The AFL Draft is heating up, and the second night promises some explosive moves that could reshape team rosters and fan loyalties forever—don't miss a moment of the drama!
As we dive into the heart of this year's talent hunt, keep in mind that the Australian Football League Draft is where clubs secure the next generation of stars, often through strategic picks and bold trades. It's a thrilling process that can make or break a team's future, and this edition is no exception, with high stakes on the line for clubs vying for the best young players.
To give you some context for newcomers, the draft unfolds over multiple rounds, where teams select players from a pool of eligible prospects based on their performances in junior leagues and national combines. The first night already saw 25 players find new homes, including sensational bids from West Coast and Essendon, each snapping up three talents, while the Gold Coast Suns made waves by matching top-20 offers on four of their standout academy graduates. For full details on those picks, check out the live updates here (https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-2025-live-round-1-live-updates-on-night-one-every-pick-and-trade-latest-news-start-time-how-to-watch-on-tv-live-stream-broadcast-details-draft-order/news-story/780ff5f90423b1d4a0939e3784125637).
Now, the action shifts to the remaining rounds starting Thursday night, where 25 to 30 more selections are anticipated. Tune in at 7pm AEDT on Fox Footy, available through Foxtel and Kayo Sports, for comprehensive coverage. And if you're new to streaming, why not give Kayo Sports a try? Watch the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft live on Kayo from November 19-20, and sign up now for your first month at just $1 (https://kayosports.com.au/?pg=afl&extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkafl-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-afl-kyo&channel=fsa&campaign=fsacontra&voucher=).
Before we get into the picks, a quick note on responsible gambling: Ever wondered what's really at stake when placing bets on draft outcomes? It can add up fast—set a deposit limit and seek free, confidential support by calling 1800 858 858 or visiting gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Kicking off the second round is North Melbourne with the coveted Pick 25, often hailed as one of the most prized selections in the entire draft. Why? Because the club with this spot has a 24-hour window to entertain lucrative trade offers from rivals desperate to jump ahead and secure their preferred prospects. The Kangaroos might listen to such pitches, potentially dropping just a spot or two in the order, but insiders suggest they'll hold firm, especially with so many key-position talents still available. This pick's value lies in its flexibility—teams can leverage it for trades that align with their long-term strategies, a common tactic in AFL to build stronger squads.
And this is the part most people miss: while trades are exciting, holding onto a top pick like this can lead to drafting a transformative player who becomes a cornerstone for years. But here's where it gets controversial—some argue that trading down for future draft capital is smarter for rebuilding teams, while others insist on drafting the best available talent right away. What do you think: is North Melbourne playing it safe or missing out on a bigger payoff?
The Roos have been heavily connected to Sturt's Blake Thredgold, a versatile 194cm defender known for his toughness, balance, and impressive stats—like winning the Alan Stewart Medal with 12 marks and 14 disposals in Sturt's Under 18s grand final, plus top-10 finishes at the national combine. They've also eyed Sandringham Dragons' Archie Ludowyke, a 197cm forward who slipped through the first round, and Oakleigh Chargers' Louis Emmett, a dynamic 200cm player with exceptional mobility, skills, and endurance. Emmett, who played mostly as a ruck-forward this season, is seen by scouts as a potential AFL key defender—think of him as a versatile giant who can dominate both ends of the ground.
If North passes on Emmett, he could be a prime target for the Western Bulldogs at their next pick, following their first-round grab of Swans academy half-back Lachlan Carmichael. The Bulldogs are rumored to be chasing more height, with another option being Eastern Ranges' ruckman Marcus Krasnadamskis, a 202cm powerhouse who's caught their eye with his competitiveness, physicality, and surprisingly smooth skills on the ball. Krasnadamskis isn't short on admirers; Port Adelaide, Sydney, and Essendon are also in the hunt if the Dogs move on.
