THE NORTHERN Academies have completed their 2024 Coates Talent League stints, making for a combined record of five wins, 11 losses and one draw. There were some promising results and plenty of prospects who emerged ahead of Allies selection. We recap how each Academy fared.

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY

RECORD: 1-2-1, 114.0%
STREAK: LLWD

BEST RESULT:
Round 7 – def. Calder Cannons by 44 points

The Lions suffered two losses by under a goal and if any side was due for a breakout win, it was them. Cue the home game against Calder, where six unanswered goals in the third quarter proved the difference at Brighton Homes Arena. Having played to a draw against Dandenong in their next outing, the Lions were unlucky not to go 4-0 across a strong block of games.

STAT LEADERS:

Disposals – Daniel Annable (27.7 average)
Marks – Billy Richardson (4.8)
Tackles – Tom Fry (6.0)
Inside 50s – Daniel Annable (4.3)
Rebound 50s – Harrison Bridge (5.0)
Hitouts – Tom Gillett (14.5)
Goals – Ty Gallop (8 total)

ALLIES SQUAD MEMBERS:

Daniel Annable, Ty Gallop, Ryan Gilder, Sam Marshall, Fergus McFadyen, Billy Richardson

DRAFT-ELIGIBLE TALENT:

The Lions were competitive with an even spread across the ground and a strong tall cohort. Over-agers Billy Richardson and Bradley McDonald teamed up in defence, though the former played on every line, while Tom Gillett was the primary ruck and Ty Gallop an imposing spearhead up forward.

The likes of Fergus McFadyen and Tom Fry provided a hard edge through midfield, with McFadyen also capable of rolling forward to hit the scoreboard. Down back, Ryan Gilder showcased his powerful traits late in the piece and Wyatt Greenaway was a consistent figure out on the wing.

THE FUTURE:

Bottom-ager Daniel Annable enjoyed yet another fruitful Under 18 campaign with the Lions Academy, having won the program’s Under 16 MVP last year. He led the side for disposals and inside 50s, while classy defender Harrison Bridge was the leading rebounder, and small forward Raphael Geesu provided great speed and defensive pressure.

GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY

RECORD: 1-3, 98.4%
STREAK: WLLL

BEST RESULT:
Round 5 – def. Oakleigh Chargers by 57 points

Gold Coast kicked off its campaign in style with a thumping win over Oakleigh on home turf. Even a torrential downpour in the opening half couldn’t stop the Suns from shining, as they piled on seven goals to one to set up the big win. In between a 29-point defeat to Dandenong and 26-point loss to Calder, Gold Coast was in a great position to down Geelong by coughed up a three-goal lead at the final break.

STAT LEADERS:

Disposals – Zeke Uwland (24.5 average)
Marks – Zai Millane (6.3)
Tackles – Koby Coulson (5.5)
Inside 50s – Leonardo Lombard (6.3)
Rebound 50s – Nelson Beikoff-Smart (7.3)
Hitouts – Jonah Harris (15.8)
Goals – Zeke Uwland (8 total)

ALLIES SQUAD MEMBERS:

Leonardo Lombard, Zai Millane, Caleb Nancarrow, Zeke Uwland, Kalani White

DRAFT-ELIGIBLE TALENT:

Leonardo Lombard is the Suns’ standout prospect this year. A VFL premiership player in 2023, the powerful midfielder-forward has a great turn of speed and takes the game on with ball in hand, while also working hard defensively to apply great physicality and pressure.

Elsewhere, Allies squad members Zai Millane and Caleb Nancarrow showed potential. Millane, the nephew of late Collingwood champion Darren, is a medium defender who can intercept and rebound, while Nancarrow plays mostly forward but also rucks at 190cm.

THE FUTURE:

Things are looking bright at the Suns, with a slew of bottom-age talent to look forward to. Small utility Zeke Uwland made the Allies Under 18 squad alongside key defender Kalani White, who is also Melbourne father-son eligible as the son of 236-game former Dee, Jeff.

Uwland was arguably the Suns’ best performed player across all four games this year, though the likes of Beau Addinsall and Jai Murray also got to show their class along with fellow 2023 Under 16 All Australian Dylan Patterson. 2008-born Archie Hill is a double bottom-ager to monitor.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY

RECORD: 1-2, 46.4%
STREAK: WLL

BEST RESULT:
Round 4 – def. Tasmania Devils by 12 points

In hindsight, the Giants’ victory over Tasmania holds up incredibly well considering the Devils now sit second on the ladder. GWS came from behind after half time to run over the top of Tassie on home soil, but ended up being blown away by Sandringham and Murray in subsequent losses to the tune of 114 and 70 points respectively. Unlike the Lions, Swans, and Suns, the Giants only played three times.

STAT LEADERS:

Disposals – Josaia Delana (19.0)
Marks – Logan Smith (4.0)
Tackles – Daniel Gauci (6.0)
Inside 50s – Josaia Delana (4.7)
Rebound 50s – Jackson Savage (7.0)
Hitouts – Logan Smith (26.7)
Goals – Riley Hamilton (4 total)

ALLIES SQUAD MEMBERS:

Cooper Bell, Josaia Delana, Logan Smith

DRAFT-ELIGIBLE TALENT:

Skipper Josaia Delana was a consistent performer through midfield and got to showcase some of his flair away from the contest. Athletic tall Cooper Bell was also terrific with limited opportunities at either end of the ground and both players earned Allies selection alongside ruck, Logan Smith.

