AFL Draft 2025: Biggest bolters and sliders, steals, bargain picks, best selections, sleepers, analysis, latest news

Sixty dreams realised later (or 58, minus the two relisted players) and multiple pick swaps along the way, the 2025 National Draft is officially in the books!

And naturally there’s several big bolters and sliders, at least from where they were ranked pre-draft.

In reality, no one knows how much of an impact any of these players will have until they hit the big time.

Below foxfooty.com.au runs through the biggest bolters and sliders of the 2025 draft.

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BOLTERS

Sam Grlj (Pick 8, Richmond)

The Tigers pulled the first surprise of the draft by selecting Oakleigh Chargers speedster Sam Grlj with pick 8. Grlj was expected to get selected at some stage in the teens, but the Tigers stuck their flag in the ground and picked their man, creating a domino effect throughout the next stages of the draft. Grlj’s athletic profile is particularly appealing, with a unique combination of speed, power and endurance. A line-breaker who takes the game forward, Grlj had a taste of Punt Road and benefited from some VFL exposure with the Tigers. He hadn’t heard from the Tigers since the Combine, so was surprised to hear his name read out so early. “I was surprised, we thought maybe Sullivan Robey might get taken, but they have gone for maybe more of the need,” Montagna said on Fox Footy. “They have loaded up through the midfield and forward half of the ground, now they get the explosive half back that can set the game up off counter-attack.” Grlj is a great character with strong leadership traits who is enthusiastic to learn and become the best player he can be.

Latrelle Pickett (Pick 12, Melbourne)

From playing SANFL reserves to pick 12 on draft night, the rise of Latrelle Pickett has been meteoric in 2025. Pickett, the cousin of Melbourne superstar Kysaiah, only received a late invite to attend the draft in person but shared a special moment on stage when Kysaiah presented his younger cousins with a guernsey. Pickett is a small forward with explosive pace, forward craft and goal sense and you get the feeling the Pickett duo will excite Melbourne fans for the next decade. “What’s better than one Pickett in the forward line for the Dees? Two Pickett’s!” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy. Pickett, who turns 20 later this month, has plied his trade in the SANFL in recent times, maturing while working hard on his professionalism. He dazzled in a handful of games at SANFL level, booting four goals from 16 touches on debut. “That’s why he rocketed into a first-round choice… he’s got the dancing feet and is the absolute bolter,” AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said. Latrelle Pickett told reporters last night it will be “pretty crazy” to play with Kysaiah in the red and blue in 2026 and beyond.

Avery Thomas (Pick 28, Gold Coast)

The defender might’ve been the top Tasmanian prospect in the 2025 draft, but Thomas still went earlier off the board than expected. Particularly given the Suns traded up to get the selection — the third pick of night two. No matter, the Suns have got a beauty. The athletic 185cm backman finished top 10 in the 20 metre sprint agility test and vertical leap at the Draft Combine, with attributes similar to Isaac Quaynor. He won the Devil of the Year award for the biggest pro in the Tasmanian side and he played for the Allies in the national carnival. “Ranked 45th and taken at Pick 28, it’s no wonder why he was caught by surprise a bit,” draft expert Mick Ablett said.

Tyan Prindable (Pick 32, Collingwood)

Two bolter picks back-to-back! Prindable might’ve been ranked No. 80 on the Fox Sports Lab. But the Collingwood draft room including coach Craig McRae, list boss Justin Leppitsch and vice president Paul Licuria sure looked stoked to land the left-footed, inside midfielder when his name got called out with the No. 32 pick. That came after Brisbane opted not to match the Magpies’ bid on their Academy player, who played for the Allies. Well regarded for how clean he is and strong in the contest, Prindable played five VFL games this year. “A real pro, he got his opportunity with the Allies … and right from the start he was right up to the standard, he was very composed. Leaves nothing to chance, he’s the best preparer they felt at the Brisbane Lions Academy for getting ready to play and for recovering … it translates into being the sort of player that can succeed in the AFL, ” draft guru Kevin Sheehan said on Fox Footy.

