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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Our fourth instalment features a tall in Oakleigh Chargers ruck-forward Louis Emmett. The mobile 198cm talent came on strongly towards the back of his bottom-age season to establish himself as arguably this year’s premier key position player. He ticks plenty of boxes, of which we identify below.

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

Oakleigh Chargers, Vic MetroRuck

Louis Emmett

Height: 198cm

Weight: -

DOB: 23-03-2007

BY THE NUMBERS:

2024 U18 National Championships (2 games)
10.5 disposals | 2.5 marks | 2.5 tackles | 18.5 hitouts

2024 Coates Talent League (9 games)
16.7 disposals | 3.2 marks | 13.2 hitouts | 1.2 goals (11 total)

ACCOLADES:

– 2025 AFL Academy member
– 2024 National Futures match
– 2024 U18 National Championships title
– 2024 Vic Metro U18 representative
– 2023 Coates Talent League debut
– 2023 U16 National Championships title
– 2023 U16 All-Australian

STRENGTHS

+ Aerial ability
+ Clean hands
+ Competitiveness
+ Mobility
+ Production
+ Running capacity

As expected for a player of his size, Emmett is capable of owning the airways. While still honing his ruck craft, he is capable of shrewd hits to advantage, and otherwise plucks the ball out to clear it himself. In a marking sense, he thrives when allowed a run and jump at the ball and attacks contests with vigour.

Central to what makes Emmett such a threat around the ground is his mobility. He works over his opponents with terrific running capacity, owning a 2km time trial score close to the six-minute range. It means he can work harder and faster from contest to contest, and lose opponents on the lead.

Whether presenting up the line or standing under a high ball, Emmett is nicely balanced and owns his space. His speed off the mark and ability to hit up at kickers is part of the reason why he would be so effective as a key forward, on top of his primary ruck position. Those roles may well switch come 2025.

Emmett is also able to get involved in open play like a fourth midfielder. His hands are quick and clean, and his ground coverage allows for dynamic chains of possession in transitional phases. Such play makes him a high-production tall who impacts in several dimensions, and can rack up big numbers.

One of the great litmus tests for key position players is their competitive nature – all talls need a bit of mongrel at AFL level. Emmett seems to have it and doesn’t mind wearing contact, while also being shown to fight for front position in the ruck or marking contests. Then, he stays involved and spreads.

Another key facet to Emmett’s pick one stocks is his versatility. As mentioned, he looks likely to be given plenty more exposure as a forward this season having produced a four-goal game in 2024. He has the athletic tools to make it work and is a handy converter on his left foot. His skills hold up everywhere.

QUESTION MARK(S)

Key position players often come in less developed and more raw than their smaller counterparts, so reaching the final product will be a longer road than other pick one contenders. If Emmett is to remain in the frame, there will be some element of crystal-balling with regards to his significant upside as a tall.

He looks set to continue to work on his craft as a ruckman while also adding to his repertoire up forward, but just where he fits best remains to be seen. Players in a similar mould like Luke Jackson have gone on to have success in both roles, so there should be no hinderance or limit in experimenting between them.

There are few glaring weaknesses in Emmett’s overall game. His skills are sound, particularly by hand, though his kicking action can be a touch awkward at times when delivering on the run. As a tall, and given how well he connects with handballs, that is by no means a significant turn-off at this stage.

OUR SCOUTS SAID…

“Fresh off a strong end to the Coates Talent League season, Emmett was selected as Team Heppell’s primary ruck. The mobile tall also rotated forward and was able to create a few contests early on when presenting up the line. He competed for first hand and possession in the ruck, which earned him a few free kicks while jostling, including once inside 50. He put the set shot wide but usually converts well.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 National Futures game

“Emmett enjoyed an enthralling battle with Tom Sims in the first half, but really began to impose himself once his main adversary went off injured in the third quarter. The bottom-ager showed great touch for a tall, able to grab the ball from the ruck and contribute to open play like a midfielder. He even hit up Tom Gross with a lovely kick inside 50. Emmett found the goals himself with a set shot in the first quarter and his dominance was key to Oakleigh building a strong lead heading into the final break.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 CTL Quarter Finals

“Emmett made up half of an exciting matchup against Cooper Duff-Tytler, another highly fancied Vic Metro ruck prospect. The two were evenly matched for the first half, but after that Emmett slowly took the lead with his work around the ground a contributing factor. Despite his 199cm frame, Emmett moved well through congestion and around opposition with evasiveness more typically seen from small forwards. Emmett’s mobility allowed him to follow up from ruck contests well, and consistently use the ball well when he won it, he was particularly impressive by hand.” – Declan Reeve, 2024 CTL Wildcard Round

“Fresh off his Vic Metro Under 18 debut, Emmett bagged a game-high and season-best haul of four goals. With the primary ruck duties shifted to Boston Dowling, he was freed up to spend more time up forward and took toll with a quartet of well converted set shots – including three in the second half. Emmett’s athleticism was on show in both roles as he covered good ground and utilised his leap, while also holding his own in the contest and drawing free kicks.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 CTL Round 14

“Emmett was the standout tall afield, notching 22 disposals, seven marks, and 13 hitouts from his primary ruck post. The 198cm talent moves well for his size and showed a bit of dynamism around the ground, taking advantage of the size mismatches he created on the spread. His battle with Kayle Gerreyn made for an interesting watch.” – Michael Alvaro, 2023 Under 16 National Championships

WHERE HE SITS

In our view, Emmett is the best key position player heading into 2025. He will likely face stiff competition from fellow Vic Metro ruck Cooper Duff-Tytler, though is arguably a little further along. Being a talented multi-sports athlete, Emmett still has room to grow and size to add to his frame. Yet, his mobility and running power are massive strengths which tie in nicely with his footballing ability. If he can set himself apart as the clear best ruck, or stake his claim as a key forward, he will be a handy point of difference within the first half-dozen or so selections.

Previous editions: Willem Duursma | Zeke Uwland | Dyson Sharp
Up next: Cooper Duff-Tytler