AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top midfield prospects ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
The AFL this year celebrates 40 years of the Draft, following the introduction of the national Draft in 1986.
This 2025 Telstra AFL Draft will be held on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20. The 2025 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Friday, November 21.
Sheehan's player profiles will be released via positional group each week ahead of the Draft. This week’s edition highlights the small defenders, midfielders and forwards in this year’s Draft pool.
All players profiled attended the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine or 2025 Telstra AFL State Draft Combine in October.
Keep updated with all the latest news ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft at the AFL Draft Hub.
NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE
Beau Addinsall
State: Queensland
State League Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Community Club: Burleigh
Date of Birth: 09/03/2007
Height: 182cm
An uncanny midfielder/forward, Addinsall possesses prolific ball-winning ability and an innate goal sense. He was a standout during his underaged years, including winning the McLean Medal as the best and fairest player in Pool B at the 2023 U16 National Championships, before starring for Team Sloane in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Futures match at the MCG last September, where he collected 34 disposals at 76 percent efficiency to win the medal as his side’s best player. Addinsall started this 2025 season in great form for the Gold Coast Suns Academy and recorded a game-high 28 touches in his first match for the Marsh AFL National Academy against Richmond’s VFL team in another impressive performance. However, after just one game with the Allies in the National Championships he suffered a debilitating hamstring injury but returned to full fitness and form with several strong VFL performances for the Suns. Presented in great order at the Draft Combine being ranked in the top five for the 2km time trial with a time of 6:15 and in the top ten in the running vertical jump with an effort of 88cm, showcasing his endurance and power.
Oskar Ainsworth
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Western Jets
Community Club: Williamstown
Date of Birth: 26/04/2007
Height: 187cm
A powerful forward/midfielder, Ainsworth propelled himself into the Victoria Metro team in the back half of the National Championships with two bags of five goals for the Western Jets against the Calder Cannons and Bendigo Pioneers, allowing him to get a taste of the next level. Ainsworth continued to be a threat up forward for the Jets throughout the Coates Talent League season, with his natural leap, overhead marking and innate goal sense all features of his game. Kicked 21 goals from his average of 18 disposals in 12 matches for the Jets.
Sam Allen
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Glen Iris
Date of Birth: 13/01/2007
Height: 182cm
A well-balanced and smooth-moving wingman, Allen’s elite running capacity separates him from others. He runs a sub six-minute 2km time trial but also looks capable of playing on the inside as well. During pre-season testing, Allen showcased his athletic capacity and power by ranking No.1 nationally in the running vertical jump with a leap of 101cm. He started the year well with the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 21.3 disposals (9.3 contested) across the first three rounds before suffering a season-ending ACL injury at training. Is now on the road to a full recovery. Allen is the grandson of former Melbourne best and fairest winner Ray Groom, who later became premier of Tasmania and is a member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
Daniel Annable
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Redlands-Victoria Point
Date of Birth: 05/04/2007
Height: 184cm
A hard-working midfielder/forward, Annable used his strong work rate and contested ball-winning ability to impact games. Has produced dominant performances for three years at both underage and VFL levels. Was a star for the Allies in the National Championships this year, particularly against both South Australia and Western Australia. He averaged 24.8 disposals, 4.3 clearances and 3.8 tackles across four matches to win selection in the All Australian Team. His selection topped off a great underage career after earlier in the year captaining the Australia U18 team in a match against Richmond’s VFL side, where he won the best player medal. Annable handled the step up to VFL level comfortably with the Brisbane Lions, averaging 21.3 disposals in eight matches. A member of both the Marsh AFL National Academy and the Brisbane Lions Academy, he is eligible to join the Lions in the Draft under Northern Academy rules. Rounded off his year with a top ten finish in the 2km time at the national Draft Combine with a time of 6:21.
