By Jaiden Sciberras
Presented by
The AFL's next generation is upon us, with the first round of the 2025 AFL National Draft complete!
Compiling the best young talent from all over the country, night one was full of twists and turns, with 25 talents securing their homes ahead of the 2026 season.
SEN.com.au has you covered, with pick-by-pick coverage as the next crop of AFL talent land on a list for 2026.
9:52pm - The first round wraps up!
That's all for night one of the 2025 AFL National Draft!
Starting and ending with the clubs out West, the first round certainly offered a number of surprises.
Check out the entire first round below:
Thanks for joining us, we'll be back tomorrow as we cover the remaining picks in the 2025 National Draft!
Pick 25: Fremantle select Adam Sweid
Essendon have not matched Fremantle's bid, allowing Adam Sweid to join the Dockers with Pick 25!
The Bombers' only Academy player of the draft, Sweid offers a great competitive nature and attack as an undersized midfielder/small forward.
Freo wraps up the first round!
Pick 24: Geelong select Harley Barker
A phenomenal prospect hindered by injury, South Australian Harley Barker joins Geelong with Pick 24!
If not for a season-ending ACL injury during his draft year, Barker would have been selected far earlier than 24.
An elite running wingmen with great height and running capacity, Geelong may well have landed a ripper once again late in the draft.
One to watch. Fremantle up.
Lachy Dovaston on SEN!
North Melbourne's newest small forward joined John Donohoe and James Pitcher on SEN!
Pick 23: Hawthorn select Aidan Schubert
The Hawks select the U18 All-Australian key forward in Aidan Schubert out of SA!
Offering great forward craft for a big man, Schubert's ball-winning ability and goal-kicking prowess will offer plenty of excitement at the Hawks.
Geelong up next.
Pick 22: Adelaide select Mitch Marsh
The South Australian key forward remains at home!
A top key prospect, Mitch Marsh joins Adelaide in a deal that just feels right.
With Tex Walker in his final years, Marsh will join the minor premiers under the guidance of their elite big three of Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty.
Hawthorn return to the board with Pick 23.
Adelaide's swing at Dyson Sharp
The Crows certainly tried their hardest to acquire the South Australian midfielder.
With Pick 13, the Bombers were offered Adelaide's first round pick (now at Pick 22) and their 2026 first round pick in exchange for the selection and later picks in return.
Three deals were offered, but the Bombers stood firm, taking Sharp with the pick.
Pick 21: Western Bulldogs select Lachlan Carmichael
For the first time tonight, a bid has not been matched!
The Western Bulldogs have stolen mid/defender Lachlan Carmichael from the Swans with Pick 21, with Sydney opting not to match the bid for their academy prospect - which arrived earlier than expected.
Sydney's Academy MVP, Carmichael is capable of featuring both in the midfield and across the back flank.
A great addition for the Dogs, Adelaide on the clock.
Xavier Taylor on SEN!
Selected just outside the top 10, Melbourne's own Xavier Taylor joined SEN!
Pick 20: Hawthorn select Cameron Nairn
It took a little longer than expected, but late bolter Cam Nairn is finally off the board, joining the Hawks with Pick 20!
Emerging as a top prospect just days from the draft, Nairn is a superb talent from South Australia, with a seven-goal haul marking the best of his performances as a forward/wingman.
The Hawks have done superbly well with their draft hand, acquiring two future second-round picks to shift back while still claiming a top talent.
The Western Bulldogs are up!
Latrelle Pickett on SEN!
The Dees' bolter joins SEN! Listen here.
Jacob Farrow on SEN!
Essendon's tenth overall pick Jacob Farrow joined the boys on SEN!
Pick 19: West Coast select Josh Lindsay
The Eagles have landed Josh Lindsay from the Geelong Falcons with Pick 19!
Touted as the best kick in the draft, Lindsay offers great use out of the defensive half and will likely pair with Tom McCarthy off the Eagles' back flank.
Hawthorn are once again on the clock!
Sullivan Robey on SEN!
Pick 18: Gold Coast match bid for Beau Addinsall
The Suns land their fourth Academy prospect of the National Draft, finding the points to match West Coast's bid on Beau Addinsall!
