Unless something unusual happens, this is not really for Demon fans but it’s happening next week.

Top prospects, latest whispers in mega mid-year state of play; legend’s son’s tricky choice: Draft Watch

Ex-AFL names, top prospects listed among first crop of Mid-Season Draft nominations

I looked at the list and when I reached Jackson Browne from Coburg, I was convinced that by hook or by crook we had to be in this draft, even if he’s a bit on the elderly side.

Imagine how many extra fans we could get through the gates with this bloke playing!

Take it easy, Chelly

196cm fella.

GC really are arming themselves with talls.

Hopefully Kalani takes note, or perhaps GC have taken note.

Pity we haven't got a horse in the race.

I would not say no to giving Bonner a go.

The order for Wednesday’s mid season draft is determined based on winning percentage because not all teams have played the same number of games.

Therefore, the reverse ladder based on winning percentage after round 11 below is the basis of the draft order and this will be finalised tomorrow after clubs have finalised whether or not to open list spots. I can’t see Melbourne becoming involved as its list is full:

1. West Coast

2. North Melbourne


3. Richmond

4. Port Adelaide

5. St Kilda

6. Sydney

7. Carlton

8. Melbourne

9. Fremantle

10. Greater Western Sydney

11. Western Bulldogs

12. Essendon

13. Hawthorn

14. Geelong

15. Adelaide

16. Brisbane

17. Gold Coast

18. Collingwood

And with that, the Eagles are primed to select hard-running Richmond VFL defender Tom McCarthy, 24 with the first pick.

Apparently Essendon have four spots open.

The situation will likely change before the draft, but eight clubs have at least one list vacancy: Essendon (four), Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs (two each), and West Coast, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Carlton (one).

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/drafted-on-wednesday-play-on-thursday-the-players-dons-could-pick-up-amid-injury-crisis-20250526-p5m29y.html

There are a number of 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft nominees from the Casey Demons (VFL) list including - 

Riley Baldi, Riley Bonner, Lachlan Bryce, Jesse Craven, Paddy Cross, Olly Green, Mitchell Hardie, Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott, Caleb Lewis, Kobe Shipp, Kai Windsor and Noah Yze.

The most likely to be selected according to reports is tall forward Caleb Lewis who has attracted attention from one or two clubs.

2025 AFL MID-SEASON ROOKIE DRAFT ORDER

First round

1 - West Coast
2 - North Melbourne
3 - Port Adelaide
4 - Carlton
5 - Western Bulldogs
6 - Essendon
7 - Gold Coast
8 - Collingwood

Second round

9 - West Coast
10 - North Melbourne
11 - Port Adelaide
12 - Western Bulldogs
13 - Essendon
14 - Gold Coast
15 - Collingwood

Third round

16 - Port Adelaide
17 - Essendon

Fourth round

18 - Essendon

14. Gold Coast - Caleb Lewis (Casey Demons, VFL)

3 minutes ago, Bleasey as that said:

14. Gold Coast - Caleb Lewis (Casey Demons, VFL)

I’m certain I heard them say on the telecast of the draft the Suns requested that Lewis not play against the Bullants last weekend. Is that a thing?

10 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

I’m certain I heard them say on the telecast of the draft the Suns requested that Lewis not play against the Bullants last weekend. Is that a thing?

DZ - I wasn’t watching the telecast so can’t confirm or deny. Strange request if true!

Edited May 28, 2025May 28 by Bleasey as that

Fantastic to see Roan Steele drafted at pick 8 to Collingwood. Roan was a wonderful player for Casey over the past few seasons.

2025 AFL MID-SEASON DRAFT

ROUND 1

1. West Coast – Tom McCarthy (Richmond VFL)
2. North Melbourne – Zac Banch (Werribee)
3. Port Adelaide – Harrison Ramm (Glenelg)
4. Carlton – Flynn Young (Werribee)
5. Western Bulldogs – Michael Sellwood (Peel Thunder)
6. Essendon – Archer May (Subiaco)
7. Gold Coast – Oscar Adams (Glenelg)
8. Collingwood – Roan Steele (West Perth)

ROUND 2

9. West Coast – Jacob Newton (Norwood)
10. North Melbourne – Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne VFL)
11. Port Adelaide – Ewan Mackinlay (North Adelaide)
12. Western Bulldogs – Zac Walker (Gippsland Power)
13. Essendon – Lachlan Blakiston (East Fremantle)
14. Gold Coast – Caleb Lewis (Casey Demons)
15. Collingwood – Noah Howes (South Adelaide)

ROUND 3

16. Port Adelaide – Mani Liddy (Central District)
17. Essendon – Oskar Smartt (Essendon VFL)

ROUND 4

18. Essendon – Liam McMahon (Carlton VFL)

Highlights

Former Casey Demons player Roan Steele was drafted by Collingwood.

