Pick 8: Sam Grlj

[mightytiges]

Welcome to Punt Rd, Sam

[Go Richo 12]

Happy with this

[mightytiges]

'The Sizzler' Grlj brings some sizzle to the midfield pack in this year's draft, with his speed and endurance mix a rare combination. He runs 5:59 minutes for the 2km time trial and 2.92 seconds for the 20-metre sprint, and he likes to use his jets on the field as well. The Vic Metro and Oakleigh Chargers prospect can accelerate out of trouble and into space in a matter of steps, and his form late in the year playing with Richmond's VFL side showed he can take the next step up.


https://www.afl.com.au/news/1453760/cal-twomeys-2025-phantom-draft-top-30-late-picks-whispers

[mightytiges]

As a bottom-ager for Oakleigh, Sam Grlj wouldn’t leave the ground until the lights were switched off for the night at Warrawee Park. Not a minute wasted, his thirst for improvement knows no bounds. What an asset he promises to be.
#AFLDraft

https://x.com/JontyRalphsmith/status/1991075375300907351

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Endurance and competitiveness top 10 prospect’s best weapons

Sam Grlj has had a fine season and shapes as a shrewd list addition for a club seeking a pacy midfielder.

Jonty Ralphsmith
zerohanger.com
October 22, 2025

Two things were highlighted about Oakleigh Chargers top 10 prospect Sam Grlj on the opening day of the 2025 AFL Draft National Combine.

The midfielder's endurance and competitiveness.

Grlj (pronounced grill) finished second in the two-kilometre time trial with a time of 5:58, behind only Sandringham Dragons running machine Jack Dalton, who was Grlj's pace-setter throughout his run.

The Vic Metro co-captain finished the AFL Draft National Combine as a rare athlete – breaking three seconds in the 20-metre sprint and six minutes in the two-kilometre time trial, proving his blend of speed and endurance.

“I was surprised with the time,” Grlj told Craft of the Draft the day after the run.

“I was just trying to go around sub 6:30 and then Jack pushed me and I was chasing him the whole time which was really good.

“Two kms is bloody hard to run so the time he did, credit to him, he's a good athlete but it probably helped me out.”



Running a personal best two-kilometre time trial underlined his innate competitiveness, a trait that shines through with the way he plays his footy.

Grlj catches the eye with his devastating overlap run, possession chains and clean skills, but it's underpinned by a hunger to get the best out of himself and beat opponents.

His contest work was on show during a two-game stint for Richmond's VFL side, where he got on-ball minutes and proved he had what it took to match it at the state league.

A bruising tackle on Gold Coast Academy prospect Zeke Uwland in a VFL game epitomised the spirit in a pair of games where he averaged 17 disposals and five tackles.

“His leadership, his exuberance and his excitement to be part of our program, and to be himself, was outstanding,” then Richmond VFL coach Jake Batchelor said of Grlj after his VFL debut.

“We saw on the track out there today he's got speed, he's got smarts, he's got sidesteps and agility.

“He's going to be a heck of a player.

“(I'm) really pleased (with him) and hopefully we can get him for the next couple of weeks as well because he definitely showed he can match it against some really good players.”



Grlj is unfazed about where he starts his career, likely as a linebreaking half-back or hard-working winger, but blossomed when charged with midfield responsibility in 2025, which is viewed as his long-term position.

Lauded within the programs he's been at for leading the way with his work ethic, a big pre-season set the foundation for a Coates Talent League year where he averaged 20 disposals and five tackles, thriving with the midfield time he was given under coach Ash Close.

“Drilling down on what I need to get good at and really improve my kicking efficiency and decision-making under pressure was a really important part of my pre-season,” Grlj said.

“He really encouraged me to show my flair through our games which set me up for a good season.

“I was really excited by the challenge of playing midfield and it suits attributes so I think it helped me out a lot this year.”


Aside: Both new Tigers in the one photo

A quieter U18s National Championships where Grlj, by admission, went away from what he was good at, raised some question marks about exactly where he sat in the draft crop.

He averaged 17 disposals in an up-and-down carnival for Vic Metro.

"I probably started thinking a little bit too much about the game and I think for me, when I play my best, I'm not thinking too much," Grlj noted.

