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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30 - Kye Fincher (Sandringham Dragons)
The athletic and hard-working Sandringham Dragons talent went into the midfield late in 2025, and his work inside has him viewed as a potential top 30 selection. St Kilda has first dibs on him given he is part of the club's Next Generation Academy, but the Saints are no guarantee to match a bid. Started the season off half-back, where his vertical leap and run came to the fore, before getting a chance to play as a midfielder at VFL level for the Sandringham Zebras. Was named best afield on debut and carried that form into the tail end of his Coates Talent League season, where his clearance and ball-winning were both highlights.
| 30 RANK |  | Kye Fincher Sandringham Dragons Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 185cm | ▶+ |
29 - Jack Ison (Oakleigh Chargers)
The Carlton Next Generation Academy prospect has been a riser of 2025, performing strongly for the Oakleigh Chargers as a powerful and dynamic utility. At 190cm, with great ability to move through traffic and a darting left foot, he is suited to the modern game and remains quite raw in his development as a footballer.
| 29 RANK |  | Jack Ison Oakleigh Chargers Forward/Midfielder HEIGHT: 190cm |
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.
MORE: THE GOLD COAST ACADEMY PROSPECTS BEHIND THE HEADLINES
| 28 RANK |  | Beau Addinsall Gold Coast Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
27 - Zac McCarthy (Oakleigh Chrgers)
The Collingwood Next Generation Academy forward has come on well in 2025 and is a player with plenty of upside. Takes strong marks, works hard up the ground to provide an option and kicks goals, while also proving to be capable as a backup ruck. Will take some time to develop in an AFL system but is the sort of player the Pies have long lacked, and is one they hope they will be able to build their forward line around.
| 27 RANK |  | Zac McCarthy Oakleigh Chargers Forward HEIGHT: 199cm | ▶+ |
26 - Max King (Sydney Academy)
King's 2025 never really got going, but there were enough glimpses to back up the hype that followed him into this season. Won the vertical leap at the AFL Draft National Combine and is quick and dynamic to complement his strong and powerful 192cm frame. Has high upside and a skillset clubs are looking for at the next level.
| 26 RANK |  | Max King Sydney Academy Forward/Midfielder HEIGHT: 191cm |
