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.
Claremont, Key Forward
A brilliant start to the season up forward in the WAFL U18s competition propels Cody Curtin onto this list.
The brother of Adelaide young gun Dan, Cody plays with a hard edge and has clearly had an enormous pre-season, with his increased strength making him a forceful presence in aerial contests.
He spoke to Craft of the Draft about the role of his brother in his development, with that competitiveness highlighted by an eight and five-goal hauls in early season outings.
Had a tough AFL Academy series, but given he started both games in defence, clearly his secondary position, it's hard to be too critical.
Hopefully gets an extended run at WAFL senior level where he can demonstrate his aggression is transferrable.
North Adelaide, Midfielder
Was lower volume than the other AFL Academy midfielders throughout the series, yet showed some ultra-impressive signs.
Is always on the move, navigates his way through tight spaces well, doesn't shirk physical pressure, opens the game up for teammates and is capable in time and space.
The question is whether he has a weapon compelling enough, but his sheer consistency in every facet that makes up a quintessential midfielder means he could sneak higher than the casual observer would expect.
Oakleigh, Ruck-Forward
A quiet start to the season results in Emmett dropping outside the top 10, but he remains very highly-regarded and took an important step back towards his best in the second AFL Academy game.
It's well known that he covers the ground well and can be an asset, but also showed his competitiveness and that he can be a forward threat.
Given his size is more conducive to being a key forward than a ruck, his continual development as a forward will be a factor in how high a club is willing to take him.
Will split the middle part of his year between Vic Metro and Scotch College in the APS competition.
Oakleigh, Midfielder
The big riser in the open pool to start 2025, close watchers rated Grlj highly last year, but his move into the midfield has unlocked another level in the quick and smooth-moving Oakleigh Charger.
Has wonderfully clean hands and is always looking to explode out the front of stoppages, while his kicking is searingly efficient and he's always looking to take the game on and move the ball quickly, whether with inside kicks or through his run and carry.
His trajectory and upside, alongside the glut of club-linked top prospects has him firmly in top 10 calculations in the eyes of many.
Sandringham, Forward
Has been the most consistent and impressive key forward to start 2025, which was reflected by a five-goal AFL Academy series.
Was the target that looked most likely in both games, pulling down contested grabs and marks on leads.
Competes hard for someone with a rawer frame and has good mobility, while he's been given the opportunity to get up the ground and effectively present an option long down the line for Sandringham.
At times could be a tad cleaner overhead as he can at times double-grab his marks, but it's a minor concern in the grander scheme of an excellent 2025 to date.
Central Districts, Midfielder
The South Australian has had a quiet start to the year, unable to answer the question marks that surrounded his game in pre-season, which have instead grown more prominent.
His contested game, clearance-winning and ability to feed teammates is as good as anyone in the draft class, but the game is moving away from purely inside bulls.
His kicking inefficiency and perceived lack of versatility threaten to slide him down draft boards as clubs prioritise other types of midfielders, but there is no doubt he has the foundation to be an asset to whatever team he ends up to given his ball-winning ability and strength.
Gold Coast Academy, Midfielder
Moves up one spot after a dynamic AFL Academy series.
Had 15 disposals in each game, playing predominantly as a rebounding defender. Finds space and plays at a frantic speed with ball in hand, and has the creativity and talent to execute what few players would even dream of doing.
Complements the entertainment with old-school tenacity, isn't afraid of physical contact and has an innate ability to get from the inside to the outside where he can use his sharp skills.
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.
Geelong Falcons, Half-Back
Rises to the precipice of the top five after a fine start to the season, capped off by a best-afield effort in the AFL Academy game on the weekend.
He has all the tools to become a game-changing half-back, given his willingness to drive his legs and his incisive kicking, while his intercepting is an underrated feature of his game too.
Will play APS footy through the middle of the year and the Geelong Falcons are set to give him midfield exposure to show off his lateral movement and capabilities at stoppage, which would be the cherry on top.
Those at the Falcons have spoken glowingly of the way the co-captain leads, and the balance with which he approaches footy and other aspects of his life, enabling him to fulfil his potential so far in 2025.
Eastern Ranges, Midfielder
Was talked up by his Talent League club in pre-season as being ready to explode and has absolutely walked the walk.
The Eastern Ranges co-captain is yet to play a poor game in 2025 and was the AFL Academy's most consistent midfielder across the series.
He's mounting a case to be the most well-rounded and talented big-bodied midfielder in the 2025 draft class. His clearance-winning and clean hands are complemented by his running power, and he has a knack of standing up with the game on the line, able to lift when his team needs him to.
If there's one element of his game that hasn't quite reached its potential so far this season, it's his kicking, which those that know him say is much improved, but on game day probably has another level to go.
He's also yet to play forward in 2025, and amid the many Josh Smillie comparisons, the area of the game Greeves is probably superior is his ability to impact as a starting forward, so showcasing that will only further propel his name up draft boards.
Gippsland Power, Utility
Moves up two spots to the number five position - and is prominent in Pick 1 conversations given both his talent and that many of those considered in a similar rung are club-linked.
Put forward a virtuoso performance in Round 1, running rampant in the midfield for Gippsland and showing off his flashy skills and athleticism.
Overall, had a quieter AFL Academy series, though it's hard to read too much into those performances given he filled the role of a man-on-man defender against bigger bodies, and his output did improve in game two, where he offered his trademark run and chiselling kicking.
By the time November rolls around, he will be a true draft chameleon, having filled just about every role on the footy field, with midfield set to be his primary spot at the Talent League level in 2025.
Given questions over his strength in the contest, the success of his time in the engine room when given physical attention will be an important factor in determining how high he ends up.
Sydney Academy, Midfielder-Forward
Stays steady at the number four spot, having played just the one official game so far this season - Sydney Academy's first game against Tasmania.
The Swans-linked prospect kicked the first goal of the game and finished with five scoring shots for 1.4, looking a class above playing off half-forward.
Expect King to split his time between the forward line and midfield, with his athleticism, ball-winning, strength and marking all attributes that excite.
Brisbane Academy, Midfielder
A high-volume midfielder with no obvious weakness, the Brisbane Academy player is just as willing defensively as offensively and equally damaging inside and outside.
His AFL Academy series enhanced his standing, with a best-on-ground performance in the first game underlining his talent. Alongside his gruntwork, he's proven to be a forward half threat and is capable overhead, playing in a similar vein to Josh Dunkley and will complement the Ashcroft brothers, Sam Marshall and Jaspa Fletcher perfectly across the next decade should the Lions choose to match a bid.
He's also Brisbane VFL-listed, so much like Gold Coast's Leo Lombard last year, the conditioning to senior footy will help expedite his development.
Gold Coast Academy, Utility
Due to injury, the damaging lefty is yet to play in 2025, but moves up due to Dyson Sharp's quiet start to the season.
A powerful, goal-scoring utility, the Gold Coast Academy prospect will push his case at the National Championships.
Will also feature for Gold Coast VFL this season, which will give the industry an idea of how he matches up with bigger bodies.
Calder Cannons, Ruck-Forward
Has been the No.1 pick contender who has most consistently proven why he deserves to get taken with the top selection, so maintains his spot at the top.
Two centre stoppage goals from outside 50 across the first month were emblematic of his glittering potential as a ruck who brings physicality and athleticism.
Not since Matthew Kreuzer in 2008 has a ruck been taken at Pick 1, but given his rare traits and hurt factor with ball in hand, he's giving recruiters plenty to consider as they put an increasing emphasis on other positions on the field and increasingly add rucks to their list through other means.
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