THE 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft is just days away, with up to 10 clubs set to bolster their lists at Wednesday’s intake. A relatively shallow pool is poised to produce around 10-15 picks, including those searching for second chances and fresh faces who have improved after being overlooked. We highlight 30 names yet to feature on an AFL list from across the Coates Talent League, VFL, SANFL, and WAFL.

Note: Available list spots will be finalised on Tuesday, May 27.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Wednesday May 28, 6:30pm AEST
WHERE: Online event
HOW TO WATCH: via AFL website & app

COATES TALENT LEAGUE

There’s a heap of tall talent itching for a chance at the next level in Australia’s premier talent pathway, and a couple of utilities staking their claims. Greater Western Victoria’s (GWV) Floyd Burmeister was unlucky to be overlooked last year but has enormous upside as an athletic key forward. He has settled ahead of the ball having also rucked in the Rebels side which made last year’s Grand Final.

Burmeister was part of Vic Country’s Under 18 squad last year, while Dandenong Stingrays recruit Adrian Cole won the title with Vic Metro. The St Kilda NGA graduate was overlooked by the Saints last year and made a rare region switch from the Sandringham Dragons. He remains in the frame with his ability as a lockdown defender, having an impact greater than his statistical output would suggest.

Another couple of tall intercept defenders in Zac Walker and Gus Papal have put their case forward. The former was plucked out of local footy by Gippsland Power and has repaid the faith, though has entered concussion protocols which will see him out of action until after the draft. Papal recently impressed in the Young Guns game before collecting 27 disposals and 13 marks just a fortnight ago for Calder.

Among those to have completed a VFL preseason this year was Murray Bushrangers ruck Zac Harding. Aligned to Carlton, the imposing tall has produced some mega performances at CTL level, averaging 18.3 disposals and 29.3 disposals across three games. He was part of the Vic Country setup over the summer last year before ultimately being overlooked for the National Championships.

Harding is a big unit at 199cm, although Western Jets prospect Ayden McCarroll takes the cake at 209cm. Set to turn 20 in September, he had to gain special dispensation to have a second crack with the Jets having showed promise late last year. He moves quite well and has decent skills for a player his size, projecting as a long-term option if he can add strength and running capacity to his game.

Arguably one of the league’s most exciting over-agers is Rod Ali. Also a talented basketballer, he decided to give footy a crack at the final time of asking having long been tracked by the Eastern Ranges. His leap and athletic ability are complimented by desperate defensive application, making for some eye-catching plays. He has turned out for Collingwood’s VFL side over the last fortnight to further press his claims.

Calder has another prospect in the pipeline alongside Papal, and one who garnered plenty of attention late last year in Cooper Herbert. The powerful utility has mostly cut his teeth as a forward but can also pinch-hit in midfield. He has a strong frame, good hands and an eye for goal, as proven by his six marks and three majors in the second Young Guns game this year.

VFL

Richmond’s prolific VFL program looks set to once again produce the goods when it comes to mature-age talent. Powerful rebound defender Tom McCarthy is firming as the favourite to be taken with pick one having only joined the Tigers last year from outside the conventional talent pathway. The readymade talent offers dash and dare, averaging 22.6 disposals across his seven games this season.

The Tigers also plucked a couple of rippers out the Coates Talent League. Dandenong Stingrays graduate Sam Toner was a bolter last year having been promoted from local footy, booting nine goals in four games before injury struck. While goalless at VFL level this season, he snared three majors for the Young Guns and looks a likely type with his low-possession, high-impact style.

Former Western Jet Massimo Raso has also come on nicely as a small forward. Boasting a clean set of hands and wickedly slick ground level game, he is also a very capable midfielder despite measuring up at only 171cm. Raso has kicked 12 goals in seven state league games this season, including three seperate bags of three to put his name in the conversation after not earning a combine invite last year.

>> Player Focus: Massimo Raso (Richmond VFL)

Another couple of AFL-aligned clubs will look closely at their own players. Collingwood recruit Josh Browne is a prolific inside-outside midfielder who has shone since shifting over firstly from East Fremantle in WA, and then Williamstown. A WAFL Colts league best and fairest, Browne has not dipped below 22 touches since his Magpies debut, also hitting the scoreboard with a goal per game.

Key forward Riley Mason has also impressed this year after posting 72 goals in 18 Goulburn Valley League games last year. He has 17 in seven so far at VFL level, including nine in his first two outings in black and white. The 195cm spearhead is a graduate of the Calder Cannons program and was previously on Coburg’s list, but has been made to wait to truly break out on the state league scene.

