AFL Draft: The top 10 defenders in the 2025 pool

There is a great variety of defenders who look set to enter the AFL system at the National Draft on November 19. Led by a pair of Gold Coast Academy boys, the top group includes a mix of rebounders, interceptors and lockdown players. Here are the 10 best defenders from the 2025 draft class. Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast Academy) Could be placed in any of the three lines but considers himself a defender, so we've put him here. Only featured four times in 2025, all at VFL level, after injury scuppered most of his 2025 season. That won't concern Gold Coast, which, through his training with the club and U18s All-Australian-winning bottom-aged season, is well aware of his talent. A powerful left footer who can impact in all positions, he's set up well to seamlessly integrate into an AFL environment, likely to attract a bid in the top three. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Zeke Uwland"] Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast Academy) At the time of writing, it looks most likely Patterson will attract a bid from Richmond in the top five after a devastating season where he has entertained and impressed in equal measure. The rugby league convert slices the game open with his bold game-breaking ability and creativity. Does things most players wouldn't think of and charges forward with ferocity and vigour. Likely starts his career off half-back but is dangerous in each third of the ground. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dylan Patterson"] Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) The Carlton father-son prospect has soared for marks and up draft boards in 2025. He told Zero Hanger at the AFL Draft National Combine that he has his eyes on playing Round 1 next year and was described by 2025 Vic Country coach Rhett McLennan as an old-school defender ready for the step up. Alongside his toughness and grit is an athletic profile perfectly suited for the modern game. Learned off Nic Newman and Jacob Weitering last summer and could be lining up alongside them next year, with a bid to come on the fringes of the top five. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harry Dean"] Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges) The lifelong Richmond fan bases his game on Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad and is being considered by Richmond with one of their two top five selections given he will likely be best available. A best-afield outing in the Coates Talent League grand final capped a season of terrific growth for the intercepting rebounder, whose clean skills, creativity and run have been consistent features of a brilliant 2025 campaign. The best openly available defender could be selected in the top 10. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Xavier Taylor"] Jacob Farrow (West Perth) A powerful defender who can run through the midfield, Farrow rose sharply through the middle part of 2025, with many clubs enamoured with what he was able to produce at WAFL Colts level ahead of the U18s National Championships. At 187cm, he has a big frame, which he uses to physically impose himself, and he's hard to beat in one-on-one contests, which provides the base for his intercepting and ball use. Has risen and risen throughout 2025 and will likely be taken in the top 15. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jacob Farrow"] Oskar Taylor (Eastern Ranges) Taylor's speed, composure and ability to consistently win one-on-one contests has shot him firmly into top 20 calculations despite not featuring for Vic Metro. A half-back with a sizzling kick and insane athletic profile, which was on show at the AFL Draft National combine, he fits the prototype for a modern footballer. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Oskar Taylor"] Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons) The pinpoint-kicking Falcon has fallen a touch but remains firmly in the mix to be selected in the teens. An ultimate professional, Lindsay's year started on a high with a best-afield performance for the AFL Academy after using his rebound, intercepting and kicking efficiency to open the game up in the early Coates Talent League rounds. His returns were slightly more modest to finish the season as he was given the opportunity to grow defensive and contested elements of his game. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Josh Lindsay"] Blake Thredgold (Sturt) An athletic lockdown defender, Thredgold played just one game at the U18s National Championships but is widely viewed as the best openly available tall defender at the AFL Draft. Some assignments on Mitch Marsh have strengthened his stocks as a forceful one-on-one matchup who suits a club looking for a player to build their backline around. With such a gap between he and the next best openly available tall back, he's one who could be picked quite high. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Blake Thredgold"] Kye Fincher (Sandringham Dragons) The athletic and hard-working Sandringham Dragons talent went into the midfield late in 2025, and his work inside has him viewed as a potential top 30 selection. St Kilda has first dibs on him given he is part of the club's Next Generation Academy, but the Saints are no guarantee to match a bid. Started the season off half-back, where his vertical leap and run came to the fore, before getting a chance to play as a midfielder at VFL level for the Sandringham Zebras. Was named best afield on debut and carried that form into the tail end of his Coates Talent League season, where his clearance and ball-winning were both highlights. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Kye Fincher"] Avery Thomas (Tasmania Devils) Potentially the only Tasmanian who will be drafted in 2025, Thomas is a daring, creative and athletic intercept defender who boldly takes the game on. A high-level track and field background, where he specialised in decathlon, explains his strong athletic background, which got him into the top 10 for three tests at the AFL Draft National Combine. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Avery Thomas"]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	WB	6	4	2	16	102
8	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3

AFL Draft: The top 10 defenders in the 2025 pool

There are a mix of lockdown, intercepting and rebounding options.

10Avery Thomas (Tasmania Devils)

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