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2025 AFL Debutant Checklist and Information
A 2025 DEBUTANT card is awarded for each players' DEBUT game in the AFL, meaning they could be from any previous draft.
| Card# | Round | Date | DEBUTANT | Club | Description | Venue | Vs |
| DG43 | ROUND 6 | 17.4.2025 | Sam Marshall | Brisbane Lions | The Brisbane Lions Academy product finished his schooling in Melbourne and got to play in the Coates Talent League, completing his junior days by being best afield in the 2024 Grand Final with 28 disposals and 2 goals. The Lions duly matched the Sydney Swans bid and selected him at pick 25 at the Telstra AFL Draft. He debuted as the sub against Collingwood on the Thursday night of the Easter round, having 6 disposals in just 22% time on ground. | Gabba | Collingwood |
| DG44 | ROUND 7 | 24.4.2025 | Campbell Gray | Richmond | Plucked from Essendon's VFL side in last year's Mid-Season Rookie Draft at pick 16, Richmond promoted the 195cm defender into its AFL side for the ANZAC Day Eve clash against Melbourne due to Noah Balta's curfew. In front of more than 71,000 fans, Gray took a stunning one-handed intercept mark late in the first quarter and had 5 kicks and 5 marks (including 4 intercepts) before being subbed off in the third quarter. | MCG | Melbourne |
| DG45 | ROUND 7 | 26.4.2025 | Jedd Busslinger | Western Bulldogs | The 198cm key defender from Western Australia finally made his AFL debut in Canberra against the GIANTS on the ANZAC Day long weekend, replacing omitted veteran Liam Jones. A first-round selection (No.13) at the 2022 Telstra AFL Draft, Busslinger had just turned 21 when he cracked it at the highest level after more than 2 years in the VFL. He acquitted himself well with 12 disposals (5 intercepts) and 4 marks in an impressive 32-point victory. | Manuka Oval | GIANTS |
| DG46 | ROUND 7 | 27.4.2025 | Oliver Wiltshire | Geelong Cats | Thumb and pelvis injuries ruined his first season as a Geelong Cat in 2024, but the Barwon Heads product made a bright start to 2025 and he forced his way into the powerful Cats line-up for the ANZAC Day weekend blockbuster against Carlton. A small forward and occasional on-baller, Wiltshire had 6 disposals and took 3 marks before being subbed off in the third quarter against the Blues. The following week he booted a crucial third quarter goal against Collingwood. | MCG | Carlton |
| DG47 | ROUND 8 | 1.5.2025 | Finnbar Maley | North Melbourne | A terrific mark, the 197cm key forward and part-time ruck was grabbed by North Melbourne with overall pick 2 at the 2023 Rookie Draft. A full season in the VFL in 2024 was followed by a senior debut at the start of May in 2025. Maley's first touch was memorable: a huge, contested mark in the forward pocket followed by a set shot snap for his first goal. He finished with 8 disposals and 3 marks (all contested) in the Kangaroos heart-breaking 3-point loss. | MCG | Melbourne |
| DG48 | ROUND 8 | 2.5.2025 | Hugh Boxshall | St Kilda | Big-bodied midfielder from Western Australia who St Kilda traded up for at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft to ensure it could nab him in the third round. After impressing for Sandringham in the VFL, Boxshall made his debut on a Friday night against the Fremantle Dockers and looked at home at the top level immediately with 10 contested possessions among his 16 disposals as well as 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s and 6 tackles. | Marvel Stadium | Fremantle Dockers |
| DG49 | ROUND 8 | 3.5.2025 | Bo Allan | West Coast Eagles | The West Coast Eagles first pick (No.16) at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft (and the first West Australian selected) had an eventful AFL debut in the home clash against Melbourne in front of 42,000 fans. Speedy and tough, the left-footed teenager who can play half-back or midfield had 7 disposals (100% efficiency) and took 4 marks in a 32-point loss but copped a 1-game suspension for striking Demons vice-captain Jack Viney. | Optus Stadium | Melbourne |
| DG50 | ROUND 8 | 4.5.2025 | Josaia Delana | GIANTS | Pocket dynamo of Fijian descent who was rookie listed by the GIANTS at the end of 2024 from their Academy. The 176cm small forward had played VFL football in both 2023 and 2024 and progressed enough to win an AFL debut in the massive clash against cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans in early May. A tackling machine, Delana laid 5 against the Swans which ranked second for the team while having 3 disposals. | SCG | Sydney Swans |
