2025 Draft Watch

[azabob]

Apologies for stealing your thunder The Doctor.

Stars of the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2025

Daniel Annable
Midfielder
183cm
5/4/07
Brisbane Academy/QLD

One of the gun midfielders in the crop for next year, Annable already has already proven his qualities. He dominated as a ball-getter for the Lions' Academy in the Coates Talent League this year, averaging 28 disposals and six tackles whilst also averaging 20 disposals playing for the Allies at the national carnival. He uses the ball well, has great game craft and is able to ferry the ball out of contested situations with his hands. Brisbane has another talented Academy product on the horizon.


Cooper Duff-Tytler
Ruck/key forward
199cm
22/8/07
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

What an exciting talent Duff-Tytler is shaping to be. Having concentrated on his promising basketball career, Duff-Tytler is now putting all his energy into making it in the AFL and the end of his bottom-age season suggests he is well on the way. His breakout game came in just his third appearance for the Cannons, when he kicked two goals from 30 disposals and 17 hit-outs in a best-afield display as a roaming ruckman. Across six games at the level he averaged 17 disposals and 15 hitouts and he shapes as one of the leading talls for 2025.


Willem Duursma
Utility
191cm
21/6/07
Gippsland Power/Vic Country

With his three older siblings already playing at the top level, Duursma is set to make his own mark having been ready for his draft-age year for some time. Having played for Gippsland's under-18 team as an under-16s player, Duursma spent his 2024 moving around the ground in different spots ? the wing, forward and back. He can also play as a midfielder around the ball. He is a very good overhead mark and has the versatility to play just about anywhere on the ground. Duursma will produce some eye-catching highlights in 2025 and is an early contender for the No.1 pick.

Louis Emmett
Ruckman
198cm
23/3/07
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

Emmett's end to 2024 certainly caught the attention of clubs. He had some big games playing for Oakleigh, including a four-goal effort in one game, 28 disposals and two goals the next week and then 22 disposals and a goal the week after that. The mobile big man finished the year averaging 17 disposals, 13 hitouts and more than a goal a game at Coates Talent League level and his capacity to get around the ground and use his skills really stood out.


Max King
Midfielder
191cm
9/1/07
Sydney Academy/NSW-ACT

Another Max King looks headed for the AFL and this version is a bit different to the St Kilda key forward. King, who is tied to Sydney's Academy, has plenty of upside. He can move through the midfield, which given his height is a weapon, but he can also be a marking target in attack and he likes to fly for his grabs. Injury meant he didn't feature in the AFL under-17s futures game on Grand Final day but King is a watch to be a player recruiters have their eyes on next season.

Matt LeRay
Midfielder
189cm
22/2/07
Central District/South Australia

It was a consistent season for LeRay with Central District's under-18 side, where he averaged 22 disposals and five inside-50s, as well as booting 13 goals from 11 games. A taller midfield option, LeRay also showed he can find the footy with a solid performance on Grand Final day in the under-17s clash. A week earlier he had led the Bulldogs' disposal tally with 22 touches and 1.1 in its four-point Grand Final loss to Woodville-West Torrens.


Archie Ludowyke
Key forward
195cm
19/11/07
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Ludowyke missed the Sandringham Dragons' Grand Final win over Greater Western Victoria due to injury but had an otherwise promising bottom-age campaign as a developing tall forward. The left-footer came back the next week to kick the match-winning goal for his side in the national futures game ahead of the AFL Grand Final. He competes in the air, flies for high marks and has plenty of the attributes you want in a key forward prospect. He kicked 13 goals from nine games with Sandringham's under-18 side.


Riley Onley
Midfielder
194cm
30/3/07
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

There is a point of difference with Onley, given his stature as a 194cm midfield prospect. Onley played seven games this season for the Bushrangers and averaged 17 disposals and next year he'll have more responsibilities thrown his way. His taste of things this season also extended to Onley playing three games for Vic Country at the national carnival, including having 20 disposals and seven clearances against the Allies.