Gold Coast get yet another strong midfielder with top IQ, adding to the club's elite mix.
West Coast go again with 19.
Sam Grlj on SEN!
Sam Cumming on SEN!
Listen as Richmond's Pick 7 Sam Cumming joined SEN!
Dan Annable on SEN!
Listen as Brisbane's Pick 6 Dan Annable sat down with SEN!
Pick 17: Gold Coast match bid for Jai Murray
The Eagles have placed their third bid of the night, and the Suns have acquired their third Academy prospect of the night, with Jai Murray joining the club at Pick 17.
Missing most of this season with a foot injury, Murray is a tough midfielder that will offer plenty to the Suns' stacked engine room.
West Coast will go again with Pick 18.
Hawthorn trade Pick 17 to West Coast
The Hawks have moved back once again, shifting Pick 17 to Pick 18, with West Coast sending 18 and a future second round pick in exchange.
Pick 16: North Melbourne select Lachy Dovaston
The Kangaroos are off the board, taking small forward Lachy Dovaston with Pick 16!
The draft's premier small forward, the Eastern Ranges' goal thief is a phenomenal talent.
Tracked the best agility test ever at the combine, Dovaston is a Nick Watson style footballer that will provide plenty for the Roos going forward.
A great pick, Hawthorn are back on the clock.
Pick 15: GWS select Oskar Taylor
The Giants have leapt up the boards to select Oskar Taylor with Pick 15!
A lockdown defender, Taylor was the runner-up in the Eastern Ranges' best and fairest.
The quickest player in the draft, Taylor is the perfect option for the Giants' tsunami.
North Melbourne are up with Pick 16 - acquired via Carlton.
Pick 14: Sydney match bid on Harry Kyle
GWS trade up to stitch up their enemy, bidding on Harry Kyle with Pick 14!
A rugby convert, Kyle is an incredibly agile defender/midfielder, drawing comparisons to Finn Callaghan.
The Giants back on the board.
Hawthorn trade Pick 14
The Hawks have sent Pick 14 to GWS, in exchange for Pick 16 and a 2026 second-round pick!
The Giants are now on the clock.
Pick 13: Essendon select Dyson Sharp
An Essendon-mad junior turned Essendon midfielder - Dyson Sharp lands at the Bombers with Pick 13!
Captaining South Australia through the U18 Championships, Sharp is a high-level leader, ready for the physicality of AFL footy.
This year's Marsh Medallist slips to 13, and the Bombers will be delighted.
Hawthorn are on the clock!
Pick 12: Melbourne select Latrelle Pickett
The latest bolter in the draft, Melbourne have selected Latrelle Pickett with Pick 12!
A late invite, the small forward joins his cousin Kysaiah at the Dees and will form an incredible duo forward of the ball.
A goal sneak and high-level forward half operator, Pickett will offer plenty ahead of the ball for the Dees.
Essendon are back on the clock, using Pick 13 - acquired via trade from Carlton.
Pick 11: Melbourne select Xavier Taylor
The Dees are off the mark, selecting Xavier Taylor from the Eastern Ranges with Pick 11!
Earning best on ground in the U18 Championships Grand Final, Taylor earns comparisons to Josh Weddle, with great intercept and run off the back flank.
A great pick for the Demons, capturing one of the draft's first sliders.
Melbourne back on the board with Pick 12!
Pick 10: Essendon select Jacob Farrow
WA's best talent of the crop will head to Victoria, as the Bombers select Jacob Farrow with Pick 10!
An elite ball user off the back flank, Farrow will offer great composure behind the ball and in transition for Essendon in 2026.
The top 10 has wrapped, Melbourne on the clock!
Dylan Patterson on SEN!
Listen as fifth overall pick Dylan Patterson joins SEN!
Pick 9: Essendon select Sullivan Robey
The biggest bolter of the draft is off the board, with the Bombers selecting Sullivan Robey with Pick 9!
The midfielder's stock grew exponentially after a top campaign with the Eastern Ranges, dominating on and forward of the ball within their Grand Final winning campaign.
Essendon are back on the clock with Pick 10.
