The relative weakness of the Victorian crop in the 2025 AFL Draft pool has been much discussed in 2025, but it is still the talent hotspot.
Of the 50 players in Craft of the Draft's top 50 players, 16 were from Vic Metro's region, with Coates Talent League premier Eastern Ranges the most represented club across the country with six players.
Bolter Sullivan Robey, key-position player Cooper Duff-Tytler, best mates Xavier Taylor and Lachy Dovaston and Oakleigh midfielder Sam Grlj lead the way.
Half-back Oskar Taylor is also widely tipped to join them in the top 20, while Archie Ludowyke and Ollie Greeves have established reputations and club-tied prospects Adam Sweid, Hussien El Achkar, Jack Ison, Kye Fincher and Zac McCarthy are also in the mix.
Ruck Marcus Krasnadamskis and Max Kondogiannis shape as a pair of unheralded selections on night two, Jack Dalton put together a strong back-end of the Coates Talent League seasons, while Louis Emmett and Tom Burton were part of the AFL Academy.
Sam Allen is a smokey who has received little attention but is expected to attract selection thanks to a strong aerobic base, while Sandringham halfback Rory Wright and Western Jets pair Oskar Ainsworth and Finnegan Davis are also around the mark.
Western Bulldogs father-son Will Darcy is also expected to find his way onto an AFL list, potentially as Dogs rookie.
Top Vic Metro prospects
Sullivan Robey (Eastern Ranges)
The best draft story of the year. Robey's rise from local footy at Rowville to the Eastern Ranges after missing Dandenong's list as a 16-year-old has been well told.
Powerful, explosive, strong and exciting, he's most comfortable as a connecting, marking half-forward who takes his chances in front of goals.
At the time of writing, the gut feel is Richmond is Robey's most likely destination, but could be selected by West Coast with their second selection if the draft order remains the same, which would be incomprehensible.
MORE: SULLIVAN ROBEY REFLECTS ON RIDICULOUS RISE
| 4 RANK |  | Sullivan Robey Eastern Ranges Forward/Midfielder HEIGHT: 192cm | â–¶+ |
Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons)
West Coast and Essendon loom as the two most likely destinations for Duff-Tytler, who entered the season in Pick 1 contention and has remained right around that mark throughout.
Was named in the U18s All-Australian squad and had a strong start to the season as a ruck, where his follow-up work was notable, before late-season games for the Bombers' VFL side and Calder showcased his forward presence and marking.
| 5 RANK |  | Cooper Duff-Tytler Calder Cannons Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm | â–¶+ |
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.
MORE: HOW XAVIER TAYLOR TURNED HIMSELF INTO A HYBRID DEFENDER
| 8 RANK |  | Xavier Taylor Eastern Ranges Defender HEIGHT: 191cm | â–¶+ |
Sam Grlj (Oakleigh Chargers)
Some had him pushing towards the top five mid-year before a quieter U18s National Championships, where he skippered Vic Metro, brought him back to the pack.
A strong stint for Richmond VFL, where his tenacity showed through, and a return to his devastating, overlap-running, speedy best late in the Coates Talent League season reinforced what he could offer.
Suits a lot of clubs in this range of the draft and could be selected as high as Richmond's opening two picks.
MORE: ENDURANCE AND COMPETITIVENESS TOP 10 PROSPECT'S BEST WEAPONS
| 10 RANK |  | Sam Grlj Oakleigh Chargers Midfielder HEIGHT: 182cm | â–¶+ |
Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Has been viewed for much of 2025 as the leading small forward in the crop and has doubled down on his defensive pressure and ability to impact in the midfield, which has rounded off his game nicely.
A goalsneak who is most dangerous at the foot of a marking contest where he can pounce on the loose ball, the Nick Watson 2.0 tag has followed Dovaston for much of the season, and he continues to produce entertaining moments that the Hawthorn emerging talent would be proud of.
MORE: CLUTCH DOVASTON ON GOAL CELES, HAIRSTYLE AND ADVICE FROM A PREMIERSHIP PIE
| 14 RANK |  | Lachy Dovaston Eastern Ranges Forward HEIGHT: 177cm | â–¶+ |
