Combination of three: The players shaping top AFL prospectBy Jaiden Sciberras
SEN
5 Nov 2025[
Cooper Duff-Tytler remains one of the AFL's top draft prospects approaching the National Draft, and it's no secret as to why.
Standing at 200cm, the 18-year-old ruckman has starred for Calder Cannons and Vic Metro, covering ground with ease and playing multiple positions to an incredibly high level throughout his draft year.
Despite featuring in Australia's U16's FIBA Asia Cup triumph in 2023 alongside NBL youngster and NBA prospect Dash Daniels, Duff-Tytler opted into football, with the infamous 'basketball background' marking a prominent feature in the ruckman's potential.
With elite athleticism and versatility, Duff-Tytler has remained a lock for a top three selection for most of the year, with draft experts expecting the prospect to be snapped up before the third overall pick.
Speaking to his versatility, Duff-Tytler suited up for Essendon in VFL's Round 21, the 18-year-old was deployed as a second tall forward, comfortably slotting in at the level with 13 disposals and three goals.
“I trained at Essendon VFL for a few weeks beforehand, getting to know the squad and the teammates that I’d be playing with,” Duff-Tytler told SEN WA Breakfast.
“Everyone there, the coaches and all my teammates were bringing me in and embracing me, that gave me confidence on game day to go out and play to my strengths. They were big on trying not to stress, to ‘just do what you do and you’ll be fine’.
“Once I got out there, I definitely felt comfortable at that level, and I think because on the senior grounds you don’t have the density rule, playing a forward that really opened the game up for me, and I was able to get up the ground and use my strengths such as my aerobic power getting up and the ground a bit more.”
Likely to be selected within the top two of the upcoming National Draft, Duff-Tytler’s AFL career appears destined to commence out west, with the Eagles holding both Pick 1 and Pick 2 courtesy of Oscar Allen's shift to Brisbane.
With that in mind, Duff-Tytler has already expressed his willingness to move from Victoria if the Eagles opt to select the young ruckman.
“Yeah, I’m more than happy to go to West Coast,” he said.
“I actually live a fair way out of Melbourne even though I’m a metro kid, so I’d have to move out anyway.
“I’ve always dreamt of playing AFL footy, so I’m happy to move anywhere to make that a reality.”
If he was to be selected by the Eagles, Duff-Tytler would like to see the club select Vic Country star Willem Duursma to join him in WA.
“I’ll stick with Duurs’,” he said.
“He’s had a very good year, and I think one of his best games of the season came against us in the Vic Metro versus Vic Country game, where he was huge in them winning that game.”
Standing at 200cm, Duff-Tytler models his game around the competition’s most athletic ruckman, with a basketball background, elite running capacity and top speed anchoring his immense potential.
“I definitely think everyone is a bit unique, but there’s a few players that I try to take things out of there game to put into mine,” he said.
“Luke Jackson and Tom De Koning are the main two as the ruckmen and looking at Riley Thilthorpe as a forward are probably the main three that I try to take a little bit out of.
“I’m happy to play anywhere (on the ground). I can play multiple positions which is a bit of a strength.
“When I come into the league, I might have to play as a bit more of a forward and that’s probably where the coaches will see me in the first few years.
“Whether I transition into the ruck or down back I guess we’ll see, but I’m happy to play anywhere that the coach wants.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/11/05/afl-draft-2025-cooper-duff-tytler-models-his-game-on-luke-jackson-tom-de-koning