Dyson Sharp
Midfielder
188cm
23/5/07
Central District/South Australia

Sharp plays with a hard edge that you don't often see for a prospect his age. It is why late in the year he wasn't daunted by stepping up to play at SANFL league level with Central District, where he performed well in their three finals. The bigger-bodied midfielder averaged 27 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances at under-18 level for Centrals this season and will be pushing to continue his trajectory and be an early pick next year.


Zeke Uwland
Midfielder
178cm
24/4/07
Gold Coast Academy/Queensland

It was a super season for 'Zeke The Freak' this year, with the younger brother of Suns defender Bodhi showing all of his traits as a running, skillful and penetrating midfielder. Uwland plays in the Errol Gulden mould ? a smaller sized ball magnet who uses his left-foot kicking to pierce gaps and set up the play. The Suns Academy talent won the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best player of the Academy series and also won selection in the under-18 All-Australian team.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1256448/future-stars-zeke-uwland-willem-drew-among-the-10-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-2025

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2025 Draft Watch

Great top 10 for the Northern Academies. Again.

[Axe Man]

Almost one third of the top 25 are tied to the northern academies (GCS 4, Sydney 3, Brisbane 1).

2025 AFL Draft: The top 25 prospects to watch this year

A massive year is only just beginning for the draft class of 2025 and here are the names to watch, with several No.1 pick contenders firmly in the mix. These are the names to watch.

It might not be quite as stacked as the 2024 AFL Draft pool, but there is still some exciting talent on the horizon in 2025.

Plenty of players possess stacks of potential and will be keen to shine during their top-age campaigns this year.

Here are 25 of the top prospects to watch in 2025, including some father-sons and Academy aces.

BEAU ADDINSALL

Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD

Height: 180cm

Position: Midfielder/Forward

An athletic midfielder who is tough in the contest and spreads well from stoppage, Addinsall has done it all over the past two years. The Suns Academy member won the Pool B best and fairest at the under-16 national championships in 2023, averaging 28 disposals, five clearances, 7.7 tackles and 2.7 goals across three matches. Last year, he logged 27 disposals, nine clearances and one goal in a QAFL debut for Broadbeach, while also featuring in eight VFL games for Gold Coast. Addinsall finished his bottom-age campaign by winning the best-on-ground medal for Team Sloane in the under-17 Futures game in September, recording a game-high 34 disposals.

DANIEL ANNABLE

Club: Brisbane Lions Academy/QLD

Height: 183cm

Position: Midfielder

A well-rounded onballer who is combative in the contest, works hard and uses the footy well on the outside, this ball-magnet is tipped to be a top-10 pick. Annable shone brightly at the under-16 national championships in 2023 and again impressed as a bottom-age player in the under-18 national championships last year. He featured in all four games for the Allies and averaged 19.5 disposals (10.3 contested), 4.3 clearances and 0.8 goals. Annable was also strong for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game in September, logging 27 disposals, five marks and five inside-50s as he spent time through the midfield and across half-forward.

THOMAS BURTON

Club: Western Jets/VIC M

Height: 178cm

Position: Defender/Midfielder

A tough halfback who can also have a run through the midfield, Burton is a consistent performer who has some X-Factor about him. He made a senior debut for Point Cook in a Western Region Football League Grand Final as a 16-year-old in 2023. Last year, Burton particularly impressed with his form in the back half of the season for the Western Jets in the Coates Talent League. He played seven games in total, averaging 23.7 disposals, 2.6 rebound 50s, 2.4 clearances and 5.6 tackles. Burton was also named among the best players for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures Game in September, providing some run and using the footy well on his way to 26 disposals and four rebound 50s.

LACHLAN CARMICHAEL

Club: Sydney Swans Academy/ NSW-ACT

Height: 183cm

Position: Defender

A composed interceptor, Carmichael is strong overhead and is a good decision maker and creative distributor when he wins the ball back in defence. The Swans Academy member also possesses leadership qualities and was an All-Australian and team MVP at under-16 level in 2023. Last year, Carmichael featured in all four games for the Allies as a bottom-age player at the under-18 national championships, averaging 18.8 disposals, 5.8 rebound 50s and four intercept possessions. He went on to shine for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game in September, logging 18 disposals, eight marks and five rebound 50s.

