The 2022 AFL Draft class is shaping up and becoming more promising with every day that passes. Possessing a variety of talents, the class of ‘22 has certainly provided clubs and playing lists with a service that clubs will be hoping to hold onto for the entirety of their playing careers.
While some stars have already emerged and established themselves, like Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft and North Melbourne's very own duo of Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, the class still has the potential to deliver on more of the promise it entailed.
This article explores eight players we believe are ready to take a leap, matching a prediction for each of them heading into the 2025 season.
7. Josh Weddle
Is Josh Weddle the closest thing the AFL has to a unicorn? There have been plenty of utilities in AFL history that have been able to fill a number of needs, think Leigh Brown for Collingwood, but how many have the potential to be a genuine star anywhere on the field?
This is where Weddle fits.
In his career thus far he has played a number of positions and roles including lockdown defender, intercept defender, dashing half-back, winger, secondary ruck and as a third tall up front. In each role he has thrived and left Sam Mitchell and the coaching staff wondering where he will be best utilised moving forward.
Obvious comparisons can be drawn to the Swans' Nick Blakey, and not just because of their ability to rock outstanding mullets. Rather, it's their line-breaking pace and dare to take the game on. In 2024, Weddle ranked 18th for total bounces in the AFL, all while playing the vast positions aforementioned. Some of which are not conducive to taking a bounce. He was also 10th for this statistic in 2023, so this isn't some kind of anomaly.
Many analysts and football experts have gone as far as to say that the 20-year-old icon could eventually be the best player in the game. For some, this could be outrageous, and we won't be expecting Weddle to have a Brownlow Medal or Coleman Medal amongst his accolades when his career comes to an end. However, can we see him having the most impact on winning for the up-and-coming Hawks? Absolutely.
You only need to revisit Hawthorn's Round 22 clash with Carlton and see what the former Oakleigh Charger was able to produce in an extravagant win for his side. Or again, in a forgettable 55-point loss to Melbourne in Round 2, 2024 to see just how versatile this guy really is.
All in all, he is going to put his hand up to take on any challenge Mitchell throws at him. Given their big man injury problems and the inability of Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek to co-exist thus far, don't be surprised if we see more and more of Josh Weddle as a ruckman.
Prediction: Weddle's reliance as a supporting ruck option increases.
