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Improvers, recruits and emerging youngsters: The pre-season standouts from all 18 AFL clubs
SEN • March 3rd, 2025 7:32 pm
The 2025 AFL pre-season has come to an end with intra-clubs, trial matches and the AAMI Community Series officially in the rear-view mirror.
With the season set to properly kick off with Opening Round this week, here’s who stood out at your club over the summer.
James Peatling was a clear standout for the Crows during his stints on-ball, adding a new dynamic to an Adelaide side that has been searching for midfielders.
He was quite impressive in both practice games, as was Isaac Cumming playing primarily on the wing.
Alex Neal-Bullen has also fit in seamlessly and will likely slot into a role covering for Izak Rankine defensively, as he did previously with Christian Petracca.
Nic Negrepontis
Small forward Kai Lohmann was one of the surprise breakout performers of the 2024 season for the Lions and looks ready to go to the next level in 2025.
Lohmann was everywhere during Brisbane’s practice match loss to Adelaide, kicking 2.3 and taking four marks.
The focus of Brisbane’s forward line will move towards the smalls this year without Joe Daniher, and Lohmann stepping up will be key in filling the void.
Nic Negrepontis
Lucas Camporeale was taken after his brother in the draft, but has been the one pushing for a Round 1 debut while brother Ben recovers from injury.
Carlton loves its dedicated wing roles and Lucas Camporeale has seemingly pushed ahead of the likes of Jaxon Binns for a Round 1 spot, with Ollie Hollands set to move to half-back.
The teenager collected 20 disposals, took eight marks and had 500 metres gained in the win over GWS.
Nic Negrepontis
While it wasn’t against elite opposition, Collingwood fans would have been thrilled to see how their ball movement looked off half-back with Josh Daicos and Dan Houston.
In their 2023 premiership year, the Pies were electric rebounding from defence, and that slickness looked back thanks largely to two-time All-Australian recruit Dan Houston and fellow All-Australian Josh Daicos – who has moved from a wing to a bit of a quarterback role.
Both are elite kicks and if teams don’t apply enough forward pressure, this duo will cut the opposition to shreds by foot.
Nick Daicos (32 disposals in just over a half), as well as the new-look tall forward line of Tim Membrey (four goals), Brody Mihocek (four goals) and Dan McStay (two goals), would have given Pies fans some real confidence ahead of 2025.
Bobby Hill also kicked an impressive eight goals over two games for the Magpies against the Tigers and the Indigenous All-Stars over Fremantle.
Lachlan Geleit
Essendon had plenty of shining lights in their 83-104 win in Geelong and perhaps none more than Elijah Tsatas who helped himself to 31 disposals and 10 clearances.
The 20-year-old hasn’t found AFL life easy since joining the club at pick No. 5 in the 2022 draft but if this performance is anything to go off, the young midfielder could be set to finally break out in year three.
Other young Dons including Isaac Kako (four goals) and Nate Caddy (three goals) look set to give Essendon some real spark inside 50, while Nic Martin (two goals, 22 disposals) was everywhere playing more in the forward half.
Lachlan Geleit
Jordan Clark looks set to continue his improvement in 2025 off a half-back flank with standout games against both the Indigenous All-Stars and Melbourne.
The Docekrs would also be pleased with the output of youngster Matthew Johnson who didn’t get a heap of it but proved he can be a strong tackler around the contest while linking the midfield to the forward line.
Luke Jackson also kicked multiple majors in both games while rucking alongside Liam Reidy.
Lachlan Geleit
It’s pretty obvious, but Jeremy Cameron looks certain to continue as Geelong’s best player in 2025.
The superstar forward was everywhere against Essendon with two goals, 23 disposals and 11 marks as he did what he pleased inside 50 and up the ground.
While Cameron was the obvious standout, Geelong would have also loved the games of Shannon Neale (two goals) and Mitch Knevitt (22 disposals) with the two lesser-experienced players showing that they’re well and truly ready for increased roles this season.
Lachlan Geleit
Gold Coast’s Joel Jeffrey looks like he could take another step this season as a speedy defender after he collected 28 disposals against Sydney in the Community Series to go with a strong outing for the Indigenous All Stars against Fremantle.
He was well supported by running half-back recruits John Noble (26 disposals) and Daniel Rioli (24 disposals) in the loss to the Swans, while Noah Anderson (35 disposals, one goal) and Matt Rowell (31 disposals) look set to be the side’s nucleus on-ball again.
Lachlan Geleit
Former No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman could be the wildcard that takes GWS to the very top in 2025.
They already have an incredibly dangerous forward line, but Cadman rising up and taking pressure off Jesse Hogan would be enormous.
He showed some promising signs in the practice match against Carlton, taking six marks and looking ready to take a step forward in his development.
Cadman is a player to watch early in the 2025 season.
Nic Negrepontis
Fringe Hawk Harry Morrison could be one who breaks into the best 22 in 2025, if the AAMI Community Series is something to go by.
He collected 27 disposals and laid five tackles in the loss to the Western Bulldogs, and took full advantage of the spotlighted role.