NOAH CHAMBERLAIN

Club: Sydney Swans Academy/NSW-ACT

Height: 192cm

Position: Forward

A dangerous presence inside-50, this athletic left-footed key forward has plenty of potential. He works hard, presents well and is a strong mark in the air. An All-Australian at under-16 level in 2023, Chamberlain further developed last year with the Swans Academy. He played four Coates Talent League games before featuring in two matches for the Allies at the under-18 national championships where he averaged 14.5 disposals, four marks and 3.5 score involvements. Chamberlain showed some good signs in the under-17 Futures game in September with 12 disposals and seven marks, but he managed just one behind for the day for Team Heppell.

SAMUEL CUMMING

Club: North Adelaide/SA

Height: 184cm

Position: Midfielder

Originally from Wentworth in NSW, Cumming now calls Adelaide home and took the SANFL under-18s by storm last season. The consistent onballer won the league’s MVP award after averaging 27 disposals, 4.5 clearances and 1.1 goals across 10 games for North Adelaide. Cumming also featured in two matches for South Australia at the under-18 national championships, with state coach Tony Bamford likening him to former Crows champion Rory Sloane as a strong and tough onballer who is also a defensively-minded competitor. Cumming finished last year with a lively performance in the under-17 Futures game, logging 24 disposals, 11 marks and a goal across half-forward.

CODY CURTIN

Club: Claremont/WA

Height: 197cm

Position: Defender

The younger brother of Adelaide young-gun Daniel, this West Australian is another emerging key position prospect. Curtin featured mostly in defence throughout his bottom-age year, which included four games for his state at the under-18 national championships. He reads the play well behind the ball, has good intercepting ability and was given roles on key forwards Jack Whitlock (Vic Country) and Charlie Nicholls (South Australia) as a bottom-age player during the championships. However, Curtin was also swung forward to great effect late in the year in the WAFL Colts, booting six goals in consecutive games for Claremont. He also kicked one goal in the Tigers’ Grand Final win over Swan Districts, before returning to the backline for Team Heppell and collecting 18 disposals in the under-17 Futures game in September.

COOPER DUFF-TYTLER

Club: Calder Cannons/VIC M

Height: 199cm

Position: Ruck/Key Forward

Described by some as a ‘Unicorn’, Duff-Tytler might be the most exciting tall in the 2025 draft pool. A talented junior basketball star who was part of Australia’s under-16 team which claimed gold at the 2023 FIBA Asia Cup, the athletic tall has chosen to pursue football over basketball and has all the markings of a future AFL star. Duff-Tytler moves incredibly well for his size and plays like a midfielder post-ruck contest with his follow-up work at ground level. In one late-season game for the Cannons in the Coates Talent League last year, he logged 30 disposals, 17 hit-outs and two goals. Duff-Tytler also showed off his leap and athleticism in the under-17 Futures game in September, recording 13 disposals, 10 hit-outs and three marks for Team Sloane.

WILLEM DUURSMA

Club: Gippsland Power/VIC C

Height: 191cm

Position: Utility

A genuine utility, Duursma can have an impact across all areas of the ground. The youngest brother of Xavier (Essendon), Zane (North Melbourne) and Yasmin (Carlton AFLW) has long been considered as perhaps the most talented footballer in his family and is a good size, athletically gifted and supremely skilled. He debuted in the Coates Talent League as a 16-year-old in 2023 and went on to have some big moments for the Power last season, albeit with a few speed humps along the way. Duursma also featured in three matches of the under-18 national championships as a bottom-age player and racked up 20 disposals and eight marks for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game in September, spending time across halfback before being injected into the midfield to great effect. Duursma also received the AFL Life Members Education Assistance Award last September, which has previously been awarded to the likes of Harley Reid, Sam Walsh, Joel Selwood and Luke Hodge.