Zane Peucker (Pick 31, Richmond)

The Fox Sports Lab had Peucker pegged at 94th, but the Tigers took the forward-midfielder with the sixth pick of the second round. The forward-half weapon averaged 25 disposals, 1.5 goals, and 5.5 score involvements this year for the Woodville West-Torrens under-18s. “It’s definitely something you can’t really speak about. The feeling, I’ve never felt anything like it, it feels amazing,” Peucker said on Fox Footy after having his name called out. Peucker said he modelled his game off of Brisbane star Zac Bailey and Bulldogs small forward Rhylee West, adding of playing AFL footy: “It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do, but it’s only really come in the past couple of months where I got invited to the national combine and now here I am.” The South Australian kicked a goal in every game he played for his state at this year’s carnival, joining fellow statesman Sam Cumming at Tigerland. Richmond recruiting boss Rhy Gieschen said of Peucker: “Zane has speed and power and consistently impacted games as both a midfielder and forward throughout the season.”

Billy Cootee (Pick 42, Sydney)

Arguably the biggest bolter of the night, given Cootee, a mature-age selection from the SANFL, was unranked on the Fox Sports Lab list. “The Swans have pulled one out of the box here,” draft expert Mick Ablett said on Fox Footy. A well accomplished midfielder/forward that can hit the scoreboard and is well regarded for his work ethic, the 22-year old won the best and fairest for Norwood in 2025. The 178cm player previously captained Essendon’s VFL side in 2023 and finished third in its best and fairest. “There’s 5000 contenders to be quite honest that play state league with hopes and dreams to play AFL. It only takes one club to like you … obviously the Swans have seen enough with Billy to call him out. Maybe he’s been hidden away. Wonderful to see him get his opportunity and be another one of those hidden diamonds.”

SLIDERS

Dylan Patterson (Pick 5, Gold Coast Suns)

OK, we know he went Pick 5. But Fox Footy draft expert Mick Ablett believes Patterson “could be the best player to come out of this draft”. It’s a bold call, but the fact the Suns have secured this star youngster at pick 5 means it could be a bargain. Patterson is a dynamic half back who loves to take the game on with his blistering pace, dare and penetrating kick. A true X factor player who can turn a game on its head, Patterson had offers from several NRL clubs to switch sports, but the pull of the AFL and importance of Gold Coast’s Academy was too strong. An extremely exciting prospect who has been compared to St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Patterson has so much upside at AFL level. “He’s dazzling and dynamic, he’s the boy with the dancing feet. He can shimmy like the best of them,” AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said on Fox Footy.

Aidan Schubert (Pick 23, Hawthorn)

South Australian tall Aidan Schubert was one of the “bargain buys” of the opening night of the draft, sliding all the way to the Hawks at pick 23. Touted as a potential top 15 selection, Schubert was named in the All-Australian side after a dominant National Championships campaign. He’s strong in the air, has an exceptional work rate and can pinch hit in the ruck, possessing huge upside at AFL level. “It’s a bargain buy, for mine he’s no doubt the best tall forward in the draft pool,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy. “I think for the Hawks with life after Jack Gunston, I think it’s a great get. I think he’s going to be a wonderful key forward for a long time.” Schubert also has a strong athletic profile and was a consistent force in the SANFL, where he used his endurance capabilities to work up and down the ground, causing plenty of headaches for opposition sides.

Dyson Sharp (Pick 13, Essendon)

Dyson Sharp is headed to the club he grew up supporting and that’s excellent news for Bombers fans. Sharp’s pathway resume is as good as any in this batch of draft prospects, which means nabbing him at pick 13 is somewhat of a steal, especially when you consider he was widely viewed as a top 10 candidate. Sharp is one of the most ready-made players in this year’s pool. He’s a beast at the coalface who is clean with ball in hand and improved his transitional work this year. Sharp was awarded the Larke Medal after a sensational National Championships in which he was a key cog in South Australia’s undefeated side. Sharp is also a superb leader who is respected among his peers, meaning he could have an immediate impact both on and off the field for the Bombers in 2026. Some recruiters had question marks over his ceiling at AFL level, but his form throughout 2025 was good enough to convince the Bombers. According to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, Adelaide also made a bold draft play on night one, offering two first-round picks to Essendon in exchange for the rights to pick 13 and Sharp. With something coming back the other way as well, the Bombers ultimately were happy to take the pick to the draft themselves and add a third young gun inside 13 selections to their squad. Either way, it shows clubs were keen to trade into that pick given Sharp wasn’t snapped up earlier.

