X, Y, Z… W

Xavier, Yasmin, Zane, and now Willem Duursma have blazed trails through the Gippsland pathway. The fourth sibling in line may be the best of the lot and has been highly touted since debuting for the Power in 2023. He was Vic Country’s Under 16 MVP in the same year, named down back in the All-Australian side and going on to build on his potential. A utility of sorts, he has often been made to play slightly taller than his 191cm standing at higher levels, but shows great upside as a midfielder who can go forward. Duursma possesses great athletic traits and outstanding aerial range, both of which have put him in good stead as he builds his contested game. He glides across the ground and hardly wastes a kick, performing with the authority of a potential top five pick. He retains our number two spot with a crystal ball approach in mind, and some outstanding individual performances so far this season.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #2

ERROL INCARNATE

A small utility in the mould of Sydney’s Errol Gulden, Uwland may well be the best player in this year’s draft – he just hasn’t has the chance to prove it in 2025. The Queenslander spent part of preseason training with Gold Coast’s senior group, learning off a slew of Academy graduates including elder brother Bodhi. The junior Uwland has mostly cut his teeth as a hard-running rebound defender or wingman, capable of plying his trade on-ball or even rolling forward. His engine is just about unmatched and a booming left-foot kick is what often catches the eye, though he is nearly as polished on his right side. Stress fractures will likely keep Uwland out of action until after the National Championships, meaning his only exposure as a top-ager may come at VFL level. He’s the type of player who suits the current game with his ability to play anywhere and move the ball fluently, meaning even without game time he remains a top five talent – comfortably.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #3

MR CONSISTENT

Annable has long been touted as a star of the Brisbane Lions Academy, and shapes as yet another top five prospect tied to the club after both Ashcroft brothers were taken early. The ultra consistent midfielder paved his way as a competitive inside ball winner who racked up strong numbers each week, but has gone on to add integral elements to his game. He has a terrific ability to bring the ball to the outside, either by bullocking out of congestion or becoming the receiver, and is beginning to find the goals with regularity. His work rate is just about second to none and that makes him a competent high forward at higher levels – something which may be useful as he attempts to crack a stacked Brisbane midfield, pending his arrival as an Academy graduate. He is deceptively good overhead and a clean set of hands is exactly why he dominates at stoppages. He recently debuted for the Lions’ VFL side for a return of 18 disposals.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #4

THE KID WITH THE DANCING FEET

Few prospects have dazzled onlookers and opponents alike more than Patterson to date. An Under 16 All-Australian in 2023, the Suns speedster has developed alongside the likes of Uwland and Beau Addinsall, but is truly coming into his own this year. He has VFL experience under his belt and doesn’t shy away from the physicality of senior football – not that opponents have much success laying a hand on him in the first place. Patterson’s pace and agility are line-breaking attributes in his usual role across half-back, though he can just as easily play at the other end or on either side of midfield. That kind of versatility and athletic base is exactly what has him in the top 10 frame, albeit with some work to be done on making his disposal more consistent. Patterson also seems to pass the character test as a determined and well-considered budding footballer, which counts for plenty amid the inevitable chaos of his draft year.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #7

SMILLIE CLONE

Greeves holds uncanny resemblances to former Eastern Ranges teammate and 2024 Richmond draftee Josh Smillie, who shapes as an ideal archetype for the budding midfielder. Sporting the same number 26 as a big-bodied ball winner who moves smoothly and distributes the ball with poise, Greeves has all the makings of a top-end talent. His ability to play on each line is another tick, showcasing exciting dash off half-back, threatening traits up forward, and a strong base in the centre. Greeves’ kick penetration is terrific but can sometimes lead him astray on the attack, and the defensive side of the game is another area which sees the Ranges’ co-captain sit just outside the absolute top rungs of the rankings. At his best, he can dominate games and has showcased that to start the Coates Talent League season, even adjusting well against senior opposition for the National Academy and as Vic Metro’s A-1 onballer.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #8

HOT WHEELS

A bolt from the blue in more ways than one, Grlj (pronounced ‘grill’) is cooking this year. The Oakleigh Chargers speedster has a bit of Caleb Windsor about him in the way he takes ground, tucking the ball under his arm and gaining separation from the chasing pack with ease. He is incredibly difficult to contain, often dancing around opponents or buying just enough time to find a teammate, but also tearing off into space with his potent turn of foot. Grlj cut his teeth as a half-back and outside runner last year but has transitioned beautifully into the midfield, bringing his brand of footy to the fore each week. Line-breaking players can sometimes lack composure but he has showcased an ability to hit targets on the move and not blaze away at all costs. He’s exciting, and a genuine top 10 candidate.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #9