LOUIS EMMETT

Club: Oakleigh Chargers/VIC M

Height: 198cm

Position: Ruck/Forward

An incredibly athletic mobile tall, Emmett has the workrate and endurance to get around the ground. He is also a strong mark overhead, has a nice left-foot kick for his size and can hit the scoreboard when pushed forward. An All-Australian at under-16 level in 2023, Emmett went on to play nine games for the Chargers as a bottom-age player last year, averaging 16.7 disposals, 13.2 hit-outs, 3.7 clearances and 1.2 goals. Additionally, he featured in two matches for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships, including a 14-disposal, 25-hitout display against South Australia. In the under-17 Futures game in September, Emmett gathered 11 disposals, 8 hit-outs and three clearances for Team Heppell.

OLIVER GREEVES

Club: Eastern Ranges/VIC M

Height: 194cm

Position: Midfielder

A big-bodied onballer, Greeves has drawn comparisons to 2024 Eastern Ranges graduate and No. 7 draft pick Josh Smillie. An All-Australian at under-16 level, Greeves featured in every game he was available for as a bottom-age player in the Coates Talent League last year and averaged 19.1 disposals (7.1 contested), 3.7 marks and three clearances. He is strong in the contest, creative by hand and foot and is capable of pushing forward and hitting the scoreboard. Greeves finished last year by being the leading disposal winner for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game, working hard to get himself involved in play around the MCG and racking up 31 disposals and seven marks.

JASPER HAY

Club: Tasmania Devils/TAS

Height: 198cm

Position: Ruck/Forward

A ruckman with an exciting vertical leap which he uses to great effect at stoppages and in marking contests, Hay has outstanding work rate and strong hands overhead. He was named Tasmania’s MVP and earned All-Australian honours at the under-16 national championships in 2023, before taking further steps forward with his development last year. Hay played 11 games for the Devils in the Coates Talent League, averaging 9.1 disposals and 17.3 hit-outs. Hay is also a talented junior basketball star who was picked in an under-15 Australian squad in 2022.

NOAH HIBBINS-HARGREAVES

Club: Dandenong Stingrays/VIC C

Height: 185cm

Position: Wing/Forward

A creative and dangerous forward-half player, Hibbins-Hargreaves is a classy ball user who has strong aerial presence and kicks goals. He booted 23 majors across 16 games for the Stingrays last season, along with averaging 14.9 disposals and 4.4 marks. Hibbins-Hargreaves enjoyed a taste of the under-18 national championships with Vic Country last year, showing promise in one game against Western Australia. He was also lively in the under-17 Futures match in September, gathering 21 disposals and seven marks playing primarily across half-forward.

MAX KING

Club: Sydney Swans Academy/NSW-ACT

Height: 191cm

Position: Midfielder

A second Max King looks headed for the AFL ranks, with this Swans Academy member attracting plenty of attention. Injury meant the midfielder missed the under-17 Futures game in September and he was also left out of the 2025 AFL Academy squad. However, King is a great size for a modern-day midfielder and is a genuine athlete with speed, agility and endurance. He played 12 games of senior football for Cardiff in the AFL Hunter Central Coast competition last year and also showed an ability to push forward, take big overhead marks and hit the scoreboard, kicking 30 goals for the season.

MATTHEW LERAY

Club: Central District/SA

Height: 189cm

Position: Midfielder

A good-sized onballer who knows how to find the footy, LeRay was a consistent performer throughout 2024. He averaged 22 disposals, 1.2 goals and 126 ranking points across 11 games for Central District in the SANFL under-18s. That included a 22-disposal, four-clearance and one-goal performance in a four-point Grand Final loss. A powerful player who works hard and possesses strong endurance, LeRay also served as captain of Prince Alfred College and gathered 14 disposals in the under-17 Futures game at the MCG in September. LeRay is a dual-sport athlete who is also a talented leg-spinner and lined up for South Australia in the Cricket Australia U17 Male National Championships last year.

