HOW the many dominoes will fall just about borders on common knowledge a day out from the AFL Draft, though many experts and fans alike enjoy putting on their recruiters hats nonetheless. With that in mind and a wealth of pathway football in the memory bank, we pose the question ‘What would Rookie Me Central do?’ for a unique spin on our 2025 Phantom Draft.

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll cover some late-draft options for all 18 clubs, tomorrow.

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ROUND 1

PICK 1: WEST COAST EAGLES

What would RMC do? – Willem Duursma

It’s seemingly a formality at this point that West Coast will call out Duursma’s name with pick one. The Gippsland Power utility is a long-term midfielder who can just about play anywhere, but promises to form a dynamic partnership with fellow pick one Harley Reid. Duursma set himself apart this season after an inconsistent start and has long been number one on our board – even as early as the ‘25 to watch in 2025‘ piece published in last year’s Draft Guide.

PICK 2: GOLD COAST SUNS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Zeke Uwland

While there is an element of accountability in how West Coast may position its bids atop the order, this one is as simple as Uwland being the ‘best available’, so to speak. The Suns Academy star is held in high regard despite only managing four VFL appearances this year, and any bid will be duly matched by Gold Coast. There may be a world where West Coast simply calls out its next open draft pick – likely Cooper Duff-Tytler – or addresses its key defensive needs to bid on Carlton father-son Harry Dean.

PICK 3: CARLTON (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Harry Dean

Carlton is preparing to match a bid for Dean as early as pick two or three and that will serve as motivation for trading out of picks nine and 11. Essendon has tabled selections 21, 26, and 30 for pick nine, while North Melbourne is said to be offering pick 25 and a future second rounder for number 11. Either way, Dean will land at the Blues and add immediate depth to their backline – fittingly in place of departing father-son selection Jack Silvagni. He’s quick, aggressive, and near-impossible to beat in the air.

PICK 4: WEST COAST EAGLES

What would RMC do? – Cooper Duff-Tytler

While it would arguably be a slight reach for the Eagles to bid on Dean before snapping up Duff-Tytler, that is the likely route and it makes sense. Hence, the ruckman ends up at pick four and is partnered with Duursma nonetheless. While some clubs may favour him as a forward, we see that developing side of his game to be a bonus to his ruck work. He can continue to hone his craft, but Duff-Tytler’s athleticism suits the modern game to a tee and he has plenty of upside having converted relatively late from basketball.

PICK 5: GOLD COAST SUNS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Dylan Patterson

It’s no secret that Richmond is likely to place several bids before making its first selection, with Patterson arguably being the best fit. His raw speed suits the Tigers’ need for exactly that, and he would be feature around this mark on the boards of many clubs. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Gold Coast is again committed to matching a second bid within the top five and will be active at the live trade table. Having already been engrained in the Suns’ system, Patterson will likely slot in as a half-back or wingman.

PICK 6: BRISBANE LIONS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Daniel Annable

Another sensible and genuine bidding option for Richmond would be to call out Lions Academy star Daniel Annable. He is viewed by some clubs as a top two prospect and that largely comes down to the sheer consistency he showed throughout his junior career. The Queenslander hardly played a bad game and is as pure an inside midfielder as you’ll find, with the added bonus of being able to contribute in scoring chains. Expect Brisbane to cash in on yet another gun club-tied talent.

PICK 7: RICHMOND

What would RMC do? – Sullivan Robey

The best prospect outside of the consensus top six, in our view, is Robey. This year’s great bolter is the steepest riser we’ve seen for some time, but looks like fitting into the AFL system seamlessly. He can hit up at the ball aggressively as a high forward and is wonderfully mobile at 192cm, but also follows up well at ground level and applies terrific physicality. His power and frame will fit in nicely alongside last year’s top pick Sam Lalor, and he could well be packaged up with an Eastern teammate wherever he lands.

PICK 8: RICHMOND

What would RMC do? – Xavier Taylor

Many clubs believe Richmond would be silly to look past Taylor with one of its two early picks, and we tend to agree. While the Tigers can’t really lose in this situation, the Eastern Ranges backman is a winner and would offer immediate support to an emerging defensive group. With Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, and Luke Trainor all looking like long-term guns, Taylor may even be an option to develop in midfield. His athleticism and in-between size (192cm) lends to that kind of versatility, albeit untapped. If not Taylor and/or Robey, then the Sams – Cumming and Grlj – are in line along with Jacob Farrow.

