SEASON 2025 is just around the corner, and for a bunch of budding AFL Draft prospects across the nation, it represents another chance to impress. Having named 10 2008-born players to watch following last year’s Under 16 National Championships, we’ve updated the list ahead of their bottom-age campaigns. Scroll down to find another dozen or so talents in the mix.

>> 2024 U16 National Championships: Recap | MVPs | All-Australian

Charlie Bovill (North Hobart/Tasmania Devils)
Tall Defender/Forward | 193cm | 30/03/2008

A genuine swingman who tends to start down back before switching forward, Bovill burst onto the scene after booting five goals in his Coates Talent League debut last year. He went on to make a further four appearances. His reading of the play and overhead marking are standout features of a promising all-round game, able to either intercept at a high frequency or provided a solid target inside 50 en route to goal. That kind of versatility, and his competitiveness, are invaluable qualities for a tall talent.

Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 23/04/2008

Arguably Vic Metro’s standout player and prospect from last year’s Under 16 National Championships, Butler is a mercurial type with great evasiveness and goal sense. He looks dangerous wherever he goes; whether playing deep inside 50, as a high forward or through midfield, and often makes the opposition look silly. Butler snared three goals in his single Coates Talent League appearance and has ties to the top level as the grandson of 250-game St Kilda premiership player, Allan Davis.

Douglas Cochrane (Central District/South Australia)
Tall Defender/Midfielder | 194cm | 02/05/2008

Arguably the top talent for 2026 at this early stage, Cochrane not only took out state MVP honours but was also awarded the Kevin Sheehan Medal at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. He primarily plays down back where his athleticism shines, able to cover ground and intercept with astonishing frequency. Cochrane also got a run through midfield in state colours and his potential has been recognised through SANFL Under 18s exposure, where he also played up forward. He may even play League footy this year. Cochrane is the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide player, Stuart, but is not father-son eligible for either club. His brother Tom was drafted to the Power last year.

Archie Hill (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender/Midfielder | 182cm | 04/03/2008

An attack-minded rebound defender with great power and athleticism, Hill took out Gold Coast’s MVP award and led valiantly as the Suns’ skipper at the 2024 Under 16 National Championships. He is often tasked with setting up play from the back and takes the game on with his combination of running and penetrative kicking. The consistent accumulator has also been exposed to the on-ball rotation and debuted for the Suns’ Under 18 side early last year.

Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 24/07/2008

One of three bottom-agers in the Vic Metro summer squad this year, Hodgson is coming off an exemplary 2024 season. He was an Under 16 All-Australian and compiled a near-unprecedented 10 games in the Northern Knights’ defence – as a 15-year-old for most of the campaign. Hodgson is a tall who reads the play superbly well, capable of peeling off to intercept or lock down on an opponent. He also uses the ball with great composure and efficiency, acting as a key distributor off the last line or further afield.

Koby LeCras (West Perth/Western Australia)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 26/04/2008

LeCras comes from great pedigree as the son of former North Melbourne player Brent, and nephew of premiership Eagle, Mark. While not father-son eligible for the Roos, he has similar weapons to his uncle up forward with terrific overhead marking and classy finishing ability. LeCras’ raking left-foot kick and leading patterns were key features of Western Australia’s attacking play during the Under 16 National Championships, where he averaged more than two goals per game to star for the Black Swans. He went on to make four WAFL Colts appearances for West Perth, averaging a goal per game.

Wil Malady (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Tall Forward | 188cm | 12/10/2008

Malady was the hero of Vic Country’s dramatic Under 16 title last year, kicking a golden point in added time against South Australia. He went on to play seven Coates Talent League games with Gippsland Power, kicking goals in each of them for a tally of 11 – including a high of three. At 188cm, Malady is a lean tall whose marking ability makes him a threat inside 50. He takes the ball at the top of his reach and hits the scoreboard prolifically. As one of six bottom-agers in the squad, he’s in line for a bottom-age Under 18 debut.

Matthew Owen (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 178cm | 01/03/2008

Owen was awarded the Alan McLean Medal as Pool B’s best and fairest player, while also being named Brisbane’s MVP at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. The prolific midfielder averaged 32 disposals and 4.7 clearances per game, leading a talented line of Lions onballers with his terrific all-round skills and smart running. He’s nothing short of a ball magnet and is building a strong list of accolades already. Expect him to feature heavily for the Lions’ Under 18 side this year.

Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle/Western Australia)
Midfielder | 188cm | 13/02/2008

An absolute beast at the contest, Robinson is difficult to contain with his sheer size and aggression. He dominated at the coalface with averages of 25 disposals (18 contested), six tackles and nine clearances, during the last year’s Under 16 National Championships, while also proving capable of launching attacks on the outside. Robinson’s strong overhead marking is another handy point of difference around the ground. Fremantle fans will want to keep a close eye on his progress as an NGA product. He managed three WAFL Colts outings with South Fremantle last year, being amongst the best in two of them.

Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 26/01/2008

Already receiving much fanfare, Walker was named Under 16 All-Australian captain to go with MVP honours in the title-winning Vic Country side last year. The powerful midfielder is able to prise first possession and utilise his athletic ability to shift to the outside. His work rate and ground coverage are exceptional traits, while a long boot allows him to launch frequent attacks. Walker, the son of Andrew, is tied to Carlton via father-son eligibility but is also a Richmond NGA member. He made his Coates Talent League debut with Bendigo Pioneers late in 2024, and also earned a senior berth with Echuca.

>> AFL Draft: 25 prospects to watch in 2025

IN THE MIX

With priority access to Tasmanian talent coming under the microscope recently, many members of the current Devils squad are being looked at closely. Aside from Bovill, wingman Hugh McCallum has been talked up as one to watch, while Under 16 All-Australians Ryder Bugg (midfielder/forward) and Ewan Dillon (ruck) will press their case. Co-captain Archie Devine is another classy operator set to impress.

Dillon will have competition in terms of leading rucks with Ethan Herbert (South Australia) and Harry Van Hattum (Vic Metro) both possessing top traits. Similarly, Swans Academy member Aidan McCartney has great potential. He’s the son of GWS Head of Football Jason McCartney and is father-son eligible to North Melbourne, meaning his mobile marking game will be of high demand to multiple clubs.

Also in the Northern Academies, Lions product Caylen Murray has some serious class and will likely feature off half-back this year. Richmond Next Generation Academy member Tanner Armstrong is yet another club-tied talent on the radar having made his Coates Talent League debut with Murray Bushrangers in 2024. He’s a hard-working small who can play in each third of the ground.

While Butler made the cut in our top 10 list, his Sandringham Dragons teammate Jack Surkitt was the only 2008-born player to feature in the region’s 2024 premiership. The clever and skilful small forward is capable of hurting the opposition around goal but is also disciplined in team roles and held his own against more mature bodies last year. Clearly he is highly valued internally.

South Australia is another state with a good depth of talent, having gone within a golden point of taking out the Under 16 title last year. Midfielder Archie Van dyk is a prolific accumulator out of South Adelaide who will stuff the stats sheet. His teammate Angus White and Central District defender Jack Gordon and are two more names to jot down. All three players were Under 16 All-Australians.