COATES Talent League prospects continue to filter through the Victorian Football League (VFL), with a handful making their state league debuts over the weekend. Bendigo Pioneers swingman Jobe Shanahan was the main event as he made his maiden appearance for Essendon in Round 19.

The versatile tall, who has settled up forward this year, booted a game-high four goals in the Bombers’ 44-point win over Northern Bullants. He had little trouble adapting to the physicality and pace of senior football, clunking four grabs in a forwardline littered with AFL-listed marking targets.

>> VFL Player Focus: Jobe Shanahan (Essendon)

In the same game, Oakleigh Chargers pair Kane Emery and Isaac Barry turned out for the Bullants. The former, who also debuted managed 15 disposals, six marks and a goal, while the latter had six touches in his third game. Barry is an over-ager and father-son tied to Sydney (son of Leo).

Another marquee debutant was fielded for Williamstown, in the form of leading Western Jets talent Lucca Grego. The midfielder/defender settled in down back for 13 disposals and four marks in an eight-point loss to North Melbourne, with his clean fundamental skills holding up well.

>> VFL Player Focus: Lucca Grego (Williamstown)

Gold Coast is no stranger to blooding young talent and that was again the case on Saturday as six current academy players featured in the Suns’ 34-point win over Coburg. It was no surprise to see Leo Lombard star, with the midfielder/forward bagging three goals from 22 touches.

Small defender Nelson Beikoff-Smart also hit the scoreboard and bagged a personal-best 19 disposals. Bottom-ager Beau Addinsall (17 disposals, six marks) also hit new heights, while Dylan Patterson showed signs, and Lachlan Gulbin (one goal) and Finlay Gray (four behinds) got busy.

Even more Queenslanders gained valuable senior exposure, with Brisbane Lions having four academy products turn out in their 23-point win over Carlton. The top prospect among them was midfielder Samuel Marshall, who managed 18 disposals in his second outing for the year.

Wyatt Greenaway (13 disposals), and talls Tom Gillett (three marks, five tackles) and Billy Richardson (three marks) also added to their state league experience in Round 19. The result means Brisbane remains well on its way to securing automatic finals entry with two games left to play.

While Sydney had a bye, neighbours Greater Western Sydney accounted for the NSW-ACT representation this week. Swingman Cooper Bell debuted in the Giants’ one-point loss to Box Hill, joining three other academy members – including two fellow Allies – in the side.

Academy skipper Josaia Delana tallied nine touches while towering ruck Logan Smith had eight to go with 20 hitouts. Top-ager Coby Hilton also took the field for his second game at the level, again having four disposals but this time nabbing his maiden state league goal.

Elsewhere, Gippsland Power over-ager Jesse Craven was rewarded for consistent Coates Talent League form with a berth in the Casey Demons lineup. The debutant posted four disposals as his side went down to Footscray on Friday afternoon, in the round-opening fixture at Whitten Oval.

There was no SANFL action to speak of over the weekend, but the regular season rolled on over in Western Australia. A trio of state Under 18 representatives featured in the WAFL’s top flight, including two whose respective sides locked horns at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah.

>> Around the Grounds: WA state stars go head-to-head

It was Bo Allan‘s ladder leading Peel Thunder who got the chocolates over Hamish Davis‘ Claremont in their Round 18 matchup. Allan posted a season-high 20 disposals and seven marks for the victors, while Davis had 15 touches and four marks as his Tigers scrap for a finals spot.

Meanwhile, lively small forward Malakai Champion made his second League appearance in Subiaco’s 20-point loss to Swan Districts. The diminutive and mercurial talent backed up his three-goal performance on debut with another two majors from 10 disposals at Steel Blue Oval.

The state league seasons are winding to a close around the country, as each competition in embedded in its final home-and-away month. A week off in the Coates Talent League means even more juniors may make the leap to senior football this coming weekend, before also entering finals.