2025 AFL Draft

[Tiger Khosh]

https://youtu.be/4usmlXBRxJ0?si=1rsWSvuxmvP5SCeP

Gieschen interview on club website.

“Draft best available talent at our first picks and look for needs later in the draft”.

[one-eyed]

Adem Yze and Steven King keeping a close eye on today’s CDG draft training session.

Prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler is in full flight alongside a raft of other young stars.

The Tiges currently hold picks 3 and 4, while the dees currently hold picks 7 and 8. 👀

@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb


https://x.com/JoelKennedyy/status/1989471312709128259

[one-eyed]

2025 AFL Draft Preview: Richmond

Michael Alvaro
AFL Draft
November 13, 2025

THE RICHMOND regeneration continues at the upcoming AFL Draft, with the Tigers holding consecutive top-10 selections. After seven of the Tigers’ eight national draftees from 2024 made their debuts this year, the club is once again well poised to be a key player in shaping the order of proceedings.

2025 RECORD: 17th | 5-18 | 66.0%
2025 PICKS: 3, 4, 38, 81
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, ’26 R2, ’26 R3, ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R3, ’27 R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Louis Kellaway (F/S)

FIRST PICK(S):
Picks 3 & 4

It’s likely we’ll see the return of ‘Bidmond’ early on night one, with the potential to make as many as four bids within the first half-dozen picks. If West Coast doesn’t call out Zeke Uwland then the Tigers surely will, followed by fellow Suns Academy member Dylan Patterson – who would be the perfect open draft fit.

Then comes another Queenslander in Daniel Annable (tied to Brisbane), and Carlton father-son gun Harry Dean. The latter may be left for Essendon to bid on, but like Patterson suits a long-term list need to justify a bid from Richmond. Though, make no mistake, there’s an element of keeping clubs accountable.

Richmond may be open to fielding offers for pick three, depending on what is left over from West Coast’s two picks. An ideal scenario would see athletic ruck-forward Cooper Duff-Tytler left on the board, but that may then see Essendon come calling for the Calder Cannons product.

Arguably the most likely combination Richmond sews up is that of Eastern Ranges pair Sullivan Robey and Xavier Taylor. Both have quite small draft ranges and if not called out by the Tigers, wouldn’t last past Essendon or Melbourne at the very latest. Lock them in as top-10 picks.

If not both of them, then perhaps Richmond’s need for speed puts Sam Grlj in the mix. It’s a draft to fill list holes, although this would be a bit of a reach with the Oakleigh bolter more likely to be taken early in the teens. Elsewhere, Sam Cumming is a prospect with Tiger traits who will be in high demand in Richmond’s hitting zone.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 38 & 81

The Tigers are only expected to make three selections in the National Draft. That means the fate of father-son nominee Louis Kellaway is somewhat up in the air. Richmond would likely want to target another player on its board with pick 38 and bring the South Australian midfielder in as a rookie.

In the scenario of using pick 38, small and quick forwards may be in the offing. The likes of Latrelle Pickett and Leon Kickett would be exciting acquisitions if available, while a bid on West Coast Next Generation Academy member Tylah Williams shouldn’t be ruled out, either.

Perhaps Talor Byrne or Zane Peucker fit the bill with their toughness and power, both providing great energy as small mid-forwards. Suns Academy member Koby Coulson could also be an option to carry on earlier trends, with his agility and uncompromising ball winning style suiting Richmond’s midfield.

Depending on what happens earlier in the piece, Richmond could also look to bring in some key position support – mostly in the form of rucks or backs. Taj Murray is a highly developable option in the ruck, while Tasmanian Avery Thomas has plenty of upside as an aggressive interceptor.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– How many bids will the Tigers make amidst their own picks?
– What combination will Richmond target with picks three and four?
– Will Richmond be able to land father-son nominee Louis Kellaway?

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/11/13/2025-afl-draft-preview-richmond/

[one-eyed]

He [Robey] toured Punt Rd on Wednesday.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2025-afl-draft-the-final-countdown.1402490/post-90233007

-------------------------------

Sorry to intrude again, but thought you’d want an update. I’m unlikely to get any more info.

Essentially Cumming was told by Hartley they really like him. BUT it’s between him and 2 others for your first two picks.

So they didn’t guarantee he is off to you guys. Which isn’t unusual, from what I know clubs rarely definitively say to players they’ll take them.

