‘Ready-made’ gun stakes Rd 1 AFL claim as top prospect returns— Draft Watch

A Brisbane Lions Academy prospect is in such strong form and is so ready-made that he could feature in Chris Fagan’s round one team next year.

Plus, a whole host of top prospects starred at state league level, a Carlton father-son played his best game of the season and Cooper Hodge set for a Lions VFL debut.

Get the latest talent news and updates in AFL Draft Watch ahead of the 2025 AFL national draft, with the first round to be held on Wednesday November 19, followed by the remaining rounds on Thursday November 20.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

LION CUB READY TO GO

There’s a high chance that Daniel Annable is playing in Brisbane’s first match next year. That’s just how good he has been this year and how ready-made he is for the big stage.

A tough on-baller, Annable looms as a probable top-five pick at this year’s national draft. His consistency has been exemplary in 2025 and he’s thrived at every level he’s played.

The Lions Academy prospect has no problems finding the footy and is damaging both on the inside and outside, meaning he’s always involved in the play. The hard-working midfielder is still working on his forward craft, but his output in 2025 has been incredibly solid through the on-ball brigade.

And in his most recent VFL outing, he showed exactly why he’s a huge chance to feature in Chris Fagan’s round one side next year.

Annable recorded a team-high 28 disposals in addition to 13 contested possessions, four clearances and a goal in Brisbane’s narrow win over Gold Coast in the VFL. He’s ready to go.

He doesn’t have to look far either for inspiration. Despite the Lions winning the premiership last year, Brisbane youngster Levi Ashcroft has grabbed his opportunities with both hands this year, playing 19 matches in a star-studded side.

Sure, Ashcroft’s more versatile than Annable, but the point is, Fagan is willing to play the kids if they earn their spot. Being an Academy member, Annable is familiar with the Lions AFL program already and has now played three matches with the reserves side. He’ll certainly be wanting to make an impact under Fagan early next year.

In other Lions news, Cooper Hodge, the son of Hawthorn champion Luke who is eligible for the 2026 draft, will make his VFL debut for the Lions this weekend according to Seven’s Mitch Cleary.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Daniel Annable of the AFL National Academy celebrates kicking a goal during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at RSEA Park on April 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

NUMBER ONE PROSPECT RETURNS

Despite not playing a minute of this year’s National Championships, Zeke Uwland is still firmly in the mix to be the dux of this year’s draft class.

Uwland made his first appearance for the year for the Suns VFL side in the same game that Annable dominated. The Suns Academy prospect played limited game time featuring mainly on the wing as he works his way back from a back stress fracture injury that has cruelled his draft campaign.

Uwland, the brother of Sun Bodhi, recorded 13 disposals and five marks but most importantly got those minutes under his belt.

But how can a guy who hasn’t played any Champs games still be a genuine pick 1 contender? Uwland’s dominance as a bottom-ager, combined with the lack of standouts throughout the Champs, means he’s still well and truly in the mix.

Meantime, Suns Academy prospect Koby Coulson also featured for the VFL side, amassing 13 disposals and a goal, as did developing tall Jonah Harris, the brother of AFLW Sun Havana.

Beau Addinsall, who looms as another first round prospect, has also had VFL exposure this year, while rebounding defender Jai Murray is another Suns Academy star to keep an eye on.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Zeke Uwland during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session on January 20, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

SWANS ACADEMY STARS AND FAMILIAR NAME EXPOSED

Speaking of Academy guns, Sydney have a few of their own eligible for this year’s draft.

Allies MVP Lachlan Carmichael made his VFL debut for the Swans alongside winger Harry Kyle, with Carmichael in particular showing some impressive signs.

Carmichael is a consistent defender who is important both in the air with his intercept ability and on the ground with his dash and precise kicking. Carmichael was also a member of the All-Australian team from the Champs and the coaching staff were keen to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. The Swans Academy prospect accumulated 15 disposals and six tackles in his first state league appearance of the year.

A pair of other Academy prospects in Max King and Noah Chamberlain also turned out in that fixture and had modest outings. The draft ranges of this duo have split recruiters, but there’s no denying that they have plenty of AFL attributes.

IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Lachlan Carmichael of the Allies competes during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Allies and Victoria Metro at Brighton Homes Arena, on July 13, 2025, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Elsewhere, top-five pick contender Willem Duursma also had his first taste of senior league footy representing the Casey Demons.

What Duursma’s role at AFL level could look like remains to be seen, but his versatility means he could play a role at a battling club straight away. Duursma split his time in defence and on a wing for Casey, notching 17 disposals and ten marks. His draft range has polarised some recruiters, but his VFL outing, in addition to his final National Championships outing with Vic Country, underlined his undeniable talent.

Melbourne father-son and Gold Coast Academy prospect Kalani White also played in Casey’s clash with the Sandringham Zebras, while Collingwood father-son Tom McGuane and Geelong NGA prospect Jesse Mellor received VFL debuts with the Pies and Cats respectively.

