On the first day 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.
May's edition is the second released, with three club-linked players occupying the top five, and Geelong co-captain Josh Lindsay the prime mover after a big start to the season.
There are also several new names in the mix who have started the season impressively, with the May list up to 15 names from the 13 in April.
Others in the mix: Western Australian midfielder Fred Rodriguez was exceptionally unlucky to miss the cut after a quiet start to the season, albeit all but one of his games have come against senior bodies as he's been given league exposure in the WAFL and played in the AFL Academy series. Collingwood Academy tall Zac McCarthy is starting to gain some momentum after delivering on the pre-season hype as an athletic, hard-running centre-half-forward. Fellow Pies-linked player Tom McGuane is also in the mix, as is Gold Coast Academy member Beau Addinsall. Essendon-linked duo Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid have both risen after producing consistently high output to start 2025. Others to rise sharply early in the season include Sandringham midfielder Rory Wright, Bendigo forward-mid Hunter Wright, Eastern interceptor Xavier Taylor, and fellow Ranges player Lachy Dovaston, who has settled as a small forward. Fremantle NGA prospect Toby Whan is also in the conversation after starting 2025 in hot form, as is Richmond father-son midfield prospect Louis Kellaway.
8. Liam Hetherton (-2)
Murray Bushrangers, Key Forward
Moves down two spots to number eight but remains our top-rated key forward in the draft class.
Kicked eight of Murray's 19 goals in the first two games of the season, proving both his contested marking and ability to play the role of an AFL key forward who gets up the ground.
Had a frustrating AFL Academy series, given he repeatedly competed in the air and neutralised most contests - no easy feat for key-position players against more developed and seasoned opposition.
Was able to pull down a few contested marks and hit up well but didn't get the scoreboard nourishment he deserved for his efforts. Regardless, his competitiveness and aerial craft buoyed onlookers.