| DG51 | ROUND 9 | 10.5.2025 | Lewis Hayes | Essendon | After 2 full seasons in the VFL (including finishing runner-up in Essendon's VFL Best and Fairest in 2024), the 199cm key defender broke through for his AFL debut in Round 9 against the Sydney Swans. Hayes experienced the ultimate in extremes - he was super-impressive in having 16 disposals as the Bombers raced to a match-winning lead before rupturing the ACL in his left knee as he landed awkwardly in a marking contest late in the third quarter. | Marvel Stadium | Sydney Swans |
| DG52 | ROUND 9 | 10.5.2025 | Archer Day-Wicks | Essendon | Medium-sized utility who Essendon snapped up at pick 6 at the 2024 Rookie Draft after an eye-catching final year of junior football with the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country. Three days before his 19th birthday he made his AFL debut and snapped a beautiful goal in heavy traffic on his preferred left foot early in the second quarter in an 8-point win over the Sydney Swans. Finished with 6 disposals and laid 2 tackles. | Marvel Stadium | Sydney Swans |
| DG53 | ROUND 9 | 11.5.2025 | Thomas Sims | Richmond | The opening selection of the second round of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft (No.28) was used on the key forward from Montmorency. It was Richmond's seventh pick in its swag of early choices and the 199cm Sims was introduced at AFL level the day before his 19th birthday. He booted the Tigers first goal of the second quarter from 40m after a strong contested mark and finished with 6 kicks, 2 marks, 3 tackles and 3 hit-outs in the 2-point win over the West Coast Eagles. | MCG | West Coast Eagles |
| DG54 | ROUND 9 | 11.5.2025 | Cody Angove | GIANTS | The GIANTS had 3 picks late in the first round of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft and it was the third of them - the slender yet speedy West Australian - who made his senior debut first in 2025. Angove, a half-forward or on-baller, forced his way into the side for the trip to Geelong, where the GIANTS continued their amazing run with a 4-point win and the teenager made a solid contribution of 13 disposals including 3 score involvements and 2 intercepts. | GMHBA Stadium | Geelong Cats |
| DG55 | ROUND 11 | 23.5.2025 | Angus Clarke | Essendon | Dream debut in Dreamtime at the G for the versatile Clarke, who pushed forward from a wing to kick 3 first-half goals against Richmond in front of 76,000 fans. The 18-year-old South Australian was selected by Essendon at pick 39 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft and, aside from his goals, finished with 16 disposals (14 kicks and 2 handballs), 8 marks, 522m gained, 8 score involvements and 6 inside 50s in a memorable first game. | MCG | Richmond |
| DG56 | ROUND 11 | 24.5.2025 | Harry O'Farrell | Carlton | A passionate Carlton fan, the 197cm key defender got to live his boyhood dream when the Blues selected him with their second pick (No.40) at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. O'Farrell became the club's fourth debutant of 2025 when called up for the clash with the GIANTS in Round 11. A composed showing followed, with his 6 intercept possessions ranked third for the side among 9 disposals and 3 marks in a 28-point loss. | Marvel Stadium | GIANTS |
| DG57 | ROUND 11 | 24.5.2025 | Will Hayes | Collingwood | Hard running West Australian who was Collingwood's final pick (No.56) at last year's Telstra AFL Draft. While only lightly built, the half-forward or winger brings plenty of speed, energy and tackling intensity to the contest. Hayes was given his first taste of senior football against North Melbourne in late May, and he impressed in laying 6 tackles (fourth for the Magpies) to go with his 7 disposals, 3 marks and 2 score involvements in a 45-point win. | Marvel Stadium | North Melbourne |
| DG58 | ROUND 11 | 24.5.2025 | Hugh Jackson | Port Adelaide | Perseverance has paid off for the talented midfielder who three weeks after his 22nd birthday, and in his fourth season on Port Adelaide's list, finally made his AFL debut in the wet against the Fremantle Dockers. Jackson, as the sub, replaced a concussed Darcy Byrne-Jones at half-time and had 8 disposals (2 kicks, 6 handballs), 3 score involvements, 2 clearances and 133m gained in a polished first outing. | Optus Stadium | Fremantle Dockers |
| DG59 | ROUND 12 | 29.5.2025 | Zak Johnson | Essendon | Midfield gun as a junior who Essendon has developed as a defender in his first year at the club after being its final selection (No.70) at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. The Northern Knights Best and Fairest winner last year was the Bombers seventh debutant in 2025 when promoted for a Thursday night clash at the Gabba. Johnson's 6 intercept possessions ranked second for the team and in a brave display he had 11 disposals before being subbed in the final term. | GABBA | Brisbane Lions |
