The players at each AFL team most likely to earn a debut in 2025

With pre-season chatter comes selection watch, with AFL fans keen to see who could be locking down starting spots at their best clubs for the season ahead. Discussions over potential debutants play their part in the intrigue, with each hoping to uncover an uncapped player who can have an impact in 2025. A total of 76 players made their AFL debuts in 2024, and with the number of options yet to get a look at the top level ahead of the coming campaign, that figure could be beaten in 2025. Here we list every player yet to make their AFL debut and name the players most likely to play their maiden match this year. Adelaide Rookies: Sid Draper, Tyler Welsh Still waiting: Toby Murray, Karl Gallagher, Oscar Ryan, Charlie Edwards Most likely to debut in 2025: Top draft pick Sid Draper is one of the more ready-made newcomers in the AFL, with his form at South Adelaide in the SANFL last year seeing him have no issue up against senior opposition. Some injury concerns could prevent an early debut, with second-year options Oscar Ryan and Charlie Edwards others to keep an eye on. Brisbane Rookies: Sam Marshall, Ty Gallop, Levi Ashcroft Still waiting: Darcy Craven, Reece Torrent, Will McLachlan, Zane Zakostelsky, Luke Lloyd, Luke Beecken Most likely to debut in 2025: The Lions will have a hard side to break into as they look to defend their premiership with a number of senior players to return from long-term layoffs. Father-son pick Levi Ashcroft will have a case to make for a debut this year, while young tall Luke Lloyd could get a look at the top flight given the change to Brisbane's tall forward options. Carlton Rookies: Jagga Smith, Ben Camporeale, Lucas Camporeale, Harry O'Farrell, Matt Duffy, Harry Charleson Still waiting: Hudson O'Keeffe, Billy Wilson, Rob Monahan, Harry Lemmey Most likely to debut in 2025: Carlton's Pick 3 selection, Jagga Smith, should be right in the conversation for a spot to face Richmond come Round 1, with the Blues to look toward their midfield depth. Smith was comfortable across a trio of VFL games for Richmond last year and should get an early look at the AFL in 2025. Young running defender Billy Wilson is another who would be in the selection frame, especially given Nic Newman's season-ending knee injury. Collingwood Rookies: William Hayes, Charlie West, Joel Cochran Still waiting: Oscar Steene, Iliro Smit, Harry DeMattia Most likely to debut in 2025: Collingwood's 2023 draft addition Harry DeMattia will look to break into Craig McRae's lineup after a rookie season impacted by injury. The hard-nosed defender can offer run and spread from the backline, which can be an easier role to acclimatise to in the AFL compared to most. Essendon Rookies: Archer Day-Wicks, Jayden Nguyen, Zak Johnson, Rhys Unwin, Angus Clarke, Kayle Gerreyn, Isaac Kako Still waiting: Saad El-Hawli, Vigo Visentini, Luamon Lual, Lewis Hayes Most likely to debut in 2025: NGA product Isaac Kako could be an Opening Round starter given Essendon's need for ground level forward options to start the new season. His pressure and goal sense will be a welcomed addition after the loss of Jake Stringer and amid injury concern for Matt Guelfi. You can almost guarantee mid-year addition Saad El-Hawli will get a look at AFL action this year should he remain fit, with the flanker a dominant force at the state league level in 2024 with the Northern Bullants and Essendon. Fremantle Rookies: Aiden Riddle, Jaren Carr, Charlie Nicholls, Murphy Reid Still waiting: Jack Delean, Ollie Murphy, Odin Jones Most likely to debut in 2025: First-round pick Murphy Reid will press his case for a debut in his maiden campaign in purple, with the Dockers noting the Vic Metro MVP winner's flexibility to play across all three lines of the field. Father-son addition Jaren Carr has joined the club after breaking through for a WAFL debut with South Fremantle in 2024 and could also press his case for a call-up in his first season with Fremantle. Geelong Rookies: Cillian Burke, Joe Pike, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Patrick Retschko, Xavier Ivisic, Lennox Hofmann, Jacob Molier, Jay Polkinghorne Still waiting: Oliver Wiltshire, George Stevens, Mitchell Edwards Most likely to debut in 2025: 2023 draftee George Stevens was one of the more ready-made prospects from his draft class but spent his rookie season in the VFL as the Cats' senior side remains tough to break into. He could get a look at senior footy in his second season as a defender-midfielder hybrid. Pick 66 selection Lennox Hofmann might be the leading debut chance among the Cats' eight fresh faces, with the Sandringham Dragons graduate a promising medium-sized defender. Gold Coast Rookies: Asher Eastham, Lachlan Gulbin, Zak Evans, Cooper Bell, Leo Lombard Still waiting: Max Knobel Most likely to debut in 2025: Leo Lombard might have no issue holding down a role under Damien Hardwick for the entirety of the 2025 season. If he starts in the VFL, his form is sure to quickly catch the eye and earn him a call-up as a powerful and pacey half-forward option. GWS Rookies: Josaia Delana, Logan Smith, Cody Angove, Jack Ough, Harrison Oliver, Oliver Hannaford Still waiting: Wade Derksen, Nathan Wardius, Nick Madden, James Leake, Phoenix Gothard Most likely to debut in 2025: The Giants held Wade Derken to his contract over the off-season, flagging the swingman as a required player. Now with three pre-seasons under his belt, Derksen will look to break through for a debut in 2025. 