STAR prospects returned and budding representative squad members staked their claims on the eve of the National Championships in Round 8 of the Coates Talent League. We cast our eyes over all six fixtures to highlight some of the top performers and prospects from all 12 regions in action.

>> CTL ROUND 8: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week

Gippsland Power 13.14 (92) def. Oakleigh Chargers 2.14 (26)

By: Declan Reeve

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#7 Willem Duursma
Midfielder | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

It was more of the same for Duursma as he continued his fine form at Coates Talent League level, impressing with his work through traffic and ability to release teammates by hand as the Power made a clear effort provide overlap handball options from contest. Duursma was no different from his teammates in that regard, recieving a few releasing handballs while heading forward at speed, where he looked to take on opponents and set up teammates in the forward 50. Duursma’s contested work is something that’s improved gradually through the year, attacking the ball with vigour throughout the game. 

#10 Cody Templeton
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

The tough nut bottom-ager was a danger through midfield and in the forward 50, with his speed assisting well on the lead, and making him dangerous when latching onto releasing handballs further afield. Templeton’s work by hand was particularly good, looking to follow up and get the ball back when he used an option in tight. One such time led to his sole major for the game, handing off to a teammate forward of the contest, running hard to get it back, and converting from 50 on the run. 

#16 Jobe Scapin
Forward | 187cm | 01/05/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

The Vic Country squad member has put together an impressive couple of weeks, demonstrating his well renowned ball use and athleticism as always, but impacting the scoreboard more meaningfully. Scapin was classy all day and took every opportunity to demonstrate his leap and speed, with the Oakleigh backline struggling to keep up with him as he roamed further afield. Scapin showed some physicality and pressure work through the contest as well, laying bumps and forcing errors as Oakleigh looked to exit defensive 50.

#17 Luke Cheffers
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/09/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

An industrious performance from the small midfielder, Cheffers got all the fundamentals right against the Chargers to turn in a big performance. He covered the ground well and looked confident through congestion to get involved in possession chains by hand multiple times. He proved a valuable contributor as he found the right option more often than not, although he excelled through the contest, as he shimmied away from tackle attempts to get free and progress his side forward.

#24 Brodie Atkins
Midfielder | 181cm | 25/01/2007

Stats: 35 disposals, 7 clearances, 1 goal

Atkins simply dominated on the inside all game, with his crash and bash style at stoppages leading to him owning the ball from the rucks’ hands. Winning as much ball as he did on the inside, it’s only natural that Atkins was disposing of it by hand more often than not, looking to release teammates forward of the ball and following up if he used an option in tight. Atkins was good at staying involved in chains of play, with his hard running and position around contests allowing him to accumulate more as the Power headed forward.

#26 Mitchell Stevens
Defender | 185cm | 15/08/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s

The Crows father-son prospect found more of the footy than he has in any other game this season, pushing into the front half to intercept rushed exit kicks from the Chargers and providing plenty of overlapping run when a teammate was stationary with the ball. Stevens’ ball use was inconsistent throughout the game, lacking some penetration that would’ve made his disposals more damaging.

#42 Jonah Walker
Tall Defender | 191cm | 16/06/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 18 kicks, 12 marks

The prime interceptor for the game, Walker dominated his defensive half aerially, holding plenty of contested marks from opposition kicks, and getting a fist in to a few others. Walker’s disposal could do with some tidying up heading forward, but he looked confident when kicking to a safer option. 

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#15 Noah Yze
Midfielder | 191cm | 12/04/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances

The over-ager once again played a crucial role through his side’s midfield, ensuring there were no easy clearances for the Power whilst he was at stoppage, and also using his size to win a few himself. Yze pushed down to aid his defensive regularly, applying pressure and locking the ball up for stoppages when doing so. Despite handballing more than three times as much as he kicked, Yze got involved around the ground plenty, looking to release his teammates with handballs forward of the contest.

#36 Hunter Holmes
Midfielder | 187cm | 19/02/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s

Recently included in the Vic Metro squad for the upcoming National Championships, Holmes was once again exciting with ball in hand. He found himself winning the ball in congestion a bit more than usual, allowing him to demonstrate his quality by hand. Holmes executed quickly before being wrapped up, but as usual looked at his best when winning it in space, looking to use his speed to advance the ball as far as possible before launching long. 

