THE COUNTDOWN is on ahead of this week's Telstra AFL Draft.
In preparation, here is our final Phantom Form Guide of 2025, the fifth update of the year as we rank the leading 30 prospects in this year's draft crop.
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Just days from names being called next Wednesday night in the opening round, we have also included the latest information on where each of the players could be selected and the clubs interested.
Remember, this is not a phantom draft and does not take into account where bids will be placed on father-son or Academy players. The mock draft will come on Monday, with a late mail version to arrive on Tuesday.
The standout player of this year's crop elevated himself in the big games this year. Duursma was his team's go-to man on most occasions, including through Vic Country's carnival, when he was named an All-Australian and dominated in the last game of the championships. Duursma's versatility is his power: he can be played all over the ground and do the job, and he does it with skill, class and a take-it-on approach. The youngest of the four Duursma siblings has been growing his game since debuting for Gippsland's under-18 side in 2023 and will be able to start his career all over the field.
Where does he go? Duursma elevated himself to be top of the pool and is poised to join West Coast as the club's second No.1 pick in three years. The Eagles haven't had any offers for the top selection and Duursma is ready for a move to Perth.
Suns fans would have seen Uwland training with Christian Petracca recently after the Melbourne star's trade to Gold Coast went through, and both of the players will immediately add to the Suns' mix. Uwland is a midfielder in the Errol Gulden mould with his run, daring kicking and sharp decision-making. He entered the year as a No.1 pick chance but missed the first half of the season with back stress fractures, but he returned deep in the season and will hit the ground running over summer. The younger brother of Suns half-back Bodhi, Uwland is dedicated, driven and seen as a future skipper of the club.
Where does he go? Uwland will join Gold Coast, which has prepared from a long way out for an early bid on the Academy gun. But where does the bid come? West Coast is strongly considering it at No.2, otherwise Richmond will pull the trigger with either of its next two selections.
It is hard to find a tall prospect move and play like Duff-Tytler, who takes the traits he used as a dominant junior basketballer into his football. Duff-Tytler proved that at the Telstra AFL Draft Combine when he finished the 2km time trial in 6:21 minutes and the 20-metre sprint in 2.92 seconds, both placing him in the top 10. But the Calder Cannons prospect models his game on Luke Jackson and Tom De Koning and will also be able to start his career as a part-time forward, having shown at VFL level late in the year with Essendon he could feature there. Duff-Tytler is a pro who is ready for the next step of his career.
Where does he go? West Coast remains favoured to take Duff-Tytler with its second pick. Essendon has had interest in him, as well as Willem Duursma, if it could push up the board but hasn't tabled any offer to the Eagles. If the Eagles went another way, then it's hard to see Richmond not snaffling Duff-Tytler.
The most exciting player in the draft crop to just sit back and watch. Patterson plays like NRL superstar Reece Walsh, taking the game on with the ball tucked under his arm and going for it. He has the quick feet and the dynamite jets to match, making 'The Rocket' Patterson a highlights reel. The Suns Academy talent also matches that with a good game understanding and he produced at the national carnival when it mattered, being named an All-Australian. Either off half-back or through the wing, Patterson is a damaging player.
Where does he go? Patterson is off to the Suns, it's just about where the bid comes for him. Richmond looks most likely to make the bid with either of its top two picks given the Tigers' eye for pace.
Annable is the player you'd want on your team – he turns up and gets to work each week, his hands are clean at ground level, he fights for the ball, he puts his head and body in tough situations and he keeps on doing it. There was a reason he was able to so easily translate his under-18 form into the VFL this year and it's because what he does well doesn't change at different levels. You can see the Lions Academy prospect being a future leader, and he's a popular, determined talent.
Where does he go? Annable will join the Lions, and some believe he could've been playing in their run to September this year had he been on the list. Richmond again shapes as the most likely club to bid, and he won't get past Essendon's first pick either if still on the board.
The bolter story of the season and one of the bolter stories of the decade. Robey has come from the clouds to be one of the best players in the pool, dominating in the second half of the season as a powerful midfielder who can also play as a goalkicking option. The big-bodied Eastern Ranges prospect grew 17cm in two years and used his size this season to create, play, run and overlap for the Ranges when in the midfield and then as a third marking tall target in attack. He finished with four goals in the Ranges' Grand Final win and has met with every club in the back half of this season.
Where does he go? Looks likely to fit into the pick No.3-8 part of the draft (pre-bids). Richmond is strongly considering him, as is Essendon, while if he got to Melbourne at No.7 or 8 then he'd be tipped to be snapped up. A mighty rise for Robey.
With some swagger, a smirk and a glint in the eye, Taylor plays the game on the edge. He flies for his marks at half-back, he loves to intercept the play and then when he has the ball in his hands he goes for his kicks. Taylor had a magnificent end to his season, being judged best on ground in Eastern's under-18 Grand Final win over Sandringham with 25 disposals and 15 marks. Think a Nick Vlastuin type with some Josh Weddle elements as an attacking tall defender who can play on a range of forwards.
Where does he go? Taylor is right in mix for Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne as those clubs all circle a similar batch of players. The hard-edge appeal to his game makes him a top-10 talent and he was one of the first 12 players invited to night one of the draft.
We dub Dean 'The Teacher', because he marks everything. The best key defender in the pool looks like being the earliest key back picked at a draft since 2020, and the earliest father-son in Carlton's history. The son of former Blue Peter Dean, the Murray Bushrangers defender returned from injury last season to star this year and dominate in the back half. He was superb for Vic Country and is a player who is hard to find in drafts with his defensive mindset, marking ability and competitive instincts.
Where does he go? Dean will follow his dad's footsteps and don the navy blue. The dilemma for Carlton is how does it approach the matching of the bid, given the Blues hold picks No.9 and 11 and have been keen to trade them both for more points or a future first-round pick. West Coast likes Dean and its second pick is where his bidding range starts, while the latest he will get looks like being the Bombers' picks.
As solid and ready to go as any player in the draft with his experience at senior level with Central District over two seasons. Sharp is a hard-edged midfielder with a competitive spirit who fights for the ball and gets his hands dirty, but he was a force throughout South Australia's under-18 carnival and was named the Larke medallist for his consistent championships. Importantly, he can go forward and be impactful around goal, and he was a regular scoreboard threat for SA, and his leadership values are highly regarded among clubs.
Where does he go? Essendon appears his starting point at its pair of top-10 picks, but if he doesn't go there, then Hawthorn (pick 10) and West Coast (13) come into the considerations. At that point, other clubs will be looking to get up the board if he's still there.
There's the power, the physical grunt, the overhead marking and the tenacity that comes with Cumming that makes him an appealing player for clubs. He tested well at the Draft Combine last month after returning from a shoulder injury, having shown his traits playing for North Adelaide's senior side, when he kicked three goals from 21 disposals against South Adelaide. Cumming could start as a half-forward but projects as a midfielder with a point of difference.
Where does he go? Has been in considerations for the three Victorian clubs with back-to-back multiple picks inside the top 10: Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne. If he got to Hawthorn's pick it's unlikely he lasted much longer.
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