Thought I’d just pass it on.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2025-afl-draft-the-final-countdown.1402490/post-90233152

[one-eyed]

https://youtu.be/4usmlXBRxJ0?si=1rsWSvuxmvP5SCeP

Gieschen interview on club website.

“Draft best available talent at our first picks and look for needs later in the draft”.

Richmond National Recruiting Manager, Rhy Gieschen, spoke to Richmond Media to preview the upcoming AFL Draft, set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday night.

On how the Tigers will approach prospects tied to rival clubs via academies:
"They're quality players and we've been tracking those players for three years. I think I've been on record before as saying if they're at the top of our list when our pick comes, we'll place a bid, and I think that's the only way that the system works and what the AFL's put in place. Those guys are certainly right at the top of our order, so if it comes to be, we'll bid and I think the clubs that are getting them are really lucky because they're quality players and quality people."

On the potential of trading our picks (3, 4, 38, 81):
"It's always on the table. These days with recruiting, you've got to be really flexible and stay ready for whatever the best outcome for the Club is. We've had a lot of discussions internally, we are pretty comfortable picking at the top, and at this stage we'll be just picking at our picks, but you never say never and we plan accordingly, and work through what the best outcome we think will be for us."

On drafting the best player available vs drafting for a specific list need:
"It's something we talk about quite a bit, and that's both in our list management conversations and our draft conversations. I'm really confident that at the top of the order, we just go on best available talent. If you look at every player who's been taken up the top end of the draft, clubs have just picked for the player that they think will be a really long-term successful player…that's our strategy. As it goes deeper in the draft you might consider what your list needs, but we've always been draft the best available player and then you can work through that in list management later on."

On the strength of this year’s draft class:
"It's strong…we love it, we're really happy to be picking up the top. It's been a strategy of ours and we're really excited to pick those guys up the top and then we've obviously got pick 38 as well, which is a good place to come back into the draft. We think there's some guys there that can really add value and it'll just be a waiting game to see who gets through and excited to pick someone there as well."

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1929518/gieschen-looks-ahead-to-draft-bids-trades-and-more

[one-eyed]

Carlton's picks No.9 and No.11 are on the move.

Essendon is the frontrunner to land No.9 using its picks late in the first & early in the second round.

North Melbourne is in line to get pick 11 using pick 25 and a future second-round pick as the key parts of the swap.

This is set to give the Roos a first-round pick seven spots after the selection they gave to Richmond in last year's draft night trade. Dons could also look to get a late pick back as part of swap to be a back-stop pick they could use for matching a Sweid bid if in right range.

https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/1989596564134789616

[one-eyed]

Picks 21, 27 & 30 for 9 gives Carlton an extra 353 points. The only reason this makes sense for the Blues is if they feel the bid at WC’s 2 is real. Wow

Essendon will need to find points out the back to match a Sweid/El Achkar bid, now have the list spots to take them #AFLDraft

Pick 9 is right in the Dovaston/Farrow range of the draft, after Melbourne’s picks who have also done their work on the pair. Adds another pick in a range where Dyson Sharp could still be on the board too #AFLDraft

https://x.com/Jasperc53/status/1989558044875706625

[one-eyed]

Tier rankings from BF's draftee watcher noobermensch:

Rather than doing a strict numbered list I'm instead breaking them down into tier groupings. Within the tiers I consider the prospects to be very similar in talent level, so if you're a fan of a club with a pick that falls in that part of the draft you can get some info on the types available and which players may best suit your list needs.

Tier 1: Duursma

Tier 2: CDT, Annable, Sharp, Cumming, Uwland, Robey, X.Taylor, Patterson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcmY5Ff4t90

[one-eyed]

The vid from 1:29:56 - 1:35:00 hr mark discusses if Richmond should draft CDT if the Eagles overlook him.

The AFL Draft Show - Pre Draft FINALE


https://youtu.be/NPh-9SiMddo?t=5389

[one-eyed]

AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-40 (final edition)

Mitch Keating & Jonty Ralphsmith
Zerohanger.com
November 16, 2025

As the anticipation builds towards the 2025 AFL Draft, pundits and keen observers are still looking at which football prospect will fall at what pick.

Counting down the days, Craft of the Draft has produced a final Mock Draft, taking into account the final draft order.

We take a look at the first 40 selections of the 2025 intake, considering all the bids on high-end talents as well as some potential pick trades between clubs.

