Pick a winner: Who your team will target in the AFL draft

Delisted pair Matt Carroll and Durdin will have the chance to compete for a list spot this summer, with the Blues currently having six openings. At least half those should be filled in the national draft, where they traded up to the No.3 selection. Carlton will have the chance to pick a highly rated midfielder at that spot, with Finn O’Sullivan, Jagga Smith and Harvey Langford among the likely options. They will also match bids on the Camporeale twins, Ben and Lucas, sons of 1995 premiership player Scott. The Blues would love it if right-footed inside midfielder Ben snuck past pick 38 before a bid comes for him, to get a selection in first, with left-footed winger/half-back Lucas tipped to last deeper into the draft. Irishman Matt Duffy will also join the club for the 2025 season, filling the second category B rookie slot alongside countryman Rob Monahan.

Collingwood

Arrivals: Dan Houston (trade), Harry Perryman (free agency)
Departures: Aiden Begg (delisted), Jack Bytel (delisted), Josh Carmichael (retired), Josh Eyre (delisted), Nathan Kreuger (delisted), Nathan Murphy (retired), John Noble (trade), Joe Richards (trade)
Draft picks: 52, 55, 58
Uncontracted: Charlie Dean, Ned Long, Oleg Markov, Reef McInnes, Lachie Sullivan
Contracted: 35 (including one category B rookie)
The Pies made two strong additions in the player movement period, and have also expressed interest in out-of-contract Saints pair Tim Membrey and Jack Hayes, plus discarded Demons defender Adam Tomlinson, as they look to ascend the ladder. Markov, Sullivan and Dean are all set to continue, while Long and McInnes face a nervous wait. New Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch will hope this draft is even deeper than touted, given they will not enter it until the 50s, although their first pick could move into the 40s once opposition father-son and academy bids are matched. Either way, the Magpies will have to wait and see who slips through to them.

Essendon

Arrivals: None
Departures: Kaine Baldwin (delisted), Dyson Heppell (retired), Nick Hind (delisted), Jaiden Hunter (delisted), Jake Kelly (retired), Jake Stringer (trade), Tex Wanganeen (delisted), Sam Weideman (delisted)
Draft picks: 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65
Uncontracted: Jayden Davey
Contracted: 34 (no category B rookies)
A decision on Davey will come any day now, but the Bombers have eight primary or category A rookie spots available, plus the potential to use both category B places. Essendon will match a bid on Next Generation Academy forward Isaac Kako, who is expected to be a top-10 pick, which is why they traded their No.9 selection to Melbourne for a future first-rounder and five other picks in this year’s draft. They will hope to be able to use their first two selections only to bring Kako to Tullamarine. The Bombers will have to wait and see who falls to them, but if they are in the market for a tall forward, South Australia’s Patrick Nicholls might be an option.

Fremantle

Arrivals: Shai Bolton (trade)
Departures: Josh Corbett (retired), Ethan Hughes (delisted), Sebit Kuek (delisted), Ethan Stanley (delisted), Matt Taberner (delisted), Conrad Williams (delisted)
Draft picks: 14, 30, 67
Uncontracted: Tom Emmett, Odin Jones, Max Knobel
Contracted: 37 (one category B rookie)
The final call on Emmett, Jones and Knobel will be made this week. The Dockers currently have six list openings, besides their second category B rookie spot. They sent three first-round picks to Richmond for Bolton, but received No.14 back. West Coast will have first dibs on local product Bo Allan at No.12, but the 191-centimetre defender/midfielder could still be on the board two selections later. If not, there will still be plenty of good options for Fremantle, potentially including classy midfielder Xavier Lindsay, intercept defender Luke Trainor, tall forward Jobe Shanahan or speedy forward Joe Berry. The Dockers will hope someone they like slips through to their second choice, with key-position players Thomas Sims and Noah Mraz, plus WA utility Hamish Davis – who has been likened to Nat Fyfe, but whose kicking needs work – possible options here.