PICK 9: ESSENDON

What would RMC do? – Sam Cumming

Richmond is said to be a suitor for Cumming and while that would be a fine selection, we also like the fit for Essendon if he gets through. The South Australian is a powerful, gutsy ball winner with plenty of weapons to his game. He has fast feet, can fly for overhead marks, and is quite adept at hitting the scoreboard. His tenacity and winning mentality would suit what the Bombers are looking for, and being able to slot in as a forward helps his cause before becoming a long-term hybrid midfielder.

PICK 10: ESSENDON

What would RMC do? – Dyson Sharp

Many Essendon fans are enamoured by what Sharp offers. He’s the type of player who tends to split recruiters, but there can be no denying what he has achieved throughout his junior career. This year alone, he was the Larke Medallist and All-Australian captain having led SA to the national title. Sharp already has plenty of senior footy under his belt and is as readymade as they come physically, adding size and grunt to the Bombers’ engine room. He’d be a plug and play recruit.

PICK 11: MELBOURNE

What would RMC do? – Jacob Farrow

Melbourne is well poised to pick up a slider out of Cumming, Robey, and Taylor, but surely wouldn’t overlook Farrow here. There has been plenty of noise surrounding Cameron Nairn at one of these picks for the Dees but he’s a little lower on our board. Farrow would add to the growing list of West Australians to land at Melbourne, a club which has undergone a midfield facelift. The West Perth product would likely slot in off half-back where his smooth movement and raking left foot shine, before developing into a midfielder. That’s if Richmond or Essendon don’t call his name out first.

PICK 12: MELBOURNE

What would RMC do? – Lachy Dovaston

South Australian pair Nairn and Aidan Schubert are said to be in the mix here, and the Dees aren’t afraid to reach for players high on their board. Dovaston is a prospect who will be in extremely high demand within the teens and this is just about his starting point. With a heavy turnover of midfielders, the Eastern Ranges livewire would add a spark to Melbourne’s forwardline as Kysaiah Pickett spends more time on-ball. He’s not just a stay-at-home type either, capable of working up the ground and applying pressure.

PICK 13: ESSENDON (LIVE TRADE)

What would RMC do? – Aidan Schubert

Essendon has emerged as a suitor for Carlton’s pick nine and we’ve gone through with that trade for this hypothetical draft. That means coughing up picks 21, 26, and 30 to land another high-end talent. In this case, it’s Schubert. If not selected here, he could well end up being one of night one’s great sliders. The Bombers are said to have done work on him and it makes sense to bundle him up with fellow South Australians. He offers long-term fold as a genuine key forward who competes hard aerially and has a good running tank. What’s more, he can chop out in the ruck, which many sides need.

PICK 14: HAWTHORN

What would RMC do? – Sam Grlj

Should Richmond look past its need for speed earlier in the order, Grlj would be an ideal candidate for Hawthorn. He’s the kind of player who can transition the play from end-to-end, suiting the Hawks’ slingshot style with his speed-endurance running. Grlj may well suit a role across half-back and can freewheel there, but is a tenacious competitor who loves to apply pressure and get stuck into the opposition. The unsociable Hawks will enjoy that. Otherwise, he could slide to the Giants.

PICK 15: NORTH MELBOURNE (LIVE TRADE)

What would RMC do? – Josh Lindsay

After Essendon, North Melbourne is the second club in for Carlton’s two early selections. A deal here would see the Roos give up pick 25 and a future second rounder for pick 11 – which slides back to 15. The Roos have been linked with small forwards in this range but Dovaston is already off the board here, and we feel Latrelle Pickett would be a slight stretch. Talls are also a need but perhaps Josh Lindsay is the player who helps North unlock its midfield potential. He’s a playmaking half-back/wingman who could free up Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher to play more permanent roles up the ground. The Roos would be able to trust him with ball in hand having looked for similar types in Caleb Daniel.

PICK 16: GWS GIANTS

What would RMC do? – Cameron Nairn

Plenty of clubs have high wraps on Nairn, whose name may fall within the first dozen picks. We’ve slid him down a few places here with GWS being a potential landing spot. The Giants would be in for a half-back like Farrow or Grlj if they got through, while Oskar Taylor and Harley Barker were also heavily considered. Don’t rule out a bid on Swans Academy bolter Harry Kyle, either. Nairn could be a nice link piece up forward, capable of providing X-factor deep inside 50 with his marking and goal sense, but also adding run and the potential to play wing. He has plenty of suitors.