Pre-Draft Trades
Carlton trade Pick 9 to West Coast for Picks 13 and 34
Carlton trade Pick 11 to Melbourne for a 2026 1st (tied to Gold Coast)
Gold Coast trade Picks 18 and 36 to Essendon for Picks 21 and 27

1 - West Coast: Willem Duursma
2 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Zeke Uwland
3 - West Coast: Cooper Duff-Tytler
4 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Dylan Patterson

5 - Richmond: Sullivan Robey
RANK 4   
Eastern Ranges
Forward/Midfielder
HEIGHT: 192cm   Eastern Ranges
Both Richmond and Essendon, and to a lesser degree West Coast, have been linked to Robey, who now looks a certainty to be a top 10 selection. Robey's power as a connecting forward would complement Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie, and he has great scope for a list on the rise.

6 - Richmond: Sam Grlj
RANK 10
Oakleigh Chargers
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 182cm   Oakleigh Chargers   
This is an interesting pick and will have a big bearing on how the next few selections unfold. Few would peg Grlj as the fourth best openly available talent, but this is a draft where clubs are expected to draft for needs - and his speed fills a list hole for Richmond. The Tigers need dash to complement Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie, and Grlj has shown that in spades throughout 2025. If it's not Grlj, Xavier Taylor could go here as a Nathan Broad replacement, while Sam Cumming is an outside chance.


7 - Brisbane (Matched Bid): Dan Annable
8 - Carlton (Matched Bid): Harry Dean
9 - Essendon: Sam Cumming
10 - Essendon: Dyson Sharp
11 - Melbourne: Xavier Taylor
12 - Melbourne: Cam Nairn
13 - West Coast: Jacob Farrow
14 - Hawthorn: Oskar Taylor
15 - Melbourne: Josh Lindsay
16 - GWS: Latrelle Pickett
17 - Western Bulldogs: Lachy Dovaston
18 - Adelaide: Harley Barker
19 - Essendon: Jevan Phillipou
20 - Sydney (Matched Bid): Harry Kyle
21 - Geelong: Aidan Schubert
22 - Essendon (Matched Bid): Adam Sweid
23 - Fremantle: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves
24 - Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves
25 - North Melbourne: Blake Thredgold
26 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Jai Murray
27 - Carlton (Matched Bid): Jack Ison
28 - Collingwood (Matched Bid): Zac McCarthy
29 - North Melbourne: Mitch Marsh
30 - Sydney (Matched Bid): Max King
31 - Western Bulldogs: Marcus Krasnadamskis
32 - West Coast (Matched Bid): Tylah Williams

33 - Richmond: Leon Kickett
RANK 42   
Swan Districts
Forward
HEIGHT: 172cm   Swan Districts   
What the Tigers do with this selection is fascinating, but we've got them taking Leon Kickett, a bolter from Swan Districts whose front and centre goal kicking would complement the trio of key forwards the club brought in last season. Has an unbelievable vertical leap, and all the tools you would seek in modern smalls.


34 - Sydney (Matched Bid): Lachy Carmichael
35 - GWS: Archie Ludowyke
36 - Gold Coast (Matched Bid): Beau Addinsall
37 - West Coast: Fred Rodriguez
38 - Brisbane: Max Kondogiannis
39 - St Kilda (Matched Bid): Kye Fincher
40 - Collingwood: Jack Dalton

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-mock-draft-picks-1-40-final-edition-170758/40/

[one-eyed]

Every pick, bid, trade in the first two rounds of the draft predicted

Chris Cavanagh
HeraldSun
16 November 2025

Who goes where in this week’s draft? Where do the bids happen? Which trades turn the count on its head? Chris Cavanagh unpacks the first two rounds of the draft.

1. West Coast - Willem Duursma
2. Gold Coast - Zeke Uwland (matched Eagles' bid)
3. West Coast - Cooper Duff-Tytler
4. Gold Coast - Dylan Patterson (matched Tigers' bid)
5. Brisbane - Dan Annable (matched Tigers' bid)
6. Carlton - Harry Dean (matched Tigers' bid)

7. SULLIVAN ROBEY​
192cm Forward/Midfielder, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: RICHMOND​
We say: He looms as one of the biggest draft bolters in history. Robey was playing under-19s football for his local club Rowville in mid-June, before being invited back to the Ranges and setting the Coates Talent League on fire in the back half of the season. He has added 17cm over the past two years but has managed to maintain a powerful frame at the same time courtesy of an impressive home gym set-up. Robey started forward with the Ranges this year, where he can take a strong mark and is a beautiful kick on goal. But he also excited when he ran through the midfield in a wildcard round game against the Western Jets and racked up 40 disposals, five clearances and three goals. While Robey also has strong interest from West Coast and Essendon, Richmond looks to be his most likely landing spot.