#64 Josh Shepherd
Key Defender | 195cm | 14/12/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 9 marks, 6 rebound 50s

The over-aged tall defender kept the scoreline modest with his repeated defensive efforts on the last line, fighting tooth and nail to clear the ball or force a stoppage when outnumbered in the back 50. Shepherd was an intercepting threat too when the ball wasn’t coming in multiple times, able to hold strongly overhead even with oncoming pressure.

Dandenong Stingrays 13.11 (89) def. Bendigo Pioneers 8.8 (56)

By: Michael Alvaro

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#19 JayDe Varlet
Wing/Forward | 181cm | 26/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles

A raw yet powerful prospect, Varlet provided constant drive for Dandenong. He helped connect the lines by working up the ground and carrying the ball forward in explosive bursts between the arcs. Varlet’s third quarter was his best, booting 1.2 as he began to get on the end of the Stingrays’ forward movement. That end product, especially on the run, remains an area for improvement, but Varlet has the strong frame and athletic traits to make up a promising profile.

#28 Fraser Marino
Ruck | 197cm | 23/05/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 13 hitouts, 1 goal

Marino had a terrific first half in the ruck before Josh Granger began to take over, posting 10 of his 13 total disposals before the main break. He found success both at and away from the contest, showcasing clean fundamental skills and good vision to flick out handballs. Marino’s movement and spread from the stoppage were impressive, as was a flukey goal from outside 50 which he threw on the boot and cleared the final contest.

#37 Thomas Hose
Tall Forward | 192cm | 30/06/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals

Hose popped up with a breakout performance up forward, booting four majors and showing plenty of promise as a dynamic tall. His speed off the mark allowed for several successful short leads inside 50, making the most of his opportunities with sound set shot conversion. Hose booted three of his goals in the first half and proved a tough matchup throughout the day.

#51 Adrian Cole
Key Defender | 197cm | 05/01/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Cole is the type of player who goes under the radar but earns glowing reviews from his coaches, and that notion has continued into 2025. The over-age role player displayed his lockdown ability but blended it with a season-high eight marks this time out, several of which were intercepts. He was typically strong in the contest and got more involved in higher positions, returning one of his most well-rounded performances yet on the eve of the Mid-Season Draft.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#1 Cody Walker
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 26/01/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 9 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Walker is in sensational form and was once again best afield for the Pioneers. He attacked stoppages with vigour, collecting a game-high 15 contested possessions and nine clearances in a never-say-die performance. The bottom-ager scrapped hard and did his best to power out of congestion, using his explosiveness and penetrative kicking to advance Bendigo up the field. While a few kicks didn’t quite come off under pressure, Walker could hardly be faulted for effort.

#10 Jaidi Jackson-Leahy
Forward/Midfielder | 183cm | 31/01/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Making his first Coates Talent League appearance since Round 3, Jackson-Leahy showcased his clean handling with plenty of time up forward. He scooped up ground balls with ease and brushed off would-be tacklers with his strong frame to create scoring chances, using sound evasive technique despite a lack of genuine speed. The left-footer snapped a goal in the second quarter and snared another at the same end after some time in the midfield.

#44 Zaydyn Lockwood
Ruck/Key Forward | 198cm | 25/01/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 15 hitouts, 2 goals

While Cole proved a tough matchup at times, Lockwood gave his fellow over-ager plenty of headaches with competitive work up forward. He started in the ruck, impacting with a strong leap and equally robust contested marks. Lockwood impacted in that department both around the ground and inside 50, where he bagged goals in the first and third quarters. His second major hinted at great athletic potential as the 198cm prospect snapped the ball home over his shoulder.

Tasmania Devils 6.9 (45) def. by Murray Bushrangers 8.6 (54)

By: Michael Alvaro

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#9 Toby Callow
Defender | 187cm | 28/07/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Having recently earned Allies squad selection, Callow continued to showcase his strengths as a strong-marking defender. He clunked eight grabs throughout the day, looking most comfortable when able to cut off Murray’s long forward 50 entries. Callow backed into contests bravely to do so and while his ball use strayed at times, he generally got good purchase on his long clearing kicks.

