MELBOURNE has selected powerful midfielder Riley Onley with selection No. 3 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft.

The 195cm Shepparton product has been playing senior football since 16 and was touted in early phantom drafts at the pointy end of proceedings.

Onley has rare athletic traits, possessing speed and athleticism rarely seen at his size.

With a long resume of high-level football experience, Onley has plied his trade with the Murray Bushrangers, Scotch College, Vic Country and spent time with Collingwood VFL.

Onley sustained a hamstring injury in the final game of the national championships which caused him to miss combine testing and put his physical gifts on full display.

The selection rounds out Melbourne’s 2025 draft class after Xavier Taylor (selection No. 11), Latrelle Pickett (selection No. 12), Thomas Matthews (selection No. 30) and pre-selected father-son rookie Kalani White all joined the red and blue.