Smith was clearly the Giants’ standout player across each game and has emerged as one of the leading prospects in his position this year. The 204cm big man rucked to the likes of Delana, Daniel Gauci and Jensen Hargreaves, but also had little trouble getting his own hands on the ball.

Among the talents to emerge was Coby Hilton, whose raw speed caught the eye. Riley Hamilton booted four goals in game one, while Jackson Savage was prolific as usual out of defence and fellow over-ager Charlie McCormack had his moments as a high-flying key forward.

THE FUTURE:

The Giants are a little thin on under-age talent compared to their elder age groups, but exposed a couple of likely types to key roles. Lachlan Moresi got his chance through the middle of the ground, while Riley Hayman showed signs in defence with a solid first couple of outings.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY

RECORD: 2-2, 110.8%
STREAK: LWLW

BEST RESULT:
Round 8 – def. Sandringham Dragons by 10 points

While there was inconsistency in Sydney’s results from game to game, to beat both of last year’s grand finalists was no mean feat. The Swans first knocked off Eastern by 58 points, then broke the undefeated premiership defence of Sandringham in Round 8. Their campaign started with a 10-point loss to Gippsland and Tasmania also got the better of them, but their wins were outstanding.

STAT LEADERS:

Disposals – Nicholas Andreacchio (24.0)
Marks – Lachlan Carmichael (6.0)
Tackles – Declan Fitzpatrick (8.3)
Inside 50s – Ned Hawkins (6.0)
Rebound 50s – Nicholas Andreacchio (4.0)
Hitouts – Harrison Podmore-Taylor (13.7)
Goals – Tom Ryan (9 total)

ALLIES SQUAD MEMBERS:

Nicholas Andreacchio, Lachlan Carmichael, Noah Chamberlain, Joel Cochran, Joe Harrison

DRAFT-ELIGIBLE TALENT:

A trio of top-age Swans earned their spots in the Allies squad after strong Coates Talent League performances. National Academy member Joel Cochran was perhaps the safest bet to do so, but came into his own as a mobile tall defender with three 18-disposal games.

He’s joined in representative colours by skipper Joe Harrison, a hard-working midfielder, and rebound defender Nicholas Andreacchio. Former Allies Lachlan Cabor and Max Rider played their roles up forward, while tall Tom Ryan finished as the side’s leading goalkicker.

Elsewhere, midfielder Ned Hawkins was on track to lead the side in a bunch of key statistical areas before suffering an injury in the Giants/Swans Academies match against South Australia. Fellow over-ager Harrison Podmore-Taylor was also solid through the ruck.

THE FUTURE:

The Swans will be particularly happy with the potential of two bottom-agers in Lachlan Carmichael and Noah Chamberlain. The former looked most comfortable down back but spent time in the middle, while the latter is a tall and nimble forward who was also exposed to the wing role.

Though he did not turn out in the 2024 Academy Series, rangy midfielder-forward Max King tore up preseason testing and is one to watch for next year. Kaiden McNamara did manage to get a string of games in and looked promising down back, with potential to play further afield.

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY

RECORD: 0-2, 17.0%
STREAK: LL

RESULTS:
lost to Western Jets by 149 points
lost to Tasmania Devils by 85 points

STAT LEADERS:

Disposals – Taj Stanley (33.5)
Marks – Taj Stanley (9.5)
Tackles – Taj Stanley (7.5)
Inside 50s – Taj Stanley (7.0)
Rebound 50s – Taj Stanley (9.0)
Hitouts – Taj Murray (21.5)
Goals – Edward Darcy (2 total)

ALLIES SQUAD MEMBERS:

Waylon Davey-Motlop, Ricky Mentha, Taj Murray, Taj Stanley

DRAFT-ELIGIBLE TALENT:

He didn’t turn out for the NT this year but Alice Springs native Ricky Mentha would have been the side’s sole National Academy member. Instead, Taj Stanley was the key man with his hard running and bull-like approach seeing him earn Allies selection between his time with Perth in the WAFL.

Small forward Waylon Davey-Motlop had limited opportunities in heavy losses but has obvious talent, while similar can be said for Clay Shadforth, who was utilised in midfield. Both players are based outside the NT, and defender Michael Romelo is in a similar situation having also represented the Lions Academy.

THE FUTURE:

Aside from Stanley, Taj Murray stood out as the Northern Territory’s top prospect and excitingly has another year of development left. The ruckman also plies his trade for North Adelaide in the SANFL and has shown good progress since being the Thunder’s Under 16 MVP in 2023.

Elsewhere, Calvin Peris-Chong added a hard edge through midfield with his hard tackling, similar to elder brother Brandan Parfitt. In a side which only kicked six goals in two games, 2008-born player Edward Darcy booted one in either match to top the Thunders’ goalkicking charts.