AFL Draft Night Delivers Drama and Tension
The second night of the 2025 AFL draft exploded with controversy as St Kilda finally entered the selection process, immediately sparking a social media war with the GWS Giants and leaving West Coast fans furious.
Having sat out the opening night without a selection, the Saints made their first move at Pick 41 on Thursday, pouncing on Charlie Banfield, the son of West Coast Eagles great and dual premiership player Drew Banfield.
West Coast's Draft Disappointment
The selection proved immediately controversial as West Coast Eagles fans watched in dismay as their club was unable to match the bid, allowing Charlie to officially join St Kilda instead of following in his father's footsteps.
Social media erupted with frustration from Eagles supporters, with one fan declaring: "Missing out on Banfield is not a good look. Could have easily rookied one of the players to open up a list spot."
Another questioned the club's decision-making: "Why didn't you draft Charlie Banfield as a Father Son draft pick?? An Absolutely crazy decision he's an absolute jet."
GWS Giants Fire Social Media Shot
While West Coast fans expressed their disappointment, the GWS Giants watched proceedings with particular interest, given the recent history between their club and St Kilda.
The relationship between the two clubs became strained during the trade period when St Kilda had an offer on the table for GWS defender Leek Aleer. The young footballer was set to join the Saints, only for the club to pull out at the last minute, leaving the player devastated.
The Aleer camp was reportedly angry about the collapsed deal, forcing the Giants to pick up the pieces and hand Aleer a two-year contract to keep him at the club.
That bitterness clearly lingered, and when St Kilda entered the draft to select Banfield, the Giants fired off a nasty shot at their new rivals on social media.
"It's great to see you commit to a player St Kilda, x," the Giants posted, a clear reference to the Aleer situation that had unfolded weeks earlier.
The post divided football fans, with some loving the spicy content, others calling it "salty," and many simply enjoying the drama unfolding in real-time during the draft proceedings.
Complete 2025 AFL Draft Selections
The drama unfolded amid the full draft proceedings, with all clubs making their selections for the upcoming season:
ADELAIDE: Mitchell Marsh (22), Archie Ludowyke (50)
BRISBANE LIONS: Daniel Annable (6, Academy), Koby Evans (38), Cody Curtin (43), Tai Hayes (44)
CARLTON: Harry Dean (3, father-son), Talor Byrne (45), Jack Ison (47)
COLLINGWOOD: Tyan Prindable (32), Samuel Swadling (37), Zac McCarthy (55, NGA), Angus Anderson (59)
ESSENDON: Sullivan Robey (9), Jacob Farrow (10), Dyson Sharp (13), Max Kondogiannis (36), Hussien El Achkar (53, NGA)
FREMANTLE: Adam Sweid (25), Tobyn Murray (40)
GEELONG: Harley Barker (24), Hunter Holmes (33)
GOLD COAST: Zeke Uwland (2, Academy), Dylan Patterson (5, Academy), Jai Murray (17, Academy), Beau Addinsall (18, Academy), Avery Thomas (28), Koby Coulson (46, Academy)
GWS GIANTS: Oskar Taylor (15), Finnegan Davis (51), Jake Stringer (65)
HAWTHORN: Cameron Nairn (20), Aidan Schubert (23), Jack Dalton (34), Matthew LeRay (58)
MELBOURNE: Xavier Taylor (11), Latrelle Pickett (12), Thomas Matthews (30)
NORTH MELBOURNE: Lachy Dovaston (16), Blake Thredgold (26), Hugo Mikunda (48)
PORT ADELAIDE: None
RICHMOND: Sam Cumming (7), Samuel Grlj (8), Zane Peucker (31), Noah Roberts-Thomson (54)
ST KILDA: Charlie Banfield (41), Kye Fincher (52), Ryan Byrnes (62)
SYDNEY SWANS: Harry Kyle (16, Academy), Jevan Phillipou (35), Billy Cootee (42), Max King (49, Academy)
WEST COAST: Willem Duursma (1), Cooper Duff-Tytler (4), Josh Lindsay (19), Sam Allen (29), Tylah Williams (39, NGA)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Lachlan Carmichael (21), Louis Emmett (27), Will Darcy (67, father-son)
The dramatic evening proved that the AFL draft isn't just about player selections but also about club relationships, fan emotions, and the ongoing narratives that make Australian Rules football so compelling year-round.
