WHILE two crops of prospects are set to hit the bigtime before them, the budding class of 2027 is already taking shape. Recruiters were buoyed by the quality on show at this year’s Under 16 National Championships, with many star names emerging from the July carnival. We highlight 10 players to keep an eye on over the next couple of years, some of which are already tied to clubs.

>> AFL U16s: Recap | MVPs | All-Australian

Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 177cm | 10/01/2009

Essendon F/S

Essendon fans are already all over Bewick’s potential, with the son of two-time premiership Bomber Darren shaping as a top-end talent. His style and prolific nature draw comparisons to Collingwood star Nick Daicos, boasting elite footy IQ and the ability to impact on each line. He’s a terrific ball user with great running power, making him a threat off half-back, through the middle, and even as a resting forward. He hits the scoreboard and brings others into the play, knowing where his next touch will come.

Jackson Bridge (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 187cm | 16/07/2009

There has been no shortage of Queensland talent over the last few years and Bridge is the best of the lot born in 2009. The brother of 2025 draft prospect Harrison got one up on his brother by taking out the Alan McLean Medal this year, as the best and fairest player in Pool B of the Under 16 National Championships. He’s a terrific interceptor with reliable hands and positioning behind the ball, using that skill to spark counterattacks with his ability to hit targets on the run. His kicking is a real weapon.

Taj Garrett (Sturt/South Australia)
Midfielder | 183cm | 05/01/2009

Garrett returned for his second Under 16 National Championships campaign this year and took out All-Australian honours. He projects as South Australia’s top pure midfielder in his age group and has already made the step up to SANFL Under 18 level with Sturt. Garrett is a hard-running type capable of accumulating possessions all around the ground. He glides across the grass and brings the play forward on the outside, but is just as capable of winning his own ball and tackling hard on the inside.

Max Gulliver (Tasmania)
Midfielder | 178cm | 04/11/2009

A measure of Gulliver’s talent is the fact he was named All-Australian captain on the back of only two of a possible three full games. The midfielder exhibits explosive speed and genuine attacking instincts which make him a constant threat to the opposition. Gulliver put up video game numbers at the Under 16 National Championships, dominating the clearances and hitting the scoreboard at will. He has since debuted for Tasmania Devils in the Coates Talent League and already looks up to the Under 18 level.

Sam Husband (Tasmania)
Midfielder | 180cm | 17/09/2009

Another prospect to watch out of the brimming Tasmanian talent pool, Husband joins Gulliver as a likely target for the state’s incoming AFL team in 2027. The powerful midfielder has also stepped up to Tasmania’s Coates Talent League side and has the physical attributes to match it with elder opponents. His acceleration is blended with poise to break out of congestion, where he either drives his legs further, links up with teammates by hand, or cleverly hits targets by foot. He’s a well-rounded threat.

Jake Miller (Western Jets/Vic Metro)
Key Forward | 195cm | 07/05/2009

Miller made a statement in his Coates Talent League debut, booting four goals from 18 disposals and 11 marks. His 16 disposals, 13 marks and three goals in game number three were equally impressive, with the imposing key forward shaping as a re-gen of fellow Western Jets product Logan Morris. While he can improve his running capacity, he presents at the kicker full chested and is strong overhead. Miller then converts chances on his favoured left side and is the type of player who demands attention.

Zemes Pilot (South Adelaide/South Australia)
Tall Forward/Midfielder | 192cm | 08/06/2009

Port Adelaide NGA

Pilot may well be the most exciting player of the 2027 crop at this early stage. He is ridiculously athletic, capable of plying his trade in midfield at all of 192cm. The Port Adelaide NGA prospect is arguably most effective as a mobile marking forward, where he covers ground like a much smaller player but extends overhead like few others can. Pilot recently garnered attention with an eye-watering effort of 9.4 from 27 disposals in the SANFL Under 16s. He has also stepped up to Under 18 level with South Adelaide.

Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 182cm | 18/07/2009

This kid just keeps on racking up individual honours. He won the esteemed Kevin Sheehan Medal at this year’s Under 16 National Championships and was duly named Vic Metro’s MVP. Having kicked the winning goal in two of the three games there, he more recently spurred Rowville Secondary College to the Herald Sun Shield title with three fourth-quarter majors. Sruk is physically developed and powerful, but covers ground well in the attacking phase and kicks goals for fun with his booming left foot.

Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)
Forward/Midfielder | 175cm | 06/03/2009

Thompson has produced some of the most impressive Under 18 form of any player in this group, earning a Coates Talent League berth with the Bendigo Pioneers. He led the Pool A goalkicking at this year’s Under 16 National Championships en route to the Vic Country MVP award and All-Australian honours. A deadeye in front of goal, Thompson’s main weapon is his elite ball use which he uses as a creative force on the attack. He’s the type of player you want kicking inside 50 or playmaking on the outside.

Axel Walsh (East Perth/Western Australia)
Ruck | 201cm | 20/01/2009

Perhaps an early favourite to be top of the crop, Walsh was Western Australia’s Under 16 captain this year. He’s the brother of Port Adelaide rookie Xavier, but is blazing his own trail via the East Perth Futures. Already standing at 201cm, Walsh is an imposing figure in the ruck and dominates his domain, while also being capable of tracking back to support the defence with intercept marks. He very nearly dragged his side to the national Under 16 title in a thrilling encounter with Vic Metro, but unfortunately injured his PCL late in that match. He made his WAFL Colts debut earlier in the year, kicking two goals.