Over in Western Australia, Jacob Farrow and Sam Swadling, who are both pushing to feature in the first round on draft night, continue to grow with their WAFL exposure. The duo racked up 22 and 23 disposals respectively.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Willem Duursma of Victoria Country warm up during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

ELSEWHERE…

Carlton fans should get used to watching Cody Walker play ball. Walker, who has committed to the Blues as a father-son pick eligible for the 2026 draft, was everywhere for the Bendigo Pioneers in the Coates Talent League amassing a mind-boggling 38 disposals, eight marks and 12 inside 50s in a narrow loss to the Calder Cannons. Walker, the son of ex-Blue Andrew, was particularly impressive with his ability to break the lines with his pace and dash.

Walker’s Pioneers teammate, Hunter Wright, also performed strongly, booting two goals from 21 touches. 15-year-old Nathaniel Jenkins snagged 4.2 in his Talent League debut for Calder, while another father-son prospect, Koby Bewick, continued to impress. Bewick, the son of former Bomber Darren, looms as one of the brightest talents in the 2027 draft.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Cody Walker of the Blues Academy and Charlie Curnow of the Blues chat during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on July 09, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Keep an eye on Gippsland Power’s Cody Templeton in next year’s crop after booting 5.4 from 15 touches against the Northern Knights. Templeton has now kicked 19 goals in 12 matches as a bottom-ager, averaging 19.3 disposals across the season. Power midfield duo Zach O’Keefe and Brodie Atkins had 28 and 25 disposals respectively and continue to stake their draft claims, while Seb Murphy, the brother of Adelaide’s Lachie, kicked two majors from 21 touches for the Knights.

Vic Country ruck Zac Harding recorded a season-high 24 disposals for the Murray Bushrangers against the Western Jets too in an intriguing ruck duel with the 198cm Macauli Buck. For the Eastern Ranges, defender Xavier Taylor had a strong outing against the Sandringham Dragons with 18 disposals, while small forward Lachy Dovaston snagged two goals from 18 touches.

IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Lachy Dovaston of Victoria Metro kicks a goal during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Allies and Victoria Metro at Brighton Homes Arena, on July 13, 2025, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Dragons were disappointing in the 70-point defeat, but Jack Dalton is building into his season nicely after injury plagued the first half of his year. Dalton had a team-high 22 touches and a goal and was among the Dragons’ best.

GWV Rebels key forward Floyd Burmeister has had some exposure at VFL level as well in recent times, but returned to Talent League action and slotted 1.3 from 17 touches against Tasmania. Burmeister is a strong forward but his inaccuracy in front of goal continues to be an issue. The diminutive Rylee McHenry was the Devils’ best with 29 disposals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Jack Dalton of Team Sloane in action during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Heppell and Team Sloane at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Oakleigh Chargers recorded a big win over the Dandenong Stingrays, thanks largely in part to the performance of Collingwood NGA prospect Doug Kerr. Kerr has had a wretched run with injuries but played arguably his best game of the season with three goals, 20 disposals and ten tackles. He was well supported by Hunter Holmes, the brother of Geelong gun Max, who had 23 disposals and a goal, while fellow Pies NGA member Jai Saxena was also named in Oakleigh’s best with two goals from 14 touches.

For the Stingrays, Callum Smith, the grandson of Richmond legend Kevin Barlett, continues to build upon his consistent campaign with 21 disposals while a trio of 2026 draft eligible players in Gus Kennedy, Marcus Prasad and Darcy Szerszyn impressed too.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Callum Smith of Victoria Country in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The AFL has also released a list of national combine invitees, featuring a host of Academy guns and father-son prospects.

64 players will head to the national combine, while a further 32 have received state combine invites, but more will likely be added as the season progresses.

2025 TELSTRA AFL DRAFT COMBINE LIST

Beau Addinsall QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Burleigh

Tairon Ah-Mu VIC C Dandenong Stingrays Berwick

Oskar Ainsworth VIC M Western Jets Williamstown CYMS

Sam Ainsworth SA Norwood Tea Tree Gully

Sam Allen VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Glen Iris

Daniel Annable QLD Brisbane Lions Academy Redland-Victoria Point

Harley Barker SA Sturt Mt Barker

Thomas Burton VIC M Western Jets Point Cook

Talor Byrne VIC C GWV Rebels Koroit

Lachlan Carmichael NSW/ACT Sydney Swans Academy North Shore Bombers

Noah Chamberlain NSW/ACT Sydney Swans Academy UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Koby Coulson QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Broadbeach