Cameron Nairn (Pick 20, Hawthorn)

Hawthorn did some nifty trading on night one, trading back in the first-round, but landing a pair of future second-round picks in the process. Ultimately, the Hawks pounced on South Australian Cameron Nairn with pick 20, a bargain buy when you consider he was touted as an option as early as Melbourne at pick 11. Nairn put his name up in lights during the National Championships when he booted seven goals against Western Australia and was a key cog in South Australia’s title push. “That was the pick me game… he looked like an AFL player,” AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said on Fox Footy. Nairn is a versatile prospect who is clearly a dangerous forward, but his athletic profile means he also has the capability of playing on a wing or through the midfield. He’s a high impact player with an elite endurance base who has plenty of upside at AFL level. “It’s right in Sam Mitchell’s wheelhouse. He loves having players he can move around in a variety of positions,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna said.

Jack Ison (Pick 47, Carlton)

We were waiting for Ison’s name to get called for a fair chunk of night two. Seeing the jubilant reaction of the Parkside Junior Football Club was worth the wait! The midfielder-forward slipped all the way to Pick 47, with the Blues matching North Melbourne’s bid. Ison’s strong finish to the season saw him shoot up mock draft boards. He finished his Coates Talent League campaign with Oakleigh a bang, kicking 1.3 from 30 touches, 10 clearances and five tackles in a wildcard game against Calder before racking up a team-high 27 touches in a loss to Sandringham. “I’ve had a lot of time for this kid and I am genuinely excited to see where he takes his footy. I call him the crearopr, he’s selling candy and they’re buying it! There’s so much to like about this kid, he has Marcus Bontempelli-type traits. Just his footy IQ and awareness is what separated him,” draft expert Mick Ablett said on Fox Footy.

Max King (Pick 49, Sydney Swans)

Experts predicted a first-round rival bid to come for Max King, but the Swans Academy graduate didn’t have his name called until late in the third round, when Sydney matched Adelaide’s bid. King didn’t quite put it all together this year but has tremendous upside at the top level. The 18-year-old is one of this year’s most athletic prospects — strong overhead and clean at ground level. King had the best national combine standing vertical jump result of 80 centimetres; five centimetres better than the next best result. “I’m quite amazed he is here at this point in the draft, for his potential — he’s got enormous potential,” Sheehan said on Fox Footy. “He didn’t get a complete line through what his potential was. He then tested magnificently … he’s got a magnificent running jump, he’s quick over 20 (metres). Will Hayward, those sorts of boys that play at that marking type forward, even a little bit of Isaac Heeney with the way he can get up in the air and be dangerous around the face of goal.”

Archie Ludowyke (Pick 50, Adelaide)

The moment of the draft when his name got called after raw emotion poured out of the youngster. A potential first-round draftee, Ludowyke had to wait all the way to Pick 50… so much so that he retreated to his room in years, having lost faith his name was going to get called. A key forward likened to Aaron Cadman who presents strongly and loves flying for marks, he had some standouts games this season for the Sandringham Dragons with bags of four and five goals. Plus he booted five majors across two AFL Academy games against VFL opposition. But Ludowyke wasn’t able to translate his good form onto the big stage for Vic Metro, going goalless against SA and WA in his first two national champs games, before a PCL injury in July ended his under-18 carnival campaign prematurely. He’s now got some handy names to learn forward craft off with the likes of Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty. “Adelaide, thank you. I guess I’ll work as hard as I can and prove everyone wrong,” an emotional Ludowyke said on Fox Footy after getting drafted. Draft expert Mick Ablett added: “He’s ranked in the top 30 and we’re up to Pick 50 … to see that raw emotion, that’s what the game is all about. That is just a moment of relief, the dreams have come true.”