The increasing strength of the Northern Academies has made the Allies region of Australia a growing hub of AFL Draft talent.
As many as 10 Queenslanders are in contention at the 2025 AFL Draft, with a further five New South Welshmen, a Tasmanian and a Northern Territory product.
Gold Coast's quintet of prospects led the way, with Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson widely anticipated to attract top-five bids, while midfielders Beau Addinsall, Jai Murray and Koby Coulson are also set to attract National Draft attention.
Brisbane's Dan Annable is the chief player of interest for Brisbane, while his Lions Academy teammates Harrison Bridge, Isaac Waller and Tyan Prindable are also in the fray to make the leap to the next level.
Mature-ager Tai Hayes, who has had a strong year on the wing for Southport's VFL side, has also spoken to a handful of clubs and is thereabouts in draft calculations.
Sydney Swans Academy trio Harry Kyle, Max King and Lachy Carmichael lead the way from New South Wales, while Noah Chamberlain and even Kaiden McNamara are chances of finding an AFL home later in the AFL Draft.
Liam Hetherton has missed most of 2025 with a back injury, but was part of the AFL Academy and is expected to get picked up, having grown up in North Albury, a town in New South Wales' far south.
Athletic intercept defender Avery Thomas is likely to be the only Tasmanian picked up, while developing Northern Territory tall Taj Murray has attracted interest.
Top Allies prospects
Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast Academy)
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 an 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.
| 2 RANK |  | Zeke Uwland Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast Academy)
At the time of writing, it looks most likely Patterson will attract a bid from Richmond 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.
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| 3 RANK |  | Dylan Patterson Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶+ |
Dan Annable (Brisbane Academy)
The bid may come lower than six, but there is little doubt Annable belongs with the top echelon of talent in the 2025 draft crop.
Led Brisbane's VFL midfield in the second half of the season, with his contest work, inside-outside balance, overhead marking, ability to cover the ground and leadership all shining through. His season started with a best afield effort for the AFL Academy, and he's hardly looked back.
AFL-ready, Annable is in the Josh Dunkley mould and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the Ashcroft brothers in getting games early in his time in the AFL system.
| 6 RANK |  | Dan Annable Brisbane Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶+ |
28 - Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast Academy)
A hard-working midfielder who finds the footy at will, Addinsall was a strong performer for the AFL Academy earlier in 2025 in its pair of matches against VFL sides.
Played just one game at the U18s National Championships due to a hamstring injury, but has plenty of runs on the board as a high-production, consistent player since 2023.
One of five Gold Coast Academy prospects expected to attract National Draft bids.
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| 28 RANK |  | Beau Addinsall Gold Coast Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
33 - 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.
| 33 RANK |  | Avery Thomas Tasmania Defender HEIGHT: 186cm | ▶+ |
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