MUCH has already been made of the strong Northern Academy crop among next year’s projected draft pool, but there is inevitably a batch of Victorian talent primed to make its mark. As we continue to profile the top bottom-agers for 2024, get to know some of Victoria’s best and brightest.

>> Future is now: 2024 bottom-agers to watch

VIC COUNTRY

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

That’s right, there’s a fourth Duursma sibling, and Willem is now well on track to not only follow the path his brothers and sister paved, but make it all the more greener. A dynamic and athletic type who is already as tall as 2023 draftee Zane, Willem hardly wastes a possession and has great upside in his ability to play across a variety of roles. Could be the best yet.

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing | 185cm | 16/11/2007

A utility type with plenty of potential, Hibbins-Hargreaves had his moments while turning out for Vic Country in last year’s Under 16 National Championships. He also more than held his own playing two games on the wing for Dandenong’s Under 18s, proving clean, strong and dynamic in transition. Hibbins-Hargreaves has proven he can slot in across a range of roles, too.

Harley Hicks (GWV Rebels)
Utility | 178cm | 26/07/2007

A player who’s hard to miss on the field, Hicks has some style and flair about his play. The versatile 178cm prospect is capable of impacting at either end of the ground and even earned stints in midfield during this year’s Under 16 National Championships. He’s an evasive and creative type with ball in hand and while yet to debut for GWV, is one of five Rebels in the Vic Country hub.

Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder | 194cm | 30/03/2007

A unique prospect, Onley plays a lot of his best football as a midfielder who measures up at 194cm. He’s clean at ground level and an efficient user by hand and foot, showcasing such traits across a consistent Under 16 campaign with Vic Country in 2023. His potential was recognised with a berth in the Murray Bushrangers Under 18 side, where he played two games.

Ben Rongdit (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 183cm | 10/05/2007

One to watch for Geelong Cats fans as a Next Generation Academy prospect, Rongdit has raw potential and plenty of athletic upside. Stationed in defence, he’s an asset on the intercept but also gets stuck in with relentless tackling pressure. That ability to create contests both in the air and at ground level has recruiters excited, especially if he can add polish and strength to his game.

Jobe Scapin (Gippsland Power)
Utility | 186cm | 01/05/2007

A versatile player who thrives in contested situations, Scapin should be able to hold his own as a bottom-ager at Under 18 level. He was utilised mostly in defence for Vic Country’s Under 16s where he tackled hard and rebounded the ball nicely, but was also swung forward at times and can go through the midfield. He debuted for Gippsland’s Under 18s in 2023, playing four games.

>> Full squad: 2024 Vic Country talent hub

VIC METRO

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

The title-winning captain and MVP in Vic Metro’s Under 16 carnival last year. Dalton is a classy midfielder with a terrific balance of clean inside ball winning and classy movement on the outer, capping off each possession with sharp left-foot kicks. His running capacity and ability to pop up for clutch scores are among his other high-end traits which saw him earn a Dragons debut late in 2023.

Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Forward/Midfielder | 175cm | 29/05/2007

A small who brings great energy, Dovaston would usually rotate through midfield and up forward but ended up earning Under 16 All Australian status as a wingman last year. He’s the type of player who sparks frequent attacks with his sharp step and driving outside run. Dovaston’s agility and bag of tricks also come to the fore in front of goal, where he may well be found this year.

Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers)
Ruck | 198cm | 23/03/2007

Earning the starting Under 16 All Australian ruck spot in front other states’ MVPs last year, Emmett showed plenty with his work both aerially and across the ground. The developing 198cm tall is more athletic than strong, which suits the modern game, and his skillset was enough to see him play four Coates Talent League games with the Chargers.

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

Drawing comparisons to fellow Eastern Ranges prospect and 2022 Vic Metro MVP Josh Smillie, Greeves is a big bodied midfielder-forward with clean contested craft and efficient ball use. He blends his inside game with productivity on the attack, hardly looking phased in possession and bullying the opposition with his sheer size. He’s one of five 2023 Under 16 All Australians in the Metro setup.

Archie Ludowyke (Sandringham Dragons)
Tall Forward | 193cm | 19/11/2007

A tall forward with serious hops, Ludowyke soared for a few memorable marks for Vic Metro’s Under 16 side last year. The 193cm talent also provided a chop-out in the ruck, such is his leaping ability, and had an impact which defied his relatively modest numbers. Ludowyke is a talent with serious upside, projecting as an new-age spearhead forward.

>> Full squad: 2024 Vic Metro talent hub

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll also profile the South and West Australian bottom-age crop before previewing the Northern Academy series.