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Almost 60 young footballers found an AFL home across the past two nights of the most compromised draft in history.
We took a close look at Fremantle and West Coast’s draft haul and heard from recruiting and list managers, who explained their strategy and hopes for their fresh draftees.
The top three selections in the 2025 national draft: Harry Dean (pick No.3), Willem Duursma (No.1) and Zeke Uwland (No.2).Credit: AFL Photos
Fremantle
Who they picked: Adam Sweid (25), Tobyn Murray (40)
The Dockers picked late in the first round for the second straight year, and will hope diminutive midfielder-forward Sweid is every bit the success Murphy Reid was in 2025. Sweid, who spent last year recovering from an ACL rupture, was tied to Essendon as a next-generation academy prospect, but the Bombers chose not to match the bid. He is tough, competitive, professional, and has a nose for the goals. Murray is a 20-year-old small forward out of Geelong’s VFL side who brings a combination of speed, power and toughness.
List manager David Walls: “We got two guys who are probably pretty similar in their role as mid-forwards … and they’re both pretty strong guys who are good runners. Hopefully, they can be pushing for selection. It was good in the trade period to bring Judd [McVee] in, to give us that running half-back, so to add to that, and a couple of guys forward, we’re reasonably happy.”
West Coast
Who they picked: Willem Duursma (1), Cooper Duff-Tytler (4), Josh Lindsay (19), Sam Allen (29), Tylah Williams (39)
The Eagles placed five unsuccessful bids in the first round, but should be thrilled with who they did bring in. Duursma projects as a big-time star with his 193-centimetre size, elite and aggressive kicking skills, marking strength, and positional versatility. As a bonus, he is friends with Harley Reid. Duff-Tytler is likened to Docker Luke Jackson as a fellow ex-basketballer who is a great athlete and excels at ground level. Left-footed defender Lindsay is arguably the best kick in the draft. A fourth Victorian followed when West Coast picked Oakleigh Chargers captain Allen, an athletic winger who suffered a season-ending ACL rupture. They matched Fremantle’s bid on academy goalsneak Williams, who demonstrated his speed and agility at the combine, but lost Koby Evans (Brisbane) and Charlie Banfield (St Kilda) to rival clubs.
National recruiting manager Duane Massey: “Overall, it was an outstanding result for the club. To have access to some high talent at the sharp end of the draft really sets the club up to launch into 2026 and beyond. Securing Willem, Cooper and Josh adds to the young talent we’ve selected in the past few years, and we believe they can really add value to our list for years to come.”