#12 Rylee McHenry
Midfielder | 179cm | 17/07/2007

Stats: 36 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 clearances

McHenry led all comers in a typically combative performance, winning 18 contested possessions and nine clearances. On top of his stoppage work, the Tasmanian captain dropped back to support the defence and provided productive run in transition. With 24 handballs, McHenry waxed well with his teammates and used his explosiveness to power out of tight spots, even if scrappy at times.

#19 Lucas Wootton
Midfielder/Defender | 179cm | 11/05/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 11 tackles, 4 inside 50s

While two teammates chalked up over 30 touches, Wootton was arguably Tasmania’s best and most effective player. Everything he seemed to do was neat and compact, displaying a clean set of hands and sharp foot skills. Even his stoppage exits were slick, spinning out of trouble or using little bursts of speed to exit forward. Wootton spent time down back where he took the kick-ins and showed good anticipation to steal a couple of Murray handballs in a well-rounded outing.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#3 Zac Harding
Ruck | 199cm | 01/01/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 55 hitouts, 6 clearances

Harding made a statement on the eve of the Mid-Season Draft, winning an imposing 55 hitouts. He also posted six clearances and eight inside 50s among his 18 possessions, 15 of which were contested. The over-ager was too big and strong in the ruck jostles and his physicality allowed him to direct his taps deliberately. The thing lacking from Harding’s game was marking influence around the ground, with his contributions largely confined to the stoppages and rolling scrums.

#4 Ryan Ash
Midfielder | 177cm | 20/03/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 goal

Showcasing some of the dash and dare his brother Lachie was lauded for, Ash contributed going both ways. The top-ager laid fierce lock-up tackles – 10 in total – but looked most impactful when carrying the ball forward at speed. He took the game on when possible and finished off with a classy goal in the fourth quarter, side-stepping an opponent before steadying on the run.

#15 Harry Dean
Tall Defender | 193cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles

Dean was rock solid in defence, racking up 10 marks with his superior reading of the play and steadfast set of hands. The Carlton father-son candidate pulled off several intercepts both high up the ground and on the last line, with that part of his game a clear strength. On the flipside, he struggled to get his kicking game going with some errant passes across the backline which invited repeat pressure. Still, he dealt with it all superbly well.

GWV Rebels 14.13 (97) def. Western Jets 10.6 (66)

By: Michael Alvaro

GWV REBELS:

#5 Floyd Burmeister
Key Defender | 199cm | 04/05/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

A highly touted over-age prospect, Burmeister showed a different side to his game in anticipation of the Mid-Season Draft. The usual key forward was utilised in defence where he got into good spots to intercept and matched up on 209cm Jet Ayden McCarroll. At his best, he was clunking marks overhead or stepping around opponents with rare agility for a player his size – the next step is doing so consistently throughout four quarters. Burmeister couldn’t resist sneaking forward for a goal in the second quarter, blasting a hand-off home from the centre square with the wind at his back.

#9 Talor Byrne
Midfielder | 174cm | 14/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Byrne was predictably full of energy in another productive midfield outing, darting his way out of congestion on repeat. He generated forward drive with evasive work at the contest and punchy left-foot kicking. Byrne roved the packs well and also hit hard when he didn’t win first possession, providing constant two-way effort for the victors. He has been rewarded with Vic Country selection.

#22 Charlie McKinnon
Tall Forward | 190cm | 25/10/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 marks, 8 goals

McKinnon won our Player of the Week nomination having climbed atop the league’s goalkicking charts with a bag of eight. His first touch ironically came outside attacking 50, with just about all of the remaining 18 won much closer to goal. Western simply couldn’t find a matchup for McKinnon, who threw opponents aside in one-on-ones, read the ball better, and was sharp on the lead. He was generally reliable with his conversion over the mark and created additional chances with his pressure inside 50, pouncing on mistakes from the Jets’ defenders. A tough matchup at full forward.

#23 Flynn Penry
Ruck | 201cm | 20/04/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 27 hitouts, 6 clearances

Penry is another over-age ruck putting up big numbers with the Mid-Season Draft looming, and that was no different on Sunday. The 201cm prospect was too big and strong, grabbing the ball out of the ruck at will to combat his opponent’s leap, doing so with a clean set of hands. His movement and foot skills were quite sound for a player his size too, and he popped up for a couple of marks inside 50 in the opening quarter without scoring.

