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Scouts believe this year’s AFL draft crop is the thinnest in a while, so what could it mean for clubs with early picks? Plus all the standouts from the weekend’s national champs games , including a Blues father-son gun and another SA forward.
ahead of the 2025 AFL national draft, with the first round to be held on Wednesday November 19, followed by the remaining rounds on Thursday November 20.IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The Under 18 national championships, traditionally, see the best draft prospects separate themselves from their peers and, therefore, give AFL clubs more clarity around the talent pool. But a few rounds in and scouts still have more questions than answers – particularly around the two Victorian teams, who both suffered first-up losses on the weekend. Both Vic Metro and Vic Country on the weekend lost their opening champs to South Australia and Western Australia respectively. Vic Country was admirable in defeat and put in a spirited display, only going down by three points thanks to a post-siren WA goal to emerging Subiaco prospect Hudson Walker.FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play.spoke to four scouts who watched both games – either live at the venue or via vision replay. Three of them all raised concerns with the Victorian teams’ preparation for the championships – and why SA and WA are arguably doing it better. While all teams had versions of ‘summer hubs’ – where national squads get together to train and bond – SA and WA’s sound immediate build-up to the carnival shouldn’t be underestimated, according to clubs. It was pointed out both SA and WA play a minimum of two trial games in the weeks leading up to the champs. The SA team took on an Under 20s side from its own state before travelling to Sydney for a hit-out against an NSW Academies line-up, while WA faced an Under 21s outfit from its own state then delivered an impressive win over West Perth’s reserves. Scouts, however, lamented Victoria’s preparations, with one recruiter labelling it “disjointed” due to the lack of time the squads spent together in the immediate lead-up to the Under 18 champs. The main issue for AFL clubs is the fixturing clash – and subsequent pull for many prospects – between school footy and Coates Talent League/Victoria trial matches. And due to a quirk of the champs fixture, Metro now doesn’t play again until July 6 when it travels west to play WA. Still, the set-up hasn’t affected past Vic sides, with either Country or Metro claiming five of the past eight carnival titles. So while the lack of carnival prep is still a big talking point, the weekend’s results – especially the Metro loss to SA – only further highlighted the talent pool chasm in a highly-compromised draft featuring ample northern academy stars. One scout suggested the strength of the Sandringham Dragons and, to a lesser extent, the Oakleigh Chargers in the Talent League often reflected the talent pool’s depth. Midway through June and the Dragons are eighth on the ladder and the Chargers are 14th. Granted both teams traditionally improve towards the back-half of the year with more personnel continuity, highlighted by the fact the Dragons have won the competition’s past three premierships.“There are concerns from recruiters that this is the thinnest Victorian crop we’ll see, maybe in years, maybe in living memory,” Ralph said on“As they say in the recruiting game, if Victoria is strong, everyone else is strong. All these clubs can’t get access to Northern Academies.” also have scouts pumped about next year. And this week’s Country-Metro clash in the Under 16 national championships – which you can read more about below – had recruiters excited about the 2027 crop. But the nature of the 2025 pool might have clubs with multiple first-round picks, such as Essendon, Richmond and West Coast, pondering their positions. “If you’re Richmond or Essendon right now, you’ve got two first-rounders, you’re thinking: ‘Do we trade them off? Does anyone want them?’” Ralph posed.“It’s worth it, but I tell you what, he’d want to be really good. He’s a superstar but he’s going to take some time.”Despite the losses, a few Victorian prospects still caught the eye on the weekend – particularly a father-son prospect that could fill a chasm Carlton has been keen to fill for years.– the son of dual premiership Blue Peter Dean – had a standout game for Vic Country against WA, finishing with 14 disposals, 10 marks and seven intercepts as he commanded the air. At 193cm, Dean has the presence and potential to be a long-term second key defender at the Blues, who’ve been crying out for a young key back like him for several seasons. The lack of key defenders in this year’s draft pool, though, arguably increases Dean’s value and, therefore, could force Carlton to match a bid earlier than it’d ideally like – for the son of a gun is now looming as a potential first-round prospect.was a clear standout in Country’s loss, booting four goals from 18 disposals as he continued to boost his prospects. Hibbins-Hargreaves, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury earlier this season, started on a wing before pushing more into the forward line as the game progressed. Crucially, he hit the scoreboard when the game was up for grabs. If he can continue to have that kind of impact on games forward of centre for Vic Country, his first-round chances will only strengthen. both found plenty of the ball. The versatile Duursma – the brother of Xavier, Yasmin and Zane – played as an inside midfielder for a lot of the match against WA before moving into defence late – and one scout said he “looked better behind the ball”.was busy around the ground, finishing with 18 disposals, nine contested possessions, five tackles, five rebound 50s, three clearances and 21 hit-outs as he showed off his athleticism. But opposite South Australia ruckSource: Getty Images It was a tough day to be a Vic Metro forward – the team had just 26 inside 50s for the game – hence scouts weren’t concerned by to make the most of his opportunities later in the carnival.While the Vics started with losses, South Australia is now in Position A to claim its first national title since 2018, sitting 2-0 after wins over WA last week and Vic Metro on the weekend.The tough Croweater – a genuine top 10 chance at this year’s draft – amassed a game-high 32 disposals to go with 13 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, seven clearances, two goals and 541 metres gained in a match-winning performance. Sharp, who captains South Australia, was strong around the contest and also spread well in transition. It was