The AFL continually evolves, with each season bringing in a fresh batch of young talent hoping to shake up the competition. Some are highly touted, while others have been developing quietly in the background; all are exciting prospects.
This article highlights five young guns who have already made their professional debuts but who could light up the AFL during the 2025 season.
Harley Reid - West Coast Eagles
Harley Reid is the name that has been on everyone's lips for the past few years, and it is easy to see why. The media hype surrounding Reid was and remains immense, with The West Australian, a local Perth newspaper, featuring Reid on its back pages 25 times before he had even played an AFL game.
The West Coast Eagles, a team predicted to struggle in 2025 according to the sites shown at MyTopSportsbooks, selected Reid as the first overall pick in the 2023 National Draft and handed him his AFL debut in their 2024 Round 1 fixture against Port Adelaide.
The powerful midfielder made an immediate impact and showed flashes of brilliance during his debut season. The number nine finished the 2024 campaign with 10 goals and eight behinds in 20 games. Reid also racked up 371 disposals, 45 marks, and 80 tackles!
The Eagles are in a rebuilding phase, which means more opportunities for their young star to make his mark. Having gotten a full season under his belt, expect Reid to be a consistent and constant force in the Eagles' midfield throughout 2025.
Nick Watson - Hawthorn
Nick Watson was selected during the same draft as Harley Reid, with Hawthorn using their fifth overall pick to select the small forward. Although Watson isn't the biggest player on the field, what he lacks in size, he makes up with his goal sense, lightning speed, and ability to make something out of nothing; there is a legitimate reason Watson is dubbed โThe Wizard.โ
Watson played 18 games for Hawthorne in 2024 and enjoyed a fruitful season, especially considering it was his first campaign as a professional. Across those 18 appearances, Watson scored 25 goals and 27 behinds, some from seemingly impossible angles. He also had 55 marks and made 45 tackles, showing his contribution to the Hawthorn team was not limited to scoring.
Opposition teams will know what to expect from Watson now that they have seen him in action for a year, so he must evolve his game and adapt to wiser defenses. If he manages to do that and remains consistent in his second year, Watson could become one of the most exciting small forwards in the league.
Colby McKercher - North Melbourne
North Melbourne selected Colby McKercher as the second overall pick in the 2023 AFL Draft, and he has taken to professional footy like a duck to water. The silky left-footer is a smooth mover who has elite ball use and composure beyond his years.
Like the Eagles, the Kangaroos are in a transitional phase, and McKercher is central to the team's rebuilding plans. Although McKercher missed a few games after damaging his ribs following a collision with Geelong's Jeremy Cameron, he still appeared 16 times in the blue and white stripes of North Melbourne.
McKercher's figures during his AFL debut season included 255 kicks, 126 handballs, 381 disposals, 70 marks, and 29 tackles. His ability to hit targets under pressure was evident whenever he took to the field, but the 19-year-old needs to add hitting the scoreboard to his arsenal because he managed only two behinds all season. If McKercher can add goals to his game, he will become one of the most dangerous players in the Kangeroos' team.
George Wardlaw - North Melbourne
George Wardlaw is entering his third season as a pro, and he could be instrumental in how North Melbourne's season pans out. Since making his Kangeroos debut in 2023, Wardlaw has played 26 games but has only experienced being on the winning side once and has never won a game at the Arden Street Oval.
Wardlaw is known for being a tough, contested-ball-winning midfielder with a ferocious tackle and the ability to win clearances. Although Wardlaw has endured a challenging run with injuries throughout his fledgling career, he has shown he is a key player in North Melbourne's future when fit.
Through his 26 appearances, Wardlaw has 261 kicks, 141 handballs, 461 disposals, 78 marks, and 124 tackles. That last stat means he averages 4.8 tackles per game. Wardlaw also chips in with goals, scoring eight goals and seven behinds for the Kangaroos.
North Melbourne fans will pray to the footy gods that Wardlaw will put his injury woes behind him and kick on in 2025.
Jed Walter - Gold Coast Suns
Jed Walter, the number three pick in the 2023 AFL Draft, missed the early rounds of the 2024 AFL season after breaking his collarbone during the pre-season. However, he recovered and turned out in 14 games for the Suns, kicking 11 goals and 14 behinds. Standing at 6-foot 5-inches tall and tipping the scales at 97kg, Walter is a man who adds a dominant presence to the Suns' forward line. Expect Walter to provide a strong target inside 50 throughout 2025.
What Makes These Players Stand Out?
The five players highlighted in this article are supremely talented but have a natural ability to step up when the game is on the line. Each has a unique skill set that makes them invaluable to their respective teams. With each player now having at least one professional season under their belt, expect them to dominate the highlight reels this season and in years to come.
These youngsters are still learning their trade, so it is only natural they will make mistakes and suffer from periods of inconsistency, but all signs point toward them becoming household names in the AFL landscape.
