AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top defenders 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 defenders 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

Cillian Bourke
Country: Ireland
State League Club: County Offaly
Community Club: Tullamore
Date of Birth: 07/06/2006
Height: 190cm

Strong and powerful potential defender from Ireland who has been playing midfield in the Gaelic game. Bourke is the AFL prototype with his size, athleticism and speed, which are complemented by his ball-handling skills and precise left-foot kicking. A standout player at both under 17 and under 20 levels for his county, he made his senior debut for Offaly earlier this year. A former U20 Player of the Year with his county, Bourke has been training under the AFL’s Talent Development banner in Dublin in preparation for tryouts with AFL clubs, as well as the AFL’s national Draft Combine in Melbourne.

Lachlan Carmichael
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: North Shore Bombers
Date of Birth: 27/08/2007
Height: 184cm

A composed interceptor across half back who can also push into the midfield, Carmichael is strong overhead for his size, prolific in winning the ball, creative with his decision making and an excellent distributor. Has been a standout player at underaged level and won All Australian honours and the Sydney Swans Academy’s MVP award at the  U16 National Championships in 2023. This year he continued his great form at under 18s level, averaging 26.6 disposals in five matches for the Swans in the Coates Talent League before winning the Allies’ MVP award and All Australian honours after averaging 24.8 disposals at 81.8 percent efficiency, five marks and 3.8 tackles at the National Championships. A member of both the Marsh AFL National Academy and the Sydney Swans Academy who is eligible to join the Swans via the AFL’s Northern Academy rules.

Finnegan Davis
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Western Jets
Community Club: Williamstown CYMS
Date of Birth: 21/01/2007
Height: 188cm

Medium defender with speed to burn, Davis can match up well on both smaller and bigger opponents using his athletic prowess to compete both in the air and at ground level. He is a hard-working and adaptable player who displayed dominant form in the Coates Talent League for the Western Jets, where he averaged 27.7 disposals at 78 percent efficiency to finish runner-up in their best and fairest award. Won a place in Victoria Metro’s final two games at the National Championships, where he averaged 12 disposals against the Allies and Victoria Country.

Harry Dean
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Lavington
Date of Birth: 13/11/2007
Height: 194cm

A left-footed tall defender, Dean intercepts well with his great ability to read the cues and instinctively know when to mark or spoil. Rarely beaten in one-on-one contests, he uses the ball neatly on the way out with his good decision-making and precise kicking. Had been impossible to rate until this year after missing the U16 National Championships in 2023 due to injury then breaking his arm on debut with the Murray Bushrangers in his bottom-aged year in 2024. He burst onto the scene early in the 2025 season with his overhead marking and clean ball handling outstanding for the Bushrangers. Dean had an outstanding National Championships campaign for Victoria Country, averaging 15.2 disposals at 85 percent efficiency and 6.2 marks to be named at full back in the All Australian Team after being amongst his team’s best players in all four matches. He continued an extremely promising year in the Coates Talent League, averaging 17.4 disposals and seven marks to also win Team of the Year honours. Did not test at the Draft Combine while managing a shoulder injury. He is the son of Carlton dual premiership player Peter and is eligible to join the Blues as a father-son selection.

Willem Duursma
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community: Foster
Date of Birth: 21/06/2007
Height: 193cm

A versatile defender/midfielder, Duursma had an outstanding Draft year at every level with his aerial strength, precise kicking and versatility all great strengths. An All Australian at under 16 level in 2023, he produced an exciting bottom-aged year at club and representative levels in 2024. Didn’t miss a beat this year, producing a dominant campaign for the Gippsland Power, averaging 23.5 disposals, to win their best and fairest award as well as being selected as captain of the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. At representative level he was a playmaker for Victoria Country, averaging 24.2 disposals at 75 percent efficiency and 5.2 marks across the National Championships to win All Australian honours. Duursma’s best on ground performance in his team’s win over Victoria Metro in the final game of the Championships not only guaranteed him Victoria Country’s MVP award, but set him apart from most others in Draft contention. Tested impressively at the Draft Combine with his 6:19 seconds for the 2km time trial ranking sixth and his running vertical jump of 87cm ranking inside the top ten. He will become the fourth sibling from the Duursma clan to make it to the top level, joining older brothers Xavier (Essendon) and Zane (North Melbourne) and sister Yasmin (Carlton). Another graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