Harley Barker
State: South Australia
State League Club: Sturt
Community Club: Mount Barker
Date of Birth: 02/05/2007
Height: 188cm
A wingman whose weapons include his speed, overhead marking and penetrating kick. Barker is a beautifully balanced player who has impressed playing under 18 representative football for South Australia over the past two years. This year he excelled, averaging 16 disposals at 73% efficiency across the National Championships and featured among his team’s best players in wins over both Western Australia and Victoria Country. Barker’s reward of All Australian selection was well earned and became some compensation after unfortunately injuring his ACL playing for Sturt immediately after South Australia’s title-winning campaign had ended. However, AFL clubs won’t need reminding of Barker’s elite speed, completing the 20m sprint in a time of 2.86 seconds to rank in the top 10 nationally at pre-season testing. He was also a member of the Marsh AFL National Academy and impressed with his classy ball use when he picked up 17 disposals in the win against VFL side Coburg in April.
Koby Coulson
State: Queensland
State League Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Community Club: Broadbeach
Date of Birth: 31/07/2007
Height: 180cm
A midfielder/forward who excels at stoppages, Coulson uses his footy IQ, clean hands and sharp competitive edge to extract the footy. He is agile through traffic and looks confident and composed with ball in hand. Coulson began the season in dominant form with the Gold Coast Suns Academy, averaging 29 disposals in their five Coates Talent League matches. This earned him National Championships selection for the Allies, where he went on to average 24.2 disposals (11.8 contested), four clearances and 4.8 tackles and was duly rewarded with All Australian Team honours. He also had a taste of VFL level football and equipped himself well in six matches with the Gold Coast Suns.
Sam Cumming
State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Wentworth District
Date of Birth: 27/07/2007
Height: 183cm
A medium-sized midfielder with an enormous work rate and appetite for the contest, Cumming also has clean hands and is both strong and brave overhead. He excelled as a bottom-aged player last year, winning the SANFL’s U18 MVP award after averaging 27 disposals per game with North Adelaide. This year in the National Championships he was consistently in the action, whether forward or midfield, averaging 17 disposals at 76 percent efficiency, 3.5 marks, 3.3 tackles and a goal a game to be one of South Australia’s most consistent players and earn All Australian honours. At club level he progressed to play four senior games and looked very comfortable at the level, picking up 21 disposals against South Adelaide, before a shoulder injury cut short his season. Originally from Wentworth District in the Sunraysia Football League, Cumming moved to Adelaide for school and was part of the Marsh AFL National Academy this year.
Oliver Greeves
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community: Vermont
Date of Birth: 07/02/2007
Height: 191cm
A big-bodied midfielder/forward, Greeves is strong in the contest with his sharp competitive edge, prolific with his ball winning and creative by hand and foot. Greeves starred for Victoria Metro throughout the National Championships, averaging 25.2 disposals at 71% efficiency, 4.5 clearances and 2.8 tackles. He won Vic Metro’s MVP award, finished runner-up in the Larke Medal as the carnival’s best and fairest and secured All Australian honours. Greeves was a star all year at club level for the Eastern Ranges, earning Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours after averaging 25.5 disposals and kicking 11 goals in their premiership winning season, including having 35 disposals and kicking four goals in a stunning preliminary final performance against the GWV Rebels. Did not test at the national Draft Combine due to illness. Another graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy, he is a great nephew of Geelong legend Carji Greeves, the first winner of the Brownlow Medal.
Sam Grlj
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Canterbury
Date of Birth: 26/07/2007
Height: 182cm
A medium defender or midfielder, Grlj possesses dazzling speed and a neat step through traffic, which allow him to break the lines and set up the play. A model of consistency with the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League, he averaged 20.3 disposals at 72% efficiency, five tackles and 3.9 clearances playing predominantly in the midfield. Held a leadership role with Victoria Metro, with his acceleration again a feature during the National Championships, where he averaged 17 disposals across the four matches. Grlj grasped the opportunity to play two VFL games for Richmond late in the year, including having 18 disposals on debut against the Gold Coast Suns. His strong form at all levels contributed to him earning Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours. Was most impressive at the national Draft Combine, where he showcased his speed and endurance with a time of 2.93 seconds for the 20m sprint and finished second overall for the 2km time trial with an elite 5:59.