Sam Cumming SA North Adelaide Wentworth District

Cody Curtin WA Claremont West Coast

Jack Dalton VIC M Sandringham Dragons Old Xaverians

Will Darcy VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Old Scotch

Finn Davis VIC M Western Jets Williamstown CYMS

Harry Dean VIC C Murray Bushrangers Lavington

Lachy Dovaston VIC M Eastern Ranges Blackburn

Cooper Duff-Tytler VIC M Calder Cannons Woodend-Heskett

Willem Duursma VIC C Gippsland Power Foster

Hussien El Achkar VIC M Calder Cannons Pascoe Vale

Louis Emmett VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Glen Iris

Koby Evans WA Perth Kenwick

Jacob Farrow WA West Perth Joondalup Kinross

Oliver Greeves VIC M Eastern Ranges Vermont

Sam Grlj VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Old Camberwell

Liam Hetherton NSW/ACT Murray Bushrangers North Albury

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves VIC C Dandenong Stingrays Mornington

Hunter Holmes VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Old Melburnians

Jack Ison VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Parkside

Louis Kellaway SA Sturt Glenunga

Max King NSW/ACT Sydney Swans Academy Cardiff

Max Kondogiannis VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Old Carey

Harry Kyle NSW/ACT Sydney Swans Academy UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Matthew LeRay SA Central District Golden Grove

Josh Lindsay VIC C Geelong Falcons Newtown & Chilwell

Archie Ludowyke VIC M Sandringham Dragons East Sandringham

Mitch Marsh SA West Adelaide Kangarilla

Zac McCarthy VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Old Carey

Jesse Mellor VIC C Geelong Falcons Geelong West

Hugo Mikunda VIC C Geelong Falcons Bell Park

Jai Murray QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Broadbeach

Taj Murray NT NT Academy

North Adelaide Nightcliff

Cameron Nairn SA Central District Willaston

Riley Onley VIC C Murray Bushrangers Shepparton United

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier SA North Adelaide Modbury

Dylan Patterson QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Palm Beach Currumbin

Zane Peucker SA Woodville-West Torrens Port District

Jevan Phillipou SA Woodville-West Torrens PHOS Camden

Tyan Prindable QLD Brisbane Lions Academy Coorparoo

Noah Roberts-Thomson SA Sturt Unley

Fred Rodriguez WA South Fremantle Fremantle City Dockers

Aidan Schubert SA Central District Gawler Central

Dyson Sharp SA Central District Barossa District

Sam Swadling WA West Perth Whitford

Adam Sweid VIC M Calder Cannons Pascoe Vale

Xavier Taylor VIC M Eastern Ranges East Ringwood

Avery Thomas TAS Tasmania Devils Launceston

Blake Thredgold SA Sturt Payneham Norwood Union

Zeke Uwland QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Burleigh

Isaac Waller QLD Brisbane Lions Academy Maroochydore

Wesley Walley WA Subiaco Warwick Greenwood

Tylah Wiliams WA Swan Districts Redcliffe

2025 TELSTRA AFL STATE DRAFT COMBINE LIST

PLAYER STATE STATE LEAGUE CLUB COMMUNITY CLUB

Xavier Bamert VIC M Sandringham Dragons Collegians

Charlie Banfield WA Claremont Swanbourne

Harrison Bridge QLD Brisbane Lions Academy Sherwood Districts

Jett Dahiltz SA Sturt Onkaparinga Valley

Elliott Duffield SA South Adelaide Strathalbyn

Kye Fincher VIC M Sandringham Dragons East Brighton Vampires

Zac Harding VIC M Murray Bushrangers Wodonga

Jasper Hay TAS Tasmania Devils Clarence

Tai Hayes QLD Southport Sharks (VFL) Palm Beach Currumbin

Jim Kelly SA Norwood Glenunga

Felix Kneipp VIC M Calder Cannons Collegians

Marcus Krasnadamskis VIC M Eastern Ranges Berwick

Ryda Luke WA South Fremantle Mundijong Centrals

Jacob Marron VIC M Western Jets Yarraville Seddon Eagles

Thomas Matthews VIC C Gippsland Power Moe

Thomas McGuane VIC M Western Jets Keilor

Jack Miller TAS Tasmania Devils North Hobart

Balyn O’Brien SA Norwood Central Eyre United

Thomas Phillips WA East Fremantle

Oakleigh Chargers Hammond Park

Cooper Ramsay WA East Fremantle Palmyra

Sullivan Robey VIC M Eastern Ranges Rowville

Ben Rongdit VIC C Geelong Falcons Colac

Bryce Sanders SA North Adelaide Modbury

Aaron Sharkie VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Blackburn

Callum Smith VIC C Dandenong Stingrays Vermont

Mitch Stevens VIC C Gippsland Power Heyfield

Latrelle Sumner-Pickett SA Glenelg Tumby Bay

Oskar Taylor VIC M Eastern Ranges South Belgrave

Hudson Walker WA Subiaco Kingsley

Toby Whan WA South Fremantle Roleystone

Kalani White QLD Gold Coast Suns Academy Broadbeach

Rory Wright VIC M Sandringham Dragons Caulfield Grammarians

Click here to read article