8. XAVIER TAYLOR​
192cm Defender, Eastern Ranges
Drafted: RICHMOND​
We say: Behind Dean, Taylor is the best defender in this draft pool and it would be big surprise if he wasn’t one of the Tigers’ first two selections in this year’s draft. Speedster Sam Grlj has also been heavily linked to Richmond, which is understandable given he impressed those at Punt Rd during two VFL appearances for the club late in the year. However, Jagga Smith and Harvey Langford also pulled on the yellow and black last year and were overlooked come draft night. So, there is a growing view in recruiting circles that Grlj could push outside the first dozen picks, given Richmond is his main suitor inside that range. Taylor is a Tigers supporter who looks up to Nathan Broad and brings similar defensive intent and intercept ability in the air. He is also a teammate of Richmond’s other target in Robey, so it could be a win for all involved if he is to land at Punt Rd. If he doesn’t, Essendon would quickly snap him up next.


9. Essendon - Dyson Sharp
10. Essendon - Aidan Schubert
11. Melbourne - Sam Cumming
12. Melbourne - Lachy Dovaston
13. West Coast - Jacob Farrow
14. Hawthorn - Sam Grlj
15. Adelaide - Jevan Phillipou
16. GWS - Archie Ludowyke
17. W.Bulldogs - Josh Lindsay
18. Adelaide - Mitch Marsh
19. Essendon - Oskar Taylor
20. Gold Coast - Jai Murray (matched Geelong's bid)
21. Geelong - Oliver Greeves
22. Carlton - Jack Ison (matched Freo's bid)
23. Essendon - Adam Sweid (matched Freo's bid)
24. Fremantle - Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves
25. Hawthorn - Harley Baker
26. Sydney - Max King (matched North's bid)
27. North Melb - Blake Thredgold
28. North Melb - Louis Emmett
29. W.Bulldogs - Marcus Krasnadamskis
30. Sydney - Harry Kyle (matched Gaints' bid)
31. Sydney - Lachlan Carmichael (matched Giants' bid)
32. GWS - Latrelle Pickett
33. Collingwood - Zac McCarthy (matched Demons' bid)
34. Melbourne - Cameron Nairn
35. West Coast - Tylah Williams (matched Tigers' bid)

36. LEON KICKETT​
173cm Forward, Swan Districts
Drafted: RICHMOND​
We say: It doesn’t look like a bid for Tigers father-son prospect Louis Kellaway will come before this point, giving Richmond the chance to bring in one more player before potentially nabbing Kellaway later in the order or as a rookie. A small forward dubbed ‘Neon Leon’ is every chance here, with the Tigers believed to have been the club who pushed for him to receive a late call-up to the national draft combine. An overage prospect who turns 19 this month, Kickett is a high half-forward with good pressure and speed and a huge leap which he uses to fly for marks. Former football stars Derek and Dale Kickett are both in the family tree, but Leon has modelled his game on the likes of Cyril Rioli and Michael Walters.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-phantom-draft-who-every-club-will-pick-in-the-first-two-rounds-of-the-2025-draft/news-story/6a2eb3e6c910d247ce77e4a76d8d3c79

[one-eyed]

The top 10 prospect eyeing off a future in Yellow and Black

By SEN
16 Nov 2025

AUDIO: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NTETP7808107068?selected=NTETP1456584672



Xavier Taylor is just days away from kickstarting his AFL journey, with dreams of suiting up for his childhood club shaping as a real possibility.

The Eastern Ranges talent played out a stellar National Championships season, averaging over 18 disposals and six marks as an elite lockdown and intercept defender.

Having flown under the radar prior to his 2025 campaign, Taylor flew up the draft boards over the course of the season.

And after a best on ground performance in the Eastern Ranges Grand Final win over Sandringham, Taylor landed himself an invite to the first round of draft night as a lock for a top 10 selection.

“The closer it gets, the more nervous you get, but still very excited,” Taylor told SEN Sportsday.

“It’s pretty full on. A lot of emotions, but mostly excited. I’m trying to surround myself with family and friends to make it go a little bit quicker but trying to enjoy it as well.