PICK 17: WEST COAST EAGLES

What would RMC do? – Beau Addinsall

It is no secret that West Coast has put time into Addinsall with Gold Coast potentially under pressure to match bids for its several academy guns. It would make sense for West Coast to first go for Jai Murray – who the Suns are more likely to match for – before forcing their hand with another bid on Addinsall. Either way, we feel like his stoppage expertise and high-volume style will compliment the more powerful, bigger bodies that West Coast already has in its on-ball group. Gold Coast may well match if his name is called out first, but only time will tell how the cards fall.

PICK 18: SYDNEY SWANS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Lachlan Carmichael

The Western Bulldogs and Geelong are said to be keen on half-backs and while Kyle is said to be the more likely Swans Academy member to attract an early bid, we like the bankability of Carmichael. Sydney may well have a tough call to make if Kyle and Carmichael’s bids are grouped close together, with Max King also likely to garner interest in the second round. Nonetheless, this is an easy match in our hypothetical with the reliable Carmichael hardly putting a foot wrong throughout his junior career. He was the Allies’ MVP this year and combines intercepting nous with rebound power so prolifically.

PICK 19: WESTERN BULLDOGS

What would RMC do? – Oskar Taylor

One of the many Eastern Ranges prospects touted for top 20 selection, Taylor may well be snapped up before this pick. With Lindsay already off the board, we felt the dashing half-back suited the Bulldogs’ needs with his speed and dare. He is also a terrific ball user whose precise left-foot kicking can just as easily turn penetrative. His consistent year has been held in high regard by a wealth of clubs despite not earning Vic Metro selection. If not Taylor, another bid would not be out of place for Gold Coast’s Murray.

PICK 20: ADELAIDE CROWS

What would RMC do? – Mitchell Marsh

It’s always somewhat of a cliche to link South Australian players to Adelaide, but Marsh suits the Crows’ long-term needs. He has great speed off the mark and strong running tank, complimented by a booming left-foot kick and eye-catching marking ability. With the Crows finding recent success, Marsh would be able to learn off the likes of Tex Walker and emerging gun forward Riley Thilthorpe before assuming a role in the starting lineup. At 191cm, there’s some versatility to unlock, too. The Crows may even be a chance to trade up the order if a player like Sharp or Dovaston becomes available.

PICK 21: GOLD COAST SUNS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Jai Murray

Murray has been slated as a chance to garner a top-20 bid, but instead lands here as an option for Geelong to call out. He views himself as a midfielder long-term and has great ball-winning acumen with his size and clean hands. Murray is also a classy mover on the outside whose ball use has caught the eye of many – despite missing much of the season through injury. If not the Cats, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs could view him as a half-back option a few picks earlier, but Gold Coast looks poised to match any incoming bid within the first round.

PICK 22: CARTON (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Jack Ison

The Cats could have another stab at adding depth and size to its midfield, while keeping Carlton accountable for Next Generation Academy member, Ison. The Blues have already mobilised upon committing to matching a first round bid for the Oakleigh Chargers hybrid, who hit his stride late in the season. Ison’s ball use and versatility are standout traits which suit Carlton’s needs, with his left-foot delivery inside 50 of particular interest either as a wingman, high forward, or genuine onballer.

PICK 23: GEELONG

What would RMC do? – Harley Barker

If not for an ACL injury which cut his season short and will eat into year one, Barker would arguably have been a top 15 prospect. He still could be, with clubs like Melbourne and GWS in the hunt. The All-Australian wingman has an array of AFL traits, possessing power, speed, and foot skills which open up the game. He plays in the mould of current Cat Ollie Dempsey and can impact the scoreboard in a similar manner. Geelong does the long-term approach well with its draftees, so Barker suits. If not, midfielder Oliver Greeves has a great connection to the club, and talls may be in the offing here.

PICK 24: WEST COAST EAGLES (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Tylah Williams

Fremantle is another club poised to do a bit of damage when it comes to bids. First and foremost, the Dockers have the NGA prospect of a cross-town rival in their sights in Williams, tied to West Coast. The hard-running and creative forward is an astute crumber who snuck under the radar this year but has garnered plenty of late interest in this range – especially from Fremantle. While the Dockers are likely to spring a bid here, the Eagles are prepared to match it with plenty more aligned talent to consider.