| DG60 | ROUND 12 | 31.5.2025 | Leo Lombard | Gold Coast SUNS | Dynamic and tough midfielder who the Gold Coast SUNS snaffled in the top 10 of last year's Telstra AFL Draft after St Kilda bid on the Academy product at pick 9. Played in a VFL Premiership with the SUNS in 2023 as a 16-year-old and was introduced at the elite level in the rain against the Fremantle Dockers after overcoming a serious pre-season shoulder injury. Booted a wonderful goal, had 8 disposals and 3 clearances before being subbed off at the final change. | People First Stadium | Fremantle Dockers |
| DG61 | ROUND 13 | 6.6.2025 | Ty Gallop | Brisbane Lions | Impressive key forward from the Sunshine Coast who was a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy and snapped up by the reigning premiers at pick 42 after matching the Geelong Cats bid at last year's Telstra AFL Draft. Gallop made his debut in the huge Friday night clash against the Adelaide Crows and competed hard for his 6 disposals (4 contested), 4 tackles, 2 marks and 2 hit-outs before being subbed out in the final quarter. | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide Crows |
| DG62 | ROUND 13 | 7.6.2025 | Nick Madden | GIANTS | A mid-season ankle injury to No.1 ruck Kieren Briggs paved the way for the 204cm GIANTS Academy product to make his senior debut in Canberra against Port Adelaide on an icy cold Saturday night. The 21-year-old was pitted against fellow youngster Dante Visentini (playing just his 10th game) and was excellent; having 15 disposals (11 contested), 26 hit-outs, taking 2 marks, gaining 4 clearances and laying 4 tackles. | Manuka Oval | Port Adelaide |
| DG63 | ROUND 13 | 8.6.2025 | Hudson O'Keeffe | Carlton | A gritty 8-point win over arch-rival Essendon on the eve of King's Birthday Monday in front of more than 74,000 at the MCG was the backdrop for the 20-year-old ruckman to make his AFL debut. The 202cm O'Keeffe had several eye-catching moments in providing strong support for Tom De Koning, taking a game-high 5 contested marks while finishing with 7 disposals, 8 hit-outs and laying 4 tackles in a promising beginning. | MCG | Essendon |
| DG64 | ROUND 13 | 8.6.2025 | Luamon Lual | Essendon | A second-round selection (No.39) at the 2023 Telstra AFL Draft, the speedy utility had a full season in the VFL in 2024 before Essendon introduced him at senior level halfway through the 2025 campaign. Lual debuted in the Sunday night blockbuster against Carlton and kicked the Bombers only goal of the first quarter (with his first kick at the highest level). He finished with 11 disposals (5 kicks and 6 handballs), took 3 marks and laid 5 tackles. | MCG | Carlton |
| DG65 | ROUND 14 | 14.6.2025 | Lachlan Blakiston | Essendon | Lachie’s AFL debut at age 26 is a testament to perseverance. The 203cm ruckman was selected by the Bombers at pick 13 in the 2025 Mid-Season Draft after standout performances for East Fremantle in the WAFL. Blakiston performed strongly across three games, showcasing his readiness for AFL level. His journey from local footy to the MCG highlights his dedication and resilience. His first game yielded 2 kicks, 2 handballs and 1 mark. | MCG | Geelong Cats |
| DG66 | ROUND 14 | 14.6.2025 | Archer May | Essendon | Far from an ideal result for a debut, running onto the MCG only to receive a 95-point loss to Geelong, just 17 days after being picked up in the 2025 Mid-Season Draft. The 198cm key forward, selected at pick No.6, had impressed at Subiaco with 12 goals in 6 WAFL games. On debut, May showcased his aerial prowess, recording 8 disposals, 4 marks, and 2 inside 50s, providing a promising glimpse into his potential at the elite level. | MCG | Geelong Cats |
| DG67 | ROUND 14 | 15.6.2025 | Mani Liddy | Port Adelaide | Liddy’s AFL debut for Port Adelaide capped an inspiring rise from full-time tradie to SANFL standout to elite level. Just 18 days after being selected at pick No.16 in the Mid-Season Draft, the 23-year-old midfielder—who had recently claimed the Fos Williams Medal for best afield in the SANFL state game—was thrust into the Power’s engine room against Melbourne. Liddy delivered 10 disposals (7 kicks, 3 handballs), 3 marks, 2 tackles, and a clearance in a composed first outing at Adelaide Oval. | Adelaide Oval | Melbourne |
| DG68 | ROUND 14 | 15.6.2025 | Tom McCarthy | West Coast Eagles | An AFL appearance just 18 days after being taken with pick No.1 in the Mid-Season Draft completes the 24-year-old former Richmond VFL defender's meteoric ascension from suburban footy to the elite level. Lining up against the Blues at Optus Stadium, McCarthy delivered a scintillating performance off half-back, collecting 31 disposals, 7 marks, and 5 rebound 50s—setting a new club record for most touches on debut. | Optus Stadium | Carlton |