“It’s a pretty cool journey that not everyone can do, so just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Standing at 191cm, Taylor has developed into an incredibly consistent and reliable defensive prospect, able to lock down on defenders of multiple sizes while also capable of playing loose and intercepting.

A competitive beast and a high-level athlete, Taylor’s profile was enough to earn calls from every team across the AFL.

“Throughout the combine period and all the home interviews, all 18 clubs. A few zoom calls in there with some of the interstate clubs, but all 18,” he said.

“It’s always a bit nerve-wrecking because it’s your dream and you want to make a good impression. Just being yourself, not trying too hard and showing them who you are is important as well.”

With West Coast unlikely to select Taylor with Pick 1 or 2, it's expected that the 18-year-old will remain in Victoria, with Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne holding all six picks surrounding his predicted range.

And in Taylor’s favour, his childhood club happens to reside amongst those three clubs.

“I’m a massive Richmond fan,” he revealed.

“100 per cent (I let them know)!”

As a Tigers fan, Taylor has looked to model his game around a club great in Nick Vlastuin.

“Big Richmond fan, I love how Vlastuin plays. That hard medium-sized defender. Good one-on-one interceptor.”

Draft night is fast approaching, with the first round set for Wednesday the 19th of November.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/11/16/afl-2025-afl-draft-top-10-prospect-xavier-taylor-richmond

[one-eyed]

Inside the brains trust: Meet the team building your club's future

Josh Gabelich looks at who's shaping your club's list, from national recruiting bosses to the scouts working to find the next big thing

By Josh Gabelich
afl.com.au
Nov 15, 2025



Blair Hartley arrived at Punt Road at the end of 2009 and his fingerprints were all over the drought breaking premiership in 2017 and the three flags under Damien Hardwick. After starting as list analyst, Hartley became list manager and has was promoted to head of the football department with Tim Livingstone in 2019. Hartley started his AFL journey at Essendon before spending five years at Port Adelaide, where he was poached by the Tigers when working as the Power's national recruiting manager.

Late last year, Richmond – and the wider recruiting industry – was rocked when Chris Toce passed away from a quick and private battle with cancer months after being appointed national recruiting manager at the Tigers. Rhy Gieschen has since stepped up into the role, two years after joining the club as Victorian recruiting manager, following stints at the Northern Knights, Melbourne Grammar and the AFL.

Oliver Grant was promoted to Victorian recruiting manager earlier this year after previously working as the VFL operations manager and recruiting officer.

Sam Cousens is based in Perth as Richmond's Western Australia and South Australia recruiting boss and has scouted players for the Tigers on a part-time or full-time basis for 15 years.

Dom La Fontaine has also joined the list management team over the past two years as head of football finance and strategy.

Veteran scout Francis Jackson is still involved at the Tigers working in the futures space.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1452306/inside-the-brains-trust-meet-the-team-building-your-clubs-future

[one-eyed]

Alright, here’s how I see dream draft outcomes shaping up for each club — not impossible, but definitely the “best-case realistic” type scenarios.

Let’s roll

#RichmondTigers

They’re big on Cumming and Grlj, but if CDT + one of Robey/Taylor get taken, that’s elite.

Sam Allen available later would make it a second straight dream draft during the rebuild.

https://x.com/Tommy_Wolfe7/status/1989892419484303492

[one-eyed]

There is huge pressure on Essendon to nail their picks on Wednesday night, but they aren't the only ones under the pump.

@RalphyHeraldSun names the six sides with the most riding on the 2025 draft – and why.

STORY 👉

The article by Jon Ralph outlines six AFL clubs under pressure to succeed in the 2025 draft due to rebuild needs and a thin talent pool:

- West Coast: Talent gaps in top picks; eyeing No. 1 (Duursma) and No. 2 for midfield/forward boosts.
- Essendon: Recent draft misses; gaining a third top-10 pick to add A-graders like Sharp or Grlj.
- Richmond: Full rebuild; picks 3-4 for midfield/defense depth (e.g., Robey, Taylor).
- Melbourne: Replacing stars; picks 7-8 for talents like Dovaston or Lindsay to enhance young core.
- North Melbourne: Post-trade recovery; No. 11 for defenders like Dean or Thredgold.
- Collingwood: Veteran departures; late picks for contributions, including academy ruck McCarthy.

https://x.com/superfooty/status/1989956909609480444