Every AFL team's dream draft recruit for 2025

With the AFL Draft just over a week away, AFL teams - and their fans - will have a firm idea of which prospects they want to come away from the count with. Each club has at least one glaring list need they may address at the draft, while the sides with picks towards the top of the order will be assessing the best prospect available when they're on the clock. Whether it be through a prospect's name sliding down on draft night, or a club packaging picks to move up the order, there's likely a standout name for every club that would prove to be a dream addition to their list. Considering each club's list needs and opening selection at the AFL Draft, here's who we see as every club's dream prospect to pick. Adelaide Dyson Sharp It'd take a dramatic twist, or a trade from the Crows, to secure Sharp, but it's certainly not out of the question. Adelaide's biggest list need is a big-bodied onballer. Sharp is exactly that, and is ready to play Round 1 next year. The Larke Medal winner is also among South Australia's top draft names, having led the state to an undefeated U18s National Draft haul. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dyson Sharp"] The Crows, currently, enter the draft at Pick 16, but might move up the board via a trade on draft night. Others to consider: Lachy Dovaston, Jacob Farrow Brisbane Max Kondogiannis The Lions have a handful of Academy prospects to prioritise before they look at the open pool, if they do at all. There's scope that after matching a bid for Dan Annable, which is likely to come in the top 10, the reigning premiers might have a selection to make at the midway mark of the draft. Who that could be will be fascinating, as there's no clear list need for the Queensland club. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Max Kondogiannis"] However, a player like Kondogiannis, who can slot into a third-tall defensive post is one they could consider. Others to consider: Marcus Krasnadamskis, Cam Nairn Carlton Lachy Dovaston An electrifying small forward, Dovaston is exactly what the Blues would be after at the draft. Their opening pick sits at ninth overall, and will likely either be used to match a bid for Harry Dean or traded to acquire points or future picks, or both. They also have Pick 11, which could be used similarly, with the combination of the two first-round selections potentially giving Carlton the capital to trade back into the first round after the Dean bid is matched. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Lachy Dovaston"] That's when the Blues could strike for Dovaston, who sits in the 10-20 range of the draft. Others to consider: Latrelle Pickett, Jacob Farrow Collingwood Zac McCarthy It's not often a club's priority list need is in line to be filled by a prospect they have priority access to, but that's just the case with Collingwood. The Magpies are in need of a key forward for the future, and standing at 199cm, McCarthy is a fitting find. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Zac McCarthy"] The Collingwood NGA product will get to Olympic Park, potentially as early as night one of the draft, and add to a forward line that will soon rely on the future. Others to consider: Jack Dalton, Rory Wright Essendon Sam Cumming The Bombers have a handful of list needs and a pair of top 10 picks, meaning there are several draft stars that would be enticing to secure in the early stages of the draft. Cumming is certainly a name in that mix off the back of his strong year with South Australia and North Adelaide as a strong-marking 186cm forward-midfield hybrid. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Cumming"] His leap, read of the game and X-factor pedigree excite, and he would likely be positioned in the front half for Essendon while also being able to add a point of difference to their midfield via rotation. Others to consider: Cooper Duff-Tytler, Sullivan Robey Fremantle Latrelle Pickett Either Pickett or fellow small forward Lachy Dovaston would be a great get for Fremantle, who will enter the draft with Pick 20. Both of those names could be off the board by the time they're off the clock, leaving them in a wait-and-see situation. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Latrelle Pickett"] Pickett is the most likely to be available of the two, and would add some zip and forward craft to a forward line that could use a lively addition given Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton's midfield prospects. Others to consider: Lachy Dovaston, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Geelong Oskar Taylor The Cats are set to return to the first round of the draft this year, coming into night one with Pick 20. A key forward or a half-back flanker are among their expected list needs, and we've looked at the latter in this exercise. Taylor has meteorically risen through the ranks this year thanks to some strong form with the Eastern Ranges as a speedy defender with an elite left foot. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Oskar Taylor"] He would offer some run and carry to the Cats' rearguard and is also accountable for his direct matchup as a viable lockdown option too. Others to consider: Archie Ludowyke, Josh Lindsay Gold Coast Dylan Patterson The Suns are likely to attain two Academy prospects in the first five selections, with Patterson to be joined by teammate Dylan Patterson in graduating to Gold Coast's senior side. Picking between the two is tricky, but Patterson seems to have that X-factor edge and marketability as a no-nonsense utility who fights for the footy like few others do. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dylan Patterson"] A player Suns fans will soon love, and will be a key player in the years to come as they look to close in on a maiden AFL premiership. Others to consider: Zeke Uwland GWS Aidan Schubert Opening their draft with Pick 12, the Giants will be hoping a player of Schubert's stature and mould might be available to them. It would take a bit of a slide, with Melbourne and Hawthorn both potential landing spots for the South Australian, but it's hard to see him getting past the Giants. GWS are in need of another tall forward who can work with Aaron Cadman over the next decade, particularly with Jesse Hogan near the end of his career. