TWO OF six regions in the Metro conference have been eliminated from the 2025 Coates Talent League season after an action-packed Wildcard weekend. We review the campaigns of the Northern Knights and Western Jets after their respective exits.

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NORTHERN KNIGHTS

RECORD: 7th Overall | 4th Metro | 8-7 | 93.6%
STREAK: LL | WWW | L | W | LLL | WWWW | L
WILDCARD: def. by Sandringham Dragons 9.3 (57) to 17.8 (110)

THE STORY:

The Knights turned a 0-2 start into a 4-3 record with three wins in their next four games. The early-season upturn included a three-game win streak and four matches decided by less than a goal. Another run of four consecutive wins late in the season helped achieve a positive ledger of 8-7 heading into the postseason, although that work was undone by a comprehensive Wildcard Round loss to Sandringham.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Northern’s one-point come-from-behind win over Dandenong in Round 6 will likely stick in the memory for a long time. The Knights took the lead for the first time 14 minutes into term four, and grabbed it again with under five minutes left to play – both times via the boot of Gabriel Stumpf. Their effort to hold on and beat Sandringham by three points in Round 8 was another memorable result, while back-to-back wins over quarter finalist Geelong and minor premier Gippsland came amid a run of four victories.

THE STAR:

Tyson Gresham
Small Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 21/06/2007

Season Averages [13 games]: 16.7 disposals, 3.2 tackles, 2.6 inside 50s, 1.2 goals

The Knights’ co-captain and sole top-age Vic Metro representative, Gresham had plenty of responsibility on his shoulders. While often one of the smallest players afield, he showed great fight and determination throughout the season to consistently be among his side’s most fierce tone-setters. The brother of Essendon’s Jade kicked 16 goals in 13 games, including a high of four from 27 disposals in Round 8. He went on to play three games with Vic Metro and is part of Carlton’s Next Generation Academy.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Leading the side along with Gresham was fellow midfielder-forward Sebastian Murphy – the brother of Adelaide’s Lachie. He was part of a dynamic midfield group which often featured James Allison and Nicholas Driscoll – the Knights’ standalone state draft combine invitee this year.

Driscoll played all of a possible 16 games alongside dashing rebounder Ryan Commandeur. Fellow accumulator Roman Moxon was also prolific when available, while midfielder Mitchell Moate had plenty of eyes on him before cruelly going down with a second ACL injury in as many years.

Elsewhere, the Knights got good service out of a few over-agers. Gabriel Stumpf was the best of the lot, especially after a move to defence which saw him average 17.6 disposals and 5.6 marks in 15 games. Liam Farrar booted 11 goals in 14 games, while Tommy Vrkic played some tough roles in his 14 outings.

THE FUTURE:

Northern has some serious tall talent heading into next year. Ruck-forward pair Harry Van Hattum and Lewis Houndsome will be difficult to contain, while defender Tate Hodgson – who didn’t play a game all season – was part of the Vic Metro squad and has been selected in the National Futures program.

Northern had four players, including Houndsome, turn out for the Metro Futures side this year. Daring tall defender Kai Parker, tough small utility Harvie Cooke, and the powerful Max Downes all showed their wares in that game and played a hand in Parade College’s third straight Herald Sun Shield title.

Another couple of bottom-agers to keep an eye on are Rylee Ratkovic and Sam Gayfer. The former led Nothern’s goalkicking this year with 17 goals in 11 appearances, including three bags of three. The latter made his Coates Talent League debut last year but shows promise as a marking forward.

The Knights also unveiled a pair of Under 16 prospects in Vic Metro representative Campbell Rooks and Tanner Wilson. Tall forward Axton West is another promising type in the 2009-born group and while yet to debut, was impressive in the senior Parade College side alongside elder Knights.

WESTERN JETS

RECORD: 13th Overall | 6th Metro | 3-12 | 73.7%
STREAK: LLL | W | LLL | W | L | W | LLLLL
WILDCARD: def. by Eastern Ranges 7.3 (45) to 20.14 (134)

THE STORY:

Western kickstarted its campaign with a 32-point win over the Northern Territory in Round 6, after starting the season 0-3. Another three losses followed that breakthrough before knocking off Calder by five goals in a terrific upset. That result helped form a run of two wins in three games, going on to thump Bendigo by 74 points a fortnight later. They failed to maintain the rage as five straight defeats followed to finish the season bottom of the ladder, and bow out with an 89-point loss to Eastern in Wildcard Round.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

The Jets’ 30-point win over Calder in Round 12 holds up well, with Oskar Ainsworth‘s five goals making up the difference. Although, Western’s 74-point dismantling of Bendigo on the road was arguably the side’s premier performance, with Ainsworth again kicking five goals and Lachlan Hicks snaring four from 34 disposals. Despite it being their last win of the season, it would have given the young squad plenty of positive reinforcement having also beaten Calder two weeks earlier.

THE STAR:

Thomas Burton
Midfielder/Defender | 178cm | 09/01/2007

Season Averages [12 games]: 29.6 disposals, 5.3 marks, 4.4 tackles, 4.7 inside 50s

It had to be Burton. Arguably the region’s leading prospect among a talented top-end group, the competitive small was nothing short of prolific when available. Credit to his enviable work ethic and running ability, he posted 30 or more disposals in seven of 12 games, including five in a row to start the season. Burton did so on either side of his National Academy commitments and also represented Vic Metro across all four National Championships games. He’ll likely be a Morrish Medal contender.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Having come into the year with Burton and Thomas McGuane pegged as standout prospects, Western went on to have a total of five players invited to the state and national combines. Burton will be joined at the national event by Oskar Ainsworth and Finn Davis, who both earned Vic Metro call-ups.

Ainsworth showcased his power and ability to his the scoreboard in bunches with 21 goals in 12 games, including two bags of five. Meanwhile, Davis ran riot at the other end of the field, averaging 27.7 disposals, 6.4 rebound 50s, and six marks per his 12 appearances, adding weapons to his game.

McGuane, a Collingwood father-son hopeful, made the state combine list alongside key defender Jacob Marron. Both players represented Vic Metro, with the former averaging 27.9 disposals in Western colours, while the latter proved a steady head when available for his seven games.

Elsewhere, Samuel Koulouris was the Jets’ only top-ager to play all of a possible 16 games. Primary ruckman Macauli Buck showed marked improvement throughout the season to be another unheralded mainstay, while dual-club tied prospect Kobe Williams broke through for a VFL debut with Footscray.

THE FUTURE:

Midfielder Lachlan Hicks is Western’s leading prospect for next year and has been called up to the National Futures program. Meanwhile, strong marking swingman Billy Wigmore, 192cm midfielder Angus Tippett, and bustling small forward Khaled El Souki were part of the Vic Metro Under 17 squad.

El Souki led the region’s goalkicking with 22 majors, establishing his place in the side along with the likes of James McDaid (16 games), Zac Dalli and Harry Gardner-Solomon (both 15). All four are part of a promising bottom-age crop which has been afforded plenty of exposure over the last few months.

Western also blooded a tremendous amount of Under 16 talent, with eight 2009-born players making their debuts this year. The best of the lot was Vic Metro Under 16 captain Jake Miller, who famously starred with four goals on debut. The key forward went on to kick 14 majors in six appearances.

Other double bottom-age prospects to keep an eye on include midfielder Griffin Barker, and fellow Vic Metro representatives Archie King and Oliver Castro. Set to be afforded plenty of opportunities down the line, the Jets’ underage crop is in good shape to repay the faith over the next two seasons.