South Australian draft star Dyson Sharp is a name fans and recruiters should have front of mind come the start of this year's AFL Draft, according to talent guru Kevin Sheehan.
Sharp has had a decorated junior campaign for SA and Central District, going on to claim the Larke Medal after leading his state to an undefeated U18s National Championships in 2025.
His stellar draft campaign, which also included a second season of senior football with the Bulldogs in the SANFL and a strong showing for the AFL Academy, follows a highly-regarded few seasons as an emerging talent out of South Australia, having won All-Australian selections in his two years representing the Croweaters at the U16s carnival.
Sharp was awarded the MVP of his pool and for his state as a top-ager at the U16s National Championships in 2023, making his case as a Pick 1 chance known two years out from his draft season.
Last year, Sharp broke through for his SANFL debut with Central District and would play five games at the level as a 17-year-old, including three finals games for the Dogs.
He added a further nine appearances at the state league level to his resume to have one of the most impressive CVs as a prospect in this year's class.
Despite the accolades and dominant form, Sharp has often been seen as a potential top-five pick rather than a certainty, and has received little talk as a Pick 1 prospect.
In Sheehan's eyes, Sharp is as good as any, and sits alongside top-rated teens Cooper Duff-Tytler and Willem Duursma as the leading names in the 2025 crop.
"I've said consistently that I think there are three genuine No.1s, and Dyson Sharp is in that group," Sheehan said.
"He's drifted in many people's views, but not mine. I link back to his performance in the only level playing field we have, which is our National Championships. He dominated the National Championships, he won the Larke Medal. He also captained SA to victory.
"He was brilliant in those games, and he's done that now for three or four years in a row at the best forum we have, which is at U16 level, when he won the best and fairest medal, and U18 level, he did the same.
"So he's in the debate with Cooper Duff-Tytler and, of course, Willem Duursma. Any of those boys have played well enough and have got the potential to open up to be great AFL players."
Both Duff-Tytler and Duursma look set to head to West Coast with their opening two selections, with the latter seen as a certainty to be selected first overall.
Following the Victorian pair, Sharp is in the mix among the next few selections, which may include several bids on Northern Academy talent.
Gold Coast pair Dylan Patterson and Zeke Uwland could earn bids from the Eagles, while Brisbane's Dan Annable is tipped to follow shortly.
The Queensland trio add to an impressive top pack of prospects in this year's class, leaving Sheehan excited for what the future holds.
"We've got Dan Annable, we've got Dylan Patterson and Zeke Uwland. They're three boys from Queensland that have got great CVs as well, and could be chosen very, very early," he said.
"That's exciting for the game to have that competition there to see who will win the mantle of the best player at the moment from around Australia.
"But you can't forget that Murphy Reid won the Rising Star after being chosen as a choice 17. So the clubs can get it wrong, and boys can unfold at different rates to what they're anticipated.
"That's the beauty of what we're going into in the next three days."
The 2025 AFL Draft will be held on November 19-20, with up to 60 selections expected to be made.