Pick 8: Richmond select Samuel Grlj
The first surprise pick of the 2025 National Draft arrives at 8, with Richmond selecting Sam Grlj!
A superb ball-carrier with great speed off the back flank and in the middle, Grlj joins Sam Cumming and the Tigers' young talent.
Essendon are on the board with Pick 9.
Pick 7: Richmond select Sam Cumming
The Tigers have claimed their first player of the 2026 National Draft, selecting Sam Cumming with Pick 7!
The South Australian midfielder offers plenty of grit on the inside, and will join the Tigers' elite crop of young talent.
Doesn't stop there for Richmond, who return to the clock with Pick 8.
Pick 6: Brisbane match bid on Daniel Annable
Brisbane have acquired ready-made Academy prospect Dan Annable!
A top ball-winner, Annable joins the premiers to add to their already stacked midfield mix.
An incredible ball winner, several scouts suggested that Annable may well be the best player within this crop.
Yet another Northern Academy prospect off the board, that's three within the first six picks.
Richmond back on the clock with Pick 7.
Zeke Uwland on SEN!
Listen as the second overall pick Zeke Uwland joined John Donohoe and James Pitcher!
Pick 5: Gold Coast match bid on Dylan Patterson
The Suns have matched Richmond's bid, selecting Dylan Patterson with the fifth overall pick in the AFL Draft!
Nicknamed 'The Rocket', Patterson's elite pace through the midfield and half back will offer superb run for the Suns in 2026.
Richmond return to the clock.
Willem Duursma on SEN!
Listen as the first overall pick Willem Duursma joined John Donohoe and James Pitcher!
Pick 4: West Coast select Cooper Duff-Tytler
After two cracks at club-tied talents, the Eagles have selected Cooper Duff-Tytler out of Calder Cannons!
A ruck/forward perfectly suited for the modern game, Duff-Tytler mirrors the likes of Luke Jackson, with athletic prowess and great versatility.
At 201cm, Duff-Tytler offers the Eagles a major pillar in their rebuild, with the flexibility to play a variety of roles over the course of his development.
Richmond is now on the clock with Pick 5.
Trades underway
Teams have begun officially filing trades following the early draft picks.
Gold Coast has traded a future second round pick in exchange for Pick 33 from Brisbane.
The Blues have officially send Pick 11 and Pick 54 to North Melbourne in exchange for Pick 25, 46 and a 2026 second round pick.
Carlton has also send Pick 9 and 43 to Essendon in exchange for Pick 21, 27 and 30.
Brisbane has also sent Pick 18 to Hawthorn for Pick 21 and a future third.
Pick 3: Carlton match bid on Harry Dean
The son of Blues legend Peter lands at Carlton, with Carlton matching the Eagles’ bid at Pick 3.
Comfortably the best key defender in the draft, Dean will look to slot into the Blues’ Silvagni-shaped hole in the backline, offering plenty of upside and a ready-made build.
Frequently described as a “man against boys” during his U18 Championships with the Bushrangers, expect Dean to be eyeing off Carlton’s Opening Round clash with Sydney.
Back-to-back bids as expected, the Eagles will go again with Pick 4.
Pick 2: Gold Coast match bid on Zeke Uwland
The Suns have paid up, matching West Coast’s bid for Academy talent Zeke Uwland.
Brother of defender Bodhi, Zeke has been a talent to watch for several years, dominating within the midfield throughout his time in the Suns’ Academy.
A back injury ruled him out for much of the season; however, a strong return solidified his prospects atop the talent pool.
The Northern Academy prevails – not for the only time tonight.
Eagles bid matched – they are back on the clock with Pick 3.
Pick 1: West Coast select Willem Duursma
As expected, the West Coast Eagles have selected Willem Duursma from the Gippsland Power.
An elite athlete, insane versatility and a sky-high ceiling, Duursma joins Harley Reid at the Eagles all while becoming the fourth of his family to land on an AFL/W list.
First pick off the board, the Eagles are back on the clock with Pick 2.
7:25 - The Eagles are on the clock
The National Draft is underway, with the West Coast Eagles on the clock with Pick 1!