Geelong

Arrivals: Bailey Smith (trade)
Departures: Phoenix Foster (delisted), Mitch Hardie (delisted), Tom Hawkins (retired), Emerson Jeka (delisted), Oscar Murdoch (delisted), Brandan Parfitt (delisted), Gary Rohan (delisted), Zach Tuohy (retired), James Willis (delisted)
Draft picks: 45, 57, 75
Uncontracted: Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley
Contracted: 32 (one category B rookie)

Dangerfield, Duncan and Stanley will all be at the Cattery in 2025, with the former hoping for a two-year deal and the latter two agreeing to one-season pacts. Geelong made their biggest off-season splash trading for former Bulldog Smith, who will bolster the club’s on-ball brigade after recovering from an ACL rupture. However, that means the Cats and wily recruiter Stephen Wells will not make their first draft selection until somewhere in the 40s, with their exact opener to be decided once father-son and academy bids fall. They picked Lawson Humphries at No.63 last year, so they will be scouring the country for some diamonds in the rough. Geelong will also sign Jack Martin as a delisted free agent.

Gold Coast

Arrivals: Elliott Himmelberg (free agency), John Noble (trade), Daniel Rioli (trade)
Departures: Rory Atkins (trade), Sandy Brock (delisted), Levi Casboult (retired), Sam Day (delisted), Brandon Ellis (retired), Oskar Faulkhead (delisted), Jack Lukosius (trade), Darcy Macpherson (delisted), Jack Mahony (delisted), Hewago Oea (delisted), Will Rowlands (delisted), James Tsitas (delisted)
Draft picks: 39, 41, 51, 61, 70, 76, 78
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (one category B rookie)
Academy prospect and midfielder Leo Lombard will be among as many as three selections the Suns make at next month’s national draft, with rookie Bodhi Uwland set to be upgraded to the primary list post-draft. Lombard could receive a top-10 opposition bid – possibly from St Kilda, who hold picks seven and eight – after sharing this year’s Larke Medal as the most outstanding player at the under-18 championships. They have already committed to adding ex-cricketer Zak Evans, who represented Australia as a fast bowler at under-19 level, as a category B rookie. Evans played five VFL games for Gold Coast late in the season after last playing football six years ago at Xavier College.

Greater Western Sydney

Arrivals: Jake Stringer (trade)
Departures: Isaac Cumming (free agency), Cooper Hamilton (delisted), Nick Haynes (free agency), Adam Kennedy (retired), James Peatling (trade), Harry Perryman (free agency), Braydon Preuss (delisted)
Draft picks: 15, 16, 21, 37, 56, 74
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (two category B rookies)
The Giants have endured a challenging off-season – without even factoring in the Wacky Wednesday drama – with the loss of key personnel before trading for Stringer. However, they gained two good compensation picks for Cumming (21) and Perryman (16). GWS are set to make four selections in the national draft, and will also fill two rookie spots. With three early picks, they may be willing to take a punt with one of their first two on Taj Hotton, a high-upside midfielder/forward recovering from an ACL rupture. Small forwards Joe Berry and Ollie Hannaford could also be in the mix, while the Giants may opt to grab a tall in this range, such as Jobe Shanahan, Jack Whitlock or Jonty Faull. GWS will also match a bid on 204-centimetre academy ruckman Logan Smith.

Hawthorn

Arrivals: Josh Battle (free agency), Tom Barrass (trade)
Departures: Denver Grainer-Barrass (delisted), Cooper Stephens (delisted), Jack O’Sullivan (delisted), Ethan Phillips (delisted), Clay Tucker (delisted), Chad Wingard (retired)
Draft picks: 33, 71, 77
Uncontracted: Josh Bennetts
Contracted: 41 (one category B rookie)
The Hawks have committed to adding basketball convert Jaime Uhr-Henry, a ruck prospect, as a category B rookie for 2025, with the second of those spots potentially for Bennetts, if they choose to re-sign him. They will use two picks at this year’s draft, and their selection in the 30s could unearth a good player, given recruiters believe this is a deep draft class. A number of promising key-position types may still be on the board for Hawthorn, with the likes of Noah Mraz and Thomas Sims potentially among them. Other possibilities in that range could be talented winger Christian Moraes – the Hawks have a strong relationship with his Talent League club Eastern Ranges – or tall Claremont utility Hamish Davis.