>> Player Focus: Riley Mason (Collingwood VFL)

A similar story to Mason is that of 21-year-old Casey Demons tall Caleb Lewis, who came through the Sandringham Dragons pipeline before making an impression at local level. Originally a key defender, he has enjoyed a switch forward where his running and marking abilities have translated well. He was eye-catching in the Young Guns series and has been heavily linked to the Gold Coast Suns.

Geelong key defender Charlie McCartin is a familiar name in contention. The brother of Paddy and Tom moved back to his home region this year and has showed his wares as an interceptor, averaging 15.6 disposals and 7.4 marks in the hoops. Former-Cat Ajang Kuol mun, originally from Anakie, is also progressing well after the raw 206cm ruck shifted to Port Melbourne this year.

Standalone club Coburg, renowned for its record of producing AFL talent, has another player in the pipeline. Donovan Toohey has garnered attention with his ball use out of defence, with the 25-year-old averaging 31.3 disposals. That includes highs of 40 and 39 against AFL-aligned opposition in Collingwood and Richmond, and he was also Coburg’s best against the National Under 18 Academy.

SANFL

With the results showing a rare double defeat in either state game against the VFL and WAFL, the SANFL has perhaps a drier pool of prospects compared to previous intakes. That being said, a few prospects have begun to emerge at senior level having missed out on being drafted from the junior system.

Norwood’s Jacob Newton is among them, powerful small midfielder-forward whose draft chances were shot by a navicular injury last year. The 179cm prospect punches above his weight and has become a goalkicker at League level with two bags of three in his most recent outings. His overhead marking and punchy left-foot kicking have reportedly caught the attention of clubs like Carlton.

North Adelaide bolter Ewan MacKinlay is another with genuine AFL traits. The Lavington product made the move to SA last year and continues to develop as a speedy asset forward of centre. Local side Port Adelaide could be into him as midfield depth with the ability to play him around the square or on-ball.

Fellow Rooster Alex Van Wyk has broken out in the top flight having been kept out of Norwood’s League side by Harry Boyd last year. After winning a Reserves best and fairest with the Redlegs, the imposing 203cm bigman made a good impression in his first dig at North – against his old side no less – with 22 disposals, eight marks, eight clearances, and 31 hitouts.

Others to consider from South Australia include former state Under 18 captain Mani Liddy – a midfielder from Central District – and 2024 representative Harrison Ramm – a versatile tall from Glenelg with strong running ability. North Adelaide small Frank Szekely is always a name thrown around for his speed and craft, with the 25-year-old spending more time as a forward this season with good results.

WAFL

One of the most talked about MSD prospects this year is Archer May. The Subiaco spearhead jetted west out of Richmond’s VFL side via the prolific Sandringham Dragons program in Victoria, siting the Tigers’ recent drafting of young key forwards.

>> Player Focus: Archer May (Subiaco/WAFL)

His quest for maximum opportunity has paid off, earning a place in the WAFL representative side on the back of 12 goals in six games. The 198cm bigman plays with presence inside 50, able to clunk strong marks and follow up with repeat efforts.

Peel Thunder defender Michael Sellwood continues to feature in draft discussions, most often linked to West Coast and Carlton. He has also completed a medical with the Western Bulldogs. A competitor, the 21-year-old has also been shown to get his side going on the rebound with averages of 23.7 disposals, 7.5 marks, and 5.8 rebound 50s per game in 2025.

Another player who impresses each week is fleet-footed East Fremantle midfielder Milan Murdock. The three-time Simpson Medal winner is averaging 28.3 disposals per game this year and clearly has had no trouble stepping up to the level of State Games – the AFL is a different kettle of fish, though.

Sharks teammate Lachlan Blakiston is among the West Australian talls in the offing. The 203cm ruckman garnered plenty of interest late last year with averages of 16.2 disposals and 33.5 hitouts, and will again be in contention despite missing the first four games of the year with a shoulder injury.

Claremont frontliner Oliver Eastland is another ruck who consistently dominates the state league. Though measuring up at under 200cm, the 27-year-old is comfortable in his craft as a long-time member of the Tigers’ senior side.

On the younger end of the scale, over-age utility Archie Caldow has impressed since moving to Peel from GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent League. Under 18 All-Australian Clancy Dennis was on the radar last year as a key defender, as was West Australian MVP Jaxon Artemis.