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
10. 5-1
5. Dan Annable - Brisbane Lions Academy
The Brisbane Academy product will slot seamlessly into the next level, with a strong foundation of fundamental skills, contest work and decision-making. Plays his best footy in the midfield and has led the Lions' VFL engine room for much of the season, while he is also highly regarded for his professionalism and leadership. Despite the strength of the Lions' unit, don't rule out Annable getting extended game time next year.
| 6 RANK |  | Dan Annable Brisbane Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶+ |
4. Dylan Patterson - Gold Coast Academy
A match-winner with limitless x-factor. The AFL Academy member's athleticism and kicking is off the charts, and he has daring creativity and confidence to take the game on. Has a rugby background and could quite easily have pursued a career in that sport, which shines through with the way he courageously powers through tackles and embraces the physicality of the game. Can play anywhere, but likely starts his career off half-back.
| 3 RANK |  | Dylan Patterson Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 183cm | ▶+ |
3. Cooper Duff-Tytler - Calder Cannons
The best key-position prospect in the pool, Duff-Tytler has spent plenty of time forward this season and, importantly, has shown acumen in that position for Vic Metro, Essendon VFL and Calder Cannons. Has presence and provides a marking target inside 50, which reinforced his credentials at the pointy end, having long established his skillset as a ruck who follows up.
| 5 RANK |  | Cooper Duff-Tytler Calder Cannons Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm | ▶+ |
2. Zeke Uwland - Gold Coast Academy
Uwland got some footy under his belt at the back end of 2025 to remind the industry of his talent after injury sidelined him for much of the year, including the U18s National Championships. The powerful, professional and creative left footer is viewed as one of the top talents in the draft class, with a bid for the Gold Coast Academy product almost certain to come in the top five of the AFL Draft.
| 2 RANK |  | Zeke Uwland Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
1. Willem Duursma - Gippsland Power
Who else? Willem Duursma has opened up a bit of a gap in 2025, having played every position and shown a bit of everything. Flashy, athletic, professional and hard working, he will be an excitement machine and bring x-factor to whichever team picks him up. Rangy and deceptively tall, he's also capable of taking strong marks and stands up in big moments. There's little he lacks and will be a great addition to an AFL list.
| 1 RANK |  | Willem Duursma Gippsland Power Utility HEIGHT: 191cm | ▶+ |
