South Australia is set to feature heavily in the 2025 AFL Draft crop following an undefeated run at the U18s National Championships.
As many as eight players could be selected in the first round, with a further eight in contention to be called out later in the AFL National Draft.
Dyson Sharp has long been viewed as the state's 2025 dux but many believe that he is now neck and neck with Sam Cumming to be the first Croweater read out.
Aidan Schubert is widely tipped to be the first key forward selected, with Melbourne, holders of picks seven and eight, among the clubs keen on him.
Beyond that trio, little separates mature-aged small forward Latrelle Pickett, Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Jevan Phillipou, forward Mitch Marsh, key defender Blake Thredgold and winger Harley Barker.
Pickett has bolted up boards in the second half of 2025 given his speed and x-factor, while Thredgold played just one game at the U18s National Championships but a club could pounce as high as the pick 15 range.
Marsh's stocks soared in 2025, however, he has come back to the pack a little, while Barker is sidelined with an ACL injury but his National Championships form and athleticism have kept him in first round calculations.
Fellow winger Matt LeRay is highly regarded as a strong-bodied, hard running outside-inside midfielder and Cam Nairn kicked seven goals in an U18s National Championships game, but what he showcased as a midfielder later in the season was equally important.
Nairn is viewed as a more likely winger at the next level.
North Adelaide midfelder Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier is polarising among clubs but has a handful, including North Melbourne and Fremantle, that are enamoured by his skillset as a tough and clean kicking midfielder.
Others who are more lineball selections include Richmond father-son midfielder Louis Kellaway, powerful small Zane Peucker, clean kicking interceptor Elliott Duffield, swingman Bryce Sanders and U18s All Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth.
South Australia's top five prospects
Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
Craft of the Draft Power Ranking: 9
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.
| 9 RANK |  | Sam Cumming North Adelaide Midfielder/Forward HEIGHT: 186cm | â–¶+ |
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Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Craft of the Draft Power Ranking: 11
The big-bodied South Australian midfielder led his side to an undefeated U18s National Championships and won the Larke Medal for the best-performed player. A beast at stoppages. Sharp has crucially grown other areas of his game, able to impact in transition and capable of pushing forward to kick goals.
| 11 RANK |  | Dyson Sharp Central District Midfielder HEIGHT: 188cm | â–¶+ |
MORE: SENIOR FOOTY, LEADERSHIP SEPARATING SA PROSPECT
Aidan Schubert (Central District)
Craft of the Draft Power Ranking: 12
One of many former state basketballers in this draft class, Schubert chose footy in April last year and has hardly looked back. In 2025, in particular, the athletic tall forward has gone from strength to strength and spearheaded the South Australian forward line, where his crash and bash contested marking and high work rate both made it hard for opponents to beat him. Got a berth for Central District's senior side in a final late in the season, highlighting the esteem the Bulldogs hold him in. All the clubs in his range have shown some level of interest in Schubert.
| 12 RANK |  | Aidan Schubert Central Districts Forward HEIGHT: 198cm | â–¶+ |
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Latrelle Pickett (Glenelg)
Craft of the Draft Power Ranking: 17
The mature-aged Glenelg small forward has met with every club and looms as one of the big bolters worth taking a chance on in a weak pool. Is viewed alongside Lachy Dovaston as the best small forward in the pool and some even view him ahead of the Eastern Ranges product given the speed and flair he possesses as a ground level threat. Kicked four goals on senior debut late in the season, having mostly played reserves, highlighting his scope.
| 17 RANK |  | Latrelle Pickett Glenelg Forward HEIGHT: 180cm | â–¶+ |
Jevan Phillipou (Woodville West Torrens)
Craft of the Draft Power Ranking: 18
Has plenty of suitors as a fleet footed and competitive midfielder. The supremely confident South Australian missed the U18s National Championships due to an arm injury, but is a skilful midfielder who distributes soundly and has great balance.
| 18 RANK |  | Jevan Phillipou Woodville-West Torrens Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | â–¶+ |
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