7:02pm - We're live!
We're underway at Marvel Stadium, with the Eagles set to kick off the 2025 AFL National Draft!
The work has been done, the film has been studied, the boards have been built, and the time has arrived.
Tonight, dreams come true for the country's best talents.
6:55pm - Listen LIVE!
Can't watch the draft?
Listen LIVE as John Donohoe and James Pitcher take us through all the action from 7pm at Marvel Stadium!
6:30pm - 30 minutes to go!
The AFL Draft almost here!
You're in the right place, with pick-by-pick coverage set to commence in the coming half hour.
The Eagles kick us off from 7pm AEDT!
6:04pm - Three things we can expect from tonight's first round
West Coast are on the clock in just one hour's time.
So, what can we expect tonight?
1. Bids galore
Although tonight only covers the first round, prepare for a late night.
Cal Twomey's Phantom Draft expects 10 (!!!) father-son and Academy bids within the first round.
And given the first round does not wrap until Pick 23 (currently Brisbane), expect at least 30 selections.
2. Sun after Sun after Sun
As covered earlier, the Gold Coast Suns have at least four academy prospects present in tonight's projections.
Two of these will come within the top five. Alongside Christian Petracca and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the Suns have quite the haul entering 2026.
3. Movement
Several clubs are far from settled on their current draft hand.
Richmond - who currently holds Pick 3 and Pick 4 - are in the market to shift a selection, while Essendon (Picks 5 and 6) are desperate to move up the order.
North Melbourne are looking to jump, while Hawthorn and Brisbane are also active.
The current draft order will look far different by the conclusion of tonight's action.
5:39pm - Your club's jumper presenter
Just under 90 minutes until the action kicks off at Marvel Stadium.
ICYMI: The AFL has revealed each club legend that will be presenting the jerseys to the draftees present tonight.
Adelaide: Matthew Nicks
Brisbane: Oscar McInerney
Carlton: Peter Dean
Collingwood: Paul Licuria
Essendon: Dyson Heppell
Fremantle: nil
Geelong: nil
Gold Coast: David Swallow
GWS Giants: Callan Ward
Hawthorn: Shane Crawford
Melbourne: Hassa Mann
North Melbourne: Glenn Archer
Port Adelaide: Josh Carr
Richmond: David Astbury and Bachar Houli
St Kilda: Ross Lyon
Sydney: Brett Kirk
West Coast: Harley Reid
Western Bulldogs: Adam Treloar
4:59pm - Shifter's late bolters
Every year, draft night surprises us with a range of players selected well above their predicted range, and tonight may be no different.
We've already seen the likes of Sullivan Robey and Cameron Nairn leap into top 10 projections, but who could sneak in at the latest hour?
Draft expert Kevin 'Shifter' Sheehan listed two small forwards that are creeping up club draft boards ahead of tonight's draft.
“I have a little bit of late mail on this,” Sheehan told SEN Breakfast.
“Latrelle Pickett is the one to keep an eye on. He is the cousin of Kozzy Pickett. Played a lot of reserve footy at Glenelg this season.
“He is a 19-year-old, been around for a little bit longer than some of the other boys. He turns 20 a couple of days before the year ends. He is just an amazing, instinctive forward, this kid.
“He is cat-like, 182cm. It doesn’t matter how he jumps into the contest, how much impact he absorbs from opposition players, he lands on his feet.
“I watched this kid play – he kicked 29 goals at reserve level this year. My first thought was – just let him play. Just let him go out there and play, because he is going to provide highlight reels for a long long time.
“He is someone that can come from a long way back and potentially be either just inside the top 10, or not far outside of it.”
“There is another small forward, Leon Kickett. Another guy that was overlooked. He just turned 19 in the last 10 days or so.
“Played a couple of league games late in the season – the bulk of his work being done at reserve level at Swan Districts in WA.
“He doesn’t necessarily just play deep forward. We think of a lot of smalls that hover around the goal mouth. He can get up the ground; he is very very dangerous when he is up there and then his work rate back to goal is exceptional.
“He didn’t play in the U18 Championship, he burst onto the scene – keep an eye on Leon Kickett.”
