AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-23 (second edition)

Welcome to Craft of the Draft's second AFL Mock Draft for 2025, with a total of 23 selections made in our latest prediction of how the first round of this year's count might unfold. Our second edition Mock Draft follows the draft order changes from the trade period, while trading picks has also become an option should any club wish to move their selections. This exercise also looks to deviate from our first Mock Draft with alternative selections where we see fit, creating a chain reaction of changes to show the potential ripple effect of these alterations. Mitch's Picks: West Coast, Essendon, Hawthorn, Sydney, GWS, Geelong, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide Jonty's Picks: Richmond, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Collingwood Pick 1 - West Coast: Willem Duursma [draft_top10_widget player_id="Willem Duursma"] The Eagles don't deviate from selecting Duursma after they acquired the Gippsland Power star in our opening Mock Draft. The talented teenager has everything a club holding Pick 1 would desire, with Duursma ready-made to start next season while being able to play across all three lines. He likely starts in defence as a rebounding and intercepting option to complement Tom McCarthy and Liam Duggan down back for Andrew McQualter. Pick 2 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Zeke Uwland [draft_top10_widget player_id="Zeke Uwland"] Uwland was only seen four times on a footy field this year, all at Suns VFL level, due to a back injury. He is expected to transition seamlessly into life on an AFL list as a powerful left footer, and Gold Coast have made it a priority to ensure they have the points to match a bid for the local, with Picks 15 and 18 being absorbed by matching a bid. Pick 3 - West Coast: Sullivan Robey [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sullivan Robey"] After the Eagles opted for Victorian forward-ruck Cooper Duff-Tytler in our maiden Mock Draft, they've gone down the Robey avenue with their second selection in this exercise. A selection this early confirms the Eastern Ranges bull's status as one of the biggest bolters in draft history, having started the season outside of the Coates Talent League, instead suiting up for local club Sullivan Robey. A front-half bull who boasts power and a match-winning edge, the idea of Robey and Harley Reid together will be tantalising for Eagles fans. Pick 4 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Dylan Patterson [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dylan Patterson"] As with Uwland, the Suns will do everything they can to match a bid for Patterson. The gun utility, who is one of the best match winners in this year's draft class, thanks to his lethal kicking, speed and ferocity. The Suns have Picks 24, 28, 29, 36 and 52, which will all help them match a bid. Pick 5 - Richmond: Xavier Taylor [draft_top10_widget player_id="Xavier Taylor"] Cooper Duff-Tytler was strongly considered for this selection for the Tigers, who were linked to Alex Dodson last year as a ruck option with their bounty of selections and need to start thinking about life after Toby Nankervis. But with so many different mechanisms to add a ruck to the list and some other, more pressing needs that could be addressed with prized high draft picks, he was ultimately overlooked, also bearing in mind that Richmond would only need him as a ruck with plenty of key forwards picked up in the last draft. Xavier Taylor is a diverse defender who makes things happen out of the back half with his dare and creativity, looking like a perfect successor to Nick Vlastuin in the future. Pick 6 - Richmond: Sam Grlj [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Grlj"] The Tigers brought in Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie last year, two highly rated big-bodied mids who will be well served by having some pace around them, which is exactly what Grlj provides. The Oakleigh junior has a competitive underbelly, but it's his flashiness when the ball spreads from the contest and ability to get multiple possessions in a chain that should appeal to the Tigers, who got a glimpse of his capability in a pair of VFL matches earlier this year. Pick 7 - Brisbane (Matched Bid): Dan Annable [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dan Annable"] The bid for Brisbane's star Academy kid comes in the same spot as our last Mock Draft; however, the Lions are better equipped to match a bid than they were before the trade period. Carrying 1756 points into the draft, the Lions will have the required points to secure Annable, despite that total changing by the time this bid arrives. The selection sees the reigning premiers add one of the draft's best midfielders to their ranks via a priority access bid for the second time in as many years. Pick 8 - Carlton (Matched Bid): Harry Dean [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harry Dean"] Carlton matches a bid for father-son prospect Harry Dean, which will absorb the Blues' first two selections and give them a late first-round pick in return. Dean is the consensus best marking defender