Plenty of risers and a plethora of new names.
September's Power Rankings has expanded to a list of the top 40 prospects in the country.
While the very pointy end is starting to take shape, there remains conjecture about exactly what the make-up of the latter parts of the first round and early second round looks like.
As we've done all year in our monthly Power Rankings, the list combines form and potential, with a stack of players using the back part of the season to put big performances on the board, making for a tight jostle.
Around the mark
South Fremantle pair Fred Rodriguez and Toby Whan are both right on the cusp, particularly the former, who took out the U18s National Championships MVP for the Black Swans. Western Jets skipper Tom Burton and Collingwood father-son Tom McGuane are also in the mix, both showing their traits consistently despite winning just four games each across several different teams in 2025. Tall utility Taj Murray has more upside than most but hasn't had the consistency of some others. Athletic Tasmanian defender Avery Thomas and Carlton Next Generation Academy prospect Jack Ison were also considered.
4. 10-1
10: Josh LindsayGeelong Falcons, halfback
Has had a slightly quieter month as he's been given the opportunity to develop out other areas of his game, but his strengths are abundantly clear for all to see. Kicks it as well as anyone in the draft class and isn't afraid to take it on, with his professionalism and leadership some other intangible ticks.
9: Dyson Sharp
Central Districts, midfielder
Has been in strong form for Central Districts, showing an increasingly rounded skillset in the middle. Has great strength and clean hands, is hard to take down and has excellent grit when the ball is in the opposition's hands. Crucially, his reliability on the outside and in transition is ever-increasing after a talismanic U18s National Championships.
8: Sam Cumming
North Adelaide, midfielder/forward
The strong and powerful forward/midfielder hasn't played since Round 16 due to injury, but is gaining traction as a potential selection right at the pointy end given his proven ability to play in the midfield and forward line. Originally from Wentworth on the Murray River, Cumming is a clean clearance-winner, and strong overhead and at ground level inside 50, which he showed off early in the year for North Adelaide and through the National Championships.
7: Ollie Greeves
Eastern Ranges, midfielder
This masthead has consistently placed Greeves higher than consensus because of his well-rounded skillset. Most players with comparable size and position profiles are stoppage beasts, and while Greeves has the ability to greatly influence at the clinches, his overlap run and kicking are just as dangerous when he's in the midfield, making him hard to stop. Eastern Ranges have also showcased him forward more in recent weeks, and goal-kicking accuracy aside, he's been excellent, proving a tough matchup with his power, size and marking.
6: Harry Dean
Murray Bushrangers, defender
The Carlton father-son prospect's season is officially over – and what a year it was. Averaging 17 disposals and seven marks per game, he has established himself as the clear best tall defender in the draft class, with his mix of intercepting, athleticism, size and ball use making for the perfect player.
5: Dan Annable
Brisbane Lions Academy, midfielder
Every time Annable plays at a higher level, his game seems to find another gear – and that's been clearly on show for Brisbane in the VFL in recent times. Has averaged 24 disposals and five tackles through August and clearly been his side's most consistent midfielder. The biggest barrier to early AFL game time for Annable appears to be the strength of the Brisbane AFL outfit, because the natural ball-winning star is bona fide.
4: Dylan Patterson
Gold Coast Academy, utility
A match-winner, an entertainer and a big-game player, Patterson finished the VFL season in style and has hurt factor that's impossible to teach. Numbers don't do justice how dangerous he is with ball in hand as his dash and fearlessness always break the game open.
3: Cooper Duff-Tytler
Calder Cannons, forward/ruck
His stint for Essendon VFL, where he kicked three goals playing forward, laid the foundation for an excellent finish to the season, where he has proven his excellent forward presence. Kicked 2.5 in a losing cause for Calder on Saturday, taking 11 marks - a mix of on the lead, up the ground and contested. His ability to impact as a fourth midfielder when he plays through the ruck is well-known - but given rucks tend to slip, and his size, the shift forward where he's shown natural craft and waxed well with the Cannons attack has been critical.
2: Zeke Uwland
Gold Coast Academy, utility
It was good to see Uwland get a run in some late-season Gold Coast VFL games, but clearly his high seeding is based on his stacked CV prior to this year. A powerful left footer with x-factor, skill and leadership, he'll be an excellent acquisition for the Suns.
1: Willem Duursma
Gippsland Power, utility
The Gippslander just continues churning out best on ground performances and is hurting opponents in different ways. Some weeks, he's intercepting off halfback and setting the game up by foot, other times it's his contested ball-winning, goal-kicking, pressure, work rate...the list goes on and on. He's a match-winner, a hard worker, flashy, entertaining, and athletic. He'll take to the next level with ease.