| DG69 | ROUND 15 | 19.6.2025 | Vigo Visentini | Essendon | The teenage giant was handed an incredibly tough task for his AFL debut - a date with Fremantle Docker star Luke Jackson in a big Thursday night clash in Perth. And while Jackson was one of the best afield, the 203cm Visentini acquitted himself superbly in an ultra-competitive showing for the undermanned Essendon. The 19-year-old had 15 disposals (including 5 intercept possessions), had 4 clearances, took 3 marks, laid 2 tackles and had 17 hit-outs. | Optus Oval | Fremanrle Dockers |
| DG70 | ROUND 15 | 21.6.2025 | Alix Tauru | St Kilda | Injury and suspension delayed the AFL debut of the highly touted No.10 pick from last year's Telstra AFL Draft but he was unleashed against the ladder leaders on a Saturday night at Marvel Stadium. The 193cm athletic defender was composed and combative, having 9 disposals and taking 6 marks (including 2 intercepts) as St Kilda stretched Collingwood for 3 and a half quarters. As he develops, Tauru has the versatility and ability to play in multiple positions. | Marvel Stadium | Collingwood |
| DG71 | ROUND 15 | 22.6.2025 | Jasper Alger | Richmond | Clever forward who rounded out Richmond's impressive Telstra AFL Draft haul in 2024 when he was snapped up by the Tigers at pick 58. Wearing the number made famous by Kevin Bartlett (29), Alger worked his way into the senior line-up in late June after booting 15 goals in 10 VFL games. The League-wide trend of debutants being the sub continued, and he was introduced in the third quarter against the Western Bulldogs. He had 3 handballs and laid a tackle. | Marvel Stadium | Western Bulldogs |
The DEBUTANT cards for Rounds 0-5 are below and were on closed for order on APRIL 22nd.
| Card# | Round | Date | DEBUTANT | Club | Description | Venue | Vs |
| DG1 | Opening Round | 7.3.2025 | Tom Hanily | Sydney Swans | The only debutant in the first game of 2025 was the compact midfielder from Gippsland, who the Sydney Swans took at pick 14 in last year's Mid-Season Draft. Despite the setback of a quad injury during pre-season training, Hanily was the sub for the Opening Round clash against Hawthorn and had 6 disposals (3 contested) and laid 3 tackles in 31% game time after replacing Angus Sheldrick. | SCG | Hawthorn |
| DG2 | Opening Round | 9.3.2025 | James Leake | GIANTS | The GIANTS second pick (No.17 overall) from the 2023 Telstra AFL Draft made his senior debut in the 2025 Opening Round after his initial campaign was ruined by a quad injury that prevented him from playing until July. The angular Tasmanian caught the eye in his first match - a 52-point hammering of Collingwood - with 5 score involvements and 3 clearances among his 11 disposals, as well as a final quarter goal. | Engie Stadium | Collingwood |
| DG3 | Round 1 | 13.3.2025 | Harry Armstrong | Richmond | Impressive and aggressive key forward who was one of 3 debutants for the rebuilding Richmond in its traditional season opener against Carlton at the MCG. While the No.23 pick from last year's Telstra AFL Draft was goalless and had only 5 disposals, he provided a target and competed hard in a memorable win. The following week Armstrong was eye-catching with 12 disposals and 2.2 against Port Adelaide. | MCG | Carlton |
| DG4 | Round 1 | 13.3.2025 | Sam Lalor | Richmond | The perfect beginning to an AFL career by the No.1 selection from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft with a starring role in Richmond's remarkable comeback triumph against Carlton in front of 80,000 at the MCG. Lalor received the first Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination of the season for his 18 disposals, 2 goal assists and 2 goals after half-time as the Tigers overcame a 41-point deficit to prevail by 13. | MCG | Carlton |
| DG5 | Round 1 | 13.3.2025 | Luke Trainor | Richmond | Half a century after goalkicking great Doug Wade played the last of his 267 games (the 1975 Grand Final), his grandson played his first after Richmond picked him with selection 21 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. A tall utility but primarily a key defender, Trainor had 15 disposals, 2 clearances, laid 2 tackles and took 5 marks for the Tigers in their memorable win over Carlton before 80,009 fans at the MCG. | MCG | Carlton |
| DG6 | Round 1 | 13.3.2025 | Lucas Camporeale | Carlton | The twin sons of Carlton Premiership star Scott Camporeale were taken by the Blues at last year's Telstra AFL Draft at picks 43 (Ben) and 54 (Lucas) respectively. With Ben overcoming an ankle injury it was Lucas who debuted first, being one of the side's few bright lights in a shock loss to Richmond in Round 1. The athletic winger had 20 disposals and laid 5 tackles in an impressive maiden outing. | MCG | Richmond |
