THE NAVY blue lining on a clouded season at Carlton has been the emergence of two promising father-sons prospects. Tall defender Harry Dean (Peter, 2025 draft) and midfielder Cody Walker (Andrew, 2026) have been in tremendous form of late, and are soon to link up at the National Championships.

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Their performances in Round 9 of the Coates Talent League saw them respectively poll Rookie Me Central Medal votes for the second straight week, both drawing level with five other players for equal-second. The pair Vic Country boast eight overall votes, two less than standalone leader Willem Duursma.

Dean was a marking machine on Sunday, rising for 10 grabs in Murray Bushrangers’ 47 point win over Western. If it weren’t for Jets midfielder Thomas Burton (35 disposals, 10 marks) taking out Player of the Week honours, he would likely have snatched the full three votes for a second week running.

Meanwhile, Walker once again tipped the 30-disposal mark and showed incredible heart in Bendigo Pioneers’ two-point loss to Sandringham Dragons. His shot after the siren from inside the centre square fell just short, but the bottom-ager was immense with 11 touches in an inspired final quarter burst.

Burton was one of two players to shoot up to eight votes on the back of a best-on-ground performance. The other was midfielder Callum Smith, who continued his strong form with 24 disposals, six clearances and a goal as the Dandenong Stingrays came from behind to pip Tasmania by seven points.

The extended podium is rounded out by Lions Academy star Daniel Annable, whose Coates Talent League stint is complete, and Northern Knights co-captain Sebastian Murphy. Beau Addinsall, Talor Byrne, and Rory Wright occupy the final top-10 spots – all tied on seven votes.

>> ROUND 9: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week | Scouting Notes

ROUND 9 VOTES

Dandenong Stingrays 9.9 (63) def. Tasmania Devils 9.2 (56)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Marcus Prasad (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)

Northern Knights 8.2 (50) def. by Eastern Ranges 17.11 (113)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Josiah Landy (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Oskar Taylor (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)

Bendigo Pioneers 9.12 (66) def. by Sandringham Dragons 10.8 (68)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Ricky Theodoropoulos (Sandringham Dragons)

Gippsland Power 9.9 (63) def. GWV Rebels 9.3 (57)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Zac O’Keefe (Gippsland Power)
2 – Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power)
1 – Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels)

Murray Bushrangers 12.13 (85) def. Western Jets 5.8 (38)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Thomas Burton (Western Jets)
2 – Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Toby Hunt (Murray Bushrangers)

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

1. Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 10 votes [3, 2, 3, 2]
eq. 2. Daniel Annable (Lions Academy) – 8 votes [3, 2, 3]
eq. 2. Thomas Burton (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 2, 2, 3]
eq. 2. Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
eq. 2. Thomas McGuane (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 3, 3, 1]
eq. 2. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
eq. 2. Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 8 votes [3, 2, 3]
eq. 2. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
eq. 9. Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy) – 7 votes [2, 3, 2]
eq. 9. Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 7 votes [2, 3, 2]
eq. 9. Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons) – 7 votes [2, 1, 2, 2]