A life-changing summer awaits for the fresh batch of AFL draftees who will try to force their way into round one calculations in four months’ time.

Gippsland Power product and No.1 pick Willem Duursma is an obvious candidate for West Coast, while Gold Coast academy graduates Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson should also be strongly in the mix. But we have focused on draftees who arrived at Victorian clubs.

The stars of the 2025 draft.Credit: AFL Photos

Here are eight teenage recruits across six clubs who appear best-placed to make an instant impact. Essendon newcomer Sullivan Robey was excluded after the discovery of a back issue that will impact his pre-season.

Dean’s father, Peter, won two flags with Carlton, and his son is arguably the best key defensive prospect since Aaron Naughton in 2017. Dean’s outstanding intercepting owes to how well he reads the play, but also his courage to fly for, and hang onto, marks. He had injuries as a junior and is still slight, but could play as a third tall immediately. Brodie Kemp should remain forward after Charlie Curnow’s exit, but the Blues have a bit to think about down back after Jack Silvagni’s departure and Harry O’Farrell’s ACL rupture, and with Nick Haynes and Mitch McGovern 33 and 31 years........

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