THE 2025 Mid-Season Rookie Draft saw 16 players earn their first shot in the AFL, while a further two entered the second chance saloon. Three over-age prospects got their chance after being overlooked last year as state leagues in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia proved popular hunting grounds for the class of 2025. We profile each of the fresh faces set to hit the AFL scene.

>> EVERY PICK: 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft

Pick 1. West Coast – Tom McCarthy (Richmond VFL)
Defender | 187cm | 12/07/2000

Arguably the intake’s most readymade prospect and the strongly rumoured first selection landed at West Coast with that very pick. McCarthy is a dasher off half-back, able to break the lines with his athleticism and average of 23 disposals per game. At 187cm he has a power and a decent frame. Having come on strongly in a short time at state league level, he could be utilised in a few different roles – namely in midfield or up onto the wing.

Pick 2. North Melbourne – Zac Banch (Werribee)
Small Forward | 175cm | 21/07/2003

A bolter of sorts, Banch bolsters North Melbourne’s small forward stocks though is not significantly more experienced than the Roos’ current crop. Another product of the 2024 Werribee premiership side, Branch offers flair with his speed and goal sense, booting eight goals in as many VFL games this season. His tackle pressure and scoreboard impact garnered interest, especially after consecutive three-goal hauls against Williamstown and Sydney a few weeks ago.

3. Port Adelaide – Harrison Ramm (Glenelg)
Key Defender | 202cm | 5/12/2006

A South Australian Under 18s representative last year, Ramm progressed into Glenelg’s League side and now onto Port Adelaide’s list after being overlooked in the most recent National Draft. The 202cm key position prospect is a genuine utility, able to play at both ends of the ground or pinch-hit in the ruck. He’ll most likely settle down back and has a terrific running capacity for a player his size, clocking up a time of 6:29 over 2km at last year’s state Draft Combine.

4. Carlton – Flynn Young (Werribee)
Forward | 185cm | 03/02/2002

The Blues are in serious need of genuine X-factor, speed and class in their small-medium forward stocks, so will be hoping Young ticks each box. Yet another player out of the prolific Werribee VFL program, Young was a Geelong Falcons graduate where he showed glimpses of his potential. Fast-forward to now, and it’s clear he can do a bit of everything. Young has kicked 12 goals in eight games this season, showcasing his wicked left-foot kicking and ability to take marks overhead. He’s nifty at ground level too and is entering a good age range at 23 years-old.

5. Western Bulldogs – Michael Sellwood (Peel Thunder)
Defender | 186cm | 02/10/2003

A player who has long been in contention for his chance at AFL level, Sellwood landed at The Kennel having previously been strongly linked to West Coast (pick one) and Carlton (pick four). The tough, consistent defender has come through Peel Thunder’s pathway, taking no time to settle in at WAFL League level straight out of the Colts. He helped the club win a flag last year and earned a spot in the WAFL representative side, averaging 24 disposals and seven marks this season. He’s a hard-working type with standout left-foot kicking, ready for his shot at 21 years-old.

6. Essendon – Archer May (Subiaco)
Key Forward | 198cm | 27/08/2004

One of the most talked about prospects in the pool, May was snapped up by Essendon ahead of the keenly interested Collingwood. He grew up a Magpies supporter and has had guidance from Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton, who is the long-time partner of his mother. May has kicked 12 goals in six WAFL games this year for Subiaco, including a most recent bag of four against Swan Districts. He also nabbed a pair in the State Game against the SANFL. Originally from Victoria, via Sandringham Dragons and Richmond VFL, May plays with presence inside 50 and can pinch-hit in the ruck. He has a strong set of hands and is renowned for his follow-up efforts, providing good long-term tall cover for the Bombers.

7. Gold Coast – Oscar Adams (Glenelg)
Key Defender | 198cm | 23/7/2003

Adams earned a second crack at AFL level having previously been drafted by St Kilda before being delisted in 2023. He returned to his original club, Glenelg, where he continued to show the raw aerial ability and versatility which got him picked up as an 18-year-old. The tall defender is an athletic type who has played six SANFL games this year, averaging 9.5 disposals and 2.7 marks while showing the ability to lock down on a range of opponents.

8. Collingwood – Roan Steele (West Perth)
Utility | 183cm | 22/10/2001

Somewhat of a journeyman at 23-years-old, Steele impressed during his time in Casey’s VFL side before moving over to join West Perth in the WAFL. He has continued his state league exploits out West having not come through the traditional Victorian pathway, proving a story of persistence. Steele has averaged 21.1 disposals from seven WAFL games this year, impressing with his running capacity and versatility. He can play a multitude of roles and is a noted goalkicker, so could be anything in the Magpies’ system.

9. West Coast – Jacob Newton (Norwood)
Small Forward | 179cm | 20/03/2006

After a navicular injury put his draft hopes on hold last year, Newton has returned to action at senior level with Norwood with great success. The diminutive but powerful prospect punches above his weight with strong overhead marking and the ability to win his own ball, capped off by a penetrative left boot. Newton was a member of last year’s South Australian Under 18s squad and was invited to the National Draft Combine, going on to play four League games this year. His last two outings have yielded consecutive three-goal hauls, proving his value as a forward who originally cut his teeth in midfield. 

