MUCH of the hype surrounding the start of each pathway season is attached to the top-age stars vying to be drafted, but there’s another layer of next generation talent ready to emerge. Along with a stacked 2024 crop, the projected class of 2025 has some serious potential to realise.

We highlight 10 2007-born players to jot down before they take the field later this month. Note, this is by no means a formal top 10 ranking and is listed in alphabetical order.

>> Remember the names: 2023 AFL Under 16 MVPs

Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 09/03/2007

Addinsall took out the Alan McLean Medal and Suns’ MVP award to be the star of Pool B at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. On the back of Gold Coast’s bumper draft crop in 2023, Addinsall now looks primed to follow in their footsteps come 2025. He’s a dynamic, damaging midfielder who can roll forward at hit the scoreboard, bringing attacking flair and intent to each contest.

Daniel Annable (Lions Academy)
Midfielder | 183cm | 05/04/2007

Annable has taken little time to make a splash in the Lions’ Academy, playing four Talent League games last year before also being named Under 16 MVP. There is no denying the midfielder’s work rate and ability to find the footy, with a 21.07 yo-yo test score (second in Queensland) signalling how primed he is for another top season. Few players will put up better or more consistent numbers.

Ryder Corrigan (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 14/03/2007

Another Pool B MVP from last year’s Under 16 National Championships, Corrigan is a product of the Giants Academy who is set to turn out for Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League. At 185cm, he’s a capable inside ball winner who also makes an impact when resting forward – both marking strongly and hitting the scoreboard. Among the many damaging mid-forwards.

Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 176cm | 05/04/2007

When it comes to class in midfield, few have it in such abundance than Dalton. The title-winning captain and Vic Metro MVP at last year’s Under 16 championships, Dalton went on to debut for Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League but was squeezed out of the premiership side. The diminutive left-footer is a natural ball winner with slick agility and ball use from inside to out.

Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Utility | 189cm | 21/06/2007

The fourth Duursma sibling coming through the ranks, Willem may soon have claims on not only being the tallest of his clan, but also the best. He was Vic Country’s Under 16 MVP and lone All Australian representative last year, before going on to play four Talent League games with Gippsland Power. Able to play in any position with good skills, range and athleticism, Duursma is full of upside.

Oliver Greeves (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 07/02/2007

A player in the mould of Eastern Ranges teammate and top-age jet Josh Smillie, Greeves is a big-bodied midfielder who dominates the junior grades. The well developed 190cm prospect is clean at the contest and uses the ball efficiently, while also consistently finding the goals when resting forward. He should have little trouble adjusting to the rigours of Under 18 football.

Max King (Swans Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 09/01/2007

A player with serious upside, King missed out on Under 16 All Australian honours last year but has plenty to like. He dominated the Swans Academy’s recent preseason testing event with top five finishes across the board, pointing towards considerable athletic upside. He can play, too, utilising his mobility at 191cm to carve through stoppages and impact aerially when rotating forward.

Darcy Montgomery (Subiaco)
Forward | 180cm | 27/04/2007

Montgomery is an excitement machine inside 50 and has already cracked Subiaco’s Colts side. The forward played five games at the level last year, kicking goals in all bar one outing after a promising state Under 16 campaign. The highlight of his representative duties was a scintillating six-goal haul against Vic Country. He’s a dynamic threat and finisher capable of playing above his 180cm listing.

Jai Murray (Suns Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 09/03/2007

Along with Addinsall, Murray is a classy operator in the Suns Academy’s mid-forward rotation who has already been exposed to Under 18 footy. While clean and composed with ball in hand, Murray applies pressure to ensure the opposition is not so steady. He was the top-ranked tackler at last year’s Under 16 carnival and duly earned All Australian honours for his efforts.

Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Midfielder | 188cm | 23/05/2007

Sharp won the esteemed Kevin Sheehan Medal as last year’s Pool A MVP, and took out the same award for his state after a terrific National Championships. The Central District product is now a dual Under 16 All Australian and transferred his ridiculous ball finding ability to two SANFL Under 18 outings. His bursting trophy cabinet is only set to get bigger, with the 188cm talent consistently dominant.