ATHLETIC PHENOM

Still somewhat of an unknown among the top echelon of draft prospects, King has some of the greatest upside of the lot. At 191cm, he boasts near-ideal athletic attributes across the board with blistering speed and a spring-heeled vertical leap. Injuries helped keep the Swans Academy talent hidden last year, though he impressed in NSW-ACT colours during the Under 17 Futures trials and had some sensational performances back at local level. While overlooked for the National Academy, King is undoubtedly the best player outside that group and has traits which immediately catch the eye. He has some work to do in the way of decision making and end product, but when it all clicks King can tear games to shreds. His size and power make him difficult to contain, coupled with a wicked turn of foot, a penchant for taking big marks, and great attacking instincts. Watch for him to explode onto the representative stage in Allies colours after a steady game one.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #5

DEADLY DISTRIBUTOR

The owner of two best afield medals from showcase games, Lindsay knows how to perform on the big stage. He is one of, if not the best ball user in the crop, lauded for his kicking ability and sheer efficiency. The Geelong Falcons standout looks most comfortable as a half-back where his run and distributive skills come to the fore. Many clubs will be in for prospects who can move the ball so fluently as Lindsay, especially with his subtle shifting of angles and ability to switch the play. There is potential for Lindsay to explore his midfield credentials as he continues to ply his trade for Geelong Grammar and the Falcons, though a future on the wing or a half-back flank seems much more likely. It’s usually dime a dozen for the latter role, but Lindsay is something special.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #6

THE HIGH-FLYER

Those who were there will forever be able to recall the hanger Ludowyke took during the 2023 Under 16 National Championships – a carnival which well and truly put him on the map. The high-flying key forward battled indifferent form and untimely injuries towards the back-end of last year, both of which saw him miss out on Sandringham Dragons’ third consecutive premiership. He has put all that behind him to build on the strong potential he has always shown, becoming a key forward who plays with presence. While still quite lean, Ludowyke owns front position and has both the athleticism and reach to make himself hard to defend as a moving target. An added bit of mongrel, and the five-goal performance to help drag Sandringham over the line against Eastern has Ludowyke poised as the best key forward in the draft. He was also the standout among a slew of tall options in the National Academy forwardline and is Vic Metro’s spearhead.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #10

THE BISON

Not to be mistaken for his cricketing namesake, Marsh hits bombs on his left foot which often go for six. He’s the sole West Adelaide prospect in the state squad but has made his presence felt, booting five goals in South Australia’s first two National Championships games. Marsh has an array of traits which align with first round contendership; athleticism, running capacity, aerial ability, and a keen eye for goal. At 191cm he has even chopped out in the ruck for Westies and is the type of player you want two of in your lineup. His speed off the mark as a moving target makes him a dangerous player forward of the ball, and one who is beginning to establish himself right among the top-end of the draft crop.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked

CLUTCH GOALKICKER

Hibbins-Hargreaves is another prospect who had a stuttering start to the season due to injury. He had botox injections in his calf during preseason and after just one full Coates Talent League game, injured his shoulder. The short setback saw him miss both National Academy matches, though he stayed fit as a the team’s runner and has returned to action with aplomb. There is plenty to suggest Hibbins-Hargreaves can build into the top 10 range if he hits his peak, having already established himself as a man for the big moments. He debuted for Dandenong Stingrays in his 16th year and booted 23 goals across 16 games in 2024, spending time up on a wing and across half-forward. A move into midfield has been imminent, though he is quite well suited to the aforementioned roles. Hibbins-Hargreaves is a tough matchup with his speed off the mark and strong ability overhead, while also hardly wasting a kick in open play. He added to his clutch goalkicking exploits with the sealer in Dandenong’s tight win over Tasmania, and booted four to nearly get Vic Country home against WA.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #12

ACCUMULATOR

Addinsall is a hard-working small midfielder capable of covering plenty of territory and racking up a wealth of possessions. He is clever at the fall of the ball to get involved on the inside, but has the turn of foot to take ground on the outside and aid transitional play. His ability to feature prominently when gliding between the arcs and chaining up by hand has led to some big performances in representative colours. He was Gold Coast’s Under 16 MVP in 2023 and took out the Pool B MVP to boot, going on to be named best afield in last year’s National Futures game. With VFL exposure under his belt and more to come on the back of his AFL Academy showings, Addinsall is a consistent performer who other clubs will rank within the top 20. Gold Coast has plenty of talent to consider.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #17