JOSH LINDSAY

Club: Geelong Falcons/VIC C

Height: 182cm

Position: Defender/Wing

A rebounding defender or wingman with a lethal left-foot boot, Lindsay is ultra-professional and super consistent. He averaged 17 disposals and 5.3 intercept possessions across seven games for the Falcons in the Coates Talent League last year, before starring on the big stage in the under-17 Futures game in September. Playing primarily on a wing at the MCG that day, Lindsay logged 20 disposals and seven marks to be named best on ground for Team Heppell. Of his 20 touches, 18 were kicks. The Geelong Grammar student is also a handy cricketer who has been part of back-to-back APS cricket premierships the past two seasons.

[Axe Man]

ARCHIE LUDOWYKE

Club: Sandringham Dragons/VIC M

Height: 195cm

Position: Forward

A left-footed tall forward, Ludowyke is spectacular overhead, has a nice natural leap and clean hands. An All-Australian at under-16 level in 2023, he continued his development as a bottom-age player in the under-18s last year. Ludowyke kicked 13 goals across nine games for Sandringham in the Coates Talent League, along with juggling school football duties for the title-winning Brighton Grammar in the APS competition. He featured in one game for Vic Metro at the national championships – kicking 1.2 from eight disposals against South Australia – and kicked the winning goal for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game in September. Not set to turn 18 until November birthday, Ludowyke is one of the younger players in this year’s draft pool.

THOMAS MCGUANE

Club: Western Jets/VIC M

Height: 177cm

Position: Midfielder

A father-son prospect for Collingwood as the son of 1990 premiership player Mick, this ball magnet is certainly a player to watch this year. The left-footer has great footy smarts, uses the ball well and is a consistent performer. McGuane debuted for the Western Jets as a 16-year-old in 2023 and went on to play 16 games last season, averaging 25.7 disposals and 5.2 score involvements through the midfield. He also featured in six senior games for Keilor in the Essendon District Football League – including a Grand Final win – under the coaching of his dad. McGuane played in the under-17 Futures match in September but was quiet and had limited game time after coming down with an illness on match day.

RILEY ONLEY

Club: Murray Bushrangers/VIC C

Height: 194cm

Position: Midfielder

This onballer isn’t just big and powerful body around the contest. He is also a strong runner who moves incredibly well and boasts an impressive skill set. Onley is clean in stoppages but is also a creative user on the outside and can take a nice mark around the ground. He played senior football for Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley Football League in 2023, before featuring in three games for Vic Country as a bottom-age player at the under-18 national championships last year. In his second game of the championships against the Allies he particularly caught the eye with 20 disposals and seven clearances. Onley was also among the best players for Team Sloane in the under-17 Futures game in September, logging 20 disposals, seven marks and a goal.

BEN RONGDIT

Club: Geelong Falcons/VIC C

Height: 183cm

Position: Defender

An athletic defender who is part of Geelong’s Next Generation Academy given his Sudanese heritage, Rongdit has a good leap and has proven to be a strong interceptor over recent years. He impressed for Vic Country at the under-16 national championships in 2023, with his contested ball-winning ability another highlight of his game. Rongdit managed just one match for the Falcons in the Coates Talent League last year as he juggled school football duties with Geelong Grammar, before suffering an ankle injury mid-season which resulted in a lengthy stint on the sidelines. However, the Colac local returned to the field for Team Sloane in the under-17 Futures game in September.

DYLAN PATTERSON

Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD

Height: 183cm

Position: Midfielder/Forward

A speedy wingman or half-forward who creates opportunities for his team, Patterson is another Gold Coast Suns Academy member who shapes as a top draft prospect this year. An All-Australian at under-16 level, Patterson went on to play four games in the Coates Talent League last season and impressed with his power away from stoppages and one-on-one contest work. He then played eight VFL games for the Suns in the second half of the year – averaging 10.1 disposals – before lining up for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures game in September and proving lively in defence with 20 disposals.