| DG7 | Round 1 | 14.3.2025 | Isaac Kako | Essendon | Dynamic small forward who Essendon took via its Next Generation Academy after matching Richmond's bid at pick 13 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. The explosive Kako, almost appropriately, kicked the Bombers first goal of 2025 when he spectacularly soccered the ball off the ground under immense pressure from Tom Barrass against Hawthorn. He finished his impressive debut with 14 disposals and 6 score involvements. | MCG | Hawthorn |
| DG8 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Murphy Reid | Fremantle Dockers | Astonishing debut at GMHBA Stadium by the classy on-baller and forward, who single-handedly dragged the Fremantle Dockers back into the contest against the Geelong Cats with 4 goals in 6 minutes during time-on of the third quarter. Reid, the No.17 pick at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, booted his majors in all different fashions to give the Dockers faithful a glimpse of his exciting future. | GMHBA Stadium | Geelong Cats |
| DG9 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Riley Bice | Sydney Swans | The first mature-aged player taken at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft was the classy left footer, who the Sydney Swans grabbed at pick 41 after a year starring for Werribee at half-back on the way to the club winning the VFL Premiership. Bice, 24, began his AFL journey in the Grand Final rematch in Round 1 as the Swans sub and was eye-catching in the 31% game time he received, having 12 disposals for 304m gained. | SCG | Brisbane lions |
| DG10 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Levi Ashcroft | Brisbane Lions | Stunning debut for the reigning premiers by the younger brother of 2024 Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft and son of 3-time Premiership star Marcus Ashcroft. Levi was taken by the Brisbane Lions at pick 5 of the Telstra AFL Draft and after an impeccable junior career was one of the best afield in the 4-point win against the Sydney Swans with 25 disposals, 495m gained, 6 score involvements and 4 clearances. | SCG | Sydney Swans |
| DG11 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Sam Davidson | Western Bulldogs | Rangy and athletic forward who was awarded the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal in 2024 as the VFL's most promising young player after winning Richmond's goalkicking with 26 majors. The Western Bulldogs swooped at pick 51 at the Telstra AFL Draft and Davidson was busy on debut with 10 disposals, 3 marks, a second quarter goal, 4 score involvements and 4 tackles (including an equal team-high 3 of them inside 50). | Marvel Stadium | North Melbourne |
| DG12 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Josh Dolan | Western Bulldogs | Clever small forward with elite pace and poise who the Western Bulldogs grabbed at selection 31 at last year's Telstra AFL Draft. With Cody Weightman sidelined with a knee injury, Dolan made his AFL debut at the start of the 2025 campaign, having 5 disposals, 3 score involvements and laying 2 tackles in the side's hard-fought 16-point win over North Melbourne. The 18-year-old had 7 disposals the following week. | Marvel Stadium | North Melbourne |
| DG13 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Jacob Konstanty | North Melbourne | Speedy small forward who was a first-round Telstra AFL Draft pick (No.20) in 2022 but didn't play a senior game in his 2 years as a Sydney Swan. Traded to North Melbourne at the end of 2024 as part of the Luke Parker deal, Konstanty made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs. While the 20-year-old didn't hit the scoreboard he had 10 disposals (5 contested and 3 of them intercepts) and laid 6 tackles (2 inside 50). | Marvel Stadium | Western Bulldogs |
| DG14 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Finn O'Sullivan | North Melbourne | The No.2 selection at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft joined the plethora of emerging talent at Arden Street as North Melbourne continues to build an enviable young list. A damaging midfielder, O'Sullivan made his AFL debut in Round 1, having 16 disposals (10 kicks and 6 handballs) at 81.3% efficiency including 4 score involvements and 4 intercept possessions in a narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs. | Marvel Stadium | Western Bulldogs |
| DG15 | Round 1 | 15.3.2025 | Joe Berry | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide's first pick (No.15) at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft is a small forward with a damaging left boot who starred for Vic Country in the AFL Under-18 Championships with 9 goals in 4 games to earn All-Australian honours. Berry was unveiled at senior level in the Power's first game of 2025, taking 6 marks and having 9 disposals in front of 63,000 against Collingwood. He kicked his first goal against Richmond the following week. | MCG | Collingwood |