Jacob Farrow
State: Western Australia
State League Club: West Perth
Community Club: Joondalup Kinross
Date of Birth: 21/09/2007
Height: 187cm

A smooth-moving defender/midfielder, Farrow emerged as a future star as the season unfolded, with his performances impressive on all fronts. He was composed with the ball in hand throughout the National Championships and used it precisely on his preferred left foot, showing a touch of class in averaging 19 disposals at 89 percent efficiency and 3.5 tackles to win All Australian selection. He was particularly outstanding against the Allies with 29 disposals and nine marks at Marvel Stadium. After producing dominant performances at under 18 level for West Perth, Farrow played three senior WAFL matches and impressed immediately, averaging 17.7 disposals, to round off an amazing year. His performance in the agility test at the Draft Combine was impressive, recording a time of 8.03 seconds.

Ruairi Forbes
Country: Ireland
State League Club: County Derry
Community Club: Ballinderry
Date of Birth: 26/06/2005
Height: 187cm

An athletic and rangy medium defender from Ireland, Forbes has all of the traits of the Irish players to transition to the AFL in the past. with his breakaway speed and step through traffic both weapons. A standout player at both under 17 and under 20 levels throughout his underage career, he’s also been a leader and captained his county at both levels before debuting at senior county level with Derry last year. Studying engineering at Queens College in Belfast, Forbes has also been honing his oval ball skills under the AFL’s Talent Development program in Dublin this year in preparation for the Draft Combine in Melbourne, as well as tryouts with several AFL teams.

Max Kondogiannis
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Old Carey
Date of Birth: 14/11/2007
Height: 190cm

Defender who greatly benefited from a strong pre-season program, Kondogiannis developed this year into one of the best players of his type in the Draft pool. Reads the cues very early to intercept then has an attacking impact with his precise ball use and rebound speed. Still has a massive upside physically but was a model of consistency with the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 18.6 disposals in six matches in the Coates Talent League. Was one of Victoria Metro’s best in its National Championships win over Western Australia and its loss to Victoria Country. Averaged 18.8 disposals in four Championships matches and looked very composed at the level.

Josh Lindsay
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: Newtown & Chilwell
Date of Birth: 07/04/2007
Height: 183cm

A left-footed defender with a lethal boot, Lindsay has been a strong performer across recent years. Won the medal as Team Heppell’s best player in the Marsh AFL National Futures match last year and then added the medal as the Australia U18 team’s best player in its win over VFL side Coburg this year. He continued his excellent form into the National Championships with Victoria Country, using his speed and crisp decision making to set up the play from the back half. Courageous in the air and a standout leader, he averaged 21.8 disposals at 76 percent efficiency and was among his team’s best players against both Western Australia and South Australia. Capped his year by winning All Australian honours and being named in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

Dylan Patterson
State: Queensland
State League Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Community Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Date of Birth: 01/09/2007
Height: 183cm

A super quick half back or wingman, Patterson excites with his powerful bursts and ability to step his opponents to consistently break the lines. Had some breathtaking moments with the Allies at the National Championships and was at his absolute best with his match-winning flair on full display in the Allies exciting win over Western Australia. Averaged 19.8 disposals at 73.4% efficiency across the Champs to win All Australian honours. Patterson continued to develop his craft and showcase his enormous potential with the Gold Coast Suns, initially at under 18s level before also playing some excellent games at VFL level. Didn’t test at the Draft Combine due to hamstring injury. As a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy he is eligible to join them under the Northern Academy rules. Is also a graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

