The Shepparton United product has had his childhood dream turned to reality, drafted by Melbourne Football Club at pick three in the AFL Rookie Draft on Friday afternoon.
Onley faced an anxious period after not hearing his name called in the first and second nights of the AFL National Draft, but now the 18-year-old can proudly change his red and blue for – well, a slightly different shade of those colours.
Onley was touted as a top AFL draft prospect in 2025, with his inside midfield work, speed and athleticism the key traits AFL list managers and recruiters had identified as Onley’s strengths.
With his hulking frame and 195cm stature, Onley has been regarded as a Patrick Cripps prototype as a tall midfielder, but also has a point of difference with his speed.
However, with an injury in the last game of the national championships, Onley was unable to test at the AFL’s national combine, seeing the midfielder slide down the draft rankings.
Onley wasn’t the only highly-touted draftee to slip to the rookie draft either – Hawthorn selection Ollie Greeves was equally as highly-ranked at one stage this year, but he too had to wait until Friday for his name to be called.
Despite the torturous 44-hour wait between night one of the AFL draft and his eventual selection, Onley can breathe a sigh of relief with the fact that no matter what selection he was taken, he has earned a spot on an AFL list.
The export out of Deakin Reserve played one senior game at Goulburn Valley League level this year, tied up with commitments to APS program Scotch College, Talent League club Murray Bushrangers and Vic Country championships, but was named in the best in his sole appearance with his home club.
Onley also trained with Collingwood in last summer’s pre-season.
Onley now joins a strong pool of Shepparton talent to join an AFL list – most recently, close friends Jack and Matt Whitlock, who were drafted in 2024 to Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
The 18-year-old draftee told The News last week if he had the fortunes of being drafted to a Victorian club, Matt Whitlock and himself would move in as house mates – an added layer of excitement to Onley’s new world of professional football and a move to the city.
Additionally, Onley is also set to be coached by Shepparton export Steven King.
The former Geelong and St Kilda ruckman from the Goulburn Valley has taken the reins of the Demons this season following Simon Goodwin’s sacking earlier this year, providing home town links for the teenage product venturing two-and-a-half hours southbound on the Goulburn Valley Hwy.
Onley will join the club’s pre-season program this week, as the Demons prepare for season 2026 with fresh faces aplenty.
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