The 2025 AFL Draft is being regarded as one of the most compromised in history, with a likely record number of Northern Academy, Next Generation Academy and father-son talents to join AFL lists.
Craft of the Draft last week named the top 13 prospects to watch, with four members of the top 10 tied to AFL clubs.
While the AFL has tightened rules to ensure clubs have to pay a greater price to secure their talent, the pedigree of many names listed this year will likely incentivise lots of dealings in the trade period as clubs attempt to match points.
Highlighting the strength of the tied-talent, every club has at least one player genuinely on the radar entering 2025.
VIEW: CURRENT AFL DRAFT ORDER
These are the names you might need to familiarise yourself with ahead of this year's AFL Draft.
Western Bulldogs
Western Jets-listed Kobe Williams shapes as the main top-aged prospect to watch given his ties as a Next Generation Academy prospect, while Levi West, the son of Scott and brother of Rhylee, shapes as one for 2026. He missed the U16s National Championships through injury, but is highly regarded as a forward-midfielder at Calder.
At the Falcons, bottom-ager Jaxon Cooney, son of Adam, is an elusive forward to watch.
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