Prospects leading No.1 race — State of PlayBen Waterworth and Dylan Bolch
Fox Sports
July 18th, 2025 Like last year, there’s no clear consensus on who the top player in the 2025 draft class is. Richmond took Sam Lalor with Pick 1 in 2024, Carlton traded up the draft order as it had Jagga Smith (Pick 3) as the top player on its draft board and Lions father-son selection Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5) was the top of several media power rankings.
For some recruiters spoken to by foxfooty.com.au, Calder Cannons’ ruck-forward
Cooper Duff-Tytler is the best prospect in it. A potential AFL unicorn at 200cm, Duff-Tytler has impressed draft watchers with his unique athleticism, aerial ability and cleanliness with ball in hand, especially below his knees. He hasn’t necessarily had a ‘wow game’ during the national carnival, but he’s been impressively consistent – like he has been across all levels this year to date.
South Australia captain
Dyson Sharp also proved his doubters wrong, leading his state to a drought-breaking title and winning the SA MVP award. And he’s a strong chance to take out the Larke Medal – which will be confirmed after Sunday’s Country-Metro game – as the best player across the carnival, kicking five goals and averaging 27.0 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, 7.5 score involvements, 6.5 inside 50s, 6.0 clearances and 5.0 tackles from four games.
A bankable, ready-to-play midfielder with strong leadership traits, Sharp for months had been regarded among the top-10 players in this year’s draft class. Yet many scouts were hesitant to put him too high on draft boards, citing other players in the pool could have a higher ceiling at AFL level.
But Sharp couldn’t have been more impressive across his four games for SA – especially his middle two matches against Vic Metro and WA – with scouts impressed by his leadership and improved outside game. He now has to be in the top-five conversation, especially if he carries his form into Central District’s SANFL league team.
Eastern Ranges big-bodied 191cm midfielder
Ollie Greeves would be a strong chance to take out Vic Metro’s MVP award, averaging 25.7 disposals, 12.0 contested possessions and 4.7 clearances from three games. Greeves has been a standout at the coalface in all three matches, showing off clean hands in congestion. Clubs like his footy smarts, kicking skills and toughness at the contest.
Like Greeves, Geelong Falcons defender
Josh Lindsay looms as a top-10 pick, showing off terrific composure and pinpoint ball use out of the back-half. He’s averaged a team-high 24.3 disposals, 4.7 intercepts, 4.0 marks and 467m gained in a consistent campaign for Vic Country.
And
Fred Rodriguez – a tough, bankable and team-oriented midfielder with a great workrate out of South Fremantle – had a strong carnival, showing off an improved inside game to compliment his outside traits. Rodriguez took out WA’s MVP award, averaging 18.0 disposals, 4.5 tackles and 4.3 clearances across the four games. Whether he’s still WA’s top prospect, however, remains a point of contention among AFL clubs.
THE CHAMPS ‘BOLTERS’For some,
Sam Cumming was already in the top-10 conversation prior to the champs. Four games later and he’s only strengthened that status, kicking four goals and averaging 17.0 disposals.
After dominant displays at SANFL Under 18s level, recruiters were pleased Cumming stepped up on the national stage, with one talent-watcher labelling him “the prototype AFL midfielder”. Even better, Cumming has made a splash for North Adelaide’s league team since the champs, racking up 16 disposals against Sturt before a brilliant display against South Adelaide last weekend, booting 3.1 from 21 disposals, six inside 50s, five clearances, five tackles and five marks.
THE LINGERING QUESTIONSThe versatile
Willem Duursma remains a strong top-end prospect with big upside at AFL level. But whether he’s at the pointy, top-five end of the class type remains a point of contention among recruiters.
At 192cm, the silky Duursma has an elite kick, great lateral movement and the flexibility to play in multiple positions on the field. His ability to explode from congestion after receiving handballs has been likened to Giants star Finn Callaghan.
Duursma – the youngest of the four Duursma’s – started the champs as a midfielder against WA (27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 3 contested marks) before settling in defence for his most recent two games against SA (24 disposals, 5 intercepts) and the Allies (19 disposals, 5 intercepts). While he’s been prolific in all games, some recruiters spoken to by foxfooty.com.au noted some inconsistency with his kicking and had some question marks around his defensive work.
Other scouts, however, noted that while it’s been good to see Duursma spend time in all thirds of the ground this year, the positional shifts throughout the year might’ve hindered his draft campaign momentum. Most of Duursma’s best performances this year have come for the Gippsland Power playing as an on-baller pushing forward to hit the scoreboard.
Read more here: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-2025-best-players-and-predicted-firstround-picks-top-prospects-after-national-championships-results-state-of-play-willem-duursma-essendon/news-story/4ce6f731d05b30c17930535e0775562f