4:22pm - The first trade arrives
Pick movement is officially underway.
The Gold Coast Suns are making last-gasp moves to ensure necessary points for bid-matching in what is poised to be an Academy-heavy draft.
Agreeing to a deal with the Western Bulldogs, the Suns move up to Pick 14 while acquiring 33 and 53 in exchange for Pick 15 and 29, as reported by Cal Twomey.
Within tonight's draft alone, the Suns are expected to have four bids to match within the top 20, with Zeke Uwland (predicted Pick 2), Dylan Patterson (predicted Pick 4), Jai Murray (predicted Pick 18) and Beau Addinsall (predicted Pick 19) all hovering within the first round.
Yesterday, Twomey also confirmed that Carlton will be trading out of Pick 9 and Pick 11 in order to accumulate points.
With father-son prospect Harry Dean expected to be bid on by the Eagles around Pick 3 and Academy prospect Jack Ison also expected to land a bid late in the first round, the Blues need to garner further points in order to match club bids on both players.
According to Twomey, Carlton has agreed on a deal with Essendon that will send the Bombers Picks 9 and 43 in exchange for Picks 21, 27 and 30, while also agreeing to send Picks 11 and 54 to North Melbourne in exchange for Picks 25, 46 and a 2026 second rounder.
These trades will unlock both Dean and Ison for the Blues, while also adding points to their arsenal for 2026 in order to match a bid on incoming father-son and potential first overall pick Cody Walker.
4:15pm - Previewing tonight's stars
Not up to date? We’ve got you covered.
The top 10 has fluctuated immensely over the past months, with bolters and late bloomers only entering the fray as early as last week.
So, who are the top prospects, how do they play and just how good are they?
With significant coverage in the lead-up to tonight, we’ve covered several of the best prospects expected to hear their names called within the early stages of the draft.
Other notable stories:
4:00pm - The expected top 10
Remarkably, Cal Twomey nailed all of the first nine picks in his 2024 Phantom Draft, correctly calling the landing spots for every player within the top 12 (Isaac Kako bid arrived slightly later than predicted).
However, between Pick 12 and Pick 30, only two players went to their predicted clubs, and neither of those were taken with the predicted picks.
The draft is well and truly wide-open tonight. While bids on the likes of Zeke Uwland, Harry Dean, Dylan Patterson and Dan Annable are all more than likely to arrive within the top 10, clubs can make unpredictable calls once the clock strikes, particularly with eyes on Richmond and the Bombers given their desire to hear out/push for trades.
Cal Twomey predicted the following top 10 on AFL.com.au:
That said, this one is far from decided.
3:15pm - The current state of play
As reported by draft expert Cal Twomey in recent days, teams within the upper echelon of the draft remain open to offers, with several clubs looking to trade into the top 10 and surrounds.
Uniquely, the 2025 National Draft sees just four teams holding selections within the top eight, as West Coast (Picks 1 and 2), Richmond (Picks 3 and 4), Essendon (Picks 5 and 6) and Melbourne (Picks 7 and 8) all hold back-to-back picks to commence the night.
However, all of Gold Coast (Zeke Uwland & Dylan Patterson), Carlton (Harry Dean) and Brisbane (Daniel Annable) will almost certainly have bids to match within that range.
With that in mind, it’s likely that Essendon’s first selection will fall to around Pick 9.
2:30pm - Welcome!
Welcome to SEN's live coverage of the 2025 National Draft!
Tonight, dreams will be fulfilled, as the next generation of footballing talent officially land on an AFL list.
The class of '25 has been well covered over the course of the off-season, and unlike seasons past, much of tonight's crop still remain in limbo as to where they may end up.
Stay right here as we take you throughout the entire first round of the 2025 AFL National Draft!
See your club's picks and an overview of tonight's action below 👇
no selections
The Rookie Draft allows clubs to fill their remaining open list spots, with all non-selected and free agent players available for selection.
This draft takes place after the National Draft, set for Friday, November 21 at 7:00pm AEDT.
Selections at the Rookie Draft are set to be determined following the National Draft's completion.
Crafted by Project Diamond