Riley Onley is a tall midfielder - it was a surprise that we made space to pick another player after taking Kalani White as a Category A rookie and opting not to draft promising NGA prospect Toby Sinnema. However, Onley did have a strong National Championship Carnival and was made All Australian before injury struck and he fell down the draft rankings.

Long before this season even started, he was considered a top ten draft candidate ~

afl.com.au

Stars of the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2025

Callum Twomey looks ahead to the best prospects for the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft

Onley’s profile is impressive ~

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Riley Onley Draft Profile

Murray Bushrangers midfielder Riley Onley possesses power and speed at 195cm, providing a point of difference among this year's crop.

Wow! So stoked for this pick!

I knew we had interviewed him a month ago but didnt think it was anything serious!

Well done Dees, he'll be a beauty in a full time environment

Great news . I feel for Yze , kicking 7 goals in a reserves final doesn't mean much.

So Toby missed out.

Hopefully plays at Casey next season.

Taller than most of our Key position players too, that’s a big boy!

Everyone concerned we didn’t get a mid, here you go.

Kevin Sheehan's 2025 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Midfielders

Riley Onley

State: Victoria Country

State League Club: Murray Bushrangers

Community Club: Shepparton United

Date of Birth: 30/03/2007

Height: 195cm

A tall midfielder, Onley uses his height and reach to excel around stoppages and has a good burst of speed to break the game open. A powerful player who covers the ground extremely well, he divided his playing time this year between Scotch College, the Murray Bushrangers and Victoria Country. Was at his dominant best in the final two games of the National Championships against the Allies and Victoria Metro, with his bursts through the midfield and ball use superb. Onley averaged 23 disposals (9.8 contested), 4.8 marks and four clearances for Victoria Country to win All Australian honours, as well as being named in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. A graduate of the Marsh AFL National Academy, he missed testing at the Draft Combine due to hamstring injury.

A bit of Finn Callahan about him. I like the look of it.

Yesssss, jackpot. Been screaming out to get this kid. He's a ripper.

After the junior career he's had I reckon this might be a wake up call for him only going in the rookie draft. Has a big future.

Love this

Looks like a type who could have gone a lot higher

While maybe that says something about how recruiters viewed him, he seems to have a lot of raw potential, so very excited to see what he can do on our list

Massive get.

BIG BODIED MID

Way back in 1960, the prescient Roy Orbison sang and also co-wrote a song about Riley doing extra training on his own to try to make the grade.

Older readers will remember the wonderful "Onley The Lonely", which was deservedly a big hit.

Let's hope that Riley is just as successful.

13 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Wow! So stoked for this pick!

I knew we had interviewed him a month ago but didnt think it was anything serious!

Well done Dees, he'll be a beauty in a full time environment

Do you know why he dropped to the rookie draft 'dazz'? what are the knocks on him?

Wasn't expecting this. Glad we took another one!

So AFL.com.au made up that Sinnema would be a train on player. I think we have done well in the drafts. I think we will surpise a few next year.

This is my fav pick of this drafting year. I’m backing him in. Think he’ll be the steal of the decade. I have high hopes. Can I join his fan club?

9 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

So AFL.com.au made up that Sinnema would be a train on player. I think we have done well in the drafts. I think we will surpise a few next year.

Players can still train with the club over summer. Injuries happen and list spots can open. Think of how late Culley and Henderson were listed last year.

6 minutes ago, adonski said:

highlight packages are often misleading and sometimes underwhelming but this guys highlights look better than most

14 minutes ago, rjay said:

Do you know why he dropped to the rookie draft 'dazz'? what are the knocks on him?

Have seen 'attitude issues' come up as well as poor kicking, don't profess to know myself though

12 minutes ago, rjay said:

Do you know why he dropped to the rookie draft 'dazz'? what are the knocks on him?

To be honest I havent spoken to anyone from the Bushies since the draft concluded.

I will admit that I was genuinely shocked he went through undrafted. The general feel was that he would be taken early to mid 2nd round in the draft so to get him this late is a steal. My only thought is perhaps for an inside mid he needs some work on his competitive work and contest so I would be say that would be one? Other then that, i am not entirely sure.

Onley, Ryder Corrigan and Heatherton were the 3 Bushies i was aware the club had spoken too from uo thos area.

Edited November 21, 2025Nov 21 by dazzledavey36

Great pick! Absolutely stoked. Wasn't sure we'd add to the midfield stocks this year but this is a great surprise late in the proceedings.

Clean, clean hands. That's the first thing I think of with him. We talk about players not practicing goalkicking enough these days, I'd be surprised if kids practice the in-close fast hands stuff. The stuff where you get your friend to fire it at you from close range every which way, this guy has it.

The size is there, man, I'm nearly as rapt about this one as I was with Taylor!

Been following Riley for a few years now through APS and Vic Country, and this is a ripping rookie pickup by Melbourne. He’s one of those rare 195cm mids who actually plays like a midfielder, not a key position guy shoved on ball. Always had clean hands, but this season he finally added that burst speed and confidence in his kicking that pushed him into genuine draftable territory.

He’s been on a steady upward curve for a while. People who only saw him late probably don’t realise how much he’s improved year-on-year. Coaches around him always talk about how coachable he is and how well he prepares for big games, and it shows. He’s had plenty of reps at APS, National Academy and senior level, and he tends to rise to the moment rather than go missing.

Give him a couple of preseasons in Melbourne’s system and he could easily turn into that big-bodied, unique-profile mid they’ve been trying to find. Massive upside if his development keeps trending the same way.

Reminds me of Patrick Cripps from those highlights 👍

I mentioned this kid on the 2023 draft thread, really like him.

If he puts in a big pre season I can see him playing round 1