RECRUITERS have been scrambling in their search for depth in this year’s AFL Draft pool, leaving plenty of hidden gems to emerge in the back-end of the season. After unveiling our top 30 Power Rankings last week, we highlight another 10 prospects in the mix to earn an AFL Draft opportunity in November.

>> TOP 30: August 2025 Power Rankings

THE NEXT 10

Koby Coulson (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 180cm | 31/07/2007

One of two players who was squeezed out of our top 30 this month, Coulson remains around the mark. He’s among the draft pool’s most consistent performers, burrowing in and under packs every week with maximum effort. The Suns Academy member is among the several prospects tied to Gold Coast hoping to earn a spot on the senior list, and has pressed his claims as an Under 18 All-Australian. He’s tough, uncompromising, and has eight games of VFL exposure under his belt.

Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/04/2007

Dalton has been cruelled by injuries over the last two years having been captain of Vic Metro’s title-winning Under 16 side. Since returning from a pair of broken wrists midway through the year, he has hardly put a foot wrong. Look up the word ‘accumulator’ and this midfield running machine is likely to feature, with his innate ability to rack up possessions around the ground. He has averaged 29.8 disposals in six Coates Talent League games this season, including several best on ground performances.

Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Small Forward | 171cm | 02/04/2007

Essendon NGA

A constant threat inside forward 50, El Achkar hunts for goals and often scores in bunches. The Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) member has booted 28 majors in 10 Coates Talent League appearances this year, including a bag of six straight which put him back on track after some early-season yips. He has been held goalless just once for Calder and he’s the type of player who doesn’t need many touches to make an impact. Lively and capable of breaking tackles en route to goal, El Achkar packs a punch and has been under the Bombers’ noses in training and a VFL berth.

Kye Fincher (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender/Midfielder | 184cm | 18/11/2007

St Kilda NGA

Another club-tied talent in the mix, Fincher has a few weapons in his arsenal. He shows a bit of spring when competing aerially and is capable of side-stepping opponents on the way forward, all while being a competitive ball winner. He has recently thrived with a shift into midfield from his usual post across half-back, including on VFL debut where he collected 26 disposals and four clearances. The St Kilda NGA prospect has posted exactly 24 touches in three of his six Coates Talent League appearances this year to highlight his consistency. He hit that mark in the last two weeks with a goal in each game.

Jai Murray (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 187cm | 09/03/2007

Gold Coast will have no real qualms about Murray being relatively out of sight and out of mind this year given his enormous talent. After a phenomenal 29 disposals, eight tackles, eight inside 50s and one goal in his first Coates Talent League appearance with the Suns, he went down with an ankle injury and hasn’t turned out since. The smooth-moving midfielder has most often cut his teeth on the wing but possesses the size, poise and skill to thrive on-ball. He is also quite a strong runner and made seven VFL appearances for the Suns last year, now looming as a serious hidden gem of the crop.

Taj Murray (North Adelaide/Northern Territory)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 05/02/2007

One of the best prospects to come out of the Northern Territory in recent times, Murray is also a rare key position commodity. Tall and wiry, he moves incredibly well for a player his height and boasts a spring-heeled vertical leap to compound his sizeable reach. Boarding at school in South Australia, Murray has represented North Adelaide at SANFL Under 18 level and made a splash with 11 disposals, 15 hitouts and four goals in the Allies’ first championships game. Clubs will view him with a crystal ball approach.

Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country)
Midfielder | 194cm | 30/03/2007

Onley was pegged as a potential high-end prospect coming into the year and is a point of difference to many midfielders in the crop. At 194cm, he runs the 20m sprint in under three seconds and covers ground well on the spread. He truly came into his own this season during the National Championships, earning All-Australian selection with an average of 23 disposals and four clearances after a steady start to the campaign. He has a strong amount of upside and looks like a top 30 prospect at his best.

Sullivan Robey (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder | 192cm | 04/10/2007

Robey shot onto the draft radar in quick time after starting out the year at local level. Originally cut from the Dandenong Stingrays program, he worked his way into Rowville’s senior side and was snapped up by Eastern. Clubs have been impressed with his sheer size and power, mostly as a tall forward who hits hard and presents up the ground with genuine presence. Most recently, Robey had a day out when unleashed into midfield, amassing 40 disposals, nine marks and three goals in the Ranges’ Wildcard Round win.

>> Player Focus: Sullivan Robey (Eastern Ranges)

Sam Swadling (West Perth/Western Australia)
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 16/01/2007

A sheer weight of numbers is what has propelled Swadling into the top 30 conversation. He has posted 30 or more disposals in seven of his eight WAFL Colts outings this season, including three 40-plus hauls and a high of 47 in the final home-and-away round. That effort came on the back off four straight League appearances. Suffice to say, Swadling finds the ball wherever he goes and has proven himself as a rotating forward, earning All-Australian honours with plenty of time there during the National Champs.

Oskar Taylor (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Defender | 182cm | 01/08/2007

A bolter in every sense of the word, Taylor missed out on Vic Metro selection but impressed recruiters enough to earn a state combine invite. The dashing half-back catches the eye with his daring runs and speed on the rebound, along with piercing left-foot kicking. He can help move the ball from end-to-end in a flash, but is also quite a competitive defensive asset and has been consistent all season for Eastern Ranges. He has averages 20.7 disposals across 14 Coates Talent League outings this year.