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The 2025 AFL Draft: Unicorns, Bolters, and the Battle for the Future

As the 2025 AFL season concludes, the focus shifts to the next generation of stars who will shape the competition for the next decade. With a draft class hailed as one of the deepest in recent memory, the race to secure elite talent is heating up.

The upcoming AFL Draft is more than just a selection ceremony; it is a strategic battleground where clubs lay the foundation for future premiership success. This year, the narrative is dominated by a clear number one pick, the emergence of "unicorn" talents, and the high-stakes game of father-son selections.

The Main Narrative: A Clear Number One and the "Unicorn" Contenders

The defining storyline of the 2025 AFL Draft is the consensus surrounding the top of the order. Unlike previous years where the number one selection was debated until the final moments, this year, the landscape is clearer.

Sam Lalor has firmly cemented himself as the projected number one pick. A powerful and versatile midfielder who can also rest forward, Lalor possesses the elite traits that recruiting managers dream of. However, the intrigue lies just below him. As reported by CODE Sports, the draft is rich with "unicorn" talents—players with rare, game-breaking abilities that defy traditional positional moulds.

The main narrative isn't just who goes first, but how the "slider" effect might play out. The The Age highlights the emergence of "late smokeys"—players who have surged up the rankings in the final weeks of the season. These bolters disrupt the best-laid plans of clubs, forcing them to recalibrate their draft boards in real-time.

"This draft is defined by its elite top-end talent. Sam Lalor is the clear prize, but the depth of genuine match-winners available is exceptional." — CODE Sports Draft Intel

Recent Updates: The Draft Board Takes Shape

As the season wraps up, the chatter among AFL insiders has solidified into concrete reports. Here is the latest verified information regarding the 2025 draft pool:

• The Number One Lock: Sam Lalor is widely tipped to be selected by Richmond with the first overall pick. His blend of clearance work and forward-line impact makes him the most complete player in the draft.
• The Rise of the Defenders: While midfielders often dominate the headlines, the 2025 pool is notably strong in defence. According to Zero Hanger, the top 10 defenders in this year's crop are attracting serious interest. Clubs looking to lock down their backline for the next 15 years are spoiled for choice.
• The Battle for the Midfield: The "bidding" system will be in full swing for father-son prospects. Clubs are preparing to match bids on talented sons of legends, adding a layer of strategy to the draft night proceedings.

The Depth: More Than Just Top-End Talent

What makes the 2025 AFL Draft particularly significant is its depth. While Lalor headlines the class, the "bolters" mentioned in The Age report suggest that value can be found well into the first round and beyond.

The Defender Renaissance

For years, the draft prioritised midfielders and forwards. However, the current trend suggests a shift. The analysis from Zero Hanger identifies specific defenders who possess elite speed and ball-use, traits that are now mandatory for modern AFL teams looking to play an aggressive, possession-based game style.

The "Unicorn" Archetype

CODE Sports describes the draft's unique profile players as "unicorns." These are not just midfielders who can kick goals; they are players who can dominate multiple phases of play. A prime example is the versatility expected of top prospects. Clubs are increasingly looking for players who can rotate through the ruck, forward line, and midfield, providing coaching staff with unmatched flexibility.

Contextual Background: The High Stakes of the Draft

To understand the frenzy surrounding the 2025 draft, one must look at the historical context. The AFL is a league of parity; the draft is the mechanism designed to ensure it.

The Father-Son Factor Historically, father-son selections have been a mixed bag, but recent success stories have clubs aggressively targeting these pathways. The "bidding" system, where clubs must match a bid for a father-son or academy player by using their own draft picks, adds a layer of gamesmanship. Clubs often look to "smoke screen" their interest to force other teams to bid higher, wasting their resources.

The "Live Trade" Era The evolution of the draft from a static list-picking event to a dynamic "live trade" night has changed the culture. As noted in reports by The Age, the emergence of bolters often forces clubs to trade up or down on the fly. A club might plan to take a specific player, only to see a rival "smokey" jump the queue, necessitating a trade to secure their man.

Immediate Effects: The Club Strategy Shift

The current draft buzz is already impacting club strategy in tangible ways.

1. Tanking vs. Trading: The race for the top pick is intense. While the AFL frowns upon "tanking," the value of securing a generational talent like Lalor is immense. Clubs at the bottom of the ladder are under immense pressure to win the "wooden spoon" to secure the priority pick.
2. List Management Pressure: For clubs in the middle of the ladder, the draft is a tightrope walk. Do they trade their future first-round picks to secure immediate talent, or do they hold firm and develop youth? The depth of the 2025 class suggests that holding onto draft capital is a smart move.
3. Salary Cap Implications: Securing elite talent on rookie wages is the key to premiership success. The next three years will see a massive influx of high-end talent on affordable contracts, reshaping the salary cap dynamics of every club.

The Future Outlook: Who Will Rise?

As we look toward the draft night and the 2026 season, several outcomes are evident based on the current reporting.

The Rise of the "Smokey" Expect the unexpected. The The Age report on late bolters suggests that players who dominate the finals series in state leagues or schools will jump 10-15 spots on draft night. Recruiters are placing a higher premium on current form over historical potential.

The Geelong and West Coast Factor CODE Sports specifically mentions Geelong and West Coast eyeing specific draft steals. Geelong, renowned for their mature-age recruiting, is surprisingly active in the underage draft, looking for a specific skill set to complement their aging stars. West Coast, needing a rebuild, is looking at versatile forwards and midfielders to inject speed into their lineup.

Conclusion: A Draft to Remember

The 2025 AFL Draft is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the competition. With a clear number one pick in Sam Lalor, a resurgence of elite defenders, and the tantalising prospect of "unicorn" talents, the future of the AFL is bright. For fans, the waiting game is on, but the consensus is clear: this is a draft class that will define the next era of AFL football.