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...
4Hawthorn - Pick 10
The Hawks could add to the bidding party when they're first on the clock, with their Pick 10 selection likely falling to Pick 14 by the time they get their first look.
Sydney Academy talent Harry Kyle is said to be in Hawthorn's sights, and should they force a matched bid from the Swans that early, it could see the New South Wales side scramble to secure some of their other club-tied kids.
As well as Kyle, the Swans have Max King and Lachy Carmichael rated as potential top 30 prospects. A bid for any of the three in the mid-teens could be too much for the Swans by the time the third rival bid arises.
King is likely the second Swans Academy talent to earn a bid, and could do so in the teens too, which would force Sydney to either trade in more picks and points, or go into deficit.
The timing of the Carmichael bid could be too big of a blow to the Swans' draft capital, which is without its first-round picks for 2026 and 2027.
The Western Bulldogs have shown an interest in the Allies MVP, who could be set for a move to Victoria rather than remaining in the red and white.
All of that comes after the Hawks make a bid for Kyle, and before they've taken their own prospect in the first round.
Grlj is a player of interest but might be unlikely given Richmond's interest, with Vic Country gun Josh Lindsay (also linked to the Dogs), Eastern's Oskar Taylor (GWS), Dandenong livewire Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Fremantle, West Coast and Essendon) and South Australian Aidan Schubert (interest from Geelong) also in the mix.
