On the first day of every month, Zero Hanger's AFL Draft associate, Craft of the Draft, will drop a power rankings with an expanding list for each edition.
The August edition is 30 names, with National Championships form playing a significant role in the rankings, while some prospects have impressed at state league level in recent times.
For the first time all year, there has been a change at the top, with Willem Duursma's MVP-winning carnival catapulting him to pole position, at the expense of Cooper Duff-Tytler, who has still been very good.
There are a total of 11 AFL club-tied prospects, highlighting that the first round of the AFL Draft could push well beyond 30 selections by the time Free Agency compensation and potential priority picks are factored in.
It is also worth noting that Zeke Uwland and Jevan Phillipou, who have been injured for large parts of 2025, fall down the rankings slightly given a lack of exposed form, which is a criteria for this piece.
On the precipice:
Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane has been a staple of these rankings but was squeezed out after a solid, but unspectacular, National Championships. However, he remains right around the mark at this stage of the draft.
Murray Bushrangers tall forward Liam Hetherton is also desperately unlucky not to feature, with injury preventing him from taking part at the National Championships, but he remains a key forward with plenty to offer.
Taj Murray's first game for the Allies proved his high ceiling as a tall utility, and there's every chance he could feature in the first round.
Harry Kyle is a Sydney Swans Academy prospect coming with a bolt, while Oakleigh third tall defender Max Kondogiannis was another to significantly enhance his standing as one of the best-performed players for Vic Metro.
Hugo Mikunda excited plenty with some of his performances for Vic Country, and those around him say there's plenty more to show with his rare blend of endurance and speed, and he's done it off a very limited pre-season, while St Kilda-tied defender Kye Fincher plays the halfback role beautifully and is around the mark.
A bonus one...
31 - Fred Rodriguez
South Fremantle, midfielder
The Western Australian skipper has come back a little in recent times, but still did enough at the National Championships to take out the MVP. He's a bigger body in the engine room, which he uses to win hard balls and lay tackles, and has an athletic profile to give him good balance as an inside midfielder. Gets to lots of contests and wins clearances, with his average of 18 disposals per game for the Black Swans belying his true impact.
15-11
15 - Xavier Taylor
Eastern Ranges, defender
The unluckiest player to miss the U18s All-Australian squad? Taylor was certainly close to that. He showed just about everything for Vic Metro, matching up on both Wes Walley and Mitch Marsh to prove he can play on talls and smalls, while his athleticism and poise are points of difference among his peers, with his ability to peel off, gather cleanly at pace and assess his options eye-catching attributes. He came into the season known as a shrewd interceptor; he's now a complete defender.
14 - Lachy Dovaston
Eastern Ranges, small forward
The clear leading small forward in the draft class, Dovaston's consistency is hard to believe, averaging 2.4 goals per game at Coates League level in 2025. The 177cm talent was also named in the U18s All-Australian squad for his front and centre work for Vic Metro, which netted him nine goals. Opportunistic, clean, creative and with a nose for goals, he's the modern small forward prototype and has aggression, which makes him a threat when he doesn't have the footy.
13 - Archie Ludowyke
Sandringham Dragons, key forward
A PCL injury sustained in Vic Metro's third game is a disappointing footnote to Ludowyke's season, particularly given he didn't put his best foot forward at the National Championships, but AFL clubs are aware of his talents. The Sandringham prospect was clearly the standout tall in the AFL Academy series and projects as a player that a club can build a forward line around, given his contested marking, work rate, athleticism and goal kicking.
12 - Dyson Sharp
Central Districts, midfielder
The South Australian skipper's strong carnival was franked with the prestigious Larke Medal. A natural ball-winner and talismanic leader, few are as strong in one area of their game as what Sharp is with his ability in the clinches, and also showed he could push forward and hit the scoreboard for South Australia. Has had exposure playing senior footy for Central District throughout July following the reputation-enhancing Championships.
11 - Aidan Schubert
Central Districts, key forward
Few rose their stocks more than Schubert at the National Championships, who showed several different ways he can hurt opponents as a key forward. His contested marking makes Schubert a force deep. He makes the most of his set shots, and he can get up the ground, provide an option down the line and play as a relieving ruck. Sits alongside Croweaters teammate Mitch Marsh and Sandringham's Archie Ludowyke as the best key forwards in the class.
