With the 2025 AFL Draft looming as perhaps the most compromised ever, clubs that don't have priority access to a top-rated Academy of father-son talent will be picking from the open pool of names on offer.

Gold Coast, Essendon, Sydney, Brisbane, Collingwood and Fremantle could all shape the first round of the draft this year given the teenagers they are tied to, leaving other sides to chase the prospects who will be less confident on the club that will select them.

On this week's episode of Craft of the Draft, analysts Jonty Ralphsmith and Mitch Keating listed their top 15 non club-tied prospects for 2025, with both rankings offering some differing views.

Ralphsmith labelled Sandringham Dragons tall forward Archie Ludowyke as the "best key forward in the draft class", putting him fourth on his list.

"I think he's just so raw, I really like what he could become," Ralphsmith said on this week's episode of Craft of the Draft. 

"I think he's the best key forward in the draft class. And the fact he's already influencing in the air given how much development he's still got to go, he impresses me."

AFL Draft – Sandringham Dragons coach speaks on top prospects
Archie Ludowyke of the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League (Image by Scott Sidley/AFL Photos)

Keating had Ludowyke 13th overall in his rankings, with South Australia's Aidan Schubert the highest on his rankings at ninth.

Another difference between the two lists was Larke Medal favourite Dyson Sharp, who sat at three on Keating's list and seventh overall for Ralphsmith.

The midfield bull has been sensational at the National Championships for South Australia with his inside work in midfield and impact in the front half to strengthen his bid as a Pick 1 contender.

"I know when we talk about what clubs might look at, they might not favour him this high," Keating said of Sharp.

"But when you talk about the quality and (Sharp) doing as much as he can do as a player in his role, he's ticking those boxes.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Dyson Sharp (c) of South Australia celebrates a goal during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Victoria Metro at Alberton Oval, on June 08, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Dyson Sharp (c) of South Australia celebrates a goal during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Victoria Metro at Alberton Oval, on June 08, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

"So I've got him up at three."

You can see both top 15 lists via the player below, or head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel for this week's episode, which includes a preview of this week's U18s carnival action, some weekend standouts, assessing Essendon and Fremantle's draft plans, and more.