"I'm just living in the moment more have that bit of flow so that's probably something I just missed throughout the 'Champs'."

A commanding finish to 2025 as he returned to what worked for him, including that Richmond VFL stint, put him back in discussions at the pointy end.

“My speed, competitiveness and agility would be good for me to bring to an AFL list and I'll be able to show that bring that out,” Grlj said.

“I don't take myself too seriously, try to be a good team person and look after my teammates, so I will invest in the club and the culture they're building.”

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-endurance-and-competitiveness-top-10-prospects-best-weapons-170179/

[Simonator]

He’s got the attributes to be the prototype modern midfielder. Think Holmes/smith/callaghan

Has the combo of elite speed and endurance. Can use the ball well and also find the goals

Pair all of that with a bit of mongrel and intent to tackle ( like cumming mind you ) and he will be a gun

[mightytiges]

Sam Grlj to bring the sizzle to Richmond

By Richmond Media
Nov 19, 2025, 7:57 pm



Richmond has selected exciting Oakleigh Chargers running-machine Sam Grlj with its second selection, No. 8 overall at tonight’s Telstra AFL Draft.

The speedster averaged 20.3 disposals, five tackles and 3.9 clearances at Coates Talent League level this year and 17 touches for Victoria Metro.

Grlj also impressed when playing for Richmond’s VFL team in Round 19 and 20, instantly standing out as a top-level talent.

Richmond National Recruiting Manager, Rhy Gieschen said the Club had tracked Grlj closely across the past three years.

“Sam’s attributes are really clear when you watch him play and he always plays to his strengths which is his terrific mix of speed, agility and endurance,” he said.

“Our fans will love his ability to use these attributes to take the game forward and break lines.

“His ability to link up and challenge the opposition with his run and dash is the standout feature in his game, which is also underpinned by the fact that he is a serious competitor who loves to win.

“Sam showed his ability to play really strong senior football in our VFL side this year acquitting himself extremely well.

“He also showcased his athletic profile at the recent Draft Combine where he was a 2.92 for the 20m sprint and a 5:55 two-kilometre time-trial which is an elite mix of speed and endurance.

“Sam has a real positive outlook on life and is always upbeat. He has great energy and is always looking at ways to improve his own game.

“We are delighted to welcome him and his family to the Swinburne Centre and cannot wait for the Tiger Army to make him one of their own.”

Grlj was voted as the captain of the Vic Metro U18 side this year, as well as captaining his school side at Camberwell Grammar such is his high-level character.

The 182cm Canterbury product was used mostly in the midfield and across half back this year.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1932043/sam-grjl-to-bring-the-sizzle-to-richmond

[mightytiges]

VIDEOS:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVU60P-ZELo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ1hECQVbm8

[mightytiges]

MORE VIDEOS:

This is Grlj playing for our VFL side.

Round 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dQnOp0Cdo

Round 20

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

[TigerLand]

Picks aside, Grlj will be a great player. Good addition to the squad. A skillet we certainly needed to add to the squad at some stage. Good kid too. Always around the mark to be drafted top 10. Solid player.

[one-eyed]

Pics:








https://www.aflphotos.com.au/gallery/afl-2025-media-telstra-afl-draft?sortby=&search=&pg=20

[one-eyed]

The moment Grlj gets his guernsey!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRsUI3yFgp0

[one-eyed]

Sam Grlj

height: 182cm
D.O.B: 26-07-2007
Position: Midfielder-Defender
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
Clubs: Oakleigh Chargers

SNAPSHOT:

“A tenacious, lightning-quick prospect who breaks the lines with flair and frequency.” – Michael Alvaro

Few players combine flair and substance like Sam Grlj. The Oakleigh Chargers speedster came on strongly as a top-ager to enter the top 10 conversation, catching the eye with his raw pace and dare. He came through the Chargers’ ranks as a dashing half-back last year, playing 10 Coates Talent League games to earn selection in the Vic Metro and National Under 17 Futures squads.

Grlj then elevated his game on the back of a strong preseason, lifting his disposal average from 13.8 to 20.3 with more midfield time in 2025. His scintillating performance in one of Vic Metro’s early trial games catapulted his stocks, though Grlj produced a relatively steady National Championships campaign in comparison. He even reverted back to his role across half-back by the end of it.