FRED RODRIGUEZ

Club: South Fremantle/WA

Height: 185cm

Position: Midfielder

An emerging onballer, Rodriguez missed the under-16 national championships due to injury in 2023 but quickly made an impression at under-18 level last year. He started the season in fine form for South Fremantle in the WAFL Colts before featuring in all four games for Western Australia at the national championships as a bottom-age player. Across those four matches, Rodriguez averaged 18.8 disposals and 4.8 score involvements, displaying his composure and power around clearances along with speed and an impressive work rate. Rodriguez was also a solid performer for Team Heppell in the under-17 Futures match in September, gathering 17 disposals and two clearances.

DYSON SHARP

Club: Central District/SA

Height: 188cm

Position: Midfielder

Long touted as a potential No. 1 draft pick, Sharp won the Kevin Sheehan Medal at the under-16 national championships in 2023 and continued to dominate underage football last season. A big and strong inside midfielder, he works hard contest-to-contest and has an elite ability to extract the footy from clearances as well as boasting a sound defensive mindset. Sharp featured in all four games for South Australia at the under-18 national championships last year, including racking up 25 disposals (14 contested) and nine clearances in his side’s match against the Allies. He also played five games of senior SANFL with Central District, averaging 16.4 disposals, 8.2 tackles and four clearances. In the under-17 Futures game in September, Sharp showed more good signs and recorded 10 contested possessions – more than anyone else on the ground.

ZEKE UWLAND

Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD

Height: 178cm

Position: Midfielder

The younger brother of current Suns star Bodhi, Zeke shapes as one of the leading draft prospects for 2025. The Suns Academy member is versatile, has a booming left-foot kick, reads the play well and can win the footy inside or outside the contest. The only bottom-age player named in last year’s All-Australian side, Uwland had an outstanding under-18 national championships for the Allies. He averaged 23 disposals and six rebound-50s playing in defence and on a wing. Additionally, Uwland played five games of VFL football for the Suns in the second half of the season, averaging 15.4 disposals down back. He also kicked six goals from 25 disposals in a Coates Talent League match against Oakleigh early in the year and again lined up as a forward in the under-17 Futures match in September. Playing for Team Sloane, Uwland gathered 22 disposals, seven marks and kicked two goals – including one long-bomb from 60m in the opening quarter.

KALANI WHITE

Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD

Height: 198cm

Position: Defender

A promising tall, White has a big decision ahead of him as he ponders whether to nominate as a father-son to Melbourne or stay on the Gold Coast with the Suns. His father, Jeff, is a former Demons ruckman who played 236 games for the club, but White has spent more of his life growing up on the Gold Coast and has been tied to the Suns Academy since under-16s. While capable of playing at both ends of the ground, he looks up to Suns star Mac Andrew and featured mostly as a key defender last year. White is mobile, has a natural leap and can take a big mark overhead. He had a taste of the under-18 national championships as a bottom-age player with the Allies and showed some good signs during the under-17 Futures game in September.

ALSO ON THE RADAR …

There are five members of the AFL Academy who were unlucky to make this list, with those being South Australian wingman Harley Barker, West Australian forwards Koby Evans and Wes Walley, Northern Territory ruckman Taj Murray and Murray Bushrangers forward Liam Hetherton.

Sandringham Dragons midfielder Jack Dalton is another player to keep an eye on, while West Australian forward Charlie Banfield is a father-son prospect for West Coast as the son of two-time Eagles premiership player Drew.

[Mofra]

There's at least one Riley in that crop to keep our scouts busy

[Mofra]

Gippsland have a tough inside mid named Brodie Atkins.
We'd have to be scouting him.

[Bornadog]

Where is BT

[hujsh]

Where is BT

He announced he was quitting and I guess this time he meant it (until maybe he comes back later)

[weltschmerz]

There are five members of the AFL Academy who were unlucky to make this list, with those being South Australian wingman Harley Barker, West Australian forwards Koby Evans and Wes Walley, Northern Territory ruckman Taj Murray and Murray Bushrangers forward Liam Hetherton.