WESTERN JETS:

#7 Thomas McGuane
Midfielder | 178cm | 27/09/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Alongside his partner-in-crime Tom Burton, McGuane had little trouble racking up possessions and dipped into his strong running capacity to do so. His footy IQ is absolutely elite and as much was evident as he knew exactly where his next disposal would come, actively working to get the hand-off or be on the move at stoppages. He drew a high free kick to boot the game’s first goal and was generally the one to put Western inside 50, though lacked some polish on his kicking at times. Still, his vision and movement made for great viewing throughout a productive performance.

#10 Thomas Burton
Midfielder | 178cm | 09/01/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

Leading all comers to notch up his fourth 30-plus disposal game in as many tries, Burton was immense in a losing effort. The combative midfielder tended to drop back from midfield while McGuane ventured forward, which suited his strong transitional running. Burton took the game on at all costs with quick ball movement and dangerous chains of possession through the corridor. He sometimes lacked composure and scuffed a few kicks in the process, but looked terrific when it all came together. His three-bounce foray in the fourth quarter and a slick running goal in the third were among his highlights throughout an industrious day.

#26 Finn Davis
Defender | 187cm | 21/02/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 9 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Davis combined with bottom-ager Billy Wigmore (16 marks) to provide strong aerial presence inside defensive 50, popping up with nine marks on top of his kick-in duties. Finding it tough to pinpoint his kicks at times, as many others did throughout the day, the Vic Metro train-on was much more assured on the intercept and used his strong frame to protect his space. Davis also broke tackles as he rebounded the ball, venturing high up the ground in the process – even marking inside 50 before unselfishly passing short to McGuane.

Northern Knights 13.11 (89) def. Sandringham Dragons 12.14 (86)

By: Declan Reeve

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#2 Sebastian Murphy
Midfielder | 176cm | 23/10/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 clearances, 1 goal

Murphy was once again productive through the midfield, consistently reading the ball well off rucks’ hands and utilising his speed to get to it first at ground level. Murphy showed some tricks with a couple of candy sells and weaves through traffic to compliment his ball winning ability, able to find his bearings and get the ball to good spots, even if he did lack precision at times.

#3 Tyson Gresham
Small Forward | 169cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 clearances, 4 goals

One of just two Vic Metro squad members to take field, Gresham put together his best performance to date, terrorising the Dragons’ in the forward half. The Carlton-linked small took every opportunity to demonstrate his speed, gaining separation from his opponent easily and attacking the ball at ground level full tilt. To compliment this, Gresham read the ball off hands superbly, proving consistently dangerous around marking contests in the front half of the ground. 

#12 Nicholas Driscoll
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 07/04/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 clearances, 3 goals

Driscoll spent the first quarter in the forwardline as one of his side’s deeper options, slotting two goals before moving into the midfield for the remainder of the game. He provided good work in tight, pouncing on a couple of opportunities to intercept handballs and turn the flow of traffic, with one such instance leading to his third goal as he intercepted on the defensive 50 mark, took a three-bounce run, got a one-two handball and slotted it home. 

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#8 Sam Buck
Ruck/Key Forward | 196cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 11 hitouts, 7 clearances

Despite losing the hitout count, Buck was most influential ruck on ground. He got involved in play as if he were a midfielder as he looked to advance the play in handball chains and act as a link from the defensive half to the forward 50. Buck favoured grabbing the ball from the ruck contest when he could, but also followed up strongly at ground level when he couldn’t, and demonstrated some clean work by hand under pressure when doing so, releasing teammates forward of the contest a few times to send his side forward at speed. 

#37 Charlie Rozenes
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 09/08/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

The over-ager was once again one of his side’s best as he looked to apply speed on the ball through the midfield. Rozenes was clean across the four quarters with his work below knees and his disposal, hitting some difficult kicks at awkward angles even when at speed, but generally going by hand forward of the contest. He tended to back his speed but sometimes ran into trouble, inviting pressure while looking to break the lines with the ball tucked under his arm.

Geelong Falcons 13.6 (84) def. Calder Cannons 9.12 (66)

By: Michael Alvaro

GEELONG FALCONS:

#4 Jesse Mellor
Forward | 185cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Mellor threatened to take hold of the game as a permanent forward, looking ominous on the lead and with a couple of high-flying attempts. His safe set of hands and strong frame made him a tough matchup throughout the day, with the Cats NGA prospect getting on a roll to boot three consecutive second quarter goals. He judged the Torquay breeze nicely with two set shots and wowed with a step inside to checkside home another, although tended to play taller than his 185cm standing.