In the back-end of the year, Grlj was afforded opportunities with Richmond’s VFL side. He made two appearances in the yellow on black, acquitting himself well with his patented running game. After returning strongly for Oakleigh, he was named at half-back in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year, came second in the Chargers’ best and fairest, and clinched the club’s midfield award.

Most recently, Grlj starred at the National Draft Combine with a pair of top-10 results. He ranked second in the 2km time trial, stopping the clock at 5:59, while also placing ninth in the 20m sprint (2.926 seconds). The midfielder is a Carlton supporter, but models his game on the likes of Zak Butters and Nick Daicos – mainly for their ability to change gears moving from inside to out.

STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Dare
+ Evasiveness
+ Line-breaking
+ Running power
+ Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Accumulation
- Composure

Grlj's main weapon is his running power. He operates at full-throttle, accelerating through the gears like no other and leaving opponents in his wake. His daringness in every situation is quite unique, as Grlj backs his speed regardless of peril. What's more, he blends speed with a strong endurance base, producing repeat sprint efforts conducive to current day football. As much was evident at the National Draft Combine, where he achieved top-10 finishes in both the 20m sprint and 2km time trial.

With lightning-quick bursts, Grlj generates forward momentum in an instant. He takes off as soon as he collects the ball without compromise and consistently puts the opposition on the back foot. Particularly as a defender, he has the ability to spark end-to-end forays with repeat possessions in single passages, either linking up by hand or gut-running to track his kicks. Along the way, opponents struggle to lay a hand on him.

Grlj's evasiveness is part of what makes him so difficult to contain. He slips tackles and rolls them off his back, also riding the bumps well and possessing a wicked side-step. That's what allows him to take so many risks, even under enormous pressure, as he finds a way to get out of danger so prolifically. Such aggressive line-breaking ability is hard to come by, and can be extremely damaging when executing fast breaks through the corridor.

Complimenting his obvious flair is Grlj's competitive streak. He's a real goer, willing to lay fierce tackles and get in the face of the opposition. Often times you'll see him bury an opponent into the ground and let them know about it, playing at a high intensity and judging himself harshly for any rare errors or losses. An added benefit of his will to win has been a vastly improved midfield acumen. Grlj has become quite clean and tough around the ball, able to extract and distribute in fluent motion.

Being a high-impact type, Grlj is less of an accumulator than most in the half-back/midfielder mould. His greatest possession tally in the Coates Talent League this year was 24, though he proved consistent with hauls of 20-plus disposals in four of seven appearances, and a low of 15. Boosting his production level will only compound his ability to hurt the opposition, balancing out his damaging bursts with sustained energy.

Another area Grlj can look to develop is his composure. He tends to play to one very high gear, so being able to slow the play down when required and assess his options will be part of adjusting his decision making to the top level. You don't want to quell his natural instincts, but he'll get away with a lot less in the AFL in terms of breaking tackles and having as much time in possession. Otherwise, Grlj gets a tick for enhancing his midfield craft - as sited in preseason - and has seems to operate at highly professional standards.

AFL U18 Championships
Season   Team       K   HB   D   M   CP   UP   T   HO   CLR   I50   R50   GL   GM   K   H   D   M   HO   T   G   DC
2025   Vic Metro   29   39   68   10   19   49   7   0   3   8   6   1   4   7.3   9.8   17.0   2.5   0.0   1.8   0.3   58
Total   -                29   39   68   10   19   49   7   0   3   8   6   1   4   7.3   9.8   17.0   2.5   0.0   1.8   0.3   58

Coates Talent League Boys
Season   Team                   K   HB   D   M   CP   UP   T   HO   CLR   I50   R50   GL   GM   K   H   D   M   HO   T   G   DC
2024   Oakleigh Chargers   64   74   138   22   0   0   39   0   0   25   17   1   10   6.4   7.4   13.8   2.2   0.0   3.9   0.1   48
2025   Oakleigh Chargers   59   83   142   19   49   92   35   0   27   20   13   5   7   8.4   11.9   20.3   2.7   0.0   5.0   0.7   81
Total   -                          123   157   280   41   49   92   74   0   27   45   30   6   17   7.2   9.2   16.5   2.4   0.0   4.4   0.4   129


