There is a great variety of defenders who look set to enter the AFL system at the National Draft on November 19.
Led by a pair of Gold Coast Academy boys, the top group includes a mix of rebounders, interceptors and lockdown players.
Here are the 10 best defenders from the 2025 draft class.
1Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast Academy)
Could be placed in any of the three lines but considers himself a defender, so we’ve put him here.
Only featured four times in 2025, all at VFL level, after injury scuppered most of his 2025 season.
That won’t concern Gold Coast, which, through his training with the club and U18s All-Australian-winning bottom-aged season, is well aware of his talent.
A powerful left footer who can impact in all positions, he’s set up well to seamlessly integrate into an AFL environment, likely to attract a bid in the top three.