2023 first-round pick James Leake is another to keep an eye on after earning praise this pre-season off the back of an interrupted debut year, while small defender Harry Oliver might be the pick of the bunch among the Giants' newest draft class. Hawthorn Rookies: Jaime Uhr-Henry, Matt Hill, Cody Anderson, Noah Mraz Still waiting: Jasper Scaife, Will McCabe, Bodie Ryan Most likely to debut in 2025: NGA draft addition Cody Anderson has the size and strength to go toe-to-toe with mature opponents, but a role in midfield will be hard to come by at Hawthorn for the bullish ball winner. The tall forward equation will be an intriguing one given the injuries to Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis, potentially opening the door for Jasper Scaife to earn a debut. Melbourne Rookies: Ricky Mentha, Aidan Johnson, Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay Still waiting: Luker Kentfield, Oliver Sestan, Will Verrall, Jed Adams, Matthew Jefferson Most likely to debut in 2025: Demons fans are hoping to get a look at young forward Matt Jefferson in 2025, with the former first-round pick now in his third season with the club. Mature-aged draftee Aidan Johnson could come ahead of Jefferson in the pecking order though given his size and ability to pinch-hit in the ruck. Top draft picks Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay can both be expected to press for debuts early into the season. North Melbourne Rookies: Finn O'Sullivan, River Stevens, Luke Urquhart, Matt Whitlock Still waiting: Jacob Konstanty, Finnbar Maley, Brayden George, Geordie Payne, Taylor Goad Most likely to debut in 2025: Pick 2 selection Finn O'Sullivan will be eyeing a starting role under Alastair Clarkson quickly, potentially as a running defender who can rotate through midfield. Tall utility Finnbar Maley and Mid-Season Draft Pick 1 selection Geordie Payne are others to watch given their elasticity, while trade recruit Jacob Konstanty is still yet to debut after two years in Sydney. A small forward spot could be up for grabs, with Konstanty or Payne both eligible contenders. Port Adelaide Rookies: Joe Berry, Jack Whitlock, Christian Moraes, Jacob Moss, Benny Barrett, Tom Cochrane Still waiting: Xavier Walsh, Hugh Jackson, Tom Anastasopoulos, Lachlan Charleson Most likely to debut in 2025: Small forward Joe Berry has turned heads in his first pre-season and could rival fellow recruit Joe Richards for a spot in Ken Hinkley's front half as a speedy impact player. Another name to consider is Hugh Jackson, who is entering his fourth year with the club and is yet to get a look at AFL level. Richmond Rookies: Thomas Sims, Harry Armstrong, Luke Trainor, Jasper Alger, Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton, Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie Still waiting: Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Liam Fawcett Most likely to debut in 2025: Several young Tigers could be in the frame for debuts come Round 1 given the list of holes needing to be filled from their off-season departures. Top 10 picks Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie could get a look in midfield while also spending time forward, with key defender Luke Trainor another name to keep an eye on. 2024 Mid-Season Draft addition Campbell Gray could be in the mix for a forward target role after his promising VFL run with the Tigers last year was ended due to injury. St Kilda Rookies: Eamonn Armstrong, Hugh Boxshall, Patrick Said, Alex Dodson, James Barrat, Alixzander Tauru, Tobie Travaglia Still waiting: Liam O'Connell, Max Heath, Max Hall, Isaac Keeler Most likely to debut in 2025: Top 10 picks Tobie Travaglia and Alix Tauru could both find roles in defence for the Saints come Round 1, however the latter has endured an interrupted start to life in the red, white and black and could see a breakthrough game delayed. Travaglia, on the other hand, could slot into a running role and allow the likes of Jack Sinclair or Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to feature further up the field. Saints fans will also be keen to see Max Heath and Isaac Keeler contend for key positions roles in 2025. Sydney Rookies: Ned Bowman, Jesse Dattoli, Blake Leidler, Riley Bice, Riak Andrew Still waiting: Will Green, Patrick Snell, Tom Hanily, Indhi Kirk, Will Edwards Most likely to debut in 2025: The Swans drafted Werribee defender Riley Bice via the national intake last November and would see the mature-aged addition as a ready-made asset. Expect Bice to contend for a half-back role, placing pressure on incumbents Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham. Jesse Dattoli might get a look in the second half of the year as he recovers from a back issue. West Coast Rookies: Tom Gross, Malakai Champion, Hamish Davis, Lucca Grego, Jobe Shanahan, Bo Allan Still waiting: Coen Livingstone, Archer Reid Most likely to debut in 2025: Top draft pick Bo Allan could be a permanent fixture in Andrew McQualter's midfield unit to start the season, while the Peel Thunder product can also slot into a defensive role after proving his versatility in a run to a WAFL premiership. Fellow WA product Hamish Davis pieced together a good run at the state league level last year also, while draftee Jobe Shanahan could be in the mix for a key position role at their end of the field. Western Bulldogs Rookies: Sam Davidson, Luke Kennedy, Josh Dolan, Lachie Jaques, Cooper Hynes Still waiting: Lachlan Smith, Jordan Croft, Jedd Busslinger Most likely to debut in 2025: 2025 could, and very much should, be the year Dogs fans get to see key defender Jedd Busslinger feature at the top level. The club has been patient in their approach with the 198cm defender, but this year will likely see the Bulldogs turn to the future as they look to settle on their defensive structure. Draftee Sam Davidson, who took out last year's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal with Richmond, could also press his case for a spot in the forward line under Luke Beveridge quickly.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	23	17	6	68	126.7
2	PORT	23	16	7	64	114.8
3	GEEL	23	15	8	60	112.2
4	GWS	23	15	8	60	109.1
5	BL	23	14	8	58	121.9
6	WB	23	14	9	56	125.1
7	HAW	23	14	9	56	118.5
8	CARL	23	13	10	52	110.2

The players at each AFL team most likely to earn a debut in 2025

We’ve listed every player yet to feature in the AFL, and those most likely to be handed a debut at every club.

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