Eastern Ranges and Vic Metro livewire Lachy Dovaston has established himself as clearly the best small forward in the 2025 draft class.
He has averaged well over two goals per game in the Coates Talent League and was one of Vic Metro's leading forwards in an indifferent National Championships.
Hailing from the same CTL club as Hawthorn's Nick Watson, Dovaston possesses many of the same traits. His front and centre work and ability to crumb on groundballs at the foot of a marking contest is second to none.
He's the prototypical small forward with speed, toughness and the ability to capitalise both at stoppage and when he‘s given just an inch of space. He's also shown a sound understanding of how to play as an extra at stoppage, rotating between being a deeper small forward and a sixth who comes up the ground throughout 2025.
He's been well set up to succeed by Eastern Ranges, having been exposed across a multitude of positions in 2024 to increase his footy IQ and give him different tricks before settling forward this year.
The big lift in Dovaston's game this season has been his pressure, averaging almost six tackles per game. The ability to pressure, hassle and tackle is a necessary trait for modern small forwards so they get field position and force opponents to defend for longer.
The consensus has him landing in the latter part of the top 20, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him come close to the opening 10 selections.
His highlights reel is already bursting with unbelievable moments; none moreso than a match-winning goal in a Vic Metro trial game, so expect him to quickly become a fan favourite of whichever club picks him up.
| 14 RANK | | Lachy Dovaston Eastern Ranges Forward HEIGHT: 177cm | ▶+ |
Strengths
Athleticism
Goalkicking
Pressure
Draft Range
Pick 10-20
Potential Landing Spots
Western Bulldogs (Pick 10)
Fremantle (Pick 11)
Adelaide (Pick 14)
West Coast (Pick 15)