Hunter Holmes
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Prahran
Date of Birth 19/02/2007
Height: 188cm
A medium midfielder in his first year in the Oakleigh Chargers program after previously playing only school football, Holmes had a progressive development year. He averaged 18.7 disposals, 3.1 clearances and 3.2 tackles to force his way into the Victoria Metro squad. He went on to play three matches at the National Championships, where he showed glimpses of his elite potential, averaging 14.3 disposals. Holmes still has a massive upside given his lack of exposure at the elite level, but his eye-catching burst from stoppages along with clean hands and decision making are great fundamentals to begin with. His time of 2.89 seconds for the 20m sprint was the third fastest at the national Draft Combine. Those athletic traits are not surprising given he is the brother of Geelong best and fairest Max Holmes and their mother, Lee Naylor, is a former Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning sprinter.
Jack Ison
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Parkside
Date of Birth: 26/03/2007
Height: 191cm
A left-footed inside midfielder and forward, Ison has shown slices of his elite AFL traits over the past three years, with injury hindering his ability to string games together. He gave glimpses of his undoubted talent with his size, speed and neat kicking very AFL-like in his three matches for Victoria Metro at the National Championships. He averaged 13.3 disposals and 3.7 tackles for Metro but looked to have enormous scope for rapid improvement. Continuity of playing and high performance didn’t come until his final four games for the Oakleigh Chargers this year, where he finally was able to put on display his unique talent. This included having 30 disposals and 10 clearances against the Calder Cannons, following it up with 27 disposals against the Sandringham Dragons in eye-catching finals performances. He did not test at the Draft Combine due to a tibial bone stress issue. Ison is a member of Carlton’s Next Generation Academy program given his Indigenous heritage and is certain to attract attention on Draft night.
Louis Kellaway
State: South Australia
State League Club: Sturt
Community Club: Glenunga
Date of Birth: 16/03/2007
Height: 183 cm
A medium midfielder, Kellaway is lightly built but possesses exceptionally clean hands and the ability to find his way out of traffic around the contest. A creative player, he makes great decisions with the ball to set up his team through the midfield. All these traits were on full display as part of South Australia’s midfield rotations in the National Championships, where he was a strong and consistent performer averaging 19.3 disposals at 80 percent efficiency. Was at his best in a trademark performance against Victoria Country at Marvel Stadium to help set up the victory that wrapped up the title. He is the son of former 180-game Richmond star Duncan Kellaway, making him eligible to join the Tigers under father-son rules this year.
Matthew Leray
State: South Australia
State League Club: Central District
Community Club: Golden Grove
Date of Birth: 22/02/2007
Height: 188cm
A well-built and powerful wingman, Leray possesses the ability to read the game extremely well and consistently find the footy. Very strong and courageous overhead, as well as a penetrating kick on both feet, Leray was one of seven South Australians to be awarded All Australian honours at the National Championships. He averaged 16.8 disposals at 67 percent efficiency along with 5.8 marks to provide great drive for his team in their unbeaten title-winning campaign. Leray was also dominant at under 18s level with Central District in the SANFL, averaging 22.3 disposals and 3.9 clearances in 12 matches. Another graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy, he is a dual-sport athlete having represented South Australia in cricket at the U17 National Championships as a leg spinner.
Jai Murray
State: Queensland
State League Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Community Club: Burleigh
Date of Birth: 09/03/2007
Height: 185cm
A medium midfielder/defender, Murray wins the ball one-on-one and is a fierce competitor, tidy ball user and strong decision-maker. At the 2023 U16 National Championships he averaged 22 disposals (nine contested) and a tournament-high eight tackles on his way to earning All Australian selection. Murray set a solid foundation as a bottom-age player last year, starring for the Gold Suns Academy and even getting a taste of the tempo at VFL level. It was no surprise he had an excellent start to 2025 with the Suns Academy, averaging 23 disposals (81 per cent efficiency) in five matches in the Coates Talent League, including a dominant game as an inside midfielder against the Dandenong Stingrays, gathering 29 disposals. The following week he suffered a season-ending foot injury right on the cusp of representing the Allies at the National Championships. He missed testing at the Draft Combine while still recovering from foot surgery. The Gold Coast Suns are eligible to match a bid on Murray on Draft night given he is a member of their Academy.