Melbourne

Arrivals: Tom Campbell (free agency), Harry Sharp (trade)
Departures: Angus Brayshaw (retired), Ben Brown (retired), Kyah Farris-White (delisted), Lachie Hunter (retired), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade), Josh Schache (delisted), Adam Tomlinson (delisted)
Draft picks: 5, 9
Uncontracted: Marty Hore, Joel Smith
Contracted: 37 (no category B rookies)
The Demons addressed needs in the player movement period, adding ruck depth (Campbell) behind Max Gawn before trading for Sharp, who will get the chance to replace Neal-Bullen in attack. They have two first-round picks, as they did last year with Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup, and will make three selections overall. Melbourne may not place a bid on Essendon’s NGA prospect Isaac Kako after trading for the Bombers’ pick nine. Midfielders Harvey Langford, Sid Draper and Josh Smillie could get through to their first selection, while key forward Harry Armstrong, defenders Alix Tauru and Luke Trainor, and classy midfielder Xavier Lindsay might be in the mix at their second pick. Hore will score another one-year deal, but Smith will be delisted. Judd McVee will be upgraded to the primary list, and Andy Moniz-Wakefield can no longer be a category B rookie.

North Melbourne

Arrivals: Caleb Daniel (trade), Jack Darling (trade), Jacob Konstanty (trade), Luke Parker (trade)
Departures: Hamish Free (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (retired), Bigoa Nyuon (delisted), Tyler Sellers (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired), Curtis Taylor (delisted), Tarryn Thomas (delisted)
Draft picks: 2, 62
Uncontracted: Blake Drury, Cooper Harvey, Charlie Lazzaro
Contracted: 40 (no category B rookies)
The Roos have two list vacancies after an active trade period, but the most interest is in what they do with the No.2 pick. They could keep it and pick the best available player; turn it into multiple high selections in this year’s draft – potentially in a deal with Richmond – and not use No.62; or slide a few spots this year and add a future first-rounder. Gippsland Power’s athletic interceptor Alix Tauru is strongly linked to North and would likely be available even if they slid a few spots in the top 10, while fellow defender Luke Trainor is another option if a rival club jumped in first on Tauru. Key forward Harry Armstrong would also fit a need.

Port Adelaide

Arrivals: Rory Atkins (trade), Jack Lukosius (trade), Joe Richards (trade)
Departures: Tom Clurey (delisted), Charlie Dixon (retired), Francis Evans (delisted), Dan Houston (traded), Kyle Marshall (delisted), Tom McCallum (delisted), Trent McKenzie (retired), Quinton Narkle (delisted), Tom Scully (delisted)
Draft picks: 13, 29, 36, 50
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 38 (one category B rookie)
Another hectic trade period is behind the Power, who are now armed with a first-round pick and a second inside the top 30, at least before father-son and academy selections. South Australia’s leading prospect, Sid Draper, will be long gone by pick 13, but there will be several high-quality options across various positions available. Midfielder Xavier Lindsay, hard-running high half-forward Joe Berry, tall utility Tobie Travaglia and key forward Jobe Shanahan are leading candidates to head to Alberton. There will be good options up for grabs at their second pick, too, including key-position talent. Ex-basketballer Jacob Moss, who is 198 centimetres, will join Port Adelaide’s list for 2025 as a category B rookie.

Richmond

Arrivals: None
Departures: Liam Baker (trade), Shai Bolton (trade), Jack Graham (free agency), Dylan Grimes (retired), Dustin Martin (retired), Sam Naismith (retired), Marlion Pickett (retired), Daniel Rioli (trade)
Draft picks: 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24
Uncontracted: Mate Colina, Matt Coulthard, Noah Cumberland, Thomson Dow, Kamdyn McIntosh
Contracted: 35 (one category B rookie)

The Tigers’ extraordinary draft hand gives them a smorgasbord of options, and they may even package some picks to secure North Melbourne’s No.2 selection. GWV Rebels midfielder-forward Sam Lalor, who has been likened to Dustin Martin, is firming to be the dux of the 2024 class, but Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith are other options at the top. A deal with the Roos would give them the chance to grab two of that trio, or even 195-centimetre on-baller Josh Smillie, another player Richmond like. It is likely the Tigers will try to get various types with their first-round picks, with Sandringham bookends Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor possibly in their mix. Having so many selections means they might also be more willing to bet on Taj Hotton’s talent after he suffered an ACL rupture this year. There are also decisions to make on their uncontracted crew.

