Four Players get an AFL Opportunity
AFL Barwon was thrilled to see four players heralding from the region join AFL lists at the recent 2025 Telstra AFL National and Rookie Drafts.
Read our full recap below.
Josh Lindsay – Pick 19 – West Coast Eagles
The Geelong Falcons and Vic Country captain, and Newtown & Chilwell junior joins the West Coast Eagles.
The left-footer's kicking is his standout attribute, and he can influence the game by spotting up a target, seeing an option out of the corner of his eye or simply just executing the obvious and getting the game moving his team's way. He averaged 22 disposals during Vic Country's championships.
Position: medium defender
Height: 183 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Vic Country, Newtown & Chilwell
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Tobyn Murray – Pick 40 – Fremantle
A dynamic 20-year-old small forward from Colac who had a break-out VFL campaign.
He kicked 22 goals and averaged 15 disposals across 17 VFL games for Geelong. Murray is tough in the contest with speed and power and also covers the ground well with good endurance.
He played 10 games for Colac during the 2024 GFNL season averaging 18 disposals, eight score involvements and nearly two goals per game.
Position: Small Forward
Height: 179 cm
Clubs: Geelong Cats (VFL), Colac
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Hugo Mikunda – Pick 48 – North Melbourne
A forward who can go through the midfield, Mikunda uses his running power as a real weapon to gain separation from his opponents in his high half forward role. He is also a strong player one-on-one, particularly with his aerial ability.
Was a livewire for Victoria Country at the National Championships, featuring among their best players against South Australia and Victoria Metro and averaging 13.3 disposals over the four matches. He was one of the Geelong Falcons’ best performers in ten Coates Talent League appearances, in which he averaged 17.3 disposals which included a season-high 30 disposals against eventual premiers the Eastern Ranges in Round 11. A hamstring strain stopped him from testing at the Draft Combine.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 180 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Bell Park
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Jesse Mellor – Category B Rookie – Geelong
Mellor has been a part of Geelong’s Next Generation Academy for several years, while also dominating for the Geelong Falcons and gaining valuable exposure with the Cats VFL program recently.
Described as an exciting midfielder who can also play forward, Mellor emerged as a standout prospect this year with plenty of power, versatility and an incredible goal sense.
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In his top-age Under 16 season, Mellor featured for the Falcons and represented Vic Country in the Diversity All Stars match, before making his senior debut for Geelong West Giants in 2024.
Position: Forward-Midfielder
Height: 185 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Vic Country, Geelong West Giants