| DG16 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Harry Boyd | St Kilda | Star SANFL ruckman who won the 2024 Magarey Medal in the wake of a dominant campaign for Norwood. Needing ruck back-up, St Kilda signed the now 27-year-old in the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period and with the Saints No.1 big man Rowan Marshall underdone after injury was introduced to AFL action in Round 1. Boyd matched Adelaide Crow Reilly O'Brien for disposals (12 each) and had 27 hit-outs in a competitive display. | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide Crows |
| DG17 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Max Hall | St Kilda | A tough day to make your AFL debut in a 63-point loss in hostile territory against a rampant Adelaide Crows, but the speedy half-forward showed more than enough to suggest he has a bright future at the highest level. Hall, taken at pick 4 by St Kilda at last year's Mid-Season Draft, kicked the Saints first 3 scores (1.2), had 2.2 by half-time and finished with 16 disposals and 5 marks in a display full of merit. | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide Crows |
| DG18 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Liam O'Connell | St Kilda | Tough and talented Irishman (who lived in Perth for 7 years as a child) who St Kilda obtained as a Category B rookie in late 2023. After spending 2024 honing his game in the VFL, O'Connell was a star of the pre-season and debuted with 7 disposals against the Adelaide Crows in Round 1. In Round 2 against the Geelong Cats he took an incredibly brave and potentially match-saving mark in the dying minutes. | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide Crows |
| DG19 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Sid Draper | Adelaide Crows | The highly touted South Australian began his AFL career as sub for the full-strength Adelaide Crows, with the team in blistering form. The Crows took the star young on-baller with their prized No.4 pick at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, and he had 8 disposals and took 4 marks in 33% game time on debut against St Kilda. Draper got 28% match time in his second outing and had 9 disposals and laid 4 tackles. | Adelaide Oval | St Kilda |
| DG20 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Jack Henderson | Melbourne | With the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Shane McAdam in February, Melbourne snared the hard-working small forward for its final list spot despite him spending the summer training with the West Coast Eagles. Henderson, best afield in Werribee's VFL Grand Final triumph in 2024, made his AFL debut 25 days after signing with the Demons, having 13 disposals and kicking a first quarter goal against the GIANTS. | MCG | GIANTS |
| DG21 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Matthew Jefferson | Melbourne | The key forward finally made his AFL debut in his third season on Melbourne's list after being a first-round selection (No.15) at the 2022 Telstra AFL Draft. A week after his 21st birthday, Jefferson played his first game in Round 1 against the GIANTS, enjoying a dream start by booting a goal in the first 15 seconds. He also kicked the Demons only goal of the final quarter but broke his hand early in Round 2. | MCG | GIANTS |
| DG22 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Aidan Johnson | Melbourne | Robust, mature-aged key forward who Melbourne snapped up with its final selection (No.68) at last year's Telstra AFL Draft after his pivotal role in Werribee's VFL Premiership. Johnson competed hard in the Demons Round 1 clash against the GIANTS - kicking a goal in the third quarter to give his side its biggest lead of the match (17 points), rucking at times (5 hit-outs) and laying 5 tackles. | MCG | GIANTS |
| DG23 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Harvey Langford | Melbourne | Strong, left footed midfielder who stands 191cm and who Melbourne drafted at pick 6 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. The winner of the Larke Medal for best player in Division 1 of the AFL Under-18 Championships, Langford was the Demons sub for their first match of 2025 against the GIANTS. Introduced in the final quarter of the 3-point loss, he had 5 disposals in 21% game time. | MCG | GIANTS |
| DG24 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Xavier Lindsay | Melbourne | The second of Melbourne's prized early selections (No.11) at last year's Telstra AFL Draft was used on the stylish left footer, who won the 2024 Morrish Medal as best player in the Coates Talent League. Lindsay made a sparkling debut for the Demons in their season opener against the GIANTS, being among the best players with 22 disposals at 82% efficiency and laying a team-high 6 tackles. | MCG | GIANTS |