For more draft insights, dive into these talking points: how clubs faced tough decisions, the Swans' risky gambles sparking a chain reaction (https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2025-round-1-talking-points-analysis-teams-paying-price-for-bids-winners-and-losers-richmond-tigers-essendon-bombers-bids/news-story/1adc63876c14d093bf8571fd7ea710d7), and the Crows' strategy as Essendon snags a star to fuel their comeback (https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2025-dyson-sharp-essendon-did-adelaide-try-to-get-dyson-sharp-mitch-marsh-stats-draft-picks-trades-order-latest-news/news-story/f757887b0701a9a728dcc734041359ef).
Next up are Carlton and West Coast at Picks 28 and 29. Their top academy prospects, Jack Ison (Carlton) and Tylah Williams (West Coast), went unbidded in the first round, so these picks might be traded depending on each club's game plan. The Blues, expected to select three players, already have father-son talent Harry Dean from Pick 3—will they grab an open-pool player here, then match on Ison later, or trade down to secure him sooner?
For beginners, "academy" refers to players developed through a club's youth programs, often given priority bids, while "open-pool" means any eligible player not tied to an academy. The Blues are linked to small forwards like Talor Byrne from GWV Rebels and Tobyn Murray from Geelong VFL. Murray could also interest Geelong at Pick 33, alongside Ludowyke, Emmett, Tai Hayes (Southport), Hugo Mikunda, Max Kondogiannis, Tom Blamires (the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist), and Hunter Holmes, brother of Cats star Max Holmes.
The Eagles, projecting just four draftees and already having Willem Duursma (Pick 1), Cooper Duff-Tytler (Pick 4), and Josh Lindsay (Pick 19), might trade back to match on Williams as their fourth pick, or opt for a midfielder such as Eastern Ranges' Ollie Greeves or top WA talents Fred Rodriguez or Sam Swadling. West Coast has academy ties to Koby Evans, Wes Walley, and father-son prospect Charlie Banfield, who might slide to the rookie draft. Thanks to AFL support, the Eagles get extra rookie spots for the next three years.
Bids for Kye Fincher (St Kilda academy), Max King (Sydney Swans academy), and Zac McCarthy (Collingwood academy) are unpredictable—St Kilda might not match Fincher before Pick 35, as they're not picking until 40. The Saints were eyeing Jevan Phillipou (brother of Saint Matteas Phillipou) but might get him without trading up, though Richmond has shown interest in the Woodville-West Torrens player. St Kilda's other targets include Sam Allan (Oakleigh Chargers, sidelined by an ACL injury) and Ollie McManus (East Fremantle, son of Dockers legend Shaun McManus).
Fremantle, skipping father-son for McManus, is considering left-foot midfielders like Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons) and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide), plus small forward Willis Reidy. They'll also look at academy duo Toby Whan and Ryda Luka, who could drop to rookies.
Still in play are highly rated prospects like Ludowyke, Greeves, Phillipou, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, Liam Hetherton, and Riley Onley. Collingwood might pursue Greeves or bid on Brisbane academy midfielder Ty Prindable, though Brisbane could let him go for open-pool options like Onley, Oudshoorn-Bennier, or Whan—they've got strong academy players in Prindable, Isaac Waller (a 204cm ruck-forward), and Harrison Bridge.
Swan Districts' Leon Kickett, a late-invited small forward at 173cm, is likely a second-round pick with energy, speed, and elusiveness catching Richmond's eye, plus Fremantle, Carlton, and Geelong.
And here's a heartwarming twist: could the Curtin brothers reunite at Adelaide? After starring winger Dan Curtin's success, younger sibling Cody Curtin, a powerful 200cm key forward with 45.12 goals in 17 games including a six-goal grand final performance, is on their radar for the second pick. Alternatively, they might go for GWV Rebels' tall Floyd Burmeister.
This draft is full of surprises and debates—do clubs prioritize loyalty to academies over raw talent, or is trading picks the key to success? And this is the part that sparks real controversy: some fans believe bidding wars inflate player values unfairly, potentially hurting smaller clubs. Others argue it's all part of the competitive thrill that keeps the game exciting. What are your predictions for these picks? Should teams hold onto valuable spots like North's, or trade for long-term gains? Do you agree with the academy priorities, or think open-pool talents deserve more spotlight? Share your hot takes, agreements, or disagreements in the comments—let's discuss and keep the conversation going!