Riley Onley
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Shepparton United
Date of Birth: 30/03/2007
Height: 195cm
A tall midfielder, Onley uses his height and reach to excel around stoppages and has a good burst of speed to break the game open. A powerful player who covers the ground extremely well, he divided his playing time this year between Scotch College, the Murray Bushrangers and Victoria Country. Was at his dominant best in the final two games of the National Championships against the Allies and Victoria Metro, with his bursts through the midfield and ball use superb. Onley averaged 23 disposals (9.8 contested), 4.8 marks and four clearances for Victoria Country to win All Australian honours, as well as being named in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. A graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy, he missed testing at the Draft Combine due to hamstring injury.
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Modbury
Date of Birth: 11/04/2007
Height: 181cm
A powerful midfielder, Oudshoorn-Bennier dominated as a bottom-age player for North Adelaide in the SANFL under 18s last year. He averaged 26 disposals, four tackles and four clearances to be named a joint winner of the McCallum-Tomkins Medal for the best and fairest player in the competition. He excels at stoppages, with his anticipation and clean hands being great strengths. A shoulder injury delayed his start to the 2025 season, but he returned to the fold in have a fantastic year at club and state level. Oudshoorn-Bennier played all four matches for South Australia in their National Championships title-winning campaign, averaging 14.8 disposals at 84 percent efficiency. He also produced outstanding form at club level in 10 matches in the under 18s and reserves, averaging 24 disposals, before stepping up to play two senior matches for North Adelaide and looking very capable at that level.
Tyan Prindable
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Coorparoo
Date of Birth: 25/01/2007
Height: 181cm
Left-footed midfielder who has shown he can be effective in both inside and outside roles, utilising his precise kicking and footy smarts to impact the play. Prindable’s early season form saw him get an opportunity in the Allies squad for the National Championships. He went on to play in their final three games, averaging 19 disposals at 72 percent efficiency, 5.7 tackles and 3.7 clearances. Was among the Allies best against both Western Australia and Victoria Metro. A member of the Brisbane Lions Academy, Prindable graduated to play five matches in the Lions VFL team, ending his year with a 20-disposal performance against eventual premiers Footscray to cap off a breakout year.
Sullivan Robey
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Rowville
Date of Birth: 04/10/2007
Height: 192cm
A tall midfielder/forward, Robey has emerged in the back half of the year with some outstanding performances for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League. After only making his club debuting in Round 12, he has become a potential Draft bolter in nine matches, averaging 19.7 disposals and kicking 18 goals. Among his outstanding performances was a 40-disposal and three-goal haul against the Western Jets in Wildcard Round, along with kicking four goals in the Ranges’ Grand Final victory over the Sandringham Dragons. A powerful player with one-touch hands, as well as being a beautiful set shot for goal, Robey has been a late physical developer, growing six centimeters after being overlooked by the Dandenong Stingrays in his 16th year. Was one of a handful of players to earn a late invite to the national Draft Combine, with AFL clubs eager to find out more about the potential hidden gem.
Fred Rodriguez
State: Western Australia
State League Club: South Fremantle
Community Club: Fremantle City Dockers
Date of Birth: 10/07/2007
Height: 184cm
A beautifully balanced midfielder, Rodriguez’s distribution on both feet is elite and he’s also very creative with his clean ball-handling skills, along with overall composure. A hard two-way runner, he was outstanding for Western Australia at the National Championships, no more so than in the thrilling win over Victoria Country and also in the loss to Victoria Metro. Averaged 18 disposals at 78 percent efficiency to win his team’s MVP award and All Australian honours. Dominated for South Fremantle at under 18 club level all year, averaging 25.3 disposals, as well as having a taste of WAFL senior level and also playing a reserves game. Impressed in the 2km time trial at the national Draft Combine, ranking seventh overall with a time of 6:20. A graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy.