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Aidan Schubert"] Schubert wouldn't be needed at AFL level immediately, but wouldn't look out of place after impressing in his SANFL debut with Central District this year. Others to consider: Oskar Taylor, Jevan Phillipou Hawthorn Sam Grlj It's hard seeing Grlj slip past all of Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne, but the stars might just align for the Hawks. A slide of that nature would see Hawthorn have access to one of this year's more damaging speed machines, with Grlj able to open a game in a flash with his pace and line-breaking ability. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Grlj"] A player in that role is exactly what the Hawks will be after, eyeing some run to complement inside ball winners Jai Newcombe and Will Day. Others to consider: Sam Cumming, Xavier Taylor Melbourne Sam Cumming The South Australian could be up for grabs when the Demons use Picks 7 and 8, but Essendon firm as a likely landing spot for the dual-position threat. Cumming would add some flair to both Melbourne's midfield and forward line, with the SA match-winner an exciting prospect for a club like the Demons, who have lost Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Cumming"] Cumming would likely start his career in attack, and could learn plenty in a forward role alongside premiership Demon Bayley Fritsch. Others to consider: Jacob Farrow, Lachy Dovaston North Melbourne Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves The Roos won't be on the clock until early in the second round, having traded their opening pick to Richmond last year. That trade netted them key defender Matt Whitlock, as well as Pick 25 for this year's count. With that selection, the Roos could have access to Hibbins-Hargreaves, who would add some excitement to the forward line at Arden Street. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves"] Able to play as a half-forward or on the wing, the Dandenong Stingrays talent would suit two clear list needs at the Kangaroos. Others to consider: Blake Thredgold, Archie Ludowyke Port Adelaide Matt LeRay This pick comes with a caveat that the Power have hinted they may not make a single selection at AFL Draft this year. That comes as they promote Harrison Ramm, Tom Cochrane and Josh Lai to their primary list, meeting the quota for senior list spots that need to be filled. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Matt LeRay"] Should they hold onto Pick 49 - a selection they are open to trading - LeRay could be available, but would be at the end of his expected draft range, or further. The South Australian is a promising wingman who uses the ball well and works hard up the flanks. Others to consider: Cam Nairn, Max Kondogiannis Richmond Sam Grlj The Tigers are likely to pick the best available prospects at Picks 3 and 4, and while that might not be Grlj, the Oakleigh Chargers talent is seen as a nice fit for Richmond. His outside run and explosiveness would add to the puzzle the Tigers are building under Adem Yze, which saw inside midfielders, half-forwards and key position talent added via last year's first round. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Grlj"] Grlj could be used across half-back, on the wing and eventually as a starting midfielder in the middle, with his speed to be a point of difference. Others to consider: Sullivan Robey, Xavier Taylor St Kilda Louis Emmett The Saints won't be on the clock until the third round of the draft, and that's if a bid for NGA talent Kye Fincher either doesn't come before then, or they choose not to match that bid. From the open pool, and given the Saints' draft hand opens at Pick 50, Emmett would be an ideal fit and a great get at that point of the draft. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Louis Emmett"] The Oakleigh Chargers forward-ruck prospect could prove to be a bargain at the draft after entering the year highly rated off the back of a strong bottom-aged campaign that included games for Vic Metro. Emmett still had a good 2025, and it's perhaps the form of others that have seen him slide. Others to consider: Hugo Mikunda, Avery Thomas Sydney Max King King is one of four Swans Academy prospects likely to find their way to the club's AFL list via the draft mechanisms. The Cardiff talent could just be the long-term successor to Sydney star Isaac Heeney given his ability as a forward-midfield option. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Max King"] King has an elite leap and a good read of the game, and looks likely to start his career as a forward target who might prove to be a difficult matchup for his direct opponent. Others to consider: Lachy Carmichael, Harry Kyle West Coast Willem Duursma There's been little to suggest the Eagles won't be taking Duursma with one of their two opening picks, and it's most likely the Gippsland star goes Pick 1. What West Coast will get in the rangy utility is a ready-made prospect who can play any line of the field with great comfort and skill. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Willem Duursma"] Duursma likely starts his career in defence as an intercepting and rebounding player, and will likely move into midfield when the time is right. He also confirmed this year an ability to go forward and win the game in attack, adding to a tremendous draft campaign. Others to consider: Cooper Duff-Tytler, Sullivan Robey, Dyson Sharp Western Bulldogs Lachy Dovaston The Dogs are right in the mix for Dovaston, whose range starts at the back end of the top 10. With Pick 14 opening their account, the Western Bulldogs will be hoping the lively small forward is up for grabs when they're on the club. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Lachy Dovaston"] A front-half headache for the opposition, Dovaston would combine nicely with Cody Weightman and Rhylee West at the feet of the Dogs' tall forwards, and can also push up the field to be an additional midfielder. Others to consider: Jacob Farrow, Sam Grlj

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	1	1	0	4	191.3
2	CARL	1	0	1	0	52.3
3	ESS	0	0	0	0	0
4	WB	0	0	0	0	0
5	GEEL	0	0	0	0	0
6	ADEL	0	0	0	0	0
7	MELB	0	0	0	0	0
8	FRE	0	0	0	0	0
9	WCE	0	0	0	0	0
10	GWS	0	0	0	0	0

Every AFL team’s dream draft recruit for 2025

Factoring in each club’s opening pick, we look at which prospect would be an ideal fit for every side.

10Hawthorn

Sam Grlj

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

FULL TIME: Sydney vs Carlton – Round 0, 2026

Round 0 Team Line-Ups

The Banner Man strikes comedy gold ahead of Opening Round

Housemates to the ‘G? Essendon pair eyeing early season debuts

FINAL TEAMS: Sydney vs Carlton – Round 0, 2026

FOLLOW US