WITH the 2025 Coates Talent League season getting underway over the weekend, prospects are already staking their claims for representative honours. The first block of three rounds forms an important period in the selection process, with plenty of players from outside the Vic Country, Vic Metro, and Allies summer squads able to press their case. We highlight 10 top-agers who did so in Round 1.

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

Oskar Ainsworth (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 186cm | 26/04/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances

After the two Toms – Burton and McGuane – there is a handy amount of developable talent at the Western Jets. Ainsworth is among that crop, boasting powerful athletic traits and flashes of x-factor. He got better as the game wore on against Sandringham, taking advantage of increased midfield exposure to put up strong numbers. He’s one the Jets recognise for his traits and upside, which could be enough to put him into Vic Metro contention if he can string together some consistent form.

Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 181cm | 25/01/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 11 tackles, 1 goal

Atkins was one of the most unlucky players to have missed out on the Vic Country summer hub after putting together a consistent bottom-age season. He’s the type of on-baller who gets stuck in and can play the defensive role, accustomed to posting team-high tackle numbers each week. His bodywork, toughness, and neat work by hand are traits which hold up in an age of all-out-attack midfielders. His hard work allows others – like Willem Duursma – to shine.

Hunter Holmes (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 186cm | 19/02/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Holmes was among the many debutants to take the field at RSEA Park on Sunday, showcasing dash and dare which kept Oakleigh looking dangerous. He started out on the wing where he looks best suited on account of his speed and light frame, but would also impress with a shift into the centre bounces. Holmes’ energy and application helped him stand out in a side which was beaten throughout the day, bringing the game to a well drilled Calder Cannons outfit. He’s the brother of Geelong’s Max.

Jaidi Jackson-Leahy (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 183cm | 31/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Labelled as an exceptionally skilled left-footer and a smooth mover, Jackson-Leahy made good on the faith voiced by coach Danny O’Bree in preseason. The midfielder found his groove after half time, racking up 13 of his 19 touches after the main break and impacting at the stoppages. His ability to deliver the ball into dangerous spots was noted on Saturday as Bendigo opened the Coates Talent League season with a win over Tasmania. He could be one to watch.

Sam Lewis (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 186cm | 25/02/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 9 clearances, 1 goal

Another prospect who was highlighted as one to watch by his coach in preseason, Lewis’ opening round performance should come as no surprise. Having honed his craft alongside 2024 co-captains and eventual draftees Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes, Lewis proved his ball winning nous with a game-high nine clearances against Geelong. Should he continue to be Dandenong’s focal point at the source, there is no reason why he can’t push for higher honours.

Jack Miller (Tasmania Devils)
Forward | 181cm | 13/04/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Miller missed much of last year due to injury but popped up late in the campaign to register seven goals in four games. He continued that trend with three majors on Saturday, accounting for just under half of Tasmania’s tally. His athleticism and craft around goal are sure to impress this year, and could help boost the Devils’ Allies representation after only Jasper Hay and Lucas Wootton were included in the condensed preseason training camp.

Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights)
Midfielder | 176cm | 23/10/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 clearances, 1 goal

Murphy is a familiar name in the Northern Knights program, with Lachlan having made his way to the top flight as a rookie in 2018. Now, Sebastian co-captains the region alongside Tyson Gresham (brother of Jade) and made a good first impression in 2025. The speedy midfielder-forward is no stranger to hitting the scoreboard and proved he can hold his own at the contest, going both ways. His versatility will come in handy should he push for Vic Metro selection, especially given his size.

Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 14/09/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 clearances, 2 goals

One of the most spoken of debutants from Round 1 was Sweid, whose bottom-age campaign was scuppered by an ACL tear. He returned in emphatic fashion on Sunday, displaying terrific speed and creativity on the attack. His work rate was just as impressive, pushing forward hard from the centre bounces and generating scoring passages. Sweid is now well and truly on the radar of Essendon fans, who are hopeful of another successful Next-Generation Academy product.

Ricky Theodoropoulas (Sandringham Dragons)
Small Forward | 170cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Theodoropoulas was electric as Sandringham got its premiership defence underway on Sunday. The diminutive forward worked hard up the ground and was difficult to contain when charging back to goal, picking Western’s defence apart with incisive and precise disposals. His flair and knack for the mercurial are sure to catch the eye this year, and there now looks like being decent competition in the Vic Metro small forward slots. He’s all-action and incredibly fun to watch in full flight.

Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 183cm | 02/06/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

The Sandringham Dragons production line continues to churn out talent at an exceptional rate, with Wright among the latest prospects to pop onto the radar. He immediately caught the eye with slaloming runs through midfield and terrific ball use going inside 50. Being a left-footer, most of what he did looked incredibly stylish. Wright’s ability to play on both sides of midfield will aid his cause as he looks to impress Vic Metro selection, with on-ball depth hardly ever an issue.