The 2025 AFL Draft is shaping up as a greatly compromised intake, but there remains some quality talent at the top end.
There is a greater spread of A-Grade talent across the country than most years, with a stronger supply of key-position players than existed in last year's crop, while there is typically a bevy of midfielders.
With so much footy still to be played, the list is very malleable, with updated and expanded lists to continue throughout the year by Craft of the Draft.
At the conclusion of the pre-season, these are the players adjudged the top prospects for 2025.
Worthy of a mention: Talls Cody Curtin and Archie Ludowyke are the next best key-position players in a crop with a high quantity of top-end talls. Curtin kicked eight goals in a WAFL practice match, which highlighted his proven contested marking, and he also has the capacity to play down back, while Ludowyke is a rawer, mobile tall from Sandringham. Swans Academy pair Noah Chamberlain and Lachie Carmichael are also highly rated, while Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane and big-bodied Murray midfielder Ryder Corrigan are arguably the two best Coates Talent League players outside the AFL Academy. Suns Academy prospect Beau Addinsall was also right on the cusp after looking comfortable in the VFL last year, and alongside Riley Onley is probably the best pure midfielder off the list. Dandenong's Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves has a lot of attributes, while Sandringham's Xavier Bamert got limited opportunity for various reasons last year but could jump quickly.
10. Dylan Patterson
Gold Coast Academy - Midfielder
Overshadowed by top-five contender Zeke Uwland and Burleigh's Beau Addinsall, who played eight VFL games in 2024, Patterson is among the most watchable players in the crop.
His acceleration, top-end speed and ability to dance through traffic, combined with his darting ball use means it always feels like something will happen when he has the ball in his hands.
Was a standout in Queensland's U17s trial last August and will likely get some VFL games in 2025.