Oskar Taylor
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: South Belgrave
Date of Birth: 01/08/2007
Height: 183cm

Medium defender and midfielder with explosive speed and a penetrating left foot who went from strength to strength as the year unfolded. Taylor is a strong one-on-one player with a defend first mindset who grew in confidence as the season progressed to earn a late call-up to the national Draft Combine with a string of outstanding performances. Played a major role in the Eastern Ranges premiership win in the Coates Talent League, averaging 20.5 disposals in 17 matches. Had a great final series to top off a breakout year and finished runner-up in the Ranges’ best and fairest award. Showed elite athletic qualities at the Draft Combine, producing the quickest 20m sprint with a time of 2.82 seconds and ranking second on the agility test with a time of 7.84 seconds.

Xavier Taylor
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: East Ringwood
Date of Birth: 30/01/2007
Height: 192cm

An attacking defender who had an outstanding Draft year, Taylor is strong overhead and a fierce competitor who is rarely beaten one-on-one. Loves to take the game on with his preparedness to back his neat kicking. He’s also an aggressive tackler and a fine intercept mark who grew in confidence as his performances and the occasions went up a notch. It culminated in a best on ground showing for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League Grand Final, where he accumulated 25 disposals and 15 marks to steer his side to premiership victory. Capable of playing on various types of opponents, Taylor also impressed with Victoria Metro in the National Championships. He played all four matches, averaging 15 disposals, and was among his team’s best in their loss to eventual title winner South Australia. His fine season was rewarded with selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year, as well as winning the Ranges’ best and fairest award. Produced an outstanding 7.97 for the agility test at the national Draft Combine, which ranked third overall.

Avery Thomas
State: Tasmania
State League Club: Tasmania Devils
Community Club: Launceston
Date of Birth: 20/09/2007
Height: 185cm

Defender with all the athletic capabilities to play on the dangerous small and medium forwards. Thomas had some eye-catching moments for the Tasmania Devils early in the Coates Talent League season to see him selected in the Allies squad for the National Championships. He showed his great potential with his willingness to compete and utilise his dazzling speed and agility to feature among the Allies’ best in the narrow victory over Western Australia. Had a season interrupted by contact injuries, including a broken nose, but has some real AFL traits and will develop further as he matures. Showed off his elite athletic traits at the Draft Combine with his standing vertical jump of 75cm ranked second and his time of 7.88 seconds on the agility test in the top five.

Blake Thredgold
Club: South Australia
State League Club: Sturt
Community Club: Payne Norwood Union FC
Date of Birth: 27/08/2007
Height: 194cm

Tall defender with the ability to play one-on-one against the opposition’s most dangerous marking forward and use his own marking ability to intercept and have a real impact. Thredgold missed the early part of the season with a hand injury but returned for South Australia’s final match of the National Championships, where he made his presence felt with several contested marks and logging 13 disposals. Played a major role for Sturt at under 18s level and won the Alan Stewart Medal as best on ground in their Grand Final win, where he took 12 marks and picked up 14 disposals to end his year on a high. His running vertical jump of 89cm at the Draft Combine showcased one of his assets.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Rod Ali
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Mitcham
Date of Birth: 11/01/2006
Height: 186cm

Medium defender with Sudanese heritage, Ali continued his development as an overaged player with the Eastern Ranges this year. He played an important role as an intercepting and negating defender in their premiership-winning team, starring in their run to the Grand Final with impressive finals performances against the Calder Cannons and Western Jets. Plays taller than his height might suggest, with his natural leap and spoiling features of his game. Averaged 9.1 disposals at 81% efficiency, 3.6 marks and 2.4 tackles across the Coates Talent League season. Looks still to have plenty of upside and earned a couple of games at VFL level with Collingwood during the season. Was the star athlete at the state Draft Combine testing day in Melbourne, with his running vertical jump of 105cm ranked in the top bracket of all-time. Also produced elite bracket results in the 20m sprint recording 2.89 seconds and the agility test which he completed in 7.96 seconds.

