Paul Amy is the Herald Sun and Leader Newspaper guru on VFL prospects. These are the players he has his eyes on as possible draft contenders for 2025 - VFL young guns: 17 players who have emerged as AFL draft hopefuls in 2025

Tom Barnett, 19, Coburg (a 197cm key defender) 

Jonah Campigli, 21, Sandringham (189cm forward)

Nathan Colenso, 23, Williamstown (188cm forward)

Marcus Herbert, 22, Geelong (plays as a halfback)

Darcy Hogg, 20, Carlton (improver who knows where the goals are)

Drew Lloyd, 22, Port Melbourne (left-footed half forward)

Bailey McKenzie, 19, Sandringham (193cm former Sandringham Dragon who can play anywhere)

Lachlan Monteath, 20, Essendon (198cm ruckman)

Tobyn Murray, 19, Geelong (speed, power and aerobic capacity)

Cameron Nyko, 20, Essendon (versatile player with pace)

Heath Ollington, 20, Williamstown (forward)

Flynn Riley, Carlton (208cm ruck prospect)

Chris Scerri, Northern Bullants (177cm right footer)

Harry Scott, 20, Richmond (a 190cm midfielder)

Noah Scott, Essendon (fast, tough all-rounder)

Oliver Warburton, 20, Carlton (defender, wing and defensive forward)

Lane Ward, 20, Box Hill Hawks (winger)

36 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Paul Amy is the Herald Sun and Leader Newspaper guru on VFL prospects. These are the players he has his eyes on as possible draft contenders for 2025 - VFL young guns: 17 players who have emerged as AFL draft hopefuls in 2025

Tom Barnett, 19, Coburg (a 197cm key defender) 

Jonah Campigli, 21, Sandringham (189cm forward)

Nathan Colenso, 23, Williamstown (188cm forward)

Marcus Herbert, 22, Geelong (plays as a halfback)

Darcy Hogg, 20, Carlton (improver who knows where the goals are)

Drew Lloyd, 22, Port Melbourne (left-footed half forward)

Bailey McKenzie, 19, Sandringham (193cm former Sandringham Dragon who can play anywhere)

Lachlan Monteath, 20, Essendon (198cm ruckman)

Tobyn Murray, 19, Geelong (speed, power and aerobic capacity)

Cameron Nyko, 20, Essendon (versatile player with pace)

Heath Ollington, 20, Williamstown (forward)

Flynn Riley, Carlton (208cm ruck prospect)

Chris Scerri, Northern Bullants (177cm right footer)

Harry Scott, 20, Richmond (a 190cm midfielder)

Noah Scott, Essendon (fast, tough all-rounder)

Oliver Warburton, 20, Carlton (defender, wing and defensive forward)

Lane Ward, 20, Box Hill Hawks (winger)

How old is Riley?

14 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

How old is Riley?

21 according to the link below

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/flynn-riley/

55 minutes ago, poita said:

21 according to the link below

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/flynn-riley/

Thanks, Poita.

Big boy. And. it seems, yet another inch taller now?

Jackson Voss is the standout VFL player that I would add to the Dees list. Half back runner. Mature body size at 23yo. Ready to go for 2026. Excellent kick both over short or longer distance. Good mark and contests & wins the footy.

Fergus McFayden nominated for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal 2025

He

Fergus McFayden, 18, 190cm goalkicking forward

The former Brisbane Lions Academy member has kicked 32 goals from 16 outings for the Lions, including five against Collingwood in Round 4, when he booted a point after the siren to lift the Lions to victory. McFayden is strong in the air, a sure set-shot for goal and looks to have quite a future.

On 21/08/2025 at 23:01, spirit of norm smith said:

Fergus McFayden nominated for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal 2025

He

Fergus McFayden, 18, 190cm goalkicking forward

The former Brisbane Lions Academy member has kicked 32 goals from 16 outings for the Lions, including five against Collingwood in Round 4, when he booted a point after the siren to lift the Lions to victory. McFayden is strong in the air, a sure set-shot for goal and looks to have quite a future.

@Turner from last week … yes he has the makings of a very smart footballer

52 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@Turner from last week … yes he has the makings of a very smart footballer

ahh yep woulda been the better thread to post in, surely ends up on an afl list, raw footy smarts and ability can only be enhanced within a professional environment, wonder what the knock on him last year was that let him slide through undrafted?

@Turner I think McFayden was viewed as “in between type”. Not an agile aerobic half forward but not a tall key forward. But he showed in senior footy that he had the smart footy IQ and goalkicking ability. Safe pair of hands. He has shown he can handle the physical and contested work as well. Would be a handy addition imv

Monteath was outstanding for Essendon against Casey in that game at Port Melbourne. Incredibly athletic and skillful - just needs to get fit - was having full body cramps by 3 QT.

I'd be surprised if he did not land on a list....

3 minutes ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Monteath was outstanding for Essendon against Casey in that game at Port Melbourne. Incredibly athletic and skillful - just needs to get fit - was having full body cramps by 3 QT.

I'd be surprised if he did not land on a list....

yes, i thought he brilliant up until the cramping

he might be a titch undersized for an afl ruckman, but his mobility and scoreboard impact was excellent

On 21/08/2025 at 23:01, spirit of norm smith said:

Fergus McFayden nominated for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal 2025

He

Fergus McFayden, 18, 190cm goalkicking forward

The former Brisbane Lions Academy member has kicked 32 goals from 16 outings for the Lions, including five against Collingwood in Round 4, when he booted a point after the siren to lift the Lions to victory. McFayden is strong in the air, a sure set-shot for goal and looks to have quite a future.

His brother was on the Lions list and im note sure if he ever player a game. if so, not many.

2 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

yes, i thought he brilliant up until the cramping

he might be a titch undersized for an afl ruckman, but his mobility and scoreboard impact was excellent

thsts my concern too, look at how verrall is developing at a similar age which is pretty slowly, you'd just lvoe for them both to be 202-203cm at least

Jackson Voss. Just another reminder of his talent.

V Casey Demons. 34 possessions. 30 kicks. 8 marks. His left foot disposal was AFL class. No one on Casey team was even close to his delivery or impact to rebound outside 50. Hit up targets through the corridor. Time to wake up to these quality players that would walk into the AFL system.

interesting voss wasnt sighted in the toty but tom blamires was, and won the Fothergil-Round-Mitchell. he had that one 40+ game when he touched up collingwood, but was the rest of his season at that same level?

On 26/08/2025 at 18:00, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Monteath was outstanding for Essendon against Casey in that game at Port Melbourne. Incredibly athletic and skillful - just needs to get fit - was having full body cramps by 3 QT.

I'd be surprised if he did not land on a list....

Is there a family connection here to a past player, not at MFC, Richmond I think, or Ess.