A LEAGUE-WIDE bye will allow the opportunity for several Coates Talent League players to gain senior experience in the Victorian Football League (VFL) this weekend. Among the prospects named to debut is Finn O’Sullivan, who will feature for Richmond alongside fellow top pick contender Jagga Smith.

The Oakleigh Chargers pair are will team up to take on St Kilda affiliate Sandringham, which will be Smith’s third game at the level. He led all comers on debut with 31 disposals in typically dour Williamstown conditions, before backing it up with 27 to showcase his readiness to climb the grades.

In the same game, the Saints will get a close-up look at Next Generation Academy pair Adrian Cole and Lennox Hofmann, who swap Dragons colours for those of the Zebras. Along with the defensive duo, father-son hopeful Elwood Peckett has earned a senior gig on the back of bumper Talent League form.

>> CTL Player of the Week: Round 17 – Elwood Peckett

After recently confirming his intention to nominate for Brisbane via father-son eligibility, Levi Ashcroft will finally get to represent the club at VFL level. The son of Marcus and brother of Will trained with the Lions during preseason and will make the trip up to Queensland to take on Greater Western Sydney (GWS).

Tall swingman Jobe Shanahan remains in Essendon’s VFL side after booting four goals in his maiden appearance last week. Plenty of academy products will be on the opposing side, Gold Coast. Meanwhile, Bendigo Pioneers teammate Tobie Travaglia will turn out for Carlton in a highly anticipated debut.

Oliver Warburton earned a second game with Collingwood on Friday, with the Murray Bushrangers workhorse having 12 touches in a loss to Sydney. Swans Academy tall Joel Cochran (16 disposals, five marks) debuted in the same game, along with Oakleigh ruck Boston Dowling (15 hitouts) for the Pies.

On the theme of Coates Talent League prospects at senior level, plenty of Tasmanians will filter back into the TSL this week. North Launceston has the most significant bunch, with Oliver Depaoli-Kubank, Dominic Pitt, Oscar Van Dam, and Toby Callow all named to start against Glenorchy.

Meanwhile, Oliver Dean, Lenny Douglas, and Rylee McHenry are emergencies for the Round 19 clash. The Magpies lay claim to a few of their own inclusions from the Devils squad. Twins Connor and Liam Ling are set to turn out along with Jade Clark – the brother of Collingwood AFLW draftee, Georgia.

Only three home-and-away round remain in the WAFL. The senior stint will extend past that mark for Peel Thunder pair Bo Allan and Joel Brown, whose side is top of the League ladder. They both have been named down back for Saturday’s away trip to South Fremantle. Brown is a recent state combine invitee.

Elsewhere in the West’s top flight, Claremont will again field forward Hamish Davis. Over-age ruck Max Rohr has also been named on an extended bench to take on West Perth. Subiaco small Malakai Champion is another state Under 18 star set to add to his senior experience in Round 19.

Over in South Australia, the SANFL returns after a competition-wide bye. State Under 18 captain Sid Draper has been managed by South Adelaide despite the week off, though fellow juniors Phoenix Hargrave and Dakota Sterzl remain in the League side which travels to face Norwood on Saturday.

A couple more Panthers will also feature in the Reserves this weekend. Under 18s skipper Jacob Sheean has been named down back, while Port Adelaide NGA candidate Benny Barrett is planted at the heart of midfield looking to continue his promising run of form up the grades.

Port will have another club-tied talents to consider back up in the top flight. Father-son prospect Louie Montgomery will turn out once more for the Magpies, in the game where Woodville-West Torrens midfielder/forward Kade Herbert makes his return from a hip injury.

The pair have both been selected to participate in October’s state draft combine, along with Adelaide father-son gun Tyler Welsh. The son of Scott has been a constant for the Crows this year and will line up against West Adelaide in a great opportunity to play on Adelaide Oval.