in the draft class with a combination of speed, dare and intercepting, making him a difficult matchup. He joins a Blues backline that needs long-term support for Jacob Weitering, while Harry O'Farrell looks like a good get despite his ACL setback. Pick 9 - Essendon: Sam Cumming [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Cumming"] The Bombers took Cumming with their second selection in our initial Mock Draft, having paired the North Adelaide forward-midfielder with Eastern Ranges defender Xavier Taylor at Picks 9 and 10. With Taylor off the board, Cumming has come into their first of the Dons' pair of top 10 picks, seeing Essendon add a player who is a strong flyer of the football and equally damaging when it hits the deck. A conduit player between midfield and attack has been an area for improvement at the Hangar, and Cumming could be their man. Pick 10 - Essendon: Dyson Sharp [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dyson Sharp"] The 2025 Larke Medal winner has grown his game away from being just an inside midfield threat, having carved out a forward role at SANFL level with Central District. Much like the selection of Cumming, pieces that can bolster the Bombers' midfield while also being able to play elsewhere will be attractive. Sharp is a predominant midfielder still, while Cumming would mostly sit forward, complementing one another. The selection also sees the Dons opt for one of the best prospects available, with Sharp, as well as Cooper Duff-Tytler, both available and seen as potential selections for West Coast at Picks 1 and 2. Pick 11 - Melbourne: Aidan Schubert [draft_top10_widget player_id="Aidan Schubert"] The Dees have lacked a spearhead for some time, relying on hybrid types to carry the brunt of the goal-scoring, with veteran Jake Melksham the epitome of that. In Schubert, the Dees get a spearhead whom they can build the forward line around, with the South Australian's contested marking a strength, as well as his mobility, and he is more than capable of chopping out in the ruck. He joins a forward like that holds first-round picks Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson, who will be key in the Steven King era. Pick 12 - Melbourne: Jevan Phillipou [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jevan Phillipou"] Slightly higher than perhaps many expect, Phillipou would offer the Dees a competitor in the midfield whose fleet of foot would complement Harvey Langford's strength in the long term. Has been a little bit out of sight for many draft followers, given he missed the U18s National Championships, but he has some great attributes and would provide confidence and a great work ethic to a rejuvenating program. Pick 13 - North Melbourne (Traded with Hawthorn): Cooper Duff-Tytler [draft_top10_widget player_id="Cooper Duff-Tytler"] TRADE: North Melbourne trades their 2026 first-round selection to Hawthorn for their two 2025 first-round picks, with other selections to swap hands in finalising a trade and satisfying both clubs. Quite clearly, the shock selection of this Mock Draft, with Duff-Tytler seen as a likely selection for West Coast, which was the case with our initial draft. All of the Eagles, Tigers, Bombers and Demons would hold strong interest in the 200cm talent, who was part of Essendon's VFL program this year. As for the trade, North Melbourne moves their opening future pick for the second time in as many years to strike on Duff-Tytler, who would be a perfect fit at Arden Street. The Roos will get a second bite of the apple on night one, having attained the Hawks' later first-round selection, which will close out the first round. The Hawks do this deal after trading into the draft order to initially attain Zach Merrett. With Hawthorn's interest in Merrett likely continuing in 2026, as well as their anticipated play for Zak Butters, having the Roos' first pick for next year will be significant. Pick 14 - GWS: Josh Lindsay [draft_top10_widget player_id="Josh Lindsay"] The Giants add some clean kicking with the selection of the Geelong Falcons product, who could be the successor to All-Australian Lachie Whitfield. With Whitfield 32 next year, GWS may look to find the supporting piece for Lachie Ash in the long run, with Lindsay proving to be a damaging half-back by foot. The Vic Country talent is also capable of rolling through midfield, and could be positioned as an outside ball winner once Josh Kelly steps aside. Pick 15 - West Coast: Jacob Farrow [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jacob Farrow"] Rounding out their three first-round selections, West Coast recruit WA's top-rate teenager in Farrow. The West Perth midfield-defender will likely start his career in defence before moving into an inside midfield role, much like the emergence of Hayden Young across town. Farrow would add to a West Coast midfield that boasts firepower and flexibility, with all of Duursma, Robey, Reid, Elijah Hewett and Brady Hough capable of rotating between two positions. Pick 16 - Western Bulldogs: Lachy Dovaston [draft_top10_widget player_id="Lachy Dovaston"] Three types of players were considered with this selection for the Dogs: A marking defender, Blake