‘I can become the best player in this draft class’: Riley Onley makes final pitch ahead of AFL National Draft

Across two nights, 18 AFL clubs will make selections on the nation’s top teenage prospects to join their footballing program, and as it stands, a 195cm 18-year-old Shepparton boy could be one of those names read out by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon.

So all can be forgiven for the fact Onley’s exam motivation may have dropped off a touch when he completed his third in four days.

“Motivation was a bit low at the end,” Onley said with a laugh.

“I'm still aiming pretty high, because obviously footy doesn't last forever, and if I'm lucky enough to get drafted, I'll still do uni after.”

But while football doesn’t last forever, it still may only be the beginning for Onley.

His footballing journey began like any other country kid, playing fourths and thirds as a junior at his home club, Shepparton United, but while it took Onley until he was 16 to realise he might have what it takes, there were clearly signs early on that suggested those at Demonland had faith in the broad and tall youngster.

“I was shifted up a bit when I was younger, I played with Oscar Ryan (2023 AFL draftee) and I played under-18s as a 15-year-old,” Onley said.

“It was probably under-16 Bushies (Murray Bushrangers) when I started to get okay, and got recognized a fair bit for my speed and athleticism.

“Probably last year, my pre-season of coming into my bottom age year was my best, and a confidence-booster for knowing that I could be draftable with how much work I've put in.”

Onley played all his juniors at the one club and, while he’s juggled three alternate commitments in 2025 – Scotch College, Murray Bushrangers, and Vic Country – Onley still found room for an appearance with the Demons in May, depicting his love for the home stable.

“I got offered to do under-18s as a triple bottom-ager, which was very lucky, and one of the best things I've done,” he said.

“I played a fair few senior games and got boosted up at 16, which was really good to learn how to use my body, other than bully people my age, so I learned a bit more finesse and speed.

“I got to play one game this year, which was nice to just come back.

“They're really welcoming, just always allow me to come down for a session if I'm in Shepp or do gym with them.

“They always say hello if I see them at the gym and that, which is really nice, I'm pretty fortunate to be around that club.”

When meeting with Onley at the Skene St end of Deakin Reserve, he was soon to jet down south to Melbourne for two final club interviews – he’s already met and interviewed with all clubs except GWS, and on Monday, Richmond and Port Adelaide revisited Onley for one final assessment ahead of Wednesday and Thursday’s selections.

Yet to encounter any ridiculous curveball questions, as is the light-hearted tradition by AFL list managers in interviews, the strangest question Onley remembers being asked was what three items he’d take if his house was on fire.

“I was like ‘I don’t know’ so I was kind of lying, I just said a footy, my footy boots and my phone or something,” Onley said with a laugh.

But it did highlight Onley’s dedication to football – of course with his physical growth, but his mental attitude too.

Football is what the teenager lives and breathes and, while Onley has been thrown obstacles of all kinds in his draft year, his resilience has been on show.

Onley didn’t have the start to the Talent League season he wanted, but when he came up against the best competition in the country for the National Championships, Onley was arguably in the hottest form of all prospects.

“Dad and I, we always have conversations because he loves footy, and we said that we know nationals has a fair bit of weighting and if you can play your best against the best players in the country, I think that shows a lot to recruiters and whatnot,” Onley said.

“I started a bit shaky with Bushies and school, and that had been hard with (tagging) attention at Scotch.

“I think it just came down to focusing on what I do best, which is like bursting away from stoppage, using my big frame again, and marking a bit more and running, which is just more of a natural game for me.

“It's actually when I decided to have a bit more fun as well and just enjoy the footy rather than stressing, which was nice.”

However, Onley sustained a hamstring injury in the final National Championships game and would miss combine testing because of it.

Positively, that ship has sailed and Onley is back to full fitness ahead of draft night, and will be ready to jump straight into an AFL pre-season workload.

Full of nerves for the night ahead, Onley named a few clubs that seemed most interested in his talents, but he was frank with his admission he truly has no idea where he’ll land if his draft fortune comes to fruition.

He’s more than open to a move interstate and will no doubt have some advice on how to adapt to the change of scenery from close friend and Port Adelaide youngster Jack Whitlock, but Onley couldn’t help but beam at the thought of living in Melbourne with Whitlock twin Matt, who was drafted to North Melbourne last November.

“If I get drafted to a Melbourne team, I’m going to move in with Matt, so that’ll be awesome, living with my best mate,” he said.

Onley will be watching from a Melbourne home on Wednesday night – family will be there, as well as the Whitlock crew and some close mates from Shepparton.

It’ll all be up in the air until at least late Thursday night, but Onley has confidence his best can be as good as anyone.

His pitch to clubs is packed with ambition and competitive drive.

“I'm not fully discovered yet. I feel like I have way more to give to the game and so much potential in me that I can become the best player in this draft class,” Onley said.

“I can provide so much to the team ... I want to contribute to a winning culture and buy in, because I'm excited to play for one team rather than the five or whatever I have this year.

“I guess it's just the fact that I've got so much potential, and I can play multiple positions to fill the role of the team, so that I’ll benefit the team for the win.”

By Wednesday or Thursday night, an AFL club might just have a Shepparton winner on its hands.