Willem Duursma has established himself as the consensus number one selection of the 2025 AFL Draft class, but is far from the only talent set to be selected from the Vic Country region.
Despite a weak stigma about the squad in 2025, Vic Country went 2-2 through the U18s National Championships, with several prospects enhancing their stocks.
Chief among them was Carlton father-son Harry Dean, an intercepting, athletic and tough defender set to attract a rival bid in the top 10 of the AFL Draft.
Clean-kicking defender Josh Lindsay and smooth-moving half-forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves are also expected to be selected in the first round.
Beyond that trio, Hugo Mikunda has attracted significant interest as a high-impact forward, while his Geelong Falcons teammate Jesse Mellor, a Cats NGA prospect, is also in the mix.
Murray Bushrangers big-bodied midfielder Riley Onley, small forward pair Talor Byrne and Tom Matthews, and Gippsland defender Jonah Walker are others in the mix later in the draft.
Top Vic Country prospects
Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Has become the consensus best player in the pool. Describes himself as a Marcus Bontempelli-like inside midfielder at his best, but given his all-around star-power and proven X-factor, was given every opportunity to flourish in other areas of the ground and prove the balance of his skillset.
Explosive, athletic and match-winning, his exceptional work ethic to cover the ground and pressure defensively is often overlooked but stood out in 2025. Also reads the game earlier than most, allowing him to burst away from contest or win intercept possessions, while his overhead marking adds another string to the rangy athlete's bow.
A humble and well-liked person who looks likely to deal with the pressure of being a No.1 pick with aplomb, West Coast will hope he can have a transformative effect at the struggling club. The complete package.
| 1 RANK |  | Willem Duursma Gippsland Power Utility HEIGHT: 191cm | â–¶+ |
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.
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| 7 RANK |  | Harry Dean Murray Bushrangers Defender HEIGHT: 193cm | â–¶+ |
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 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.
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| 16 RANK |  | Josh Lindsay Geelong Falcons Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | â–¶+ |
Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
An exciting and match-winning talent at his best, injuries contributed to Hibbins-Hargreaves not finding game-in, game-out consistency in 2025.
A smooth-mover with excellent aerial skills, good nous and the ability to find the big sticks when his team needs a spark, he looms as a shrewd addition to an AFL list.
Threatened to push closer to the top 10 at stages of 2025 but never got a sustained block of form at any stage this season, so could slide a little.
| 25 RANK |  | Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Dandenong Stingrays Midfielder/Forward HEIGHT: 186cm | â–¶+ |
Hugo Mikunda (Geelong Falcons)
Injuries bookended Mikunda's season and frustratingly prevented the Geelong Falcons prospect from testing at the AFL Draft National Combine, where his unbelievable athletic profile would have come to the fore. But he remains a touted prospect.
A high-impact player whose standout game was an 18-disposal, one-goal best afield effort against the undefeated South Australia for Vic Country, his decision-making, ball use and ability to hit the scoreboard are all standout features.
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| 38 RANK |  | Hugo Mikunda Geelong Falcons Forward HEIGHT: 180cm | â–¶+ |