PICK 25: ESSENDON (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Adam Sweid

Sweid is also among the players linked to Fremantle and while there have been no guarantees from the Bombers with regards to matching, they will be well aware of interest around this range. The diminutive and scrappy ball winner emerged from relative obscurity this year to earn All-Australian honours and become a top 25 talent. He is clean and clever at the coalface while also possessing the ability to score on the way forward. If we had the controls at Essendon, we’d be matching this bid.

PICK 26: FREMANTLE

What would RMC do? – Blake Thredgold

If Geelong opts against calling out Thredgold, then Fremantle is well poised to do so. Otherwise, North Melbourne would be mad to let him pass by its picks on night two. While a lockdown defender at his core, the South Australian native showcased a developing ability to rebound and advance the ball while showcasing his athleticism at the draft combine. With so few genuine key backs available at the top-end, his value will only rise and could settle as a first round lock.

PICK 27: HAWTHORN

What would RMC do? – Oliver Greeves

Greeves has been highly touted throughout his junior career but shapes as a major draft slider who may even get through to night two. The Eastern Ranges premiership co-captain is a class above when the ball enters his area, but has a ways to go when it comes to his work out of possession. Nonetheless, his size and ability to do damage going forward make him a dynamic ball-winner with potential to grow as a forward. Geelong could be in for the great-nephew of Cats legend Carji, otherwise Hawthorn is a good fit having previously tried to add Greeves to its NGA eligibility. GWS is also said to be in the hunt, while a tall like Archie Ludowyke was the other option at this pick in our view.

THE NEXT 10 – ROUND 2

PICK 28: NORTH MELBOURNE

What would RMC do? – Archie Ludowyke

In short – With a playmaker already through the door, the Roos could do with some key position depth and Ludowyke may even be unlocked as a swingman in the long-term.

PICK 29: WESTERN BULLDOGS

What would RMC do? – Louis Emmett

In short – The Bulldogs may well slide back from this pick with another ruck in Marcus Krasnadamskis in mind, but Emmett offers long-term flexibility to play in every key position post and could well develop into the key defender they so desperately need.

PICK 30: SYDNEY SWANS (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Harry Kyle

In short – It is unlikely that Kyle slips out of the first round, but this is our Phantom Draft and we had him around this range as a high-upside athletic utility who has interest from Geelong, GWS, and the Bulldogs.

PICK 31: GWS GIANTS

What would RMC do? – Latrelle Pickett

In short – Another likely first-round selection with interest from the likes of GWS and North Melbourne, Pickett has all the makings of a classic game-winning small forward who could play straight away.

PICK 32: MELBOURNE

What would RMC do? – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves

In short – This would be one of the bargains of the night and having been considered with several picks up the order, Hibbins-Hargreaves lands in round two with some queries over his consistency and durability, but no doubt about his class.

PICK 33: RICHMOND

What would RMC do? – Leon Kickett

In short – With Pickett off the board Kickett is a live option for Richmond with his electric speed, punishing tackle pressure, and penchant for high-flying marks.

PICK 34: COLLINGWOOD

What would RMC do? – Riley Onley

In short – Collingwood will be stoked to make a pick before any bid comes for NGA prospect Zac McCarthy, and an inside midfielder should definitely be the priority – although, Onley has some points of difference with his blend of size and speed.

PICK 35: COLLINGWOOD (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Zac McCarthy

In short – Well, we didn’t have to wait much longer for it, but this would be a terrific range for Collingwood to match for McCarthy, a mobile ruck-forward who can leap high and has plenty of development left in him.

PICK 36: SYDNEY (MATCHED BID)

What would RMC do? – Max King

In short – King boasts arguably the most upside of any Swans Academy member this year but could end up being the third to attract a bid, most likely just outside the first round with Geelong again being the villain here – otherwise Sydney faces a tough choice to keep all comers.

PICK 37: GEELONG

What would RMC do? – Jevan Phillipou

In short – It seems a stretch that Phillipou ends up sliding all the way to pick 36, but there just weren’t many suitors beforehand and he would be a great fit for Geelong – although clubs like Adelaide and GWS are interested and if he gets this far, St Kilda could even trade in and snare him.

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll cover some late-draft options for all 18 clubs, tomorrow.