WITH this year’s AFL Mid-Season Draft officially slated for May 28, eligible Coates Talent League over-agers will have eight rounds to stake their claims for higher honours. Some prospects made bright starts in Round 1, and there are plenty of interesting stories out of the potential 2025 crop.

>> Scouting Notes: 2025 Coates Talent League – Round 1

Gippsland Power interceptor Zac Walker made a rare over-age debut on Sunday, raking up 10 marks among his 16 disposals against Murray Bushrangers. He’s the sole 2006-born player in Gippsland’s program and looks a solid option at 191cm – one who was too hard to pass up for the Power’s list.

The Bushrangers had their share of 19th year talent, too. Ruck Zac Harding (16 disposals, 19 hitouts) and defender Ben Kennedy (17 disposals, eight marks) both seemed well prepared after undergoing preseasons with VFL programs. Coen Ainsworth also made a steady start upon returning to the region.

There was no shortage of strong over-age performers in the season-opening clash between Bendigo and Tasmania. Both Evans boys (no relation) – Tom and Connor – were prolific in the back half. The former had a team-high 33 touches, while the latter had it 22 times and displayed his intercept prowess.

Bendigo also had tall utility Zaydyn Lockwood out there, making typically desperate and athletic attempts at the footy. Former National Academy ruck Oliver Dean chalked up 30 hitouts for the Devils to boost their tall representation, though still has plenty of development left.

Homegrown talent Nathaniel Sulzberger returned to Tassie colours after two years with Sandringham, collecting 19 disposals and six clearances. Oliver Depaoli-Kubank (22 disposals) was also industrious through the middle, while Max Roney (25 disposals) took up where he left off as a distributor down back.

Another couple former Dragons donned new colours over the weekend. Adrian Cole and Luka Pecer made their Dandenong Stingrays debuts, featuring at either end of the ground. Cole is a graduate of St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy and was considered unlucky to be overlooked by the Saints last year.

The Stingrays powered past Geelong, with a couple more over-agers making an impact. Defender Charlie Orchard posted 19 disposals, eight marks and six rebound 50s in an impressive display, while dynamic forward Henry Hayes booted a game-high four goals, including three in the second half.

Cooper Herbert was among the Calder’s over-age group which also featured Essendon father-son candidate Alex Alessio. The former garnered plenty of interest late last year and made a strong start with 15 disposals, eight inside 50s and a goal in the Cannons’ win over Oakleigh.

Herbert’s power and solid frame are handy traits in his midfield-forward role. He has clean hands and a good eye for goal. The Chargers also fielded a few 19th year prospects, the best of them being Jez Rigoni (17 disposals) who crossed over from the Murray Bushrangers.

On the same day at RSEA Park, Sandringham got good representation out of hard-running small Charlie Rozenes. He provided plenty of impetus on the attack with 22 disposals and five inside 50s, though perhaps can work on his end product having only managed three minor scores.

Richmond VFL aligned talent Jhett Haeata showed promise with 10 touches before being helped off the ground in the final quarter. There are also high hopes for Julian Galbally, though the roaming ruck was relatively quiet. The same can be said for 209cm Jets giant Ayden McCarroll, who was a marking target in tough conditions. He turns 20 this year but was afforded an exemption to play in the CTL.

The Round 1 action ended down the road in Sandringham, where Eastern snuck past Northern by three points. Zac McGown (12 disposals, four marks) was solid down back for the Ranges, while athletic tall Gabriel Stumpf managed 1.3 for Northern. The Knights also fielded Liam Farrar up on the wing, where he picked up 17 disposals.