WESTERN Jets head into season 2025 on the back of key staff turnover, but boast a pair of leading prospects which will allow their footy to do the talking. We preview the region’s upcoming campaign with help from outgoing talent operations lead, Luke Williams.

PRESEASON

“It’s been a bit of a different pre-season. Trent Dennis-Lane, the coach from last year got a job at the Giants and finished up right at the start of preseason. His replacement Christian Stagliano began in the role [around] the start of February. We had a big block before Christmas where our assistant coaches were taking the reigns and they did a terrific job, and we had a big reliance on some of our top-age experienced boys to drive a few standards and that sort of thing, which has come out as a real benefit for our preseason.”

TOP-AGE VIC METRO HUB MEMBERS

Thomas Burton
Midfielder/Defender | 178cm | 09/01/2007

AFL Academy

“Tom’s been an outstanding talent in our region for a few years now. He finished at Caulfield Grammar last year, so this year he’s fully invested with the Jets. He’s got a little niggling injury at the moment, but when he has been on the track he’s been a real standout as you’d expect.”

Finn Davis
Defender | 188cm | 21/01/2007

“Finn developed really well last year as a bottom-ager, as a reliable defender that can play tall and small. He’s developed some more strength in his game. He’s really jumped into the gym work and put on a bit of body mass. We’re excited to see if Finn can take his game to another level.”

Thomas McGuane
Midfielder | 178cm | 27/08/2007

Collingwood F/S

“He’s a professional in himself, he’s a mature young man. He’s got great support around him, not only with us, but at Collingwood and at home. He’s a pro and he knows what he needs to do and he’s getting to work.”

ONES TO WATCH

“The one would be to keep an eye on would be Oskar Ainsworth. Oskar spent a fair bit of time with the Williamstown VFL seniors over the preseason and that’s really helped him prepare for this year. He’s strong and powerful, a genuine athlete. He had time at half-back and half-forward last year as a bottom-ager and a couple of impressive games. We’re looking to see him consolidating the midfield around the other two Toms in the early part of the season.

“Kobe is the son of Mark Williams, who played at Hawthorn and Essendon. Mark played enough games at Hawthorn for Kobe to be a father-son, he also is eligible at the Bulldogs’ NGA with his indigenous status. Kobe’s been really impressive over the summer, not only with his improvement with his athleticism, but also his leadership. He was probably our standout player in the intraclub recently as well. He’s been a forward as a junior predominantly, but we think he might be spending some time in the midfield and even across half-back with us early in the season before he returns to Scotch College.”

RETURNING OVER-AGERS

“Probably the one worth watching, which is a pretty unique one because he’s been given an exemption to the rule – he is actually turning 20 late in the year – is Ayden McCarroll. Ayden played four games for us at the end of last season and he’s only just completed his first ever preseason. He stands at 210cm tall… he’s a genuine giant and he’s got some skills and he just needed to work on his endurance and a bit of power. It’ll be a long road for him to get to the physical level he needs to, but he’s starting to put the work in and we’ll see some outcomes during the year from Ayden.”

BOTTOM-AGERS

“Our standout bottom-ager at this stage would be Lachlan Hicks. He played Vic Metro Under 16s last year and was awarded their [MVP] across the carnival or the series. He’s tracking pretty well. He’s overcome some foot injuries in the past to have a full preseason for the first time in a few years, and he’s an athlete. He’s quite versatile, so we’re pretty excited about Lachie.”

STYLE OF PLAY

“[To be] ultra competitive in all of our matches. We do have a new coach, so they’re tinkering with the game style a little bit. But given our limited talls I would expect us to bring a pretty fast paced game and plenty of pressure, and look to our skills on offence.”

ROUND 1

vs. Sandringham Dragons
Sunday March 30, 11:30am @ RSEA Park

“It’s the ultimate challenge really isn’t it? The boys are looking forward to it. That’s why you’re playing these competitions, to play against the best… They’ll have a strong team obviously, but we are also impacted a little bit by APS footy this year, so being able to put our best team on the park against the best is the perfect start to the year, I think.”