Harrison Bridge
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Sherwood Districts
Date of Birth: 04/09/2007
Height: 182cm

A very composed defender, Bridge intercepts exceptionally well and uses his precise left-foot kicking to set up his team from defence. A one-touch player, Bridge dominated for the Brisbane Lions Academy during the 2023 U16 National Championships, earning All Australian honours. Started the 2025 season in excellent form with the Brisbane Lions Academy, averaging 19.3 disposals in seven matches, but suffered a serious leg injury during the Allies’ first game of the National Championships, which ended his season. Bridge has made a complete recovery and was back in training by season’s end.

Jett Dahlitz
State: South Australia
State League Club: Sturt
Community Club: Onkaparinga Valley
Date of Birth: 11/08/2007
Height: 188cm

High defender with an attacking mindset, Dahlitz used his natural speed, concise decision making and brave field kicking to provide consistent rebound at club and representative levels. Reads the cues very well to intercept and was an integral part of South Australia’s back six during the National Championships. He played all four matches, averaging 15 disposals, and was at his exciting best in South Australia’s 34-point win over Victoria Country at Marvel Stadium to clinch the title. Dahlitz was also one of the stars for Sturt in their premiership-winning team at under 18 level, averaging 26 disposals at 79 percent efficiency in 16 matches. He again played the role of designated kicker, pulling the trigger with great success to break open the play.

Elliott Duffield
State: South Australia
State League Club: South Adelaide
Community Club: Strathalbyn
Date of Birth: 20/06/2007
Height: 193cm

Promising tall defender who represented South Australia at the U16 National Championships in 2023, Duffield continued to develop this year with his game sense, decision making and ball use all strengths in his game. Played well in some big moments for South Australia in their title-winning campaign and was a fixture in the team in all four matches. Duffield will continue to improve in his ability to halve contests as he develops physically. Was a mainstay for the South Adelaide at under 18s level, averaging 14.7 disposals at 77 percent efficiency, with 4.9 marks across 14 matches.

Jacob Marron
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Western Jets
Community Club: Yarraville Seddon Eagles
Date of Birth: 27/11/2007
Height: 196cm

Mobile tall defender who excels in the contest and is rarely beaten one-on-one. Marron uses his big frame to hold his ground and has a good feel for when to mark or spoil. His consistent early season form for the Western Jets in the Coates Talent League saw him added to the Victoria Metro squad for the National Championships and he better than held his own throughout the four matches. Marron doesn’t turn 18 until late November and still has plenty of physical development in him as he hones his defensive craft.

Balyn O’Brien
State: South Australia
State League Club: Norwood
Community Club: Central Eyre United
Date of Birth: 26/01/2007
Height: 187cm

Lockdown defender who has shown he can play on medium and small forwards, O’Brien has good speed and an excellent natural leap which he uses to out regularly outmark his opponents. A team-first player who wins one-on-one battles, he was the glue keeping South Australia’s back six together to restrict opposition teams from kicking a winning score throughout the National Championships. Was among his team’s best players in their big win over Western Australia. As tough as nails, O’Brien also brought his hard edge when playing club football for Norwood, where he averaged 13.5 disposals, 4.3 marks and 3.8 tackles at under 18s level before graduating to play six senior matches.

Ben Rongdit
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: Colac
Date of Birth: 10/05/2007
Height: 184cm

A left-footed mid-sized defender, Rongdit caught the eye while playing for Victoria Country at the U16 National Championships in 2023. His natural leap and ability to intercept the footy were both impressive as he averaged 12 disposals and seven tackles across three matches at the carnival. Both of his past two years have been interrupted by injury, hindering his development. However, he did play some impressive football in the APS competition for Geelong Grammar and represented Team Sloane in the Marsh AFL National Futures match last season. Rongdit shone brightly with his running vertical jump during pre-season testing, with a 97cm leap ranking him fourth nationally but he was unable to test at the Draft Combine while recovering from a knee injury. He is a member of Geelong’s Next Generation Academy given his Sudanese heritage and was also part of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

