Every AFL draftee will be keen to make their mark early at their new clubs, but some will take more time than others at the elite level.
This year's draft class isn't short of fresh faces who could debut early into the 2025 season and have an immediate impact, with top-rated teenagers and mature-aged recruits making up the best-prepared list additions.
Following this week's draft, we've listed the draftee at each AFL team who is best placed for an early debut next season
Adelaide
Adelaide's Pick 4 selection had a good glimpse of senior football this year, representing South Adelaide on half-a-dozen occasions and being one of the Panthers' best in that spell.
Draper averaged 22.2 disposals, 6.2 tackles and 4.7 clearances in the SANFL seniors and had already debuted for the club last year.
With Adelaide's engine room undergoing a transition over the past 12 months, expect to see Draper getting a look at centre bounces next year.
Brisbane
The Lions' father-on pickup has already circled the club's Opening Round meeting with Geelong, planning to quickly break into Chris Fagan's premiership squad.
It will be a tough side to find a role in, but the Lions see Ashcroft as a potential half-forward to start his AFL career.
If Ashcroft's VFL debut is anything to go by he'll have little trouble against the bigger bodies, having tallied 35 disposals and a goal against GWS earlier this year.
Carlton
Carlton's top pick edges out the Camporeale twins, who both played reserve grade football for Glenelg this year.
Smith had a run with Richmond's VFL program in the second half of 2024, averaging 27.3 disposals and 6.3 clearances to further flex his ball-winning dominance.
His creativity at stoppages should see Smith have no issue getting his hands on the ball in the navy blue, but a spot in midfield won't come easy for the Pick 3 selection.
Collingwood
The Magpies won't get close to their league-high total of six debutants from this year in 2025, but their three new draftees will each look to put pressure on their more senior teammates.
Hayes might be a smaller framed player and didn't get a glimpse of senior WAFL footy this year, but he looks to be a new puzzle piece the Magpies could look to utilise quickly.
His ability to run and spread on the flank could be called on next year as Collingwood continue to look toward their more youthful options.
Essendon
The threatening small forward could quickly fill a hole in Brad Scott's attacking third, hoping to rekindle his connection with ex-teammate Nate Caddy in the red and black.
Kako will have some competition from South Australian Angus Clarke and GWV Rebels forward Rhys Unwin for an early debut, but given his maintained links with the club and the Bombers' need for more ground-level threats, he could find his feet at AFL level early.
Pick 37 selection Kayle Gerreyn is another name for Essendon fans to get excited about, with the ruck-forward recruit already a good size and has senior WAFL experience to his CV.
Fremantle
The 20-year-old got the Dockers' attention again this year thanks to his improvement with South Fremantle, who handed Carr his WAFL debut and utilised his run and forward craft.
There could be a role for Carr at half-forward soon enough, but he'll be in competition with the likes of Bailey Banfield and Sam Sturt.
Pick 17 selection Murphy Reid is another who could find a spot in Justin Longmuir's side quickly, with the Dockers seeing the Sandringham Dragons product as a versatile asset.
Geelong
The energetic Western Jets forward might be the pick of the bunch early for the Cats, who drafted a handful of key position players that will require some time to develop.
Matofai-Forbes had two appearances for local club Keilor this year for a return of three goals, showing his value against bigger bodies.
Cats Rookie Draft selection Xavier Ivisic is another name to consider here.
Gold Coast
Lombard might be the most ready-made player drafted this year, having already put forward strong performances at the VFL level, including a role in the Suns' premiership side last year.
He was even flagged as a contender for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition's best young player, having played eight games at the state league level in 2024.
He kicked three goals from 22 touches against Coburg after starting his year with 28 disposals against Richmond's reserves.
GWS
Each of the Giants' draft recruits present differing strengths, with Oliver's being his maturity, aggression and kicking as a small defender.
He could quickly earn the respect of his new teammates and carve out a role in Adam Kingsley's defence, which may look to add a lockdown player for opposition small forwards.
Top draft pick Ollie Hannaford may need to work on his endurance before getting a debut, while Cody Angove could be a live option as a player who can offer run and spread.
Hawthorn
The Hawks picked up just the two new players at the AFL Draft, with Anderson their second selection after acquiring key defender Noah Mraz out of the Dandenong Stingrays.
Mraz is coming off a year mostly spent on the sidelines, while Anderson already has the size and grunt that could match many in the top flight.
The midfield bull earned a VFL debut this year with Box Hill and kicked two goals, while he made his first local football showing at the age of 15.
Melbourne
One of several mature-aged recruits, Johnson lands at the Demons after a premiership-winning season with Werribee in the VFL.
Capable of supporting in the ruck while playing as a forward target, Johnson is the exact type of player Melbourne is hoping to get the most out of quickly.
Top draft selections Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay could also line up in the red and blue come Round 1, having played at the VFL and local levels respectively already.
North Melbourne
The Pick 2 selection's versatility was highly rated by the Kangaroos and a major reason why they kept their pick to get him.
While valued as a high-impact onballer, O'Sullivan could rotate through half-back or be utilised in the forward line given his aerial ability and goal sense.
WA's Luke Urquhart might be the next most-ready from North Melbourne's new quartet of young guns.
Port Adelaide
Berry played six games for Wangaratta as a 17-year-old and kicked 11 goals, contributing hauls of three, three and four in that run.
He brings speed and pressure that should suit the top level, with more small forward power an area the Power have been lacking.
Midfielder Christian Moraes could also get a look in the first half of next year after making his VFL debut with Box Hill in 2024.
Richmond
This year's draft dux has the power and explosiveness that will quickly put his opponent on edge.
The Tigers will have several holes to fill early next year and Lalor could find one in the middle of the ground or as a forward asset.
Fellow top 10 pick Josh Smillie could make the leap next year, while intrigue surrounds who steps up first among the Tigers' four new key position players.
St Kilda
Tauru narrowly edges out Tobie Travaglia for this nod, with the new Saints swingman looking ready to make the jump to AFL action already.
His marking ability and size could quickly come in handy for Ross Lyon, who has spots to fill at either end of the field.
Travaglia could join Tauru with an early debut, having had no issue in the VFL this year with Carlton as well as his AFL Academy commitments.
Sydney
One of this year's best VFL draft chances saw his name called 41st overall, which was just reward for his stellar first year with Werribee.
Bice spent time with Albury and even GWS' VFL side before landing with the 'Bees, with the speedy half-back flanker earning Team of the Year honours in 2024.
His run and decision-making could quickly come into use for the Swans, with Bice maybe the most ready player picked up in the draft.
West Coast
Allan ended his draft campaign as a member of Peel Thunder's WAFL premiership team, having debuted at the level this year before featuring in a total of 11 games.
He looked comfortable against the bigger bodies, whether that be at the coalface, on the wing or on the shoulder of an opposition forward.
He should find a role in Andrew McQualter's first ever Eagles side, while fellow rookie Jobe Shanahan might be there also after a purple patch of form this year with Essendon's VFL side saw his stocks rise.
Western Bulldogs
Davidson was this year's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner, an award that has seen its 17 prior recipients go on to debut at AFL level.
The Bulldogs had hoped to fine-tune their attacking options to complement their three talls, and the exciting Davidson is a perfect fit as a player who can be dominant in the air and creative at ground level.
He had a breakout year with Richmond's VFL program and looked comfortable on the big stage, with arguably his best game coming against Essendon in the Dreamtime curtain-raiser.