Clearly the best name of the year.

[Axe Man]

Clearly the best name of the year.

He would be very hard to spot at Sydney games.

[Virgin-Dog]

God that list is so uninspiring. Just about every player that sounds remotely relevant to our list needs is tied to an academy. I know the academy kids tend to be the "known quantities" heading into a draft year, but this list seems even worse than the ones we've been seeing the last couple of years

[Mofra]

God that list is so uninspiring. Just about every player that sounds remotely relevant to our list needs is tied to an academy. I know the academy kids tend to be the "known quantities" heading into a draft year, but this list seems even worse than the ones we've been seeing the last couple of years

Not all of them.

This kid is an absolute jet and Hawks tried (and failed) to have him in their NGA program. Played well in round 1.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1274406/hawthorn-hawks-bid-to-add-talented-midfield-prospect-ollie-greeves-to-nga-rejected

[Bornadog]

He announced he was quitting and I guess this time he meant it (until maybe he comes back later)

Come back BT we miss you

[Mofra]

Going to death-ride Tom Burton's form at the Jets this year. Love seeing a Jets boy get drafted, no doubt McGuane Jnr will get all the attention there this year.

Smaller defender/mid, thinking he's a little but Ash McGrath like in his play. Tackles well in the mids but not sure that's his role at AFL level.

[GVGjr]

Going to death-ride Tom Burton's form at the Jets this year. Love seeing a Jets boy get drafted, no doubt McGuane Jnr will get all the attention there this year.

Smaller defender/mid, thinking he's a little but Ash McGrath like in his play. Tackles well in the mids but not sure that's his role at AFL level.

Well we are certainly aware of him

Burton’s rising star

06/02/2025

Thomas Burton. (Jacob Pattison) 350020_24
By Tara Murray

As a Western Bulldogs supporter, Western Jets’ Thomas Burton was in his element when he got to train with the club.
A member of the AFL Academy, for the best players heading into their draft year, Burton had the opportunity to spend time with an AFL club.
His club just happened to be the Bulldogs.
“That was so good,” he said. “It was one of the best experiences that I had to be in that environment, it was ridiculous.
“It was a surprise to be at that club and I was over the moon it was the Bulldogs. They were really good to me
“Any club would have been good, I’m so grateful for them to take me in and be part of the team for a week.”
The Bulldogs experience late last year has been part of a big few months for Burton.
He was named in the academy after playing on the MCG in the under-17s futures game.
Burton said while the academy was something that he wanted to be part of, it wasn’t something he set for himself.
“It has been pretty hectic so far, pretty crazy,” he said. “I get to train and play with the best 20 players in the country.
“It’s pretty surreal, it was good and I was not really thinking it was going to happen. I played well on grand final day and was fortunate enough to get selected.
“To be out there on the MCG was crazy. By the end of the first quarter, I was gassed.”
The academy has already had one camp and will have more later in the year and play some games together,
Burton is aware how much this helps in his football journey.
“Having a strong bottom age year means I’ve already been seen by recruiters,” he said. “It’s a good base and I want to go beyond that. It’s about me advancing this year.”
For Burton, the football dream and being drafted started when he was about 15.
The following year, he made his senior debut for his local club, Point Cook on the biggest stage in a grand final.
“I trained with them the previous week and Clay Smith the coach asked me if I was able to play and I said of course I’m able to play,” he said.
“It was a really good experience to be able to train with them as well. It’s the best atmosphere that I’ve played in.
“I was worried I wouldn’t fit in, but after the first quarter I thought I could make a difference in the game.”
Burton, who looks to Jason Johannisen and Zac Butters for inspiration on his game, is currently battling an injury but is hoping to be back running in the next few weeks.
His first focus is to be ready for the practice matches for the Jets before playing the first few games.
Being part of the Vic Metro squad is also one of his major aims in the next few months