Dyson Sharp
State: South Australia
State League Club: Central District
Community Club: Barossa District
Date of Birth: 23/05/2007
Height: 188cm
A strong-bodied midfielder, Sharp knows how to dominate clearances, using his strength, power and footy nous to win contests. A competitive beast, he was the star player of the National Championships, averaging 27 disposals at 76.6 percent efficiency, along with 11 contested possessions, five tackles and six clearances to lead South Australia to the title. Won his team’s MVP, as well as the Larke Medal for the best and fairest player overall at the Championships. Already a dual All Australian at under 16s level, he was named captain of the under 18s All Australian Team to complete a remarkable underage career, having represented his state with great distinction. Did not test at the Draft Combine due to illness. Another graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy.
Sam Swadling
State: Western Australia
State League Club: West Perth
Community Club: Whitford
Date of Birth: 16/01/2007
Height: 189cm
A medium midfielder/forward, Swadling is a prolific ball winner who has elite kicking skills on both sides of his body and is very composed with ball in hand. At club level he dominated under 18s football winning Team of the Year recognition after averaging 35.4 disposals and 6.6 clearances in nine matches for West Perth. He debuted at senior level later in the year, showcasing his potential in averaging 17.5 disposals in four matches. Swadling was one of Western Australia’s best at the National Championships, averaging 19 disposals at 74 percent efficiency, 2.8 clearances and 2.5 tackles. He was among his team’s best performers against both South Australia and Victoria Metro and was rewarded with All Australian selection.
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Xavier Bamert
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: East Malvern Knights
Date of Birth: 29/01/2007
Height: 185cm
A left-footed inside midfielder with a high work rate and strong ball-winning ability, Bamert has had some injury interruptions after starring for Victoria Metro at the U16 National Championships in 2023. Missed the Sandringham Dragons premiership win in 2024 due to injury but returned as club captain this year. Played 16 matches and averaged 19.2 disposals to lead the Dragons to another Grand Final, where he featured in the best players as they fell just short of a history-equalling fourth-consecutive flag. Was serviceable for Victoria Metro at this year’s National Championships, playing all four matches and averaging 12.8 disposals. His time of 6:10 for the 2km time trial was outstanding and ranked first at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne.
Charlie Banfield
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Claremont
Community Club: Swanbourne
Date of Birth: 18/07/2007
Height: 192cm
A versatile tall midfielder who can also go forward and have an impact, Banfield is strong and courageous overhead and can be damaging by foot. He played all four National Championships matches for Western Australia in each of the past two years and this year was one of their most consistent, featuring among their best players in all matches, averaging 14 disposals. Banfield continued to develop at WAFL Colts level with Claremont this season, averaging 22.3 disposals in eight matches. He topped his year becoming a back-to-back premiership player and was awarded best on ground honours in the Grand Final after gathering 28 disposals and kicking two goals to win the Mel Whitten Medal. Banfield is the son of former No.1 draft pick and two-time West Coast Eagles premiership player Drew and is eligible to join the Eagles under father-son rules. He represented the Eagles at WAFL senior level throughout the 2025 season. He produced an impressive show of endurance at the WA State Draft Combine, with an elite performance in the 2km time trial of 6:08 minutes.
Blake Chambers
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Rowville
Date of Birth: 31/05/2007
Height: 182cm
Wingman/half back who really blossomed as the year progressed. Chambers was on the edge of Victoria Metro selection as a train-on squad member. He has all the athletic attributes, with his speed and agility impressive along with his vision and precise kicking. Strong over the ball and with a high footy IQ, Chambers averaged 18 disposals in 19 games with the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League, highlighted by an outstanding 29-disposal performance in the Grand Final win which showcased his skillset.