Bryce Sanders
State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Modbury
Date of Birth: 11/05/2007
Height: 197cm

Tall defender who spent the early part of the year playing forward and ruck before grasping the opportunity down back when an injury opened a spot for South Australia in the National Championships. Sanders used his physicality and skill to match the opposition’s key forwards and looked very composed and unflustered in defence. Was at his best against Western Australia in the 76-point victory which helped set up the title win. Sanders continued to hone his tall defender craft at under 18 level with North Adelaide, having an outstanding game against eventual premier Sturt in Round 13 when he amassed 26 disposals and 12 marks.Sanders tested very well at SA State Combine, with his running vertical jump of 87 cm and speed of 3.01 seconds for the 20 metre sprint both assets for a player of his position and size.

Mitchell Stevens
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Heyfield
Date of Birth: 15/08/2007
Height: 186cm

An emerging medium defender, Stevens can play on a range of forwards given his competitive edge, strength in the air and commitment to the task at hand. A damaging kick and very good decision maker, he thrived after being switched from the forward line to defence last year. Continued to progress with his development this year, playing three matches for Victoria Country at the National Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals. Was also very consistent for the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League, averaging 16.9 disposals, 3.6 marks and 5.5 tackles. Was very sharp at state Draft Combine testing, recording 2.86 seconds for the 20m sprint and then 8.16 seconds for the agility test, with both results in the top bracket. He is the son of Mark Stevens, who was drafted to North Melbourne before being traded to Adelaide, where he played 101 games and was a premiership player in 1998. That makes Mitch eligible to join the Crows under father-son rules.

Dale Sutherland
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: Caversham
Date of Birth: 10/01/2007
Height: 183cm

A rebounding defender who peels off his opponent at the right time to intercept, Sutherland is still developing physically but is an excellent all-round athlete whose dash from defence is a feature of his game. He is a neat kick of the ball and has a high footy IQ, which saw him play some outstanding football for Perth at under 18 level, averaging 21.6 disposals in 10 matches. Sutherland also was an excellent contributor for Western Australia during the National Championships, averaging 13.3 disposals, and was his team’s best player in their narrow loss to the Allies. Was recognised for his impressive season with selection in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year. Sutherland displayed his impressive athletic capabilities at the WA State Combine, with his quick time of 2.97 seconds for the 20 metre sprint followed up with an elite performance in the agility test, recording a time of 7.83 seconds which ranks him one at state level.

Harrison Wilson
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Lavington
Date of Birth: 03/01/2007
Height: 190cm

A medium defender, Wilson has shown the ability to intercept across half back and use the ball smartly on the way out. He was initially a standout with the GWS Giants Academy during the 2023 U16 National Championships, earning All Australian honours. This season he played good football for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League, averaging 20.8 disposals and six marks in four matches bookending the season whilst playing with Scotch College during the middle part of the year. Showed good composure with the ball across four games with the Allies at the National Championships, averaging 16.8 disposals and providing consistent rebound from defence. Produced a good turn of foot with his 2.98 seconds on the 20m sprint the state Draft Combine.

Rory Wright
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Caulfield Grammarians
Date of Birth: 02/06/2007
Height: 184cm

A left-footed medium defender/midfielder, Wright played some very good football through the midfield early in the year before finding a real niche across half back in the second half of the season. Wins clearances with his clean hands and vision at stoppages and showed he can use his aerial ability and courage in the air to intercept down back, as well as rebound with his pinpoint kicking. Had an excellent year with the Sandringham Dragons, averaging 25.5 disposals and 5.6 marks in 11 matches and was among his team’s best throughout their finals campaign. Finished third in the Dragons best and fairest award and applied his talents while representing Victoria Metro at the National Championships, averaging 13 disposals across four matches.

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