The silly season has arrived and with it rises the intrigue surrounding the 2025 AFL Draft.
Craft of the Draft has followed the talent pathways all season, with this the latest instalment of our monthly rankings.
There is a standout seven players who have created a gap on the rest of the draft class, with plenty of variety across what will be a highly compromised first round that could extend towards 30 picks.
Several bolters have emerged late in the season, headlined by Sullivan Robey and also including Oskar Taylor, Avery Thomas, Blake Thredgold and more.
The 2025 crop has widely been discussed as a weak draft and there is a school of thought among many that, after the established talents, clubs may be more likely to take a speculative punt than go after a known commodity.
Xavier Taylor is a big riser after a sterling finals series capped a big season, while Jack Ison, too, continues to capture attention late in the season.
Taj Murray was the unluckiest omission - a mobile tall who fits the profile perfectly of being high upside, but less proven players who could be selected earlier than typical.
Others around the mark included Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect Toby Whan, West Coast-tied Charlie Banfield and Western Jets forward Oskar Ainsworth.
SEE: 2025 PROSPECT POWER RANKINGS FOR SEPTEMBER
1. 50-46
50. Fred Rodriguez - South Fremantle
A big-bodied midfielder who does his best work at centre stoppages, Rodriguez came into 2025 as one of Western Australia's most hyped prospects and an MVP-winning National Championships and some strong footy for South Fremantle underlined his talent. Hard to pin down and capable of getting forward and hitting the scoreboard.
| 50 RANK |  | Fred Rodriguez South Fremantle Midfielder HEIGHT: 184cm | ▶+ |
49. Marcus Krasnadamskis - Eastern Ranges
An aggressive ruck, Krasnadamskis only committed to footy this year after putting a fledgling underage national basketball career to one side. Didn't take long to impress for Eastern Ranges with his polished skill execution and a lightning-quick 20-metre sprint highlighted his excellent athletic profile. Has a lot of admirers as a player with great scope.
| 32 RANK |  | Marcus Krasnadamskis Eastern Ranges Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 199cm | ▶+ |
48. Jai Murray - Gold Coast Academy
A little bit of out of sight, out of mind has been the story of Jai Murray's year, with a stress fracture in his foot keeping him sidelined since May. It was a blow for the strong running utility who was in strong form to start the season for Gold Coast's Academy, arguably performing better than any of his more highly touted teammates. Uses it well, is dangerous in transition and can win hard balls.
| 41 RANK |  | Jai Murray Gold Coast Academy Midfielder/Defender HEIGHT: 187cm | + |
47. Sam Swadling - West Perth
Clean, hard-working and strong in the contest, the West Perth talent will offer clubs a balanced midfielder likely to be available at some stage of the second round of the AFL Draft. Earned All-Australian honours after a consistent carnival for the Black Swans. Will start his career as a forward but does his best work higher up the ground where his hard running and ball-winning come to the fore.
| N/A RANK |  | Sam Swadling West Perth Midfielder HEIGHT: 187cm |
46. Rory Wright - Sandringham Dragons
Has drawn comparisons across the industry to Luke Hodge since his move from the midfield to half-back. Caught the eye early in the year as an aggressive midfielder, and his courage, intercepting and kicking penetration off half-back to finish the season has further strengthened his draft case.
| N/A RANK |  | Rory Wright Sandringham Dragons Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶ |
