The 10 best overlooked prospects available for the AFL Rookie Draft

After 60 selections were made at the AFL Draft, there were plenty of highly-touted prospects overlooked. Some of those draft stars could still make their way onto an AFL list, with the Rookie Draft the next best mechanism to do so. The Rookie Draft is set to take place from 3.20pm on Friday, with plenty of talent available to strengthen each club, highlighted by a pair of credentialed AFL Academy talents. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Has been discussed throughout 2025 as being a top 10 talent at his best, but was expected to drift a little due to injury robbing the Mornington Peninsula local of continuity in 2025. The fact he was unselected at the National Draft, though, was unforeseeable. In between a shoulder injury, concussion and illness, he had several complete performances where his match-winning and goal-kicking ability stood out, which he spoke last week to Zero Hanger about. Has X-factor, strong aerial ability and is high impact with ball in hand. Ollie Greeves If Hibbins-Hargreaves was not the biggest surprise omission, then it was Greeves. The big-bodied midfielder won Vic Metro's MVP and co-captained Eastern Ranges to a premiership, which had him in first-round conversations for much of the season. Not only is he dominant at stoppage, but his kicking is a weapon which adds a strong balance to his game and he knows how to rack up the footy. Questions have surrounded his running capacity, but he was still anticipated to find his way onto an AFL list, potentially on night one. Marcus Krasnadamskis The Eastern Ranges tall doesn't have the exposed form of the aforementioned pair, but by draft night, he was widely expected to be picked up, with many viewing him as the second best ruck in the draft class behind Cooper Duff-Tytler. Ultimately, there were only two rucks taken – and Western Bulldogs, who had been most heavily linked to him, opted for a different tall, Louis Emmett, a similar type of player but more proven at the pathways level. Athletic and skilful, he'll take some time to develop and could pop up on the Mid-Season Draft radar if overlooked, but would suit a club seeking a modern-day ruck. Spoke to Craft of the Draft in November about his journey from near national level basketball to footy, which has shone through in the way he plays. http://gty.im/2239309308 Liam Hetherton The devastating reality of playing just three games in 2025 – none at full fitness – before a back injury ruled him out of the season was that Hetherton was overlooked at the AFL National Draft. The key forward learned off AFL-listed twins Jack and Matt Whitlock last year, and having kicked 11 goals in his trio of games this year after a promising close to 2024, he could be worth a stab in the Rookie Draft for a club seeking a tall. Has power, crashes packs and is nimble at ground level, with his raw talent marrying up with an improved work ethic in 2025, which looked set to deliver results. Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier Became a favourite of many draft followers in the lead up to the draft, but was polarising among clubs, with some questioning whether he had a point of difference, while a handful saw significant upside. He ultimately was not called out at the National Draft, but clubs couldn't question that he would give it 100 per cent if they gave him a rookie spot, given he played the entire 2025 season with a torn labrum, as he spoke to Craft of the Draft about. A clean North Adelaide midfielder who uses the footy well and would likely start his career off half-back. http://gty.im/2218044037 Fred Rodriguez Considered one of the most professional prospects and most diligent preparers in the draft crop, Rodriguez skippered Western Australia at the U18s National Championships and took out the side's MVP. A big-bodied, clearance-winning midfield extractor, he also averaged 25 disposals, six tackles and a goal per game for South Fremantle, showcasing his range of skills. Was considered Western Australia's best prospect entering the year. Rory Wright Started the season in the midfield, where he impressed with his aggression, but questions over his speed caused the Sandringham coaching staff to expose him off half-back to conclude 2025. That was arguably where he played his best footy, with his intercepting, courage and kicking penetration all coming to the fore. “I think he's an AFL player clearly, and when teams get him in, they're going to be pretty impressed with what he's able to do straight away,” Sandringham coach Rob Harding said of Wright in September. Wright reflected on his season with Craft of the Draft, including playing through injury late in 2025, in October. Leon Kickett Was considered a likely bolter from Western Australia, linked to Richmond in the lead up to the draft, and while the club took a small forward, the Tiugers instead opted for Zane Peucker. The 173cm talent averaged 15 disposals and a goal per game in the WAFL Colts competition as an over-ager and would bring zip and a brilliant vertical leap to a forward line. Tom Burton The running half-back co-captained Vic Metro in 2025 and averaged 29 disposals at the Coates Talent League level for the Western Jets in 2025. He also got midfield minutes but will likely spend his career as an overlapping half-back, and he has the dare and athleticism to take a punt on. http://gty.im/2209892150 Riley Onley The big-bodied midfielder was linked to Collingwood in the lead-up to the 2025 AFL National Draft, and while the Pies brought in midfield reinforcements, they steered away from his profile of midfielder. His combination of size and speed – he runs a 20-metre sprint in a blistering 2.884 seconds – was on show at the U18s National Championships, where he enjoyed being a key cog of the midfield group.

		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

The 10 best overlooked prospects available for the AFL Rookie Draft

Some sliders and diamonds in the rough your club could still pick up.

6Fred Rodriguez

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

The FIVE trade recruits under the most pressure for the 2026...

AFL QUIZ: 12 VERY early questions on the 2026 season

The players at your AFL team who are set to miss...

Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Brisbane Lions

“Hurt those closest to me”: Neale fronts media, discusses “personal matters”...

FOLLOW US