AFL Draft: The prospects rising through the ranks thanks to bright starts

With the opening month of the AFL Draft campaign out of the way, a handful of 2025 prospects have emerged as this year's early risers.

Eastern Ranges defender Xavier Taylor has been among the year's bright starters, enjoying a strong four-game run in the Coates Talent League as a well-balanced defender on both sides of the ball.

Within that run for Eastern, Taylor featured among the best for Vic Metro's trial side against the Young Guns representative side in April, showing off his aerial prowess and smart decision making with the ball in hand.

"His form in the last month has probably been as good as anyone's," draft analyst Jonty Ralphsmith said on this week's episode of Craft of the Draft.

"191cms (tall), can play on talls, we've always known he's got that intercepting and lockdown ability, but now he's showing he's got that ability to rebound and use the ball really well. He's so clean below his knees.

"I just think he's the sort of player that when he's in your team he makes you walk a little bit taller, and he makes you a little bit better because he's got so many strengths to his bow as a defender.

"You could almost do anything with him behind the ball. He's certainly risen and is on the precipice of the top 30, if not a little bit higher. "

Sandringham Dragons onballer Rory Wright has also been a quick riser to start his 2025 season, averaging 23.5 disposals, 6.5 marks and 5.3 inside 50s from his four games in the Talent League.

His most recent outing against the GWS Giants Academy saw him net a season-best 30 disposals in a 14-point defeat, with the clean and composed Wright steadily building to a strong opening month.

"The things that is most appealing about Rory is that he's just so aggressive at the contest," Ralphsmith said.

"He attacks the footy with such vigour and he's quite clean as well. He wins clearances and is such a dangerous asset to have.

"If the ball's in the forward half, you want it in his hands, because he's going to make sound decisions and is so good at stoppage."

Woodville-West Torrens teenager Jevan Phillipou, the son of ex-Western Bulldogs player Sam and the younger brother of St Kilda's Mattaes, is one of the most exciting prospects out of South Australia in 2025.

Able to impose his damage on the game both inside and out, Phillipou will unfortunately miss the coming months with an arm injury, but managed to have a strong opening to his campaign before the setback.

"He's that midfielder who is high volume and so clean around stoppage," Ralphsmith said of the SA prospect.

"He's quite crafty as well, and when he gets on the outside he's so dangerous in time and space.

"If you're looking at midfield stocks, he's probably one of the classier ones."

Bendigo's Hunter Wright, Victorian small forward duo Ricky Theodoropoulos and Lachy Dovaston, Collingwood tied pair Zac McCarthy and Jai Saxena, and Geelong Falcons prospects Jesse Mellor and Jett Elek have also been big risers so far this season.

For the full video of this week's Craft of the Draft episode, head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel or watch below.