Seven players from across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory became AFL-listed players during the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
Learn more about the newest recruits from NSW and the ACT and what their clubs had to say about them below.
Harry Kyle
Pick 14
Sydney Swans
Kyle, an athletic defender/midfielder standing at 188cm, grew up playing rugby and basketball before landing at the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in the middle of last season. The 18-year-old made his VFL debut for Sydney in Round 18 of the 2025 season.
The UNSW-ES Bulldogs product also averaged 21 disposals and more than five rebound 50s in the Coates Talent League last season and represented the Allies in all four games in the National Championships.
Kyle’s athletic attributes were on show at the National Draft Combine, posting three top 10 results. He ranked number one in the running vertical jump, 8th for the standing vertical jump and 10th for the agility test.
Sydney Swans Head of List Strategy Chris Keane said Kyle is an exciting prospect.
“We are delighted to have brought Harry onto the senior list tonight, as we feel he has huge potential and traits to develop into a very good AFL player,” Keane said.
“Whilst he will likely start his career as a running defender, we feel he could develop into a midfielder in time.
“His rate of improvement and development over the last 12 months has been significant and is a credit to Harry and all those involved with QBE Sydney Swans Academy.”
Lachlan Carmichael
Pick 21
Western Bulldogs
The pick that nearly wasn’t, the Dogs have swooped in on Sydney Swans Academy talent Lachlan Carmichael with Pick 21 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
The composed defender has shown his ability to play above his height in the backline, while also demonstrating the versatility to move into the midfield.
Described as a creative and, at times, prolific ball winner the 18-year-old’s decision-making ability has seen him on the radar of many teams in this year’s draft.
Carmichael enjoyed a strong 2025 season, averaging 26.6 disposals in his five matches playing for the Sydney Swans Academy in the Coates Talent League.
The National Championships also showed the value Carmichael could add at a senior level.
He averaged 24.8 disposals at 81.8% disposal efficiency, five marks and 3.8 tackles during the championship – awarded with both the Allies’ MVP award and All-Australian honours as a result.
Look for Carmichael to make the most of his deadly right foot, taking on the game and using his high football IQ to quickly transition the ball from defence to offense.
Max King
Pick 49
Sydney Swans
QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete Max King boasts a rare array of athletic traits.
An AC joint injury in 2024 was among the unfortunate contact injuries which kept King out of action. He missed the QBE Swans Academy’s Coates Talent League games and while selected for the National Futures game, was unable to take the field.
He represented Allies, memorably delivering the game-winning goal and a massive mark against Western Australia. He played three games in Swans colours at VFL level and hit the scoreboard in those appearances and kicked 30 goals for his local side Cardiff.
He was also a recipient of the Basil Sellers Scholarship. In all, 2025 marked a relatively full year for King. He had quickly put his injuries behind him to play out the Summer Series and Academy Series with Sydney, while also turning out for all four Coates Talent League games. Hailing from the Hunter catchment, he’s Swans supporter through-and-through and looks up to fellow ex-Cardiff representative Isaac Heeney, with whom he bares plenty of resemblance.
Angus Anderson
Pick 57
Collingwood
Hailing from Sawtell/Toormina Saints, Sydney Swans Academy, and the Sturt Football Club in the SANFL, Angus Anderson won the Jack Oatey Medal for best a field in the 2025 Grand Final as the 'Double Blues' triumphed.
Collecting 19 votes to win the award off the back of his 24-disposals, nine marks and a goal, the 22-year-old has proven ability to perform under pressure.
At 190cm, Anderson is big bodied and uses skill and finesse around the contest.
Collingwood National Recruiting Manager Shane O’Bree highlighted Anderson's passion as a big reason for the Club selecting him.
“When you watch Angus play football, there is a lot of heart in his game. Watching his journey as a footballer has been fulfilling."
Anderson was Captain of the Sydney Swans Academy as a junior and prides himself on his contested game. The 22-year-old played 18 games across the 2025 SANFL Season, averaging 20.1 disposals and 4.6 tackles a game.
Noah Chamberlain
Cat B Rookie
Sydney Swans
Noah Chamberlain has long been central to a talented crop of QBE Swans Academy players eligible for this year’s draft. A leader amongst the group, he burst onto the scene in his Under 16 year where he was named All-Australian at the National Championships. The athletic utility also made an early Under 18 debut for the QBE Swans Academy at Coates Talent League level, setting the platform for an accolade rich junior career.
Chamberlain’s esteem amongst the Swans crop was recognised as a two-time Basil Sellers Scholarship recipient (2024 and 2025).
Another early roadblock saw Chamberlain go down with a heavy head knock during the Summer Series. He recovered to return via the Academy Series and Coates Talent League, also turning out twice for the National Academy against VFL opposition. Chamberlain then added to his senior experience with a pair of games for the Swans’ VFL side after running out a full national carnival with the Allies.
Sydney Swans Academy Coach Colin O'Riordan said: "A dual Basil Sellers scholar, Noah is athletically gifted with speed and endurance.
"He is a massive competitor, fearless and has a very nice field kick. He's got a very good overhead mark and is learning how to protect himself and the space in front of him. Very coachable player and a great person to be around."
Liam Hetherton
Cat B Rookie
Sydney Swans
Having taken a back seat to several eventual draftees last year, Liam Hetherton was primed to snatch centre stage in 2025. The key forward managed nine Coates Talent League games with the Murray Bushrangers.
He booted 11 goals in his first three CTL appearances. He also represented the National Academy in two games against VFL opposition and continued to show growth. That was until two stress fractures were discovered in his back, with the 197cm talent forced to undergo a 16-week recovery which ruled him out for the rest of the year.
While the start to Hetherton’s top-age campaign was positive, he sought to peak at the National Championships in Allies colours. That opportunity was taken away from him, as was the chance to compete at the National Draft Combine.
Being drafted would cap off a storied journey for Hetherton. He started out up in Mackay (Queensland) and went on to represent the GWS Giants Academy during the 2023 Under 16 National Championships. The North Albury product then progressed into the Bushrangers Under 18 program and represented NSW/ACT in the Under 17 Futures trials, bursting onto the scene with five goals against Vic Country.
Hetherton’s progression continued with another three majors in the National Futures showcase on AFL Grand Final Day, which went even further to securing his AFL Academy induction.
Riley Hamilton
Cat B Rookie
GWS GIANTS
Overlooked in last year’s draft, 19-year-old Hamilton has now realised his AFL dream after impressive performances for the GIANTS Academy as well as for the Allies in the National Championships and the club’s VFL side in 2025.
The 2025 GIANTS Academy Player of the Year, Hamilton is a hybrid forward who is just as damaging in the air as he is on the ground. Hamilton particularly impressed during this year’s National Championships where he kicked seven goals in four games to be one of the Allies’ most dangerous forwards.
The youngster also featured in eight VFL games for the GIANTS over the past two seasons where he continued to show his talent and potential.
Possessing an innate ability to create something out of nothing around goal, Hamilton’s ability to mark strongly above his head while also creating headaches at ground level make him an exciting proposition.
GIANTS Head of Talent Adrian Caruso said: “Riley is a GIANTS Academy product from Canberra who had a strong year as a 19-year-old as part of the Academy, Allies and even VFL level.
"He has played a lot as a hybrid, marking forward with an elite vertical leap and good recovery when the ball hits the ground, but we feel there is scope for him to develop off half-back or on the wing over the coming years.”