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.
1. Cooper Duff-Tytler
Calder Cannons – Ruck/Key Forward
The basketball convert choosing footy is a big win for the sport – and its spectators.
Duff-Tytler has the skillset and potential to become a prototype modern-day tall. The old adage that you don't want big men trying to do too much with ball in hand is becoming less and less true – but Duff-Tytler takes that case to the next level.
His brilliant kicking, ability to chain possession and silky movement mean he's a player teammates should be seeking to advance the game forward. As well as his skillset, he has a strong athletic base and can take contested marks around the ground and outrun most big men.
At 199cm, impacting forward will be necessary for him to fulfil his scary potential and he'll be given the opportunity to develop that forward craft in 2025.
Despite having shown so much, the 2025 pre-season was his first fully focused on the Sherrin, so his consistency and volume could reach another level.
