GOLD Coast Suns Academy prospect Max Hudson is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a fruitful forward venture in Round 4. The usual defender dominated the airways with 17 disposals, nine marks, and five goals in his side’s thumping 62-point win over Dandenong Stingrays on Saturday.

>> CTL ROUND 4: Snapshot | Scouting Notes

Even without a quartet of National Academy members, the Suns proved far too strong in their first Coates Talent League hitout for the season. Hudson, who prides himself on his aerial game as a third tall at either end of the ground, took little time to snatch the limelight with his exploits inside 50.

The first of his five majors came within the opening minute of the game, going on to boot two in the second quarter and another pair in the third. Dandenong struggled to find an answer for him throughout the contest, and he began to provide marking influence further up the ground as his confidence grew.

>> Preseason Q&A: Max Hudson (Suns Academy)

Hudson had stiff competition for this week’s nomination, arguably none more so than from teammate Jai Murray. The smooth moving talent racked up a game-high 29 touches, eight tackles and nine clearances through midfield to serve a reminder of the Suns’ enviable depth throughout the Academy.

Despite his side going down to Tasmania on Anzac Day, Nicholas Andreacchio was superb for the Swans Academy with 32 disposals, seven marks and five clearances. In the same game, Devils defensive pair Toby Callow and Avery Thomas were resolute as they combined for a whopping 20 marks.

On the cusp of his selection for Vic Country’s game against the Young Guns, Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean impressed down back. He posted 19 disposals, eight marks and eight rebound 50s in Murray’s loss to the GWS Giants Academy, further boosting his stocks as a solid tall defender.

A stats-stuffing performance from Lions Academy over-ager Charlie Hewitt also caught the eye. The 199cm prospect collected 21 disposals, five marks, 13 hitouts and two goals in his side’s tense six-point win over the Geelong Falcons. The Lions will travel down to play Tasmania this week.

2025 CTL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Round 2: Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Round 3: Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)
Round 4: Max Hudson (Suns Academy)