| DG25 | Round 1 | 16.3.2025 | Archer Reid | West Coast Eagles | Giant key forward (203cm) who had a delayed start to 2024 due a knee injury he had when selected at pick 30 at the 2023 Telstra AFL Draft. Reid booted 17 goals from 15 games at WAFL level and was twice named an AFL emergency. Endured a rugged senior debut in Round 1 with the Eagles having only 34 inside 50s against the Gold Coast SUNS in a heavy loss. He had 6 disposals, laid 3 tackles and had 6 hit-outs. | Optus Stadium | Gold Coast SUNS |
| DG26 | Round 2 | 22.3.2025 | Thomas Edwards | Essendon | One of the few highlights from Essendon's dirty day against the Adelaide Crows at the MCG was the debut of the athletic forward, who in a month has gone from school teaching in Perth to being a key target in the Bombers front half via the Supplemental Selection Period. Edwards, 24, booted a goal with his first kick at AFL level and finished with 3.1 from 6 kicks and 2 marks to suggest a bright future. | MCG | Adelaide Crows |
| DG27 | Round 2 | 22.3.2025 | Christian Moraes | Port Adelaide | Quality on-baller nabbed by Port Adelaide in the second round (No.38) of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft who was named as the Power's sub for its Round 2 clash with Richmond. The hard-running Moraes was introduced early after boom recruit Jack Lukosius suffered a fractured kneecap in the first quarter, and he was eye-catching with 17 disposals at a match-high 94% efficiency, 6 marks and 4 inside 50s. | Adelaide Oval | Richmond |
| DG28 | Round 2 | 22.3.2025 | Liam Fawcett | Richmond | Glandular fever and then a persistent back injury derailed the key forward's first year at Richmond in 2024, but he was the fourth teenager the Tigers handed a senior debut to in the opening 2 rounds of 2025. The 197cm Fawcett was back on home soil in taking on Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval, having 5 disposals and kicking a magnificent second quarter goal from just outside the 50m arc. | Adelaide Oval | Port Adelaide |
| DG29 | Round 2 | 22.3.2025 | Isaac Keeler | St Kilda | At 198cm and with a graceful, unhurried style, the high marking key forward and occasional ruckman has been a big watch at St Kilda since being taken at pick 44 in the 2022 Telstra AFL Draft. Keeler made his debut in Round 2 against the Geelong Cats, with an early third quarter goal from long range (45m) the highlight of a night which yielded 7 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles and 3 hit-outs. | Marvel Stadium | Geelong Cats |
| DG30 | Round 2 | 23.3.2025 | Will McLachlan | Brisbane Lions | Natural forward who was the Coates Talent League leading goalkicker last year when the Brisbane Lions picked him up in the Mid-Season Draft (No.6). Proceeded to kick 24 goals in 13 VFL games upon joining the Lions and debuted against the West Coast Eagles in Round 2. Booted 2.1 from 8 disposals in the come-from-behind victory - his majors being early in the second quarter and late in the third. | GABBA | West Coast Eagles |
| DG31 | Round 3 | 27.3.2025 | Saad El-Hawli | Essendon | Exciting winger or flanker who Essendon took in last year's Mid-Season Draft at pick 13 and was in line for a senior call-up until suffering an ankle injury. Named as the sub for the Thursday night encounter with Port Adelaide, El-Hawli was injected into the game for the final quarter and sparked the Bombers come-from-behind victory with 7 disposals (3 contested), a clearance, 151m gained and 2 score involvements. | Marvel Stadium | Port Adelaide |
| DG32 | Round 3 | 27.3.2025 | Tom Cochrane | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide's third debutant of 2025 is the son of former North Melbourne and Power utility Stuart Cochrane, who was snapped up in the 2024 Rookie Draft at selection 13. The first player with Tourette's syndrome to play at the elite level, Cochrane's first game was as the sub against Essendon on a Thursday night. Introduced in the final quarter, the 19-year-old took 2 marks and hit the post with one of his 2 kicks. | Marvel Stadium | Essendon |
| DG33 | Round 3 | 29.3.2025 | Tobie Travaglia | St Kilda | Hard-running ball-carrier who St Kilda took with its first pick (No.8) at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. After an ultra-impressive pre-season, the 18-year-old made his senior debut against Richmond - originally as the sub but elevated into the starting 22 after captain Jack Steele (knee) was a late out. Travaglia acquitted himself superbly with 18 disposals (11 contested), 5 intercept possessions, 5 score involvements and 3 clearances. | Marvel Stadium | Richmond |