DRAFT RANGE: 5-12

SUMMARY:

Clubs will be clamouring for a player like Grlj, who offers clear points of difference among a relatively shallow crop. His line-breaking speed and competitive nature are attributes suited to the quickly regenerating Richmond side, for example. The Tigers currently hold picks two and three, so after early bids on Academy-aligned talent, could be a club to pounce on Grlj’s traits. It would be somewhat of a jump in that range, but he appeals to several sides on a needs basis. His promising VFL form and rate of development in 2025 will be other factors which boost his value among the top 15. A strong National Combine showing was just the cherry on top – he’ll go early.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/sam-grlj/

[one-eyed]

When this draft hopeful started to get noticed, things fell apart. This is how he got back on track

Marc McGowan
The Age
November 19, 2025

Everything happened with a rush for Sam Grlj in the early months of this year.

After not being named in the AFL Academy squad last November, a scintillating start to the season sent Grlj – pronounced “Grill” – roaring into top-10 draft contention. There was an eye-catching trial for Victoria Metro, and he also excelled in a new midfield role for Oakleigh Chargers.

The teenage speedster had recruiters’ attention, and his enhanced status spread to the media, where Grlj suddenly began seeing his name mentioned. It all became a bit much – and Grlj’s performance suffered.

That led to him approaching former Richmond footballer-turned-sports scientist and high-performance guru David Buttifant, who has worked at various AFL clubs and with Olympic athletes.

They spoke for almost two hours after Grlj admitted to Buttifant that he was struggling.

“I burst onto the scene a little bit at the start of the year, and I wasn’t really used to the media and all the attention that came with that,” Grlj told this masthead.

“I ended up speaking to David Buttifant about focusing on what I can control, and to not really worry about that other stuff. I probably got back to that after the [national under-18] champs, and that’s probably why I played better footy after that.”

Grlj’s is a relatively common story when it comes to prospective AFL draftees.

They deal not only with the pressure they place upon themselves to perform in their draft year, but also the sudden extra attention in the media, and from well-meaning friends, family and schoolmates, plus the potential of leaving home to relocate interstate.

Everyone handles that experience differently, particularly as players bounce between club, school and state commitments, all of which bring their own scrutiny.

Chargers coach Ash Close and Grlj’s Camberwell Grammar School friends were crucial, along with Buttifant, in helping the AFL prospect emerging from his mid-season form battle, when he was frustrated with his inability to impact matches like he wanted to.

“It was a great learning opportunity because that’s the first time I’ve been faced with something like that,” Grlj said.

“I’m pretty proud of myself for being able to come through it and play some decent footy … [but it] definitely can be pretty challenging, especially when things aren’t going your way, and you really want footy to work out.”

Grlj, who has Macedonian and Slovenian heritage, is linked as early as Richmond’s top-10 picks, after making a strong impression for the Tigers’ VFL team late in the season.

“Becoming an AFL player is everything I’ve ever wanted in my life since I can remember,” Grlj said.

“To have the opportunity to maybe get picked up is pretty exciting for me.”

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/when-this-draft-hopeful-started-to-get-noticed-things-fell-apart-this-is-how-he-got-back-on-track-20251118-p5ngby.html

[one-eyed]

"Probably wasn't going to get drafted 12 months ago."

New Tiger Sam Grlj is emotional after being taken with pick eight ❤️

Watch here: https://x.com/FOXFOOTY/status/1991073342267224161

[Tiger Khosh]

Welcome to the sizzler.

I’ll put my hand up and say I got way too caught up in the numerous rankings and phantom drafts this year so didn’t have grlj as part of the group of players I was hoping would be read out at our pick. But if the recruitment team who spend years watching these kids play rate him as the 4th best player in the open pool then who am I to disagree. His combination of speed/agility/endurance should be quite the weapon for us whether that’s as a flanker, wingman or maybe eventually through the middle.

Back in the recruiters and more importantly back in the kid. Hope he plays 300+ games and wins multiple flags!