The 2025 AFL draft has kicked off at Marvel Stadium with West Coast Eagles wasting no time in selecting Gippsland Power star Willem Duursma with the coveted number one pick. The highly anticipated first night is unfolding exactly as predicted, but not without drama as academy bids and father-son selections threaten to reshape the entire draft order.
Duursma becomes the fourth member of his famous football family to land on an AFL or AFLW list. The 193cm utility joins siblings Xavier (Essendon), Zane (North Melbourne), and Yasmin (Carlton AFLW) in the big leagues.
West Coast recruited another top Victorian talent after taking Harley Reid with pick one just two years ago. That selection paid immediate dividends, and the Eagles are banking on Duursma delivering similar impact.
Pick One: The Duursma Dynasty Continues
Willem Duursma separated from the pack throughout 2025 with a blistering campaign for Vic Country. He claimed the MVP award at the Under-18 National Championships and earned All-Australian honours. The Gippsland Power captain also finished runner-up in the Morrish Medal.
Matt Clarke, West Coast’s Head of List Management and Recruiting, explained the selection. “His versatility is a big part of why we really like him. He’s played just about every role on the ground this year.”
Duursma played across all three lines throughout the season. He starred in defence for Gippsland Power but showcased his midfield potential in VFL appearances with Casey Demons.
The 18-year-old brings elite athleticism and aerial prowess. His 87cm running vertical jump ranked ninth-best at the draft combine. He kicked 16 goals in 13 games while averaging strong disposal numbers.
Academy Bids Arrive Early
Gold Coast matched the expected bid for Zeke Uwland at pick two. The Suns Academy product would have gone number one if not for his club ties. Brother of defender Bodhi Uwland, Zeke dominated throughout his time in the academy system.
A back injury limited his 2025 season, but a strong return solidified his status as an elite prospect. The 179cm utility can play across all three lines and brings versatility Gold Coast desperately needs.
Carlton then faced the anticipated bid for father-son prospect Harry Dean at pick three. The Blues had spent weeks accumulating draft points through trades with Essendon and North Melbourne specifically to match this selection.
Dean is widely considered the best key defender in the draft class. The 194cm Murray Bushrangers star follows his father Peter, a 248-game dual premiership Blue, to Ikon Park.
West Coast Doubles Down with Duff-Tytler
The Eagles used pick four on Cooper Duff-Tytler, the athletic ruckman from Calder Cannons. At 201cm, Duff-Tytler fits the modern ruck prototype as a creative tall who can impact as a forward.
West Coast views him in the Luke Jackson mould. He’ll likely begin his career ahead of the ball before transitioning into ruck duties. His athletic testing was exceptional for his size, finishing top 10 in the 2km time trial and 20-metre sprint at the combine.
More academy bids followed quickly. Richmond bid on Gold Coast’s Dylan Patterson at pick five, with the Suns matching immediately. Brisbane then matched a bid for academy midfielder Daniel Annable at pick six.
Patterson is an elite pacey defender who can break lines from half-back. Annable brings balanced midfield skills with tenacity at stoppages and class on the outside.
Richmond’s Rebuild Accelerates
The Tigers entered the draft with consecutive picks three and four before bids. After the academy matches pushed their selections back, Richmond used their first live pick on Sam Cumming.
Sullivan Robey went next to Richmond. The Eastern Ranges forward-midfielder has been the biggest bolter of 2025. He wasn’t on a Coates League list at the start of the year but is now a top-10 selection.
Robey’s power overwhelms opponents. He bursts through congestion to kick goals and has drawn comparisons to physical forwards of previous eras. Richmond fans are already dreaming of a Sam Lalor and Robey forward partnership.
Essendon’s Big Haul
Essendon secured three first-round selections after trade deals with Carlton. The Bombers used pick nine (pre-bids) on Xavier Taylor, the athletic defender from Eastern Ranges.
Taylor was the quickest player at the draft combine, running 2.82 seconds over 20 metres. He earned best on ground in the Under-18 Championships Grand Final and draws comparisons to Josh Weddle.
Dyson Sharp went to Essendon at pick ten. The South Australian midfielder dominated the National Championships and was considered a genuine number one contender by some recruiters. His contested ball-winning ability is elite.
Melbourne Secures West Australian Stars
The Demons used pick 11 on Jacob Farrow, the versatile West Perth defender-midfielder. Farrow brings elite athleticism and versatility across multiple positions.
Cameron Nairn followed at pick 12. The South Australian brings polish and class through the midfield. Melbourne secured two highly rated prospects after entering the draft with consecutive selections.
Father-Son and Academy Picks Continue
Hawthorn selected Sam Grlj at pick 14. The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder is the best athlete in the pool with reckless abandon in taking the game on. His ability to break lines either off half-back or through the middle suits Sam Mitchell’s game style perfectly.
North Melbourne secured Latrelle Pickett at pick 15. The small forward from Glenelg brings X-factor and goal-scoring ability the Kangaroos desperately need.
Sydney matched a bid for academy prospect Harry Kyle at pick 16. The former rugby league convert draws comparisons to GWS star Finn Callaghan with his hunched running style and penetrating left-foot kicking.
What to Watch on Night Two
The draft continues Thursday night at 7:00pm AEDT with rounds two through seven. Gold Coast opens round two with their accumulated picks after matching academy bids.
More Next Generation Academy prospects will be selected throughout night two. Carlton still needs to match a bid for NGA member Jack Ison, expected in the 20-30 range.
West Coast holds additional picks at 34 and 41 and will face a decision on NGA prospect Tylah Williams. Fremantle may bid with pick 20, forcing the Eagles to use points or let him through.
Draft Class Overview
The 2025 crop features exceptional versatility. Seven South Australian prospects are tipped for first-round selection after the state’s dominant championship performance.
Club-tied talent has again headlined the draft. Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Sydney all matched multiple academy bids in the first round. Carlton, Collingwood, and Essendon have father-son and NGA prospects creating bidding drama.
Unlike previous drafts, teams aren’t scrambling for 2025 picks. Multiple clubs have already traded out of this draft to accumulate capital for the stronger 2026 class. Tasmania’s 2027 package also looms on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
West Coast executed their plan perfectly by securing Duursma and Duff-Tytler with their first two live picks. The Eagles add elite talent to a developing core featuring Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, and Elijah Hewett.
Richmond continues its aggressive rebuild with two top-10 talents. Cumming and Robey join last year’s haul of Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull, and others in a rapidly improving list.
The academy system delivered elite talent once again. Gold Coast secured Uwland and Patterson while Brisbane landed Annable. These players would have been top-five selections in the open pool.
Carlton successfully navigated the bidding process for Harry Dean. The Blues traded multiple picks to accumulate enough points to match the expected early bid. Dean pairs with Jacob Weitering to form a formidable defensive combination for the next decade.
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FAQs
Q: What time does the AFL draft start on night two?
A: Night two begins Thursday, November 20 at 7:00pm AEDT, covering rounds two through seven.
Q: Where can I watch the AFL draft live?
A: Fox Footy and Kayo broadcast live coverage from 7:00pm AEDT both nights. AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App stream Draft Night Live simultaneously.
Q: Who went number one in the 2025 AFL draft?
A: West Coast Eagles selected Willem Duursma from Gippsland Power with pick one. The 193cm utility was widely expected to be the top selection.
Q: How does the father-son bidding system work?
A: When a club bids on a father-son prospect, the tied club must match using picks worth the combined value minus 10%. Multiple picks can be bundled to reach the required points.
Q: When is the rookie draft?
A: The rookie draft takes place Friday, November 21 at 7:00pm AEDT, allowing clubs to fill remaining list spots.