| DG34 | Round 3 | 30.3.2025 | Isaiah Dudley | Fremantle Dockers | Explosive small forward who kicked 21 goals in 20 SANFL games for Central District in 2024 and after training with the Fremantle Dockers over summer was signed in the Supplemental Selection Period. The 21-year-old debuted in the Western Derby and electrified the crowd with 2 goals in the space of 3 and a half minutes in time-on of the first quarter. Dudley finished with 10 disposals, 3 marks and 6 score involvements. | Optus Stadium | West Coast Eagles |
| DG35 | Round 4 | 3.4.2025 | Will White | Carlton | A strong 2024 for Carlton's VFL side (third in the Best and Fairest) followed by an impressive pre-season led to the speedy half-forward grabbing the club's final list spot in the wake of the season-ending knee injury to Jagga Smith. White made his AFL debut in front of 82,000 fans against arch-rival Collingwood and displayed his forward craft with 10 disposals and 5 marks but unfortunately kicked only 3 behinds. | MCG | Collingwood |
| DG36 | Round 4 | 5.4.2025 | Matt Whitlock | North Melbourne | A late first round selection (No.27) from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, the tall utility broke into North Melbourne's senior side in Round 4 for its home clash against the Sydney Swans after excellent VFL form. The 197cm teenager, playing in defence, had 10 disposals (including 4 intercept possessions) and took 3 marks before being subbed out in the third quarter of a heavy loss to the Swans. | Marvel Stadium | Sydney Swans |
| DG37 | Round 4 | 6.4.2025 | Sandy Brock | West Coast Eagles | Baptism of fire for the former Gold Coast SUNS rookie, who the West Coast Eagles snapped up during the Supplemental Selection Period after a strong summer training block with the club. Originally from the Northern Territory, the 198cm key defender debuted in an undermanned and under siege Eagles backline against the GIANTS. A long-kicking left footer, Brock had a team-best 9 intercept possessions among his 11 kicks and 5 marks. | Engie Stadium | GIANTS |
| DG38 | Round 4 | 6.4.2025 | Hamish Davis | West Coast Eagles | A late pick (No.65) at last year's Telstra AFL Draft, the rangy winger or forward has made the most of limited minutes in his initial outings for the West Coast Eagles. Davis, still 18 on debut, was the sub (and one of 3 debutants) against the GIANTS, having 5 disposals and 2 marks from 33% game time once introduced in the third quarter. He had identical stats from 31% game time against Carlton in his second match. | Engie Stadium | GIANTS |
| DG39 | Round 4 | 6.4.2025 | Tom Gross | West Coast Eagles | Amid another rough start to a season for the rebuilding West Coast Eagles, one ray of sunshine has been the notable start to the AFL career of the young midfielder taken at pick 46 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. Gross had 17 disposals, an equal team-best 5 clearances and booted a massive 55m goal on debut against the powerful GIANTS and followed that by being of the side's best with 18 disposals against Carlton in Gather Round. | Engie Stadium | GIANTS |
| DG40 | Round 5 | 12.4.2025 | Matthew Carroll | Carlton | Persistence has paid off for the classy left footer who was first picked up by Carlton in the Rookie Draft ahead of the 2024 season before being delisted at the end of the year. A second chance via the Supplemental Selection Period after a strong summer led to his AFL debut in a big win over the West Coast Eagles in Gather Round. Carroll, a rangy half-back, was solid with 12 kicks, 8 marks and 251m gained. | Adelaide Oval | West Coast Eagles |
| DG41 | Round 5 | 12.4.2025 | Cooper Hynes | Western Bulldogs | The Western Bulldogs first selection at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft (No.20) is a highly-rated midfielder who finished runner-up in the Coates Talent League's Morrish Medal last year. Hynes cracked it for his AFL debut in Gather Round against the reigning premiers at Norwood. The 19-year-old had a quiet start at the highest level with only 3 disposals, but 2 of them were score involvements and one was a goal assist. | Norwood Oval | Brisbane Lions |
| DG42 | Round 5 | 13.4.2025 | Jonty Faull | Richmond | Another of Richmond's 6 first round picks (No.14) from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft to make his AFL debut in the opening month of 2025, with the strapping key forward part of history as the only debutant across the first 2 matches to be played at Barossa Park in Gather Round. Faull endured a tough initiation against a frugal Fremantle Dockers defence, booting only a behind from his 5 kicks and 2 marks. | Barossa Park | Fremantle Dockers |