WHILE state leagues are quickly coming to their crescendos around the nation, leading AFL Draft prospects are only just getting a taste of senior football. Oakleigh Chargers gun Finn O’Sullivan and Brisbane father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft were the latest top-agers to make their VFL debuts.

VFL

O’Sullivan joined club teammate Jagga Smith in Richmond’s VFL side over the weekend, as the Tigers went down to Sandringham by 33 points. The former showed his class with all 12 touches on debut, including two terrific goals in front of a keen gallery of onlookers at Punt Road Oval.

Smith gathered 24 disposals in his third game at the level. Another prospect to watch at Tigerland is mature-age draft combine invitee Sam Davidson, who had it 16 times. Richmond will field Larke Medalist Harvey Langford next week, and have interest in allowing midfielder Murphy Reid the same opportunity.

Opposing the aforementioned Tiger trio in Round 20 were three prospects tied to St Kilda. Namely, they were Next Generation Academy (NGA) defenders Lennox Hofmann (15 disposals, five marks) and Adrian Cole (10 and three), while father-son hopeful Elwood Peckett (15 disposals) also got a run for the Zebras.

The next day, Ashcroft set Brighton Homes Arena alight with a game-high 35 disposals and 11 clearances as Brisbane beat Greater Western Sydney. The brother of current Lion Will and son of triple premiership champion Marcus also snuck forward for a sensational long-range goal on the run.

It was one of the more remarkable state league debuts in recent memory, no less from a 17-year-old. It may well be Ashcroft’s first and final game at the level given his commitments with the Sandringham Dragons, with whom he is chasing an unprecedented third consecutive flag.

Both sides fielded Northern Academy talent in the Sunday afternoon bout. Wyatt Greenaway kept his spot for the Lions, while Giants Academy captain Josaia Delana featured alongside fellow Allies representatives Logan Smith and Cooper Bell – both key position players – in the loss.

While the weekend’s main events came on Saturday and Sunday, the debuts began at Tramway Oval on Friday. Sydney unveiled academy product Joel Cochran, who had 16 touches and five marks. Meanwhile, over-age Oakleigh ruck Boston Dowling (15 hitouts) earned a debut in Collingwood colours.

Murray Bushrangers midfielder/defender Oliver Warburton was another Coates Talent League player to don the famous black and white jumper. The hard-working, hard-nosed talent picked up 12 touches in the 29-point road defeat. It was his second state league appearance this year.

Over at GMHBA Stadium, Carlton blooded Bendigo Pioneers talent Tobie Travaglia in a 23-point come-from-behind win over Geelong. The rangy 187cm utility fared well with 15 disposals and five tackles, while his Coates Talent League teammate Jobe Shanahan turned out for Essendon on the same day.

Shanahan backed up his four-goal haul from last week with 2.3 in a win over reigning premier Gold Coast. The 194cm swingman took seven marks among a relatively tall Bombers forwardline. Essendon will next trial NGA member Jayden Nguyen, though Isaac Kako will miss out through a syndesmosis injury.

Despite the result, the Suns remain well placed to either sneak into finals or do so via Wildcard Round. Young blood continues to feature at the level, headlined by top 2024 talent Leonardo Lombard who was kept to 13 disposals and goalless. He remains in the hunt for a top 10 bid.

Neither Footscray nor Frankston laid claim to Coates Talent League players in Round 20, and that remained the only fixture to do so as diminutive Oakleigh mid-forward Kane Emery played in the Battle of Bell Street. He managed 12 touches in the losing Northern Bullants side.

SANFL

>> via Around the Grounds: Bulldogs, Bays all but lock in top two spots

At SANFL League level, Eagles youngster Kade Herbert made his return from a hip injury with 14 disposals and four tackles against Port Adelaide. Power father-son hopeful Louie Montgomery turned out in the same game and managed nine touches as he continues his audition in front of club recruiters.

Similar could be said for Adelaide-tied forward Tyler Welsh, who had eight disposals in the Crows’ 68-point win over West Adelaide. Meanwhile, South’s Phoenix Hargrave contributed 15 touches and two goals in his side’s heavy loss to Norwood. Fellow Panther and state captain Sid Draper was managed.

A trio of Panthers also turned out in the Reserves grade over the weekend. Namely, they were Dakota Sterzl (13 disposals, four marks), Under 18 captain Jacob Sheean (10 disposals, six tackles), and Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy member Benny Barrett (eight disposals).

WAFL

A quartet of Western Australia’s draft combine invitees continue to turn out in the state’s top flight. Subiaco small forward Malakai Champion again impressed with his third haul of multiple goals in as many League games. He snared two majors from 11 touches in the Lions’ 44-point win over Perth.

While Champion’s Subi side won’t be playing finals, Claremont is in the hunt after defeating West Perth by 30 points. The fifth placed Tigers were served well by versatile 190cm forward Hamish Davis, who posted 15 disposals and four marks in his third game at the level, backing up hauls of 16 and 15.

State Under 18 skipper Bo Allan (five disposals, two marks) turned out for Peel Thunder alongside emerging tall defender Joel Brown (six marks) in a 10-point win over South Fremantle. Peel remains in top spot with two rounds to play, meaning both prospects are in line to experience state league finals.

In the Reserves grade, Claremont tall Max Rohr was among a Tigers side littered with young talent which held West Perth to a single goal. The ruck/forward managed 17 disposals and as many hitouts in the ladder leader’s big win. He is now also in the mix to gain exposure in a senior finals series.

>> WAFL Colts: West Perth vs. Claremont Scouting Notes