#8 Angus Ford
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 17/12/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Ford was just about best afield for the Falcons, proving productive on the wing and impacting in the front half. He punched above his weight to fold in on the contest, but also worked into space as Geelong attacked to drive the play forward and chain possessions with the help of his teammates. Ford was clean by hand and while wayward by foot on the run at times, he positioned expertly at the fall of the ball to nab a crucial goal in the third quarter.

#10 Hugo Mikunda
Midfielder | 180cm | 13/03/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 clearances, 9 inside 50s

Vic Country selectors have kept the faith with Mikunda, who turned in arguably his best performance of the season after an interrupted start. The skilful midfielder showcased his clean handling at the contest to prise seven clearances, often feeding teammates out of the clinches and absorbing contact to do so. He found it tough to step into space at times but continued to be hard at it and was impactful when he got to the outside. The latter notion could be observed with the first goal of the game, as Mikunda released Thomas Handley in to score.

#13 Rilley Aquilina
Wing | 181cm | 27/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Aquilina’s pressure acts and quick feet were not lost on the Vic Country selectors, who named him in the extended squad for game one against Western Australia. He has looked comfortable out on the wing, tracking forward with burst speed and providing a useful outlet in transition. He advanced the play with every possession and thwarted Calder’s fluency with typically tough tackles, either running down opponents or wrapping them up. He’s a competitor.

#31 Thomas Handley
Forward | 179cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals

Having earned a berth in the Falcons squad on the back of strong local form, Handley debuted last week and was impactful just his second outing on Sunday. He started like a house on fire, booting his maiden goal in the opening minute en route a haul of four. With sharp finishing – barring one set shot miss from close range – and big celebrations, it was hard not to take note of the top-ager as he made an infectiously energetic impression.

CALDER CANNONS:

#6 Cooper Duff-Tytler
Ruck | 200cm | 22/08/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 22 hitouts, 5 clearances

Playing on managed minutes, Duff-Tytler soldiered on after an early eye poke and lifted his level when the game was on the line. He impacted at the stoppages, following up with clean handling and working the spread like an extra midfielder. His bodywork and marking presence were also apparent in patches, covering good ground and competing against all comers with vigour. Duff-Tytler’s ability to step through traffic or shrug off tacklers was another impressive facet of his game.

#8 Jack Dodorico
Defender | 178cm | 30/05/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Notching his highest disposal count of the season, Dodorico showed plenty of potential in arguably his best bottom-age game to date. He was among the Cannons’ designated ball users out of defence and while erratic at times, was full of positive intent. Taking the game on at all costs, Dodorico displayed good kick penetration and was able to compete aerially – defying his 178cm standing in that regard. Composure and decision making will be elements he develops into 2026.

#12 Taj Robinson
Tall Forward | 190cm | 10/01/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 tackles, 4 goals

Robinson popped out of the ground with a bag of four goals in the losing side, including three in the opening quarter. His early scores provided a lift in energy for Calder after a slow start, helping establish a nice lead. At 190cm, he proved a tough matchup with his ability to follow up at ground level, doing so willingly and with great intent. The top-ager often shrugged off opponents after beating them to the loose ball and saw his scrappy snaps around the body sail or bounce through.

#15 Gus Papal
Tall Defender | 193cm | 22/09/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 11 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Papal completed a terrific Mid-Season Draft audition, leading all comers as an intercept defender. He flew at the ball confidently, reading the play to compete third up at the contest and impacting when peeling off his direct opponent. The over-ager took up aggressive positions and made up for a size differential against taller opponents with his fluent leap. Papal’s ball use was a touch less assured at times, but his strengths are evident.

#23 Adam Sweid
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 14/09/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 13 tackles, 4 inside 50s

It was a combative game from Sweid, who locked horns with similar types of midfielders on the opposing side. He used all his grit and determination to fight on the inside, finding it tough to break into space but flicking out some effective handballs under duress. Sweid also tackled typically hard and looked to be incisive by foot when rare opportunities presented on the outside. The Essendon NGA prospect spent time forward but is always most impactful on-ball.