In the first week of every month throughout 2025, Craft of the Draft will drop an updated and expanded prospect power rankings, taking into consideration a combination of form and potential.
Our July rankings are a list of the 30 best prospects, with plenty of South Australian talent making the cut following the Croweaters' charge to the U18s National Championships triumph.
This edition is the fourth released, featuring 10 club-linked players, while Central Districts forward Aidan Schubert is the big mover.
320th-16th
20 – Liam Hetherton (-6)
Is currently sidelined with a long-term injury which leads to him falling down the rankings through absolutely no fault of his own. A well-liked character and spearhead forward who will be a bargain in November given his absence means he has been unable to show what he can do consistently this year. What he did before his injury, though, was compelling.
19 – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (+3)
Is positioned a little lower than where some have him, which is to some degree down to his inconsistency. An undoubted match winner whose skills remain sound when he's under fatigue, the forward/winger kicked four goals in a statement game to start the U18s National Championships. Is creative, dangerous around goals and courageous overhead. But intertwined within that performance have been some quieter outings.
18 – Cody Curtin (-5)
Cody Curtin's traits are undeniable: a contested marking forward/ruck who you can build a forward line around, and is also capable of being swung back. But he falls down the rankings a touch, having failed to really do any damage for Western Australia as yet this year. Gets the best defender each week and kicked three goals in the first game, which felt like a solid outing, before being starved of opportunity in game two and locked down in game three. His ability to give his team presence in the ruck, though, has been on show.
17 – Louis Emmett (-1)
Missed Vic Metro's first game and has spent much of his time recently in the APS competition for Scotch College, so hasn't been able to press his case at a higher level, but made a Coates League appearance on Saturday and was brilliant. Covers the ground well, has the blend of athleticism and aggression you want in big men as a forward/ruck. A goal from 50 on the weekend was a frightening glimpse into his potential.
16 – Dyson Sharp (-6)
What to make of his last month? Does he feel a bit low? Sharp is such a difficult prospect to assess. What he does well, he does better than just about anyone in the draft class and for that he deserves enormous respect. Wins the hard ball, is clean, dishes off well and few, if any, are as ready-made to immediately transfer their skillset to the top level. But modern day midfielders are increasingly athletic and multi-faceted faceted and the question marks over his kicking do linger.