Thredgold, who has proven his lockdown capability this year; a dashing half-back in the vein of Oskar Taylor; and a small forward, with Dovaston ultimately the player selected. There is no secret that the Dogs need greater sturdiness in the backline, but it would be a tall order for a player to come in and fill that role in the short term, with Dovaston viewed as the best available of the three aforementioned players. Cody Weightman will return to the fold next year but is more of a hit-up option, where Dovaston is a crumber also capable of playing higher and impacting at stoppage. Pick 17 - Adelaide: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves [draft_top10_widget player_id="Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves"] The Crows might look to some midfield spark come draft night, and they'll be left satisfied with the likes of Ollie Greeves and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves still available when they're on the clock. Adelaide landed Greeves with their first-round pick in our first Mock Draft, with Hibbins-Hargreaves having been off the board after being claimed one spot earlier by GWS. This time around, the Crows land the Dandenong Stingrays ace, who is a proven match-winner that can float across all three lines of the field. Pick 18 - Geelong: Ollie Greeves [draft_top10_widget player_id="Ollie Greeves"] The Cats lock in a player who might be the best available talent in Eastern Ranges skipper Ollie Greeves, with the Vic Metro MVP potentially earning a selection as early as the top 10. Greeves enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, leading the Ranges to the premiership while showing his skill set at higher levels with the AFL Academy and Vic Metro. The big-bodied onballer would be afforded the time to develop his craft in the VFL before being exposed at the top level, with his in-and-under work to eventually benefit the outside run of Bailey Smith and Max Holmes. Pick 19 - Carlton: Latrelle Sumner-Pickett [draft_top10_widget player_id="Latrelle Sumner-Pickett"] One of the worst-kept secrets in the AFL Draft industry this season is Carlton's keenness on welcoming Lachy Dovaston, but he was off the board by the time the Blues were on the clock, given Harry Dean's bid came at Pick 8. A similar type of player who would add sizzle to their front half is Latrelle Sumner-Pickett. He has been courted by nearly every player in the AFL Draft and has speed and a great goal sense, which he showcased for Glenelg this year. Remains raw, so there's plenty of upside, which suits the Blues' timeline. Pick 20 - Sydney (Matched Bid): Max King [draft_top10_widget player_id="Max King"] King earned a bid at Pick 18 in our first Mock Draft, with this exercise seeing the Swans require approximately 70 fewer points to secure their Academy talent on night one. What they get with King is a high-upside forward-midfield hybrid who will have plenty to learn from role model Isaac Heeney. The Swans, however, will need to get creative with pick swaps to ensure bids for Lachy Carmichael, Harry Kyle and Noah Chamberlain are matched. Pick 21 - Fremantle: Oskar Taylor [draft_top10_widget player_id="Oskar Taylor"] Forward firepower or backline sureness? That was the query when the Dockers were on the clock, with the latter winning out. In Taylor, they get a player who has a brilliant balance, blending defensive will in one-on-one contests, with a precise kick, which is highlighted by his composed decision-making. He went to Geelong in our maiden Mock Draft, with the Cats passing on the zippy defender this time around. Pick 22 - Essendon: Mitch Marsh [draft_top10_widget player_id="Mitch Marsh"] Essendon adds to their key forward stocks with the addition of the West Adelaide sharpshooter, who, despite stopping the tape at 191cm, marks the ball as though he were close to two metres tall. With his follow-up work a leading trait, Marsh is often an awkward matchup for his direct opponent, which became evident as he finished atop the goalkicking at the U18s National Championships. The Dons add another promising name to a front third that boasts fellow youngsters Nate Caddy and Isaac Kako, further sharpening the spear of Brad Scott's squad. Pick 23 - North Melbourne (Traded with Hawthorn): Harley Barker [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harley Barker"] North Melbourne added some outside run with the second selection they pocketed from Hawthorn in their trade deal early in the draft. After acquiring a top key position player in Cooper Duff-Tytler with Pick 13, the Roos add some outside run to a burgeoning midfield unit. North Melbourne has stocked up on and developed central pieces to their long-term engine room plans with Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Finn O'Sullivan all top-five picks over the past decade, and Barker would add to that cohort nicely with his skill set as a wingman.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-23 (second edition)

Matched bids, live trading and PLENTY of surprises in our latest Mock Draft!

4Pick 4 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Dylan Patterson

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