The 2025 AFL Draft is shaping up as a greatly compromised intake, but there remains some quality talent at the top end.
There is a greater spread of A-Grade talent across the country than most years, with a stronger supply of key-position players than existed in last year's crop, while there is typically a bevy of midfielders.
With so much footy still to be played, the list is very malleable, with updated and expanded lists to continue throughout the year by Craft of the Draft.
At the conclusion of the pre-season, these are the players adjudged the top prospects for 2025.
Worthy of a mention: Talls Cody Curtin and Archie Ludowyke are the next best key-position players in a crop with a high quantity of top-end talls. Curtin kicked eight goals in a WAFL practice match, which highlighted his proven contested marking, and he also has the capacity to play down back, while Ludowyke is a rawer, mobile tall from Sandringham. Swans Academy pair Noah Chamberlain and Lachie Carmichael are also highly rated, while Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane and big-bodied Murray midfielder Ryder Corrigan are arguably the two best Coates Talent League players outside the AFL Academy. Suns Academy prospect Beau Addinsall was also right on the cusp after looking comfortable in the VFL last year, and alongside Riley Onley is probably the best pure midfielder off the list. Dandenong's Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves has a lot of attributes, while Sandringham's Xavier Bamert got limited opportunity for various reasons last year but could jump quickly.
3. Zeke Uwland
Gold Coast Academy – Half Forward/Midfielder
Should Gold Coast's lead Academy prospect continue shining, where a bid comes will be intriguing.
On one hand, history will suggest that a bid will come later than if he were to be available in the open draft; but on the other, will clubs be more willing to hold the Suns accountable to limit their opportunities to match bids for the bevy of draft talent they possess later in the draft?
A powerful player who impacts in the front half, his 2024 national championships gave an exciting insight into what to expect in 2025.
