WHILE in some years the leading AFL Draft prospect is clear as day, much like in 2024 there is no real consensus regarding who the nation’s number one talent is for 2025. In the return of our Race to #1 series, we highlight at a half-dozen prospects who are in the frame for said honours.

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Next up is Noah Chamberlain, who you may already know as the star of TikTok docuseries, Young Bloods. The Swans Academy member has also turned heads on the footy field with his intense two-way approach, shaping as an athletic marking target who doubles as a dynamic tall wingman.

>> Ones to watch: Top 25 AFL Draft prospects in 2025

Swans AcademyWing, Tall Forward

Noah Chamberlain

Height: 192cm

Weight: -

DOB: 21-03-2007

BY THE NUMBERS:

2024 U18 National Championships (2 games)
14.5 disposals | 4.0 marks | 3.5 tackles | 2.0 inside 50s

2024 Coates Talent League (4 games)
13.3 disposals | 2.0 marks | 3.3 tackles | 0.5 goals (2 total)

2023 Coates Talent League (3 games)
10.7 disposals | 2.3 marks | 6.0 tackles | 1.0 goals (3 total)

ACCOLADES:

– 2025 AFL Academy member
– 2024 & 2025 Basil Sellers Scholarship
– 2024 National Futures match
– 2024 Allies U18 debut
– 2024 NSW/ACT U17 representative
– 2023 Coates Talent League debut
– 2023 U16 All-Australian

STRENGTHS

+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Contested marking
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Versatility

Chamberlain is part of the decreasingly unique ‘unicorn’ breed of modern day players, possessing remarkable dynamism for a tall. His athleticism and versatility go hand-in-hand, with the 192cm talent able to impact both aerially and at ground level credit to rare mobility and spring off the mark.

Said impact is made two-fold by the vigour with which Chamberlain attacks each contest. He is known to throw himself into aerial battles and is prominent when presenting up to the kicker. What’s more, he applies outstanding defensive pressure – using his speed to hunt down the opposition.

Such competitiveness is part of why Chamberlain is considered a fearless and example-driven leader. His height and contested marking base have seen him mostly utilised up forward, where he was an Under 16 All-Australian. Though, his dexterity allowed him to adapt to different roles last year.

Throughout a two-game stint with the Allies, and during his Under 17 representative forays, Chamberlain spent plenty of time up on the wing. There, he continued to be a connection piece with his marking but also showcased his defensive work rate and increasing footy IQ, utilising his sweet left foot well.

The cherry on top of Chamberlain’s game is his ability to hit the scoreboard. Particularly when playing as the attacking centrepiece, he makes good on his opportunities with mercurial tendencies inside 50 and sound conversion over the mark – from a range of angles and distances.

QUESTION MARK(S)

There remains an element of rawness to Chamberlain’s game heading into his top-age campaign, though he has all the traits to iron it out. Playing with such desperation, he can sometimes fumble or go to ground, but should improve that aspect once he builds more size and strength.

Doing so will not only allow him to further capitalise on his contested marking ability against mature opposition, but be strong over the ground ball and bust through tackles. If nit-picking, perhaps he can also enhance his judgement of the ball in flight, as he sometimes runs under it or is forced to crumb.

In all, there aren’t too many glaring weaknesses in his game. He has the hunger to compete that all talls need, and offers points of difference with his left-side preference and versatility. Being so dynamic will appeal to recruiters as they look for upside and distinctive talent.

OUR SCOUTS SAID…

“Chamberlain was a key connection piece for Team Heppell up forward. The versatile Swans Academy talent initially found it difficult to build separation on the lead but got going with eight touches and four marks in the third quarter, thriving off his side’s quick ball movement from end-to-end. He failed to convert his influence to scoreboard impact, but showed strong potential in said purple patch.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 National Futures match

“Chamberlain started out on the wing and displayed great touch for a tall player, using his vision to hit inboard targets by hand and foot. The Allies representative competed hard at ground level before getting to showcase his aerial ability up forward in the second half. There, he was a reliable target down the line and utilised his punchy left-foot kicking brilliantly.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 NSW/ACT Futures

“There’s plenty to like about Chamberlain as a tall forward. He’s strong enough to provide a marking target on the lead with clean hands and a fluent leap, but also athletic enough to impact once the ball hits the deck. He booted the first goal of the game with a quick snap around the body and looked quite nimble for his size. The bottom-ager’s intensity and movement gave him real presence despite being shut down aerially after half time.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 CTL Round 4

“His side’s scoring was well contained for three quarters, but Chamberlain built into the contest to finish with 10 disposals, eight marks, and two second half goals. He was forced to search on leads up the ground and won the war of attrition after half time, as he began to clunk what he flew for before striking the ball nicely with his set shots.” – Michael Alvaro, 2023 U16 National Championships

“Chamberlain imposed himself on the contest with a game-high three goals. He came to prominence with consecutive scores to start term two, proving a mobile spearhead before getting his marking game going. Chamberlain also followed up strongly and finished with class, with his left-foot preference being a handy point of difference in general play.” – Michael Alvaro, 2023 U16 National Championships

WHERE HE SITS

Unfortunately for many clubs, there are plenty of academy-tied talents at the top end of this year’s draft pool, and Chamberlain is yet another. Their loss is Sydney’s gain, with the youngster having already trained with the Swans over preseason and already harbouring great familiarity with the Bloods culture.

In a similar vein to the likes of fellow pick one contenders Willem Duursma and Max King, Chamberlain has the ability to play tall and small across a number of roles, boasting high level athleticism and a host of developable skills. His potential and competitiveness will appeal, so he’s right in the top 10 mix.

RACE TO #1

Previous editions:
Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Zeke Uwland (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Dyson Sharp (Central District/South Australia)
Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Max King (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)