The Age's mock draft has us taking Robey and Xavier Taylor.
A clear No.1, bolters and bidders: Who your AFL club will pick in the draftBy Marc McGowan
The Age
November 8, 2025 This month’s AFL draft, held over two nights on November 19 and 20, promises to be one of the most compromised and unpredictable editions on record.
There are academy and father-son players scattered throughout the pointy end and right through the first and second rounds. The evenness of the player pool after the top 10 means things could get wild.
But we did take a stab at where bids might come because they will have a significant impact on what happens with the impacted clubs’ subsequent selections.
We have not factored in potential trades despite a number of pick swaps being discussed, including Carlton sending pick nine to West Coast to slide back a few spots and pick up more points out the back to match a bid on Harry Dean.
That might also guarantee the Eagles won’t bid on Dean.
Here are our predictions, from 1 to 31.
1. Willem Duursma (West Coast)
2. Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast match West Coast bid)
3. Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast match West Coast bid)
4. Cooper Duff-Tytler (West Coast)
If not: Some recruiters think the Eagles would at least consider Sullivan Robey. There is also a chance Richmond are already picking here, and they could snap up Robey before placing bids.
5. Sullivan Robey (Richmond)Rowville/Eastern Ranges
Position: Forward/midfielder
Height: 192cm
DOB: 4/10/2007
VFL stats (avg):
16 disposals, 3.8 rebound 50s, 5 intercept possessions
Talent League U18 stats (avg):
19.7 disposals, 4.7 inside 50s, 2 goals
Robey is this year’s bolter, after many clubs hoped they could keep him a secret once he graduated from Rowville’s senior side to belatedly burst onto the scene for the Ranges mid-season. He grew about 17 centimetres in the past two years and developed physically, in equal parts owing to an impressive home gym and his dedication. First made his mark as a lead-up forward, then showed his strength and power as a midfielder.
If not: The Tigers might start bidding first. They are also linked to Xavier Taylor and Sam Grlj.
6. Daniel Annable (Brisbane Lions match Richmond bid)
7. Harry Dean (Carlton match Richmond bid)
8. Xavier Taylor (Richmond)East Ringwood/Eastern Ranges/Victoria Metro
Position: Defender
Height: 192cm
DOB: 30/1/2007
Talent League U18 stats (avg):
18.3 disposals, 2.7 intercept marks, 7 intercept possessions
U18 champs stats (avg):
15 disposals, 1.5 intercept marks, 5.8 intercept possessions
Taylor once polarised because of inconsistent decision-making and execution, including a habit for kicking into the man on the mark – but he has cleaned that up (mostly), and risen sharply on draft boards. Was best afield in the Ranges’ grand final triumph, where his intercepting skills, athleticism, versatility and competitiveness were on show. Importantly, there is confidence Taylor will stand up defensively in the AFL.
If not: The Tigers went for Sam Grlj’s combination of blazing speed, endurance and athleticism.
9. Dyson Sharp (Essendon)
10. Sam Cumming (Essendon)
11. Cameron Nairn (Melbourne)
12. Lachy Dovaston (Melbourne)
13. Jacob Farrow (Hawthorn)
14. Sam Grlj (Carlton)
15. Oskar Taylor (GWS)
16. Latrelle Pickett (West Coast)
17. Josh Lindsay (Western Bulldogs)
18. Blake Thredgold (Adelaide)
19. Archie Ludowyke (Geelong)
20. Mitch Marsh (Fremantle)
21. Aidan Schubert (Essendon)
22. Oliver Greeves (Hawthorn)
23. Louis Emmett (North Melbourne)
24. Harry Kyle (Sydney match North Melbourne bid)
25. Jevan Phillipou (North Melbourne)
26. Harley Barker (Essendon)
27. Jack Ison (Carlton match Essendon bid)
28. Max King (Sydney match Essendon bid)
29. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Essendon)
30. Lachy Carmichael (Sydney match Western Bulldogs bid)
31. Riley Onley (Western Bulldogs)
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/a-clear-no-1-bolters-and-bidders-who-your-afl-club-will-pick-in-the-draft-20251103-p5n7e7.html
