VFL v SANFL state game after thrusting his name forward as one of the best prospects for the mid-season draft.

A year after Jack Hutchinson made the jump from country football to Collingwood’s VFL team to the mid-season draft, 195cm forward Mason is following the same route.

Recruiters are all eyes for the rangy forward after his rousing start to the season.

Mason, 22, kicked four goals on debut for Collingwood against the Sydney Swans in Round 1 and booted five more in the Pies’ win over Coburg at the City Oval on Sunday.

The right-footer caught the eye of Coburg great Phil Cleary, who noted Mason’s spring and athleticism as a general forward.

Formerly on the Coburg list, Mason joined the Pies after an outstanding 2024 season with Seymour in the strong Goulburn Valley league.

Riley Mason playing for Collingwood's VFL side in round 1 against Coburg Picture: Supplied

He booted 72 goals from 18 matches, including hauls of 10 against Tatura, eight against Benalla and seven against Mooroopna.

Listed in the best players 11 times, he finished third in Seymour’s best and fairest and represented the league against the Ovens and Murray.

Mason kicked 34 goals in 2023.

Now ahead of the AAMI State Game at Gather Round between the VFL and SANFL it is understood he could be added to the VFL squad.

A Broadford junior, he played for Calder Cannons in 2019 and 2021 and made Coburg’s list in 2022 but but didn’t play a game.

Our connection on full display with a quick transition from defensive 50 resulting in a goal to Riley Mason.

Watch the game live here: https://t.co/mZthx5JMSVpic.twitter.com/x0XFfejxfI

— Collingwood FC VFL (@CollingwoodVFL) April 6, 2025

Ben Davey, who coached Seymour last year, said Mason “has always been very talented’’.

“His footy IQ and work rate on game day have always been above-average,’’ he said.

“He won our league goalkicking last year, but most people don’t realise he played mostly on the wing.

“We found that allowing him to run the ground freed him up. He runs forward naturally (and is) a very tough match-up.

“He’s a big personality. We love him.’’

Coburg VFL coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara, who spent time in Collingwood’s coaching department, said Mason impressed alongside a trio of Coburg mid-season aspirants on Sunday.

Jack Hutchinson came from nowhere to land on the Eagles in 2024. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He was really impressive yesterday. He was on Coburg’s list and he was a bit young and immature physically and he’s gone back to Seymour and built his body and game and he’s reaping the rewards now. The VFL is doing really well on the talent development front,” he said.

“For Coburg, Donovan Toohey had 38 possessions and kicked a goal from the back flank. And Cooper Keogh took it up to the trio of Collingwood ruckmen and beat them convincingly and Flynn Gentile put in another really strong performance as one of the best young players in the comp,” he said.

“It’s a really exciting competition that is going from strength to strength from a playing perspective but also is aspirational for guys putting their names forward.”

A recruiter who has done a report on Mason said on Sunday night: “He’s just so raw. He’s lightly built but he’s a good size, he’s got footy smarts, he’s a good kick and he’s a very good one-on-one mark. And he just sees the game very well. There’s so much improvement in him. There will be – I’m not saying a frenzy – but everyone will know about him now.’’

Originally published as AFL mid-season draft: Riley Mason emerges as top prospect