The 2025 AFL Draft looks to be one of the more difficult to predict for some time, with the strength of the class, the amount of expected bids and the profile of players on offer set to offer plenty of twists and turns once clubs are actually on the clock.
With four clubs sharing the first eight picks, and five having access to the first 11, there'll be some key players at the top of the order that are set to heavily impact how the rest of the count might take shape.
West Coast will get things underway with Picks 1 and 2, and could be looking at multiple bids on rival-tied talent, while Richmond and Essendon may follow suit with their subsequent selections.
After the top 10, several sides look to be waiting on how the picks before them unfold before they too make key calls that will have a ripple effect on the rest of the draft.
Here we look at the selections set to significantly shape how the draft order unravels...
2Richmond - Picks 3 and 4
The Tigers' pair of picks will have a significant say on who Essendon (Picks 5 and 6) and Melbourne (Picks 7 and 8) come away with in the top 10.
Firstly, Richmond are likely to place a bid on Patterson if he's still available at their first pick, while Brisbane-tied midfielder Daniel Annable may also be in their sights.
After then, the Tigers will weigh up several prospects for their two picks, and it's become no clearer on who they might take.
Eastern's Sullivan Robey has been strongly linked and is unlikely to get passed on by Essendon if overlooked by Richmond.
The flow-on effect from Richmond's two picks looks set to directly impact all of Essendon, Melbourne, GWS, Hawthorn, West Coast, North Melbourne and potentially more clubs.
South Australian Sam Cumming is another who has garnered interest from both the Tigers and Bombers, while Melbourne could pull the trigger if he slides to them.
Xavier Taylor is in the sights of all three clubs, and it would be a surprise to see the Vic Metro defender fall beyond Melbourne's last selection.
Oakleigh speedster Sam Grlj is perhaps the most fascinating of the names linked to Richmond, with Essendon and Melbourne potentially both passing on him should he be available to them.
So wide is Grlj's draft range that he could fall at the Hawks, GWS or West Coast later into the first round should the Tigers look elsewhere.
The Bombers could end up with Cumming and Sharp, should the Tigers roll the dice on Robey and Grlj, leaving Taylor and one of Cam Nairn, Lachy Dovaston or Jacob Farrow for the Demons.
