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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10 - 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 Talebt 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.
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9 - Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
The forward-midfielder is a dangerous, powerful package capable of taking strong marks and beating opponents at ground level as an Isaac Heeney type who is capable of going into the midfield. Injury brought an early end to Cumming's year, but not before he stamped his top 10 credentials and was named as part of the U18s All-Australian side. Has been linked to Essendon, a club he would suit well, which is right around his range.
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8 - 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.
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7 - 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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6 - Dan Annable (Brisbane Academy)
The bid may come lower than six, but there is little doubt Annable belongs with the top echelon of talent in the 2025 draft crop. Led Brisbane's VFL midfield in the second half of the season, with his contest work, inside-outside balance, overhead marking, ability to cover the ground and leadership all shining through. His season started with a best afield effort for the AFL Academy, and he's hardly looked back. AFL-ready, Annable is in the Josh Dunkley mould and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the Ashcroft brothers in getting games early in his time in the AFL system.
