L-R: Tom McCarthy (Cheltenham), Zac Walker (Phillip Island) and Caleb Lewis (Dingley)
The 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft saw 18 players find new homes on Wednesday night, including 10 who got their start in Victorian community footy.
The West Coast Eagles drafted 24-year-old half back Tom McCarthy with the number one pick.
McCarthy has been a standout for Richmond’s VFL team during the 2025 season, averaging 23 disposals, four marks, three tackles and three rebound-50s across seven matches.
It followed a promising debut season for the Tigers last year, where he averaged 17 disposals across 15 matches in a midfield role.
Prior to joining Richmond’s VFL team, McCarthy was a premiership player with Old Mentonians in the VAFA and also played senior football with Highett in the Southern Football Netball League. He played junior football with Cheltenham in the SMJFL.
See the list below of Victorians selected in the draft
Pick 1 - Tom McCarthy (drafted by West Coast Eagles) - Cheltenham JFC, Highett, Old Mentonians, Richmond VFL
Pick 2 - Zac Banch (drafted by North Melbourne) - Yarrawonga (juniors and seniors), Shepparton Swans, Werriblee VFL
Pick 4 - Flynn Young (drafted by Carlton) - Barwon Heads, St Josephs, Geelong West Giants, Newtown & Chilwell, Ocean Grove Cobras, Grovedale Tigers, Werribee VFL
Pick 6 - Archer May (drafted by Essendon) - St Kilda City, East Brighton, Old Brighton, Richmond VFL before a stint in the WAFL this year.
Pick 8 - Roan Steele (drafted by Collingwood) - Frankston YCW (juniors and seniors), Casey VFL, along with a stint in the WAFL this year.
Pick 10 - Cooper Trembath (drafted to North Melbourne) - Park Orchards (juniors and seniors), Blackburn, Frankston VFL, North Melbourne VFL
Pick 12 - Zac Walker (drated by Western Bulldogs) - Phillip Island (juniors and seniors)
Pick 14 - Caleb Lewis (drafted by Gold Coast SUNS) - Mordialloc Braeside JFC, Dingley (juniors and seniors), St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, Footscray VFL, Casey VFL
Pick 17 - Oskar Smartt (drafted by Essendon) - Leitchville Gunbower, Keilor, Essendon VFL
Pick 18 - Liam McMahon (drafted by Essendon) - Greensborough, Eltham, Collingwood VFL, Carlton VFL
Two players were given a second opportunity at AFL level, with former St Kilda defender Oscar Adams selected by the Gold Coast Suns and ex Collingwood forward Liam McMahon taken by Essendon.