Ryder Corrigan
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Lavington
Date of Birth: 14/03/2007
Height: 186cm
A powerfully-built midfielder, Corrigan excels in winning contested ball and using the footy creatively. He can also push forward and hit the scoreboard. He averaged 22 disposals (13 contested), four clearances and kicked four goals across three matches at the 2023 U16 National Championships to win the GWS Giants Academy’s MVP award, as well as earn All Australian selection. Captained the Murray Bushrangers this year and was a model of consistency, averaging 20.5 disposals (nine contested possessions) and 3.8 tackles to finish third in their best and fairest award. Represented the Allies in all four matches at this year’s National Championships, being among their best with 17 disposals and kicking a goal against Victoria Country. Recorded an impressive 85cm running vertical jump at the Draft Combine, highlighting his power.
Archie Dollman
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: St Kevin’s
Date of Birth: 21/02/2007
Height: 183cm
Wingman who had an impressive back half of the year for the Oakleigh Chargers after debuting in Round 10. Dollman’s form and potential in eight Coates Talent League matches saw him gain a late call to state Draft Combine testing. He averaged 17.4 disposals per game and showed excellent athletic capacity, a neat step through traffic and was brave and competitive to certainly grab his opportunity.
Nick Driscoll
State: Victoria Metro
Community Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Eltham
Date of Birth: 07/04/2007
Height: 182cm
Midfielder who is prepared to take the game on using his speed to break open the play. Capable of playing either inside or outside, Driscoll is an extremely hard competitor who was ultra consistent for the Northern Knights this year, averaging 17.4 disposals in 16 matches, including a season-high 28 disposals against the Gippsland Power in Round 18. Showed an impressive combination of speed and endurance at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne, recording 2.94 for the 20m sprint and 6:27 for the 2km time trial.
Kye Fincher
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: East Brighton Vampires
Date of Birth: 18/11/2007
Height: 184 cm
A medium midfielder who can also play as a rebounding defender, Fincher uses his speed and penetrating kicking to break the game. Won selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year for his excellent performances at all levels this year. He averaged 23.3 disposals in nine matches for the Sandringham Dragons, including 22 disposals in the Grand Final defeat to the Eastern Ranges when he was among his team’s best players. Such is his versatility, he spent some time in defence for Victoria Metro and averaged 20.5 disposals, with his hard running to outnumber the opposition another feature of his game. Played one VFL game for Sandringham and amassed 26 disposals on debut against Essendon, giving a clear indication of his talent and potential. Tested well at the Draft Combine with his running vertical jump of 85cm and agility test of 8.31 seconds both impressive. Is part of St Kilda’s NGA program having been born in Hong Kong.
Tai Hayes
State: Queensland
State League Club: Southport Sharks
Community Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Date of Birth: 18/11/2004
Height: 193cm
Tall wingman who this year emerged from the QAFL to play some exciting football with Southport in the VFL, notching up 16 games in his debut year with the Sharks and averaging 15.9 disposals and 4.5 marks. Hayes’ season was cut short by injury, which forced him out of Southport’s finals campaign. However, he had still done enough to catch the eye of scouts and earn an invitation to the state Draft Combine. Originally from the Mornington Peninsula, he has spent recent years developing his football on the Gold Coast and is available to all clubs in the Draft given he is not part of the Gold Coast Suns Academy program. Is still recovering from a fractured fibular and was unable to test at the Combine.
Jessie Johnstone
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Community Club: Tongala
Date of Birth: 21/09/2007
Height: 186cm
Athletic wingman/defender who is extremely well balanced and uses his speed, neat left-foot kicking skills and outside run to penetrate inside 50m. Johnstone was a model of consistency for the Bendigo Pioneers this year, playing 16 matches and averaging 16.2 disposals. His standout performance came against the Murray Bushrangers in Round 17 when he picked up 33 disposals. Showcased his endurance at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne with a strong 6:39 for the 2km time trial.
Blake Kelly
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Swan Districts
Community Club: Caversham
Date of Birth: 03/01/2007
Height: 183cm
A medium midfielder/forward, Kelly initially came on the radar with his high-level performances for Western Australia at the 2023 U16 National Championships, which he backed up as a bottom-age player at last year’s U18 National Championships. Has a hard competitive edge and excels winning contested ball, using his clean hands and vision to set up the play. Showed those traits in four matches at this year’s National Championships, averaging 16.5 disposals at 71 percent efficiency. Was a star at club level for Swan Districts throughout the 2025 season, averaging 26.6 disposals (12 contested), 5.7 tackles and 5.4 clearances to earn selection in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year. Picked up 17 disposals in his only reserves game. His 2km time trial at the WA State Draft Combine, finishing in 6:15 minutes, demonstrated not only his endurance but his competitiveness to finish in the top bracket.
