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
4. 35-31
35. Zac McCarthy - Oakleigh Chargers
The hard-working and skilful Collingwood Next Generation Academy prospect will provide the Pies with a genuine athletic spearhead capable of taking overhead grand and playing as a relieving ruck. Across Oakleigh, Vic Metro and Carey Grammar commitments he showed his natural forward craft, ability to find space, get high up the ground and hit the scoreboard.
| 27 RANK |  | Zac McCarthy Oakleigh Chargers Forward HEIGHT: 199cm | ▶+ |
34. Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier - North Adelaide Roosters
Oudshoorn-Bennier has put his best foot forward this season as a consistent midfielder for North Adelaide and he grew into the National Championships. Exceptionally clean below his knees and with a piercing kick that sets the game up, he's got a good balance of inside and outside ball-winning and has some good speed. Has improved his potency as a transition midfielder away from contest, which is where his strength lies and he's also a highly regarded leader and ultra-professional. Has spent the entire season playing through a shoulder injury, which will likely require surgery in the off-season.
| 43 RANK |  | Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier North Adelaide Midfielder HEIGHT: 182cm | ▶+ |
33. Hugo Mikunda - Geelong Falcons
A hamstring injury cut Mikunda's season slightly short after stress fractures delayed his start to 2025 - a shame given how well he would have tested at the National AFL Draft Combine. When he was on the park, though, his efficient kicking going inside 50, excellent decision-making and skill execution stood out. Has an excellent athletic profile and while lower volume than some others, he makes the most of his touches and projects as a dangerous forward with capabilities of injecting energy into the midfield in spurts.
| 38 RANK |  | Hugo Mikunda Geelong Falcons Forward HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
32. Matt Leray - Central District
The strong-bodied, hard-running talent played on the wing for the Croweaters at the U18s National Championships, earning All-Australian honours. Has been given opportunities in the midfield where his contested ball-winning has flourished, while he's also dangerous with ball in hand and is strong overhead, with his size and balance both attractive for AFL clubs.
31. Jack Ison - Oakleigh Chargers
The Carlton Next Generation Academy prospect has come on in leaps and bounds throughout 2025. A well-built, powerful forward capable of taking grabs and injecting energy into the midfield, he hurts teams with ball in hand and is damaging with his delivery inside 50.
| 29 RANK |  | Jack Ison Oakleigh Chargers Forward/Midfielder HEIGHT: 190cm |