10. North Melbourne – Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne VFL)
Tall Utility | 193cm | 17/10/2005

Having gone small with their first selection, the Roos went tall with a player out of their own backyard. Trembath has long been on the draft radar since coming through the Eastern Ranges pipeline, most notably as a tall defender. He has since progressed to the other end of the field with North Melbourne’s VFL program having previously debuted at the level with Frankston. He’s a strong aerial player with vice-like hands who has improved his fitness to earn a promotion down at Arden Street.

11. Port Adelaide – Ewan MacKinlay (North Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 182cm | 18/07/2003

Originally a product of the Ovens and Murray League, Mackinlay jetted over to South Australia in 2024 having also come through the Murray Bushrangers pathway. He has improved with each passing season, showcasing his speed and power in line-breaking bursts. Mackinlay has most often been used in the front half but can also play further afield, averaging 17.1 disposals from his seven SANFL games with North Adelaide this year. He will most likely add flair to Port’s forwardline and looks ready to go.

12. Western Bulldogs – Zac Walker (Gippsland Power)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 03/03/2006

The sole over-ager taken out of the Coates Talent League this year, Walker was midway through his first season in the competition. Gippsland Power saw his local footy form as too good to refuse, proving an apt interceptor at senior level and translating that game into pathway systems. Walker’s aerial ability and reading of the play are terrific, able to float across the backline with his rangy frame and cut off opposition kicks. His ball use has come a long way, with the Phillip Island production becoming a rebounding force. He averaged 14.8 disposals and 6.5 marks for Gippsland this season and earned a spot in the Young Guns squad. Once out of concussion protocols, he looms as a solid long-term talent.

13. Essendon – Lachlan Blakiston (East Fremantle)
Ruck | 203cm | 09/09/1998

Essendon again went tall given its key position injury crisis, opting for an experienced state league ruckman who offers readymade support. Blakiston has been part of East Fremantle’s League side since 2023 having also plied his trade in New South Wales. He had a strong season last year and was under heavy draft consideration late in the piece, with the Bombers eventually following through on their interest. Blakiston averaged 13.3 disposals, 4.0 marks and 21.3 hitouts per his three WAFL games this year to confirm his status as a genuine top level candidate.

14. Gold Coast – Caleb Lewis (Casey Demons)
Key Defender/Forward | 198cm | 29/09/2003

One of the most pertinent links made coming into the draft, Lewis indeed landed at Gold Coast after the Suns’ strong interest. A graduate of the prolific Sandringham Dragons program, Lewis went on to be listed in the VFL without playing too much at the level. He managed just one game there this year with Casey but impressed in the Young Guns series and is fresh off a 66-goal season in the Southern Football Netball League with Dingley. The 21-year-old is a versatile tall with freakish aerial ability, good speed off the mark, and the ability to play at both ends of the ground.

15. Collingwood – Noah Howes (South Adelaide)
Key Forward | 196cm | 28/10/2005

A player who was considered for last year’s Mid-Season intake, Howes has continued to impress at SANFL League level with South Adelaide. After 12 goals in eight games last season, he has booted as many majors in six outings already this year, including three bags of three. He’s an athletic type who has developed his contested marking but still has potential left to fulfil. Injuries have previously halted such progress but he continues to come along nicely and was good enough for the Magpies to defy suggestions they would stick with talent out of their VFL program.

16. Port Adelaide – Mani Liddy (Central District)
Midfielder | 184cm | 20/02/2002

Liddy is a former South Australian Under 18 captain who has long been on the radar of AFL clubs, and finally gets his chance at 23 years-old. The hard-working Central District midfielder is strong and clean at the contest, averaging 22.6 disposals, 5.0 clearances, and 3.4 tackles in the SANFL this season. His credentials were further stamped by taking out the Fos Williams Medal as the SANFL’s best player against the WAFL. He has added weapons to his game this year, becoming a more damaging overall player which was enough to get him over the line for Port.

17. Essendon – Oskar Smartt (Essendon VFL)
Forward | 180cm | 26/10/2005

A product of the Bendigo Pioneers program, Smartt has been under Essendon’s noses ever since and with four list spots to fill, he earned a promotion out of the VFL. The powerfully-built forward has a knack for taking mercurial high marks and has consistently impacted the scoreboard this season. After five consecutive one-goal games, he impressed with three in his most recent outing against Richmond to get over the line. He hits hard, has a booming kick, and is all-effort in the forward half.

18. Essendon – Liam McMahon (Carlton VFL)
Key Forward | 198cm | 02/05/2002

Carlton loses its reserves captain and reigning club champion, who lands at arch-rival Essendon having previously been drafted by Collingwood. He only plays for powerhouse Victorian clubs. McMahon has become an outstanding state league goalkicker since being delisted by the Magpies without a senior game in 2022. The 23-year-old has booted 24.11 in seven games this year, including four bags of four and has seldom gone goalless while in navy blue – booting 87 majors in 40 overall appearances. That kind of production is what has earned him a second chance, with the Bombers in dire need of key position stability this year.