CONTESTED BEAST

A player who came into the year with as a pick one contender, Sharp beats all-comers in the way of contested ball-winning. It’s part of the reason why he was exposed to senior footy last year and started his top-age campaign there with Central District. A vocal leader on the field and at training, Sharp is used to playing up the grades. He was a two-time Under 16 All-Australian, and in doing so learned a new role down back. His time at SANFL League level has led to an education in the high forward role, but against his peers Sharp is the premier inside midfielder. He never flinches in the face of oncoming contact and uses his strong frame to extract the ball cleanly. Work rate and footy IQ are also big ticks for the hardened competitor, although perhaps explosive speed and foot skills are where he can level up compared to other top-end players – especially as he looks to move into the fast-paced AFL system. The South Australian is building confidence after a run in Centrals’ Under 18 side and has been among South Australia’s very best as skipper in the Croweaters’ 2-0 start to the championships.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #13

BEST FROM THE WEST

Last year’s West Australian crop proved plenty of doubters wrong and Rodriguez looks like being the dux of a promising 2025 class. The dual-footed midfielder is another competitive type who can go from inside to the outer, adding power to his game this year to compliment his sharp ball use. He popped onto the radar with a consistent bottom-age campaign in 2024, and after a full senior preseason earned his WAFL League debut for South Fremantle in Round 1. Like Sharp, he featured back at Colts level in anticipation of the two National Academy fixtures, and leads his state at the Under 18 National Championships. With so many club-tied prospects in the top 10, he’ll likely be looked at quite heavily by clubs in need of a top-line midfielder.

PREVIOUS RANKING: #14

DEFENSIVE DEMON

Spare a thought for those who line up inside forward 50 and see Taylor walking over at the start of the game, they’re probably in for a bad day. The Eastern Ranges prospect is as competitive as they come, boasting solid defensive attributes which are complimented by deceptively good athletic traits. Running the 20m sprint in under three seconds, Taylor is capable of intercepting the ball or beating his opponent one-on-one before taking off on the rebound. At 191cm he has the versatility to play on talls and smalls, looming as a potential Mr Fix It for clubs looking to bolster their backlines. After a consistent start to the season at Coates Talent League level, Taylor tried hard all day in Vic Metro’s tough first-up loss to South Australia over the weekend.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked

CRICKET CONVERT

You’ve heard of the basketball background, but what happened to the good old fashioned cricket convert? LeRay is bringing it back having sided with the footballing pathway this year, not far removed from captaining South Australia’s Under 19 cricket team. Recruiters saw his upside and having been included in the National Academy, LeRay poured everything into his first full preseason, particularly in a running sense. The versatile talent is a vocal leader who has settled on a wing for South Australia, where his work rate and ability to kick off both feet have shone. He’s capable of rolling through midfield or contributing at either end of the ground, and may well have plenty more improvement left in him once he enters an elite level program.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked

FLYING WINGMAN

There wasn’t much separating Barker to his fellow South Australian wingman LeRay, with whom he has formed a formidable partnership on opposite sides of the field. Another National Academy member, the Sturt Under 18 skipper lit up South Australia’s preseason testing day with blistering 20m sprint and agility test times – results which translate well on-field. Barker carves up the outside and is a thumping kick of the ball at his best, able to takes metres and connect the lines effectively. Like LeRay, he has been used in several roles and cut his teeth as a half-back in the state squad last year. This year, he has also taken his talents into the midfield-forward rotation for Sturt, but has all the makings of a modern-day wingman. Height, work rate, and penetrative ball use.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked

LIVEWIRE FORWARD

Specialist small forwards have been in high demand over recent drafts, and with many of this year’s best being club-tied, Dovaston’s services will likely come at a premium. An All-Australian at Under 16 level, he was tried as a small defender at times last year and has rolled through the middle third, but far and away looks most dangerous in attack. A crafty ground level player, Dovaston works up the ground and hurts the opposition on the way back. He has booted goals in all bar one of his seven Coates Talent League outings this season, averaging a tick under two per game to go with 5.1 tackles. That defensive aspect, on top of the scoreboard impact, is what makes Dovaston so appealing. He plays with a bit of swagger and consistently backs it up.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked

MARKING MACHINE

No player has made an impression on the early stages of the National Championships like Schubert. The rangy key forward has spearheaded South Australia to a 2-0 start with seven goals in two games, also rising for a total of 15 marks. He hails from the fabled basketball background but has put all his eggs into the football basket, and it’s proving a good call. Schubert’s reach and clean hands make him difficult to stop on the lead or in packs, where his marking ability shines. He’s also a strong competitor who can chop-out in the ruck, but prides himself on consistently being able to impact the scoreboard. After being held goalless in Round 1 of the SANFL Under 18 season, he booted 16 goals in the next six games with two bags of four. It’s all coming together and he’s a player in serious form.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Unranked