Imagine the thrill of a young talent poised to ignite the AFL world, drawing envious glances from powerhouse teams—it's the kind of drama that makes draft night unforgettable. But here's where it gets controversial: is Josh Lindsay, the Geelong Falcons' standout kicker, truly the cream of the crop, or are clubs overlooking other gems in their rush to secure him? Dive into this electrifying preview of the 2025 AFL Draft, where every pick could reshape futures, and we'll break it down step by step to keep you hooked.
The 2025 AFL National Draft kicks off with high stakes at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night, November 19, at 7pm AEDT. For beginners new to the AFL scene, this is the annual event where teams select emerging players from junior leagues to bolster their rosters—think of it as the NFL's equivalent of college draft madness, but with Australian rules football flair. The first round unfolds live on Fox Footy, accessible via Foxtel or Kayo Sports, and you can catch every twist on Kayo with a special offer: your first month for just $1. If you're tuning in for the first time, picture it as a high-energy auction where clubs bid and trade picks to snag the best prospects, often leading to surprising moves that fans debate for weeks.
This year's draft spans two nights, wrapping up on Thursday, November 20, starting at the same 7pm AEDT slot. Expect 26 to 29 players to join AFL lists on day one alone, thanks to the draft's unique structure that sometimes compresses selections—potentially making the opening round longer and more intense than the second night. And this is the part most people miss: with trades flying and bids complicating things, it's not just about raw talent; strategy and club politics play huge roles, turning the draft into a chess match.
Fourteen rising stars have earned invites to Marvel Stadium for the spotlight: Willem Duursma, Zeke Uwland, Harry Dean, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Dylan Patterson, Daniel Annable, Sullivan Robey, Sam Cumming, Xavier Taylor, Sam Grlj, Dyson Sharp, Jacob Farrow, Cameron Nairn, and Lachy Dovaston—the last two as late additions. Duursma from West Coast, Uwland from Gold Coast, Dean from Carlton, Duff-Tytler from West Coast, Patterson from Gold Coast, and Annable from Brisbane are tipped as the top six contenders. West Coast and Richmond might even throw bids into the mix for their academy or next-generation academy (NGA) talents, which are young players tied to clubs through special programs designed to develop local stars.
Richmond's eyeing a group of five: Robey, Cumming, Taylor, Grlj, and Farrow. Whoever they choose could ripple through the next picks, influencing Essendon and Melbourne's decisions. These clubs are scouting similar players, highlighting how one team's move can create a domino effect—imagine the excitement (and frustration) as fans watch their favorite team adapt on the fly.
Now, onto the intrigue surrounding Josh Lindsay, who isn't physically present but is glued to the action via Zoom from home. Widely regarded as one of the draft's top kickers for his exceptional decision-making and pin-point left-foot accuracy—think of it as a quarterback with laser-sharp throws that rarely miss their mark—he's attracting serious interest mid-to-late in the first round. Essendon, with their Pick 9 (swapped from Carlton to help the Blues match bids on Dean and NGA talent Jack Ison), might scoop him up, though they're also considering Lachy Dovaston, the mature-age surprise Latrelle Pickett, or key forward Aidan Schubert. Hawthorn at Pick 10 has been mentioned as another suitor, but if Lindsay slips past them, North Melbourne could pounce with Pick 11 (traded from Carlton). The Kangaroos have options, including South Australian stars Pickett, Schubert, and Blake Thredgold, or even Dovaston if he drops that far.
The Western Bulldogs, linked strongly to Lindsay in recent weeks, are scouting a half-back for Pick 14—players like Oskar Taylor from the Eastern Ranges or Lachlan Carmichael from the Swans academy. This sets up Geelong at Pick 19 as a potential trade hotspot; sources whisper the Cats are ready to climb the ladder, likely for Lindsay, their top Falcons prospect who reportedly chatted with the club on Monday. The Giants at Pick 12 might be open to swapping, eyeing players like Grlj, Pickett, Oskar Taylor, or forward Archie Ludowyke if their targets are gone. Hawthorn's Pick 10 is another possibility, though less probable since the Hawks prefer not to fall too far.
Beyond the big names like Uwland, Dean, Patterson, Annable, and Ison, five more club-tied prospects could draw first-round bids: Harry Kyle (Swans academy), Jai Murray (Suns academy), Beau Addinsall (Suns academy), Tylah Williams (Eagles NGA), and Adam Sweid (Bombers NGA). If not, Carmichael might slide to round two, while Max King (Swans academy) and Zac McCarthy (Magpies NGA) are poised for night two action. Outside Carlton's swaps with Essendon and North, Gold Coast will gain picks from the Giants, Crows, and Power, but it might not suffice for bidding wars on their academy top five if they enter the national draft.
With tight point pools, Gold Coast and Sydney could let Addinsall and Carmichael go to competitors if bids hit early. West Coast, for instance, has eyes on Addinsall with their third pick, or even Murray. And this is where controversy brews: some argue that academy systems give unfair advantages, creating debates about whether talent like Lindsay deserves a higher spot despite not being tied to a club. Is the draft truly merit-based, or do these protections stifle competition? We'd love to hear your take—do you think trades and bids make the AFL Draft fairer, or do they just add unnecessary chaos?
For more coverage, check out our Phantom Draft predictions, club scenarios, and guides on trades and bids. What do you think—will Lindsay defy expectations and land with the Dogs or Cats? Share your predictions or hot takes in the comments below; let's spark a debate!
