AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top rucks, tall forwards, midfielders, defenders and medium forwards hailing from NSW/ACT ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
The AFL this year celebrates 40 years of the Draft, following the introduction of the national Draft in 1986.
This 2025 Telstra AFL Draft will be held on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20. The 2025 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Friday, November 21.
Sheehan's player profiles have been released via positional group each week ahead of the Draft.
All players profiled attended the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine or 2025 Telstra AFL State Draft Combine in October.
Keep updated with all the latest news ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft at the AFL Draft Hub.
See Kevin Sheehan's profiles on the top rucks and tall forwards from NSW/ACT ahead of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft below –
RUCKS AND TALL FORWARDS
NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE
Liam Hetherton
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: North Albury
Date of Birth: 02/05/2007
Height: 198cm
A tall forward, Hetherton is agile, competes fiercely and is very strong overhead. He excelled as a bottom-ager last year, kicking five goals from seven marks for NSW-ACT in an U17 Futures match against Victoria Country in August before backing that up with eight marks and three goals for Team Sloane in the Marsh AFL National Futures match at the MCG on AFL Grand Final day. He began very impressively this year, kicking 11 goals in the first three matches for the Murray Bushrangers, including five majors against the Bendigo Pioneers. A member of the Marsh AFL National Academy, Hetherton also gained invaluable experience and held his own playing two matches for the Australia U18 team against bigger-bodied VFL opponents in April. Was on the verge of representing the Allies at the National Championships when injury struck, with a stress reaction in his lower back ruling him out for the remainder of the season and leaving scouts to wonder what might have unfolded after an exciting beginning. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine while still in a recovery phase.
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Jim Houston
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: GWS Giants Academy
Community Club: Hay
Date of Birth: 10/02/2007
Height: 197cm
A developing ruck/tall defender, Houston emerged as a genuine prospect with some dominant games for the GWS Giants Academy with his competitiveness and contested marking real features of his performances. In five matches for the Giants Academy he won plenty of the ball, averaging 17.6 disposals and six marks, which included a best on ground performance against the Sandringham Dragons when he picked up 24 disposals, 12 marks and 24 hitouts. Won selection for the Allies at the National Championships, where he played a variety of roles including as a tall defender and forward with limited time in the ruck as he continued to progress with his development.
MIDFIELDERS
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Ryder Corrigan
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Lavington
Date of Birth: 14/03/2007
Height: 186cm
A powerfully-built midfielder, Corrigan excels in winning contested ball and using the footy creatively. He can also push forward and hit the scoreboard. He averaged 22 disposals (13 contested), four clearances and kicked four goals across three matches at the 2023 U16 National Championships to win the GWS Giants Academy’s MVP award, as well as earn All Australian selection. Captained the Murray Bushrangers this year and was a model of consistency, averaging 20.5 disposals (nine contested possessions) and 3.8 tackles to finish third in their best and fairest award. Represented the Allies in all four matches at this year’s National Championships, being among their best with 17 disposals and kicking a goal against Victoria Country. Recorded an impressive 85cm running vertical jump at the Draft Combine, highlighting his power.
DEFENDERS
NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE
Lachlan Carmichael
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: North Shore Bombers
Date of Birth: 27/08/2007
Height: 184cm
A composed interceptor across half back who can also push into the midfield, Carmichael is strong overhead for his size, prolific in winning the ball, creative with his decision making and an excellent distributor. Has been a standout player at underaged level and won All Australian honours and the Sydney Swans Academy’s MVP award at the U16 National Championships in 2023. This year he continued his great form at under 18s level, averaging 26.6 disposals in five matches for the Swans in the Coates Talent League before winning the Allies’ MVP award and All Australian honours after averaging 24.8 disposals at 81.8 percent efficiency, five marks and 3.8 tackles at the National Championships. A member of both the Marsh AFL National Academy and the Sydney Swans Academy who is eligible to join the Swans via the AFL’s Northern Academy rules.
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Harrison Wilson
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Lavington
Date of Birth: 03/01/2007
Height: 190cm
A medium defender, Wilson has shown the ability to intercept across half back and use the ball smartly on the way out. He was initially a standout with the GWS Giants Academy during the 2023 U16 National Championships, earning All Australian honours. This season he played good football for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League, averaging 20.8 disposals and six marks in four matches bookending the season whilst playing with Scotch College during the middle part of the year. Showed good composure with the ball across four games with the Allies at the National Championships, averaging 16.8 disposals and providing consistent rebound from defence. Produced a good turn of foot with his 2.98 seconds on the 20m sprint the state Draft Combine.