Sam Niklaus
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: GWV Rebels
Community Club: Warrnambool
Date of Birth: 05/03/2007
Height: 184cm
A midfielder/defender, Niklaus reads the game exceptionally well and is a fine interceptor. He is also composed with the ball, making sound decisions and executing neatly. Niklaus shared his football commitments this year between the GWV Rebels and Xavier College, where he was the captain. He performed strongly in his six Coates Talent League matches, averaging 20.8 disposals and 4.7 marks, before a foot injury cut short his season in the final month.
Thomas Phillips
State: Western Australia
State League Club: East Fremantle/Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Hammond Park
Date of Birth: 23/01/2007
Height: 187cm
Wingman who is something of a journeyman. Phillips moved to school in Victoria two years ago and this season represented both the Oakleigh Chargers and Scotch College, as well as playing four matches for Western Australia at the National Championships. Has shown slices of his talent, with his running capacity and neat kicking real features of his game. Recorded an impressive 8.09 seconds on the agility test, which was ranked third at the state Draft Combine event in Melbourne. Phillips featured in the 2023 Boomerangs program for Indigenous players aged 15 years and younger is part of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy.
Harry Scott
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Richmond VFL
Community Club: Old Scotch/Leongatha
Date of Birth: 24/01/2005
Height: 188cm
Quick midfielder who is extremely athletic, Scott is a late developer who has transitioned from a wingman to an inside midfielder across two years in Ricmond’s VFL program. Had a breakout campaign this season, playing 19 matches and averaging 21.1 disposals at 71 percent efficiency to be one of the Tigers’ most consistent and productive players. A neat user of the footy, he is the son of former Richmond player Allister Scott who played 19 games for the Tigers in the early 90s. His agility stood out at the Draft Combine, completing the course in 8.07 seconds to be ranked second overall at the State event held in Melbourne.
Aaron Sharkie
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Blackburn
Date of Birth: 20/01/2007
Height: 184cm
Midfielder and half back who is a relentless runner. Sharkie uses this great capacity to help his team outnumber and outwork the opposition, whilst using the ball with precision on both feet. Can play as both an inside and outside midfielder and has also been developed as a rebounding defender in the Coates Talent League. Has no trouble finding the footy, averaging 24.6 disposals in nine matches with the Oakleigh Chargers, with his two appearances for Victoria Metro netting similar numbers in matches against South Australia and Western Australia when playing midfield. He showcased his endurance with an impressive 6:21 seconds on the 2km time trial at state Draft Combine in Melbourne.
Callum Smith
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Vermont
Date of Birth: 12/09/2007
Height: 189cm
A medium midfielder, Smith attacks the ball with ferocity, has clean hands and a strong burst from stoppage. Was a consistent player with the Dandenong Stingrays this year, averaging 22.1 disposals (50 percent contested), 4.9 tackles and 4.8 clearances. Smith also showed potential in his four matches with Victoria Country at the National Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals. His strong form across the season was rewarded with selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. The grandson of Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Kevin Bartlett, Smith’s agility was on show at the Draft Combine, recording a time of 8.23 seconds on the agility test.
Hunter Wright
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Community Club: Golden Square
Date of Birth: 20/10/2007
Height: 188cm
A left-footed midfielder, Wright is exceptionally clean with his hands, a great decision- maker and neat kick. Started the 2025 season in fine touch after a very promising bottom-aged year in 2024 before hitting an unfortunate run with injuries. Was kept to just two matches for Victoria Country at the National Championships, where he was a little underdone. However, he returned to play 12 matches for the Bendigo Pioneers, averaging 20.5 disposals (nine contested), 4.5 tackles and 4.8 clearances to remind all of his undoubted talent.
Previously
Smalls
