This is it. Our final say. The cream of the crop, the best of the best. With the AFL Draft now less than three weeks away, Craft of the Draft has released its definitive top 50 power rankings after following the talent pathway all year and releasing an expanding list each month.
The 2025 crop is expected to be a shallow pool with roughly 55 names expected to be taken in the National Draft. Despite conjecture about the strength of the Victorian crop, it remains the talent hotspot, with 17 players from Vic Metro programs and six from Vic Country programs.
The U18s National Championships winning South Australia are well represented with 11 members of the top 50, including eight in the top 21. Another major narrative of the AFL Draft in 2025 has been the compromised nature of the pool, with 14 members of the top 50 tied to clubs, including four players in the top seven.
To be clear: This is not a mock draft. This masthead has released two separate first-round mock drafts ahead of the AFL Draft and will release another, expanded one in the week immediately prior to the big day; but this story does not attempt to correspond the ranking with a suited club or interested suitor. This is simply a ranking of the top 50 best prospects available in this year's intake.
Around the mark
Rory Wright is unlucky to miss the list after a brilliant finish to his season across half-back resulted in him drawing widespread comparison to champion Luke Hodge, though clubs question his lack of pace. GWV Rebels small forward Talor Byrne is also stiff after a strong season highlighted by a five-goal game for Vic Country. Sam Swadling is thereabouts as a proven ball winner, but his disposal efficiency is causing some hesitation about where he sits in the pecking order. Swadling's Western Australian teammate Cody Curtin has a wide range, with some viewing him in the 30s and others much further back. Fremantle Academy prospect Toby Whan is also close after an excellent season for South Fremantle as a powerful midfielder in the vein of Hayden Young. Western Jets pair Oskar Ainsworth and Finn Davis are also around the mark. Brisbane Academy prospect Tyan Prindable could attract a bid after a strong season for the Allies and Brisbane VFL as a pressure forward, while Harry Scott and Tom Blamires are viewed as the leading VFL prospects in a shallow pool.
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40 - Matt Leray (Central District)
A South Australian U18s All-Australian winger, Leray's strong frame allows him to compete well aerially, which complements his running power and excellent kicking. An ideal package for a club seeking a smooth-mover, with Leray also afforded the opportunity to spend time playing elsewhere, including proving his contested ball-winning, in the latter parts of 2025.
39 - Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers)
A key-position prospect who ran the two-kilometre time trial at the AFL Draft National combine in 6:07 minutes, Emmett has an excellent athletic base. A starring bottom-aged season had Emmett in top 20 calculations. While he has fallen back a touch, his skills are quite good, and when given the opportunity in 2025, he's proven that he can be a forward presence to complement his ability as a fourth midfielder when he goes into the ruck.
| 39 RANK |  | Louis Emmett Oakleigh Chargers Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm |
38 - 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.
MORE: MENTAL GROWTH PROPELS AFL DRAFT PROSPECT
| 38 RANK |  | Hugo Mikunda Geelong Falcons Forward HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
37 - Lachy Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy)
A tricky one to place. On his junior output alone, Carmichael would comfortably be entrenched in the top 20, having claimed a catalogue of awards. But as a small defender whose kick is trusty rather than incisive, there are some who question how his skillset translates to the next level. The glass half full approach is that he's as popular a clubman as any and has few weaknesses with great defensive accountability, offensive run, toughness and footy IQ.
MORE: "ONE TRICK PONY NO MORE": SWANS ACADEMY PROSPECT ELEVATES STOCKS
| 37 RANK |  | Lachy Carmichael Sydney Academy Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶+ |
36 - Tylah Williams (Swan Districts)
A big riser in recent weeks, the West Coast Next Generation Academy forward blitzed the AFL Draft National Combine testing, where his speed and agility came to the fore. A dynamic forward who doesn't need much of the footy to make an impact, Williams could attract a bid as late in the first round.
MORE: WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S HOPEFUL HAUL FOR 2025 AFL DRAFT
| 36 RANK |  | Tylah Williams Swan Districts Forward HEIGHT: 175cm |