Caleb Lewis, who has not featured in the Casey team since early in the season, has been drafted by Gold Coast with pick 14.

22 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

I’m certain I heard them say on the telecast of the draft the Suns requested that Lewis not play against the Bullants last weekend. Is that a thing?

He hasn’t played since round 1 and given we had 2 rucks and 3 tall forwards in I doubt he would’ve been in line to play. Perhaps down back but I doubt it.

Archer May (pick 6) took himself out of wafl on the weekend, by all reports Pies promised him he’d done enough

2 Casey players drafted. Hope they do well but also hope we didn’t miss picking them!

Noah Yze still looking for a home

Just now, DeeSpencer said:

2 Casey players drafted. Hope they do well but also hope we didn’t miss picking them!

Rated Roan Steele at Casey. Departed end of 2023 for the WAFL. Rankles that the ‘Filth’ have now drafted him.

Edited May 28, 2025May 28 by Tarax Club
time

1 hour ago, Tarax Club said:

Rated Roan Steele at Casey. Departed end of 2023 for the WAFL. Rankles that the ‘Filth’ have now drafted him.

Roan Steele got better and better at Casey and

was excellent in 2024 force Casey Demons. Runner up in B&F in 2024

and showed AFL quality.

Was definitely a draft chance last year.

Skilled. Runner. Goalkicking half forward.

1 hour ago, Tarax Club said:

Rated Roan Steele at Casey. Departed end of 2023 for the WAFL. Rankles that the ‘Filth’ have now drafted him.

Someone got a Steele....

There... said it...

( I'll go now )

On 26/05/2025 at 10:18, roy11 said:

196cm fella.

GC really are arming themselves with talls.

Hopefully Kalani takes note, or perhaps GC have taken note.

So a 196cm key position forward who has “every tool in the box you’d want in a modern-day key forward” and was there right under our noses got drafted to the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. He couldn’t get a game at Casey?

Something here doesn’t add up.

11 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Noah Yze still looking for a home

I’ve been impressed by what young Yze’s done at various levels so far this year and I’m hoping that Casey perseveres with him and he gets his chance to play AFL like his father who was one of my favourites.

Is anyone across the father/son rules that knows if he’s still eligible for drafting as a f/s selection at the end of the year?

It's certainly a curiosity that the Western Bulldogs with 6 wins and a percentage of 126.5% got to make a selection before Essendon which has 6 wins and a percentage of 85.0%. But, it's just another impact of Cyclone Alfred - Essendon's win percentage of 60% (6 out of 10 played) is higher than the Bulldogs with 6 from 11 (54.5%). In no world, though, does anyone really believe the Bulldogs are "worse" than Essendon this year.

And, as an aside, it also shows how the draw can also affect the mid-season draft. Some teams may have played more teams at the bottom of the ladder compared with others. Nevertheless, I'm not sure there's a better method than that chosen to determine the order.

3 hours ago, The Oracle said:

I’ve been impressed by what young Yze’s done at various levels so far this year and I’m hoping that Casey perseveres with him and he gets his chance to play AFL like his father who was one of my favourites.

Is anyone across the father/son rules that knows if he’s still eligible for drafting as a f/s selection at the end of the year?

He's got a great build. And he's got some impressive attributes. But at VFL level his stats probably don't wow any other teams. He's kicked 5.3 in his five games, but he's never had more than 9 disposals in a game. I think most AFL sides would like someone who racks it up a bit more.
So with all that said, even without F/S assistance we should be fine to pick up if we want him.

4 hours ago, Freddy Fuschia said:

So a 196cm key position forward who has “every tool in the box you’d want in a modern-day key forward” and was there right under our noses got drafted to the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. He couldn’t get a game at Casey?

Something here doesn’t add up.

A lot of teams didn't take him. If he were the standout wouldn't he have been pick #1?