AFL Draft: Familiar surnames, club-tied guns headline 2025 AFL Academy

A 28-player squad for the 2025 AFL Academy has been revealed, with next year's crop of teenagers headlined by Academy prospects, father-son figures and further familiar surnames.

From the squad, four are tied to Gold Coast's Academy, with Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Beau Addinsall and Kalani White all members of the Carrara pathways, while the latter is also tied to Melbourne as a father-son prospect - with his dad Jeff playing 236 games in the red and blue.

Uwland, the younger brother of current Suns defender Bodhi, is seen as a chance to go Pick 1 next year, while Addinsall was named MVP for his side in September's Future Stars game - collecting 34 disposals, five marks and five inside 50s.

Patterson was also promising in that performance - recording 20 disposals and four marks - while Uwland kicked two goals from 22 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s.

Uwland and White aren't the only AFL Academy members with family ties to the AFL, with Vic Country tall Willem Duursma - the brother to Xavier, Yasmin and Zane - and Western Australian Cody Curtin - the brother of Adelaide rookie Dan - also earning a spot in the squad.

Other club-tied names in the squad include Lions Academy member Daniel Annable and Swans Academy duo Noah Chamberlain and Lachie Carmichael.

2025 draft guns Dyson Sharp, Sam Cumming, Oliver Greeves, Fred Rodriguez and Ben Rongdit are expected to catch headlines next year also.

Recent years have seen the AFL Academy feature against state league level teams, including VFL and SANFL sides - the latter falling during Gather Round last year.

Members of the AFL Academy are also afforded the chance to train with AFL clubs during the pre-season.

2025 AFL Academy