A PAIR of National Championships fixtures over the weekend shed further light on how this year’s draft crop is shaping up. Among the players to impress were two tied to Carlton; father-son hopeful Harry Dean, and Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Jack Ison – despite both playing in losing sides.

West Australian match-winner Hudson Walker and South Australian forward dynamo Zane Peucker also turned in energetic performances which helped propel their teams to victory. We cast all four prospects under the microscope in our second National Championships edition of Rising Stocks.

>> TOP 20: June 2025 Power Rankings

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Zane Peucker (Woodville-West Torrens)
Small Forward | 180cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

South Australia’s squad isn’t brimming with genuine small forwards, which only boosts the value of Peucker’s speed and power. After a steady first outing in the tricolour guernsey, Peucker came to life against Vic Metro. He suited the conditions well, digging in for nine contested possessions and often finding a way to burrow out of congestion. He did so to kick the first goal of the game and slammed home another from long-range later on. Explosive small forwards who break lines and find the goals are at a premium, especially with many being club-tied this year. One to watch in that department.

VIC COUNTRY:

Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 10 marks (3 contested), 93% disposal efficiency

Carlton F/S

Dean is quickly closing in on the top 20, if he isn’t there already. The son of 1995 premiership Blue, Peter is as pure a defender as they come and has been in sensational form. Having taken 10 marks in each of his last two Coates Talent League appearances, he repeated the feat for Vic Country in a narrow defeat to WA, with three of them being contested. Both were game-high figures. His reading of the play, speed to the contest, and clean hands overhead are all hallmarks of top-line key defenders. He also uses the ball neatly and the Blues will be lucky to have him, likely as a first rounder in this form.

>> Scouting Notes: Western Australia vs. Vic Country

VIC METRO:

Jack Ison (Oakleigh Chargers)
Utility | 190cm | 26/03/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Carlton NGA

Having endured an injury interrupted start to the year, Ison has somewhat been out of sight and out of mind. He entered the National Championships off a single game with the Oakleigh Chargers and four for Scotch College, but proved one of Vic Metro’s most effective ball users in a heavy defeat. Running at 83 per cent disposal efficiency in wet conditions, Ison directly assisted three of his side’s five goals, showing great composure and skill to weight his passes. The smooth moving left-footer is a versatile prospect at 190cm, capable of playing several roles and jumping up the rankings on pure upside.

>> Scouting Notes: South Australia vs. Vic Metro

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Hudson Walker (Subiaco)
Forward/Midfielder | 179cm | 06/09/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Game-winning goal aside, Walker was one of the most influential players in Western Australia’s thrilling win over Vic Country. On top of his game-high eight tackles, he also posted a team-high nine contested possessions and four clearances, getting his hands dirty at the contest. With such numbers, it is no wonder the 179cm midfielder-forward has earned a senior berth at Subiaco. His relentless pressure and powerful work through the stoppages are traits which suit the high forward role, though Walker has proven to also be a very capable midfielder at Under 18 level. Could be a steep riser.

>> Rising Stocks: Tall timber emerges in champs opener