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
5. 30-26
30. Kye Fincher - Sandringham Dragons
The St Kilda Next Generation Academy spent most of the season off halfback where his vertical leap, counterattack and game-breaking ability stood out and earned him Vic Metro honours. Slotted into Sandringham's midfield at the back end of 2025 where his flair, clean hands and ability to explode away caught the eye. It was a VFL game for Sandringham Zebras where he first caught the eye in the engine room, and he did all of that work with a cracked rib, highlighting his courage. A genuinely versatile prospect with athleticism, skill and courage.
| 30 RANK |  | Kye Fincher Sandringham Dragons Defender/Midfielder HEIGHT: 185cm | ▶+ |
29. Adam Sweid - Calder Cannons
The Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect has had a remarkable season considering he's coming off an ACL rupture. Has burst speed, strength and smarts around stoppage and the ability to power through tackles and apply pressure when he doesn't get his hands on the ball. Also has natural forward craft - an important asset given he projects as a player likely to spend much of his career in the front half.
| 24 RANK |  | Adam Sweid Calder Cannons Midfielder/Forward HEIGHT: 175cm | ▶+ |
28. Louis Emmett - Oakleigh Chargers
Remarkably finished third in the two-kilometre time trial despite stretching the tape at 200cm. Covers the ground well and is assured with ball in hand, offering clubs a fourth midfielder type to complement his ruck work. Burst onto the scene as an exciting talent to watch last season, featuring for Vic Metro as a bottom-ager and, like Duff-Tytler, has needed to show what he could produce forward of the ball, which he has done successfully in 2025.
| 39 RANK |  | Louis Emmett Oakleigh Chargers Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm |
27. Beau Addinsall - Gold Coast Academy
A hard-working midfielder, the Gold Coast tied prospect has been consistent across all levels he's played in 2025 as a proven ball-winner who covers the ground with ease. Has outstanding professionalism which sets him up excellently to perform, is clean below his knees and polished with his skill execution. A hamstring injury kept him to just one game at the U18s National Championships, but he got a taste of VFL footy where his skills and conditioning translated seamlessly.
| 28 RANK |  | Beau Addinsall Gold Coast Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 180cm | ▶+ |
26. Latrelle Sumner-Pickett - Glenelg
Looms as the wildcard of the first round. Most clubs have interviewed Sumner-Pickett and he is almost consensually viewed as either the best or second best small forward in the crop alongside Lachy Dovaston. Has speed to burn and innate goal sense, which he has shown as a mature-ager for Glenelg mostly at reserves, but also senior level. Remains raw but has great upside.
