The SANFL's top 10 prospects ahead of the AFL Mid-Season Draft

With the AFL Mid-Season Draft just around the corner, we take a look at the top 10 prospects from the SANFL and what they could provide their new club... Blake Drury - Adelaide Crows Former North Melbourne small forward Blake Drury joined Adelaide's SANFL program over the off-season, hoping to revive his AFL career following his axing from the Roos after 10 games. Drury has made an instant impact in his first six games at Adelaide, kicking eight goals and averaging 20 disposals and four clearances per game in a hybrid forward-midfield role. His speed and cleanliness with ball in hand have been standout qualities, while his nous around goal has also been hugely impressive. [caption id="attachment_143018" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Blake DruryÊof the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the 2023 VFL round 22 match between Richmond and North Melbourne at Swinburne Centre on August 20, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Still only 20 years old, Drury has plenty more football left in him and scope for development, making him one of the marquee prospects in the upcoming draft. Ewan Mackinlay - North Adelaide Hailing from the Lavington Football Club in the Ovens and Murray League, Ewan Mackinlay has burst onto the radar of AFL scouts after an eye-catching start to the 2025 SANFL season. Joining the Roosters at the end of 2023, Mackinlay spent the first four matches in the reserves but has played every league game since and added a valuable dynamic with his speed and agility. The 21-year-old has spent more time around the ball this year playing a hybrid midfield-forward role, averaging 16 disposals and four inside 50s per game. At 182cm, Mackinlay is crafty around the goals and can break the game open with his pace in the midfield, requiring only limited possessions to create plenty of havoc. Jack Watkins - Port Adelaide Former North Melbourne VFL captain Jack Watkins joined Port Adelaide's SANFL program after just missing out on an SSP spot over summer and is now in the frame again for an AFL opportunity. The 176cm ball magnet has quickly become one of the league's most prolific mids, leading the competition for disposals and earning state selection in the recent match against WA. Watkins' running power and ability to cover the ground set him apart from almost every midfielder in the competition and will have AFL recruiters strongly considering him. [caption id="attachment_157191" align="alignnone" width="1742"] Port Adelaide Power train-on prospect Jack Watkins (Image: Matt Sampson, Port Adelaide FC)[/caption] While the 24-year-old can find space on the outside, Watkins can also win plenty of the ball at the contest, making him a constant threat in all facets of the game. Mani Liddy - Central District A former Sturt product who moved to Central in 2023 for greater opportunities, Mani Liddy has emerged as one of the SANFL's premier midfielders in 2025 and is on the radar of AFL clubs. Liddy knocked an incredible 30 seconds off his 2km time trial results over the pre-season and is now one of the strongest runners in the league and a key cog in the Central District midfield. His ability to outwork his opponent and find space helps him accumulate plenty of the footy, averaging 24 disposals, five clearances and six inside 50s per game. Standing at 184cm, Liddy combines his running power with a strong frame that allows him to win his own ball at the contest and put teammates into space. Jez McLennan - Port Adelaide After injury plagued his four-year stint at the Gold Coast Suns, versatile defender Jez McLennan is primed for another crack at the top level following a consistent run of great form. Originally from Central District, McLennan crossed to Port Adelaide's SANFL team in the off-season and has continued to impress with his intercept work and effectiveness with ball in hand. No stranger to the big stage, McLennan won the Fos Williams Medal as SA's best on ground in both state matches last year and was one of the Magpies' best in the recent SANFL showdown. [caption id="attachment_149191" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Jez McLennan of South Australia in possession during the 2024 AAMI State Game between SANFL West End State Team and Smithy's VFL State Team at Glenelg Oval, on April 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] McLennan has also been trialled through the midfield at certain stages this year and has the body type and agility to develop into a more permanent midfield role. Jacob Newton - Norwood Norwood product Jacob Newton was considered one of the biggest hard-luck stories from last year's draft, with a navicular foot injury in the second half of the year dashing his draft hopes. After recovering from the injury earlier this season, the 19-year-old moved straight into the league team and has not looked back, kicking seven goals in four games as a hybrid forward. A dominant midfielder in junior footy, Newton averaged 24 disposals and seven clearances per game for Norwood in the U18s last year and displayed tremendous power and strength at the stoppages. Still finding his feet at league level, the 179cm dynamo has been stationed at half-forward and impressed onlookers with his overhead marking and finishing ability in front of goal. Frank Szekely - North Adelaide A mainstay on the wing for North Adelaide for several years, Frank Szekely's move to a permanent small forward position this year has been a stunning success, kicking 13 goals from six games to sit equal fourth in the SANFL's goalkicking tally. With electrifying pace and silky skills, Szekely has been a key component of the Roosters' attack in 2025 and was rewarded with state selection for the recent match against the WAFL. At 25 years of age and with 90 league games of experience behind him, Szekely looms as the perfect mature-aged recruit who could slot straight into an AFL side. A clean finisher around the goals, Szekely can work high up the ground and get involved in his team's ball movement, evidenced in his recent performance against Sturt, which saw him collect 22 disposals and 12 marks. Olivier Northam - South Adelaide Originally from St Joseph's in the Geelong Football League, bustling 199cm ruckman Olivier Northam joined the Panthers for a four-game contract late last season and impressed so much he was offered a list spot for 2025. He has done nothing to lower his colours since and has quickly become one of South's most important players, with his physicality and clearance work highly valued at Noarlunga. Northam currently ranks third in the competition for hitouts and leads all ruckmen for clearances, averaging six per game to rank seventh in the league overall. http://gty.im/1243416930 At only 20 years old, Northam is a ready-made yet long-term ruck prospect with the agility to move around the ground that is demanded of AFL ruckmen. Corey Grocock - South Adelaide South Adelaide hybrid forward Corey Grocock has continued to push for an AFL opportunity since bursting onto the scene for the Panthers last year and having an immediate impact. Grocock announced himself with five goals in just his fourth league game against Port Adelaide and has since become arguably South's most dangerous forward. Still just 20 years of age, he currently sits equal third in the league's goalkicking tally with 14 majors from six games, kicking three or more goals on three occasions. Standing at 186cm, Grocock is equally adept in the air as he is at ground level and can find his goals from a variety of methods, ensuring he is always in the game. Matthew Ling - Norwood Initially brought to Norwood as a wingman after being delisted by Sydney in 2022, Matthew Ling was moved to half-back in 2024 and has developed into one of the best rebounders in the SANFL. The 26-year-old has been rewarded with selection in three state games and has featured with his blistering pace and clever ball use. While he catches the eye with ball in hand, Ling also strikes the right balance between attack and defence, and at 184cm can stand a variety of opponents. http://gty.im/1234753758 Even while his team has struggled so far this year, Ling has been prominent with his ability to launch Norwood out of defence, averaging 20 disposals and five rebound 50s per game.

		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 SANFL’s top 10 prospects ahead of the AFL Mid-Season Draft

A host of big-name SANFL players have put their hand up for an AFL opportunity in the upcoming intake.

3. Jack Watkins - Port Adelaide

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

Ranking the 10 best AFL games of 2025

West Coast investigating alleged street fight involving forward

2025 AFL MEGA QUIZ: 25 questions on the year that was

The AFL’s NINE predicted headline makers for 2026

“Pretty pissed” AFL star denied Origin chance amid selection criteria queries

FOLLOW US