THE VICTORIAN Football League (VFL) was a hotbed for mid-season draftees this year, and that may well continue to be the case in a compromised end-of-season talent pool lacking extensive depth. The leading prospects this year include the latest Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist, the nephew of a St Kilda champion, and a pair of products from the prolific Richmond VFL program. We highlight six VFL exports who have broken out in 2025 to stake their claims for higher honours.

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Tom Blamires (Frankston)
Defender | 181cm | 13/08/2002

2025 averages: 24.5 disposals, 3.4 marks, 4.1 tackles

Arguably the face of draft hopefuls out of the VFL this year, Blamires has the backing of his Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal win – the last 18 recipients have gone on to make the top level. He played a variety of roles this season but earned his Team of the Year spot at half-back, where his running capacity shines. He has now brought his ball use and decision making up to a similar level. Blamires played every game for Frankston in 2025 after crossing from Sandringham Zebras, averaging 24.5 disposals. He’s a graduate of the prolific Sandringham Dragons program, where he was an over-ager in 2021.

Ryan Eyers (Werribee)
Key Defender | 199cm | 22/04/2003

2025 averages: 8.5 disposals, 7.0 spoils, 3.8 intercept possessions

Eyers’ season was cut short in Round 12 due to a hamstring injury, but not before proving to be one of the VFL’s premier key defenders. The rangy 199cm prospect came up through the Murray Bushrangers program playing in every key position post, but has settled down back. He managed nine VFL appearances at Geelong between 2022-23 before heading to Werribee on the back of a best and fairest year at Corowa-Rutherglen. Eyers offers athleticism and gutsy aerial efforts, able to lock down on dangerous tall opponents despite being relatively lightly framed. His long limbs help in that regard.

Tai Hayes (Southport)
Wing | 183cm | 18/11/2004

2025 averages: 15.9 disposals, 4.5 marks, 74.1% disposal efficiency

What’s in a name? The nephew of one of football’s most tough and skilful competitors, Lenny Hayes, Tai emerged as a potential mature-age recruit in 2025. The soon to be 21-year-old is renowned for his weaponous left-foot kicking and two-way running. Hayes made his name as an onballer with QAFL side Palm Beach Currumbin last year to leap onto Southport’s radar, having grown up playing juniors on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. After debuting in Round 2 of his maiden VFL season, Hayes played every game until an ankle injury sustained in Round 20, which ruled him out of state combine testing.

Fergus McFadyen (Brisbane Lions)
Forward | 189cm | 05/11/2006

2025 averages: 11.4 disposals, 4.4 marks, 1.9 goals

The McFadyen name has run deep in the Lions’ talent pathway for several years, with Fergus’ elder brother Connor drafted via the Academy in 2018. A powerful unit at 189cm, the junior sibling broke out onto the VFL scene this year with 37 goals in 19 games, being held goalless just twice while bagging a match-winning high of five against Collingwood in Round 4. McFadyen was part of the Allies setup last year and has a readymade frame for senior football, capable of holding his own both aerially and in one-on-one situations. The two-time reigning premiers could do worse than add him to their rookie list.

Massimo Raso (Richmond)
Small Forward | 171cm | 21/04/2006

2025 averages: 12.6 disposals, 3.1 tackles, 1.3 goals

Raso would have had a case for returning to the Western Jets as an over-ager in 2025, but instead made the step up to VFL level. The 19-year-old is renowned for his wickedly clean hands and darting side-steps, rarely fumbling at ground level en route to crafting scoring opportunities. Raso kicked 26 goals in 20 games this year, establishing himself as a clever small forward having previously cut his teeth in midfield as a junior. He booted a high of three goals on four occasions and garnered mid-season draft interest, before following through to be a Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal finalist.

Harry Scott (Richmond)
Midfielder | 191cm | 24/01/2005

2025 averages: 21.1 disposals, 4.1 marks, 4.4 tackles

Scott shot out of the ground in 2025 to become one of the nation’s leading mature-age prospects. Another product of the highly regarded Richmond VFL program, Scott previously attended Scotch College and was part of the Gippsland Power pathway. He developed exponentially in his second VFL season, building consistency and a strong running tank to transition from the wing to an onballer. On the inside is where Scott’s size and clean handling come to the fore as a dominant first possession winner. He’s the son of 19-game former Richmond player, Allister, compounding his ties to the yellow and black.