St Kilda

Arrivals: Jack Macrae (trade)
Departures: Matthew Allison (delisted), Josh Battle (free agency), Riley Bonner (delisted), Tom Campbell (delisted free agency), Seb Ross (delisted), James Van Es (delisted)
Draft picks: 7, 8, 32, 47
Uncontracted: Jack Hayes, Olli Hotton, Tim Membrey, Ben Paton
Contracted: 36 (two category B rookies)
The Saints had a quiet trade period, but scored a second top-10 pick as compensation for free agent defender Josh Battle crossing to Hawthorn. They last did that seven years ago, when they snapped up Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield. It might also position them as the draft disruptors who might bid on academy players Isaac Kako (Essendon) and Leo Lombard (Gold Coast), something list boss Stephen Silvagni has done before. A midfielder is almost certainly on St Kilda’s radar with one of the selections, with Harvey Langford, Sid Draper and Josh Smillie possible options. The Saints also have Sandringham key forward Harry Armstrong and defensive teammate Luke Trainor on their radar. Hayes, Membrey and Paton have all met with opposition clubs, so what happens there will determine how many list vacancies they need to fill.

Sydney

Arrivals: None
Departures: Harry Arnold (delisted), Jacob Konstanty (trade), Jaiden Magor (delisted), Lachie McAndrew (delisted), Luke Parker (trade), Sam Reid (retired), Cooper Vickery (delisted)
Draft picks: 19, 22, 44, 59
Uncontracted: Jack Buller, Will Edwards, Aaron Francis
Contracted: 35 (one category B rookie)
The Swans tried unsuccessfully to trade their top two picks for Gold Coast’s No.13, so don’t be surprised if they attempt to move up the order. Sydney did not add anyone in the trade period, but parted with Parker and Konstanty – who likely would have been delisted, anyway – for pick 44. The queries on the Swans’ tall forwards may convince them to draft another at 19 or 22, where arguably only Harry Armstrong and probably Jobe Shanahan will already be off the board. Jack Whitlock or Jonty Faull loom as the next-best key forwards, while Whitlock’s 198-centimetre twin, Matt, can play at both ends. Small forward Ollie Hannaford and midfielder-forwards Jesse Dattoli and Tom Gross may also appeal.

West Coast

Arrivals: Jack Graham (free agency), Liam Baker (trade), Matt Owies (trade)
Departures: Jordyn Baker (delisted), Tom Barrass (trade), Coby Burgiel (delisted), Jai Culley (delisted), Jack Darling (trade), Andrew Gaff (retired), Jamaine Jones (delisted), Josh Rotham (delisted), Zane Drew (delisted), Alex Witherden (delisted)
Draft picks: 12, 26, 73
Uncontracted: Luke Edwards
Contracted: 36 (two category B rookies)
Luke Edwards sustained three concussions this year – the last of which ended his season prematurely – and he has undergone significant medical testing that will help determine whether his AFL career continues. Bo Allan is the only West Australian in top-20 draft contention, and should be available at West Coast’s first pick if they want to go local. Another player around this mark is Tobie Travaglia, who will likely start as a winger-defender, but may develop into an inside midfielder. Travaglia is friends with Harley Reid, and has a connection to fellow Eagle Tom Cole. Fellow recruiters believe the Eagles are keen on powerful Dandenong Stingrays forward-midfielder Cooper Hynes, who could be available at No.26, while key-position swingman Matt Whitlock would fill a need.

Western Bulldogs

Arrivals: Matt Kennedy (trade)
Departures: Dominic Bedendo (delisted), Charlie Clarke (delisted), Caleb Daniel (trade), Alex Keath (retired), Jack Macrae (trade), Aiden O’Driscoll (retired), Kelsey Rypstra (delisted), Bailey Smith (trade)
Draft picks: 17, 25, 35, 48
Uncontracted: None
Contracted: 36 (one category B rookie)
The Bulldogs did well to score pick 25 in a deep draft for Daniel, who had become a fringe player at the Kennel. They are unlikely to be one of the clubs that uses a top-30 selection on a key-position type, given how well-stocked they are in that department. Players such as midfielder-forwards Taj Hotton and Murphy Reid, and goalsneak Ollie Hannaford, could be in contention at the Dogs’ first choice. Their ruck stocks are thin behind Tim English, so Alex Dodson may be an option at No.25. The likes of midfielder-forward Jesse Dattoli, Harry Oliver – the draft’s best small defender – and winger Christian Moraes may also be in the mix. They are set to make four or five picks in the national draft and any rookie upgrades will occur post-draft.