MEDIUM FORWARDS
NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE
Noah Chamberlain
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Date of Birth: 21/03/2007
Height: 191cm
A left-footed forward, Chamberlain is extremely athletic and can also play on the wing and across half back such is his versatility. He first appeared on the radar as a marking forward for the Sydney Swans Academy during the U16 National Championships in 2023, taking nine contested marks and kicking six goals across three matches on his way to earning All Australian selection. Over the past two years he has continued to build on his excellent fundamentals, including his kicking and overhead marking, playing matches not just with the Swans Academy but also the Allies, Australia U18 team and Sydney’s VFL team. He averaged 9.5 disposals in four matches for the Allies at this year’s National Championships and showed slices of his exciting potential but like many prospects is still a work in progress. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine while recovering from tibial stress injury.
Max King
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: Cardiff
Date of Birth: 09/01/2007
Height: 191cm
A tall forward/midfielder, King is athletically elite with his vertical leap and speed real weapons. Is an exceptional overhead mark, combining his incredible leap with great hands. Looked a real AFL prospect playing for the Sydney Swans Academy at the U16 National Championships in 2023, before starring for NSW-ACT in an U17 Futures match against Vic Country last year, picking up 21 disposals, nine marks and four clearances to build a reputation leading into this year. Showed promising glimpses for the Swans Academy this year, averaging 14.2 disposals and four marks and kicking six goals in six matches. Represented the Allies at the National Championships and was influential in the win over Western Australia, kicking 2.3 and taking the mark of the day early in the match before kicking the winning goal in the dying stages. Also played three VFL games for the Swans during the year. His elite athletic ability was on display at the Draft Combine with his standing vertical jump of 80cm ranked first, while his time of 2.93 seconds on the 20m sprint ranked in the top five. Is a member of the Sydney Swans Academy, with the Swans eligible to match a rival club’s bid during the Draft to secure his services.
Harry Kyle
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: UNSW/ES Bulldogs
Date of Birth: 16/07/2007
Height: 188cm
Left-footed medium forward/midfielder who moves smoothly and covers the ground well, with his natural speed and step through traffic wonderful assets. Kyle’s potential was apparent in six matches for the Sydney Swans Academy this year, where he averaged 19 disposals which included a standout 27-disposal effort against the Oakleigh Chargers. He comfortably stepped up to represent the Allies at the National Championships, averaging 12.5 disposals across four matches, and showed composure and good fundamental skills. Kyle is from a rugby background and is relatively new to Australian Rules Football at the elite level but looks to have significant upside. Impressed during testing at the Draft Combine, topping the running vertical jump with a leap of 98cm and featuring among the top ten in the agility test with a time of 8.15 seconds.
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Riley Hamilton
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: GWS Giants Academy
Community Club: Ainslie
Date of Birth: 15/08/2006
Height: 189cm
A young Indigenous talent, Hamilton overcame an ACL injury in his 17th year to play some exciting football for the GWS Giants Academy over the past two years, as well as the Allies this year. Strong overhead and very clever around goals, he kicked three majors against South Australia in the opening match of the National Championships and finished with seven across the carnival, always looking dangerous inside 50. He was impressive both forward and through the midfield in seven games with the Giants Academy, with his 21-disposal performance against the Tasmania Devils giving scouts a rounded view of his upside and potential. Also played four VFL matches for the Giants, including their Wildcard Final, which continued his football education. Was rewarded for his promising season by being named the GWS Giants’ Academy Player of the Year.
Tallis McMillan
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: GWS Giants Academy
Community Club: Leeton Whitton
Date of Birth: 11/04/2007
Height: 191cm
A left-footed medium forward with strong hands and an accurate kick, McMillan was new to the GWS Giants Academy this year being from the Riverina of NSW. He had an immediate impact, kicking four goals against both the Murray Bushrangers and Sandringham Dragons early in the year. Won his way into the Allies squad after kicking 12 goals in his five matches for the Giants, where he averaged 14 disposals. Played two matches during the National Championships and made a strong contribution against Western Australia as a leading forward target, kicking a goal in the Allies’ narrow win. McMillan was approved to play for the Murray Bushrangers late in the Coates Talent League season, topping off a season full of promise. Showed sharp natural speed during testing at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne, with his 2.96 seconds on the 20m sprint very good for a lead up forward.