The Hawks bat deep across the board and a player like Morrison will have to work hard to get regular games, something that should create good competitoin for spots.
Nic Negrepontis
The return of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were two things that stood out most for Melbourne fans across the country, as the two star on ballers amassed huge numbers together in the Demons’ pre-season hit out against Fremantle.
The run and dash off half back from Caleb Windsor, plus the physicality of Aidan Johnson in the forward line, gives Dees fans a new thing to look forward to as well.
Xavier Lindsay showed glimpses of what he can produce on a wing in 2025, as did fellow first round pick Harvey Langford, who delivered some eye catching moments that promises to excel him into super stardom in the future.
Zac Sharpe
Captain Jy Simpkin starred for the Indigenous All-Stars, winning the best on ground medal for his 30 touches, 10 clearances and a goal.
He missed the AAMI Community Series clash with West Coast due to illness.
Harry Sheezel is great every time he steps out in the royal blue and white stripes, Tristan Xerri played well against the Eagles with 34 hit outs and 14 tackles and Tom Powell impressed with 25 touches and 11 marks.
Former Bulldog Caleb Daniel got plenty of the ball in the practice match against Melbourne and backed that up with 26 touches against the Eagles. Pick 2 Finn O’Sullivan impressed in both of his outings.
Andrew Slevison
Jason Horne-Francis was lively for the Indigenous All-Stars with three goals from 17 touches. He followed that up with 31 disposals and six clearances in the 44-point win over St Kilda on the weekend.
Captain Connor Rozee filled up with 39 touches and eight clearances against the Saints, Jeremy Finlayson starred in defence with 29 touches and 13 marks, as did Logan Evans (25 touches, 12 marks) and Miles Bergman (27 touches, nine marks).
Former Pie Joe Richards was influential with 20 touches and a goal against the Saints after a strong showing in the Adelaide match sim outing.
Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked five goals (including three in the practice match against at the Crows) across the two games and Sam Powell-Pepper, returning from an ACL, was busy around forward 50.
Andrew Slevison
No clear standout here.
Kamdyn McIntosh has been Richmond’s most industrious player across two pre-season games against West Coast and Collingwood.
The premiership wingman spent more time as a midfielder and was full of effort and intent in both outins.
Jayden Short was very good against Collingwood, as were Jacob Hopper, Jack Ross and Toby Nankervis.
No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor looked excellent in the Eagles match but copped a broken jaw in the last few minutes.
Last year’s mid-season draftee Jacob Blight held his own in defence in both games and will look to play an increased role, particularly early in the absence of Noah Balta.
Andrew Slevison
Three-time All-Australian Jack Macrae showed he still has plenty left in his tank, even in a midfield with significantly less bite than that of his former companions at the Western Bulldogs.
His leadership will prove critical to a young core of Saints midfielders, highlighted by Hugo Garcia and Hugh Boxshall who added much-needed burst to the Mattaes Phillipou-less midfield in both pre-season games against Carlton and Port Adelaide.
Despite limited minutes, Tobie Travaglia also managed to impress by kicking the match-sealer against Carlton and showing impressive composure with the footy.
The reason Ross Lyon is holding back the eighth pick in last year’s draft may be that he is not quite ready, but I suspect he is looking after what he hopes to be one of his side’s prized possessions.
Ethan Clark
Tom McCartin’s move forward worked a treat with four goals from 14 disposals and seven marks in the 21-point victory over Gold Coast on the weekend.
Matt Roberts was excellent against the Suns, using the ball well with 27 touches out of defence, to back up his strong performance against GWS on February 21.
James Jordon worked hard for his 26 touches in the win over the Suns, while Angus Sheldrick and James Rowbottom were busy with 22 and 21 touches respectively.
Joel Amartey booted six goals in the practice match win over the Giants and added two more against the Suns, and Isaac Heeney was brilliant in the first hit out but was rested on the weekend.
Andrew Slevison
Jake Waterman picked up where the left off from last year by kicking four goals in the narrow in over North Melbourne on the weekend.
Tim Kelly was the most prolific midfielder with 22 disposals and eight clearances while Matt Flynn held his own in the ruck.
Liam Baker endeared himself to Eagles fans with a match-winning 55-metre bomb against North and his fellow premiership Tiger Jack Graham has added strength and hardness to the midfield.
Tyrell Dewar, Noah Long and Elijah Hewett all did some special things in the practice match win over Richmond on February 17.
Andrew Slevison
Mature-age recruit Sam Davidson blitzed with 29 disposals and a goal in the 11-point AAMI Community Series win over Hawthorn in Tassie.
The Richmond VFL recruit was dominant on the wing and would have locked himself in for an AFL debut against North Melbourne in Round 1.
Tom Liberatore was busy as always with 31 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances in that win over the Hawks
Lachie McNeil booted four goals and Sam Darcy impressed with three majors and seven marks alongside Aaron Naughton who kicked three goals from 18 touches nine marks.
Rebounding defender Joel Freijah was solid in both the Essendon and Hawthorn games, and we’ve seen plenty from second-year mid Ryley Sanders across intra-club and practice matches.
Andrew Slevison