arguably his best performance of his draft year yet. For some scouts, it was the ‘wow’ game they’d been waiting to see from Sharp to prove he belongs at the pointy end of the pool., who snagged two majors from 19 disposals in a much-improved performance from his game against WA. Cumming has been dominant at SANFL Under 18s level this year, but recruiters were pleased he stepped up on the national stage to solidify his first-round chances. One talent-watcher said the classy Cumming was “the prototype AFL midfielder”.In fact SA now has a case it could produce at least four first-round prospects this year, with key forwardSchubert kicked 3.1 from 14 disposals and seven marks, taking his championships tally to seven from two outings. Standing at 198cm, Schubert has plenty of aerial competitiveness and is clean at ground level for a big man of his size, but clubs love his aerobic capacity and willingness to work up the field and present.put together another strong performance with 19 disposals and six score involvements, backing up his efforts from the week before against the Allies. Kellaway, the son of 180-game Tiger Duncan, is eligible to join the Tigers this draft and has shown plenty of potential given his ability to use the footy well by both hand and foot. Kellaway has also shown an ability to play through the midfield or in the backline. PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Cody Curtin of Western Australia celebrates a goal during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. might have been the hero with a late matchwinner, but there was plenty to like about a pair of his Western Australian teammates.was arguably the Sandgropers’ best against Vic Country, amassing 17 disposals and two goals to go with six tackles and 373 metres gained. He impressed on-lookers with his tireless workrate and team-first attitude. A tough midfielder out of South Fremantle, Rodriguez looms as a bankable prospect who’s right in the first-round mix. was a handful all day for Vic Country, booting three majors and hauling in six marks. The younger brother of young Crow Daniel, Curtin’s future looks bright – although clubs want to see how the Claremont player fares against SA this weekend then, ideally, in reserves or league WAFL footy later in the year.was also impressive, accumulating a team-high 18 touches to go with four clearances and five inside 50s. A tough, competitive and hard-working on-baller, Whan was busy at the coalface and impressed going from the inside to the outside. PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Fred Rodriguez and Cody Curtin of Western Australia celebrate winning the game with Hudson Walker during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. While this year’s Victorian draft crop might be considered thin, there’s some talented youngsters on the horizon that are already impressing club recruiters., the son of former Port Adelaide player Steven. Salopek is tied to the Power for the 2027 draft and was arguably best on ground for Vic Country in the under 16s National Championships clash on Monday. Salopek amassed 32 disposals, a whopping 11 clearances and five tackles in a scintillating display out at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport Oval. The promising 16-year-old has also played two games for the Dandenong Stingrays this campaign, averaging 10 disposals, 4.5 marks and a goal a game playing as a forward.Rodan was another standout from the first batch of games, playing across half-back where he racked up 19 disposals and four tackles for Vic Metro. He’s eligible to join the Power as a father-son prospect in 2027 as well, but he’s also tied to Essendon via their Next Generation Academy. Like Salopek, Rodan has also had a chance to strut his stuff in the Coates Talent League as a 16-year-old, showcasing glimpses of his brilliant best in a game against the Dandenong Stingrays back in late May.is another name who is catching the eye of AFL recruiters after a 23-disposal, three goal effort against Vic Country. Bewick has plenty of admirers but really burst onto the scene in his lone outing for the Calder Cannons this year, where he racked up a game-high 28 disposals and a goal against the Northern Territory in the Coates Talent League. He’s still only 15 years of age, but the son of ex-Don Darren is seriously impressive. Bewick has a high footy IQ, is calm with ball in hand and has already shown a knack of being able to hit the scoreboard.caused havoc alongside Salopek in the engine room with 25 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances. Keep an eye on, the younger brother of 2025 draft prospect Tairon, who also showed some promising signs.. McCollough is a tough nut who loves the contest and works hard both ways, while Sruk is more of an explosive midfielder himself. McCullough had 18 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal, while Sruk ended his day with 20 touches, five clearances and a major.
Mason Whitney Crow Daniel Gippsland Power Recruiting Game Carnival Titles National Champs Games Engine Room Trial Matches Ben Waterworth First-Up Losses Ample Northern Academy Northern Territory Top Prospects BEAST STARS Player Fares Victoria Hudson Walker Father-Son Gun Goal Effort Corey Ah-Mu Oakleigh Chargers Sydney Western Australia Louis Kellaway Port Adelaide Father-Son Gun Bolter South Australia Stat Sheet Father-Son Bolter Standout Game Score Involvements Australian Midfielder Tom Mcguane Mitch Marsh Josh Lindsay Oliver Greeves Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Fred Rodriguez Paul Kane Australia First-Round Chances Personnel Continuity Vision Replay Talent News Will Schofield Talking Points National Championships Melbourne Xavier Victoria Country WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DUO Draft Crop Concernsthis Champs Fixture Cody Walker Vic Country Northern Academy Stars Team-First Attitude Scores Involvements Shoulder Injury Dual Premiership Toby Whan Talented Youngsters Draft Crop Kysaiah Pickett Bendigo Pioneers New South Wales Cody Curtin National Championships Results Club Recruiters Ex-Power Star Oceania Sam Cumming Talent Pool Rory Wright Metro Inc. Jason Mccawley Jon Ralph Western Jets Australian Teammates Northern Knights Key Defender Richmond Father-Son Aerial Competitiveness Next Generation Academy Getty Images Inc. Avalon Airport Oval Calder Cannons Australia And New Zealand Contested Possessions Carnival Prep Max Thompson Harry Dean Aidan Schubert School Footy Issue Stumps Young Key Favourite Right Explosive Midfielder Father-Son Prospect Tigers South Fremantle Blues Father-Son Draft Prospects
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