THE 2026 Vic Metro summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 26 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and as many club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 record last year. We profile every member of the training squad.

>> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian summer squads revealed

Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons)
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 for 2027. 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 seems to always know where his next touch will come and is a playmaking force.

Sam Harris (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 179cm | 17/01/2008

North Melbourne F/S

Harris is one of the several club-tied prospects in Calder’s ranks, linked to North Melbourne under father-son rules. He has the same hard-nosed approach to midfield craft as his father Daniel, but can also rack up possessions on the outside with his strong work rate. Harris played 13 Talent League games for the Cannons last year, averaging 17.1 disposals and establishing an on-ball position with greater confidence as the season wore on. His fundamental skills are ultra-clean.

Blake Justice (Calder Cannons)
Forward/Midfielder | 190cm | 29/09/2008

Essendon NGA

Justice has all the attributes to rocket up draft boards this year. A solidly-built, explosive athlete at 190cm, he holds his own in contested situations and can power his way forward at speed. Justice’s healthy work ethic also compliments his dual-position status, able to operate as a high forward or inside midfielder. The 17-year-old established himself on a wing for Calder last year before graduating on-ball, making 15 Talent League appearances as a bottom-ager.

Tevita Rodan (Calder Cannons)
Utility | 179cm | 18/02/2009

Essendon NGA & Port Adelaide F/S

A chip off the old block, Rodan has already showcased some of the same pop and power as his father, David. The 16-year-old has already made his Talent League debut and can play on every line. He is a playmaking rebounder down back, dynamic threat up forward, and clever extractor who can navigate stoppages through the middle. Expect him to earn more midfield exposure as he develops, though he could well end up as a potent flanker at either end of the ground. Rodan is father-son tied to Port Adelaide, while also being part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy.

Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
Wing | 189cm | 06/01/2008

A new-age athlete moulding into a terrific footballer, Chapman played 18 games in the Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough Talent League premiership last year. The rangy 17-year-old established himself on the wing, where his bounding speed suited the outside. At 189cm, he has the potential to impact aerially and is an effective transitional player who helps transport the ball from end-to-end. Those kind of versatile link players are in high demand, and on pure traits, Chapman has the raw upside AFL recruiters will love.

Sam Devers (Eastern Ranges)
Utility | 189cm | 27/03/2008

Devers is a relative unknown in this crop having not been part of the Under 16 or 17 squads, but was a premiership player with Eastern last year. The 189cm prospect played a few different roles throughout his bottom-age campaign, cutting his teeth on both sides of midfield and dropping back late in the season. He averaged 11.9 disposals and 3.4 marks across 12 games after making his debut in Round 9 and quickly forging a permanent spot in the side.

Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Knapp is a crafty ball winner who knows how to find and use the footy better than most. He averaged 20.8 disposals in 11 Talent League appearances last year, operating mostly off a wing with stints through the middle and up forward. Knapp is a clean handler of the ball and possesses neat skills, complimented by his poised decision making. He was called up for the National Futures game last year after being a consistent figure in Eastern’s premiership success.

Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 180cm | 24/03/2008

Yet another of Eastern’s premiership players from last year, Spencer will be among the Ranges’ go-to midfielders in 2026. He already established a place there throughout 16 bottom-age games in 2025, averaging 19.2 disposals and 4.6. marks. Also capable of rotating forward, Spencer caught the eye with his powerful bursts and clearance winning ability for Vic Metro’s Futures last year. He shapes as a consistent and reliable ball winner with those little points of difference.

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

This kid racks up individual honours for fun. He won the esteemed Kevin Sheehan Medal at last 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 then 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 at will with his booming left foot. A genuine gun.

Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights)
Key Forward | 194cm | 21/05/2008

The Knights certainly won’t be short on tall talent next year, and Gayfer is part of that factor. The athletic 194cm forward is a terrific aerialist, able to reel in impressive pack marks or bring the ball to ground for the smalls to feast on. After injury threatened to curtail his 2025 campaign, Gayfer managed six Talent League appearances with the Knights for a return of five goals. It seems his best is yet to come at that level having shown glimpses of his considerable upside.

Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 24/07/2008

Hodgson may be a relative unknown to most having missed his entire bottom-age season with back stress fractures. He was an Under 16 All-Australian in 2024 and went on to make his Talent League debut shortly after, playing a near-unprecedented 10 games – mostly at just 15 years of age. Hodgson earned a train-on spot in Vic Metro’s Under 18 squad last year despite the injury, highlighting how highly rated he is. An interceptor with composure and clean foot skills, Hodgson is renowned for his high-end footy IQ.

Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

A man mountain who plays with serious presence, Houndsome has already proven to be a big-game player. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield last year, impressing with his mobility and contested marking prowess around the ground. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck.

Kai Parker (Northern Knights)
Tall Defender | 190cm | 17/10/2008

Parker plays in dynamic fashion and full of intent. His versatility is clear to see, capable of playing on both talls and smalls at 190cm, while proving an effective interceptor and rebounder. Often times, he’ll cut the ball off aerially before taking off with daring bursts of run on the counterattack. Parker played 12 Talent League games off an injury-interrupted preseason last year and was part of Parade College’s third consecutive Herald Sun Shield title.

Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008

Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. He covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or deep forward. There is plenty of talk already to suggest Van Hattum could be the leading key position player in 2026, drawing comparisons to last year’s fourth pick, Cooper Duff-Tytler. He won the Knights’ Rising Star award in 2025 and earned a Vic Metro debut.

Archie Fogarty (Oakleigh Chargers)
Tall Defender/Forward | 191cm | 06/01/2008

Fogarty popped up for his Talent League debut with Oakleigh in 2024 and produced a best on ground performance in St Kevin’s intermediate Herald Sun Shield title win. He put on a marking clinic that day and is renowned for his intercept ability, playing slightly taller than his 191cm standing would suggest. Capable of playing at both ends of the ground, Fogarty has settled in defence but has a good running tank and presents well up forward. He’ll split his time in the APS this year.

Harper McCullough (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 176cm | 29/05/2009

A true competitor in midfield, McCullough punches above his weight with dogged determination and explosive contributions around the contest. He’s the type of ball winner who consistently does the tough stuff as a clearance extractor and tackler, allowing others to shine with his selfless approach. McCullough is also capable of catching the eye with ball in hand, refusing to be beaten or tackled as he drives his legs into attack. What’s more, his work rate is helps him stay involved on the outside. McCullough was an Under 16 All-Australian last year and played two Talent League games for Oakleigh.

Flynn Woolhouse (Oakleigh Chargers)
Key Forward | 195cm | 06/05/2008

Woolhouse is a relatively economical key forward in the sense he doesn’t need too many touches to hurt the opposition. A high-marking type, the 195cm prospect kicked 12 goals in nine Talent League games last year including a high of four against Dandenong in Round 11. He has been working on his speed and power but is capable of working hard up the ground and has a terrific set of hands overhead. He was part of Vic Metro’s Under 16 setup in 2024 and debuted for Oakleigh in the same year.

Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 23/04/2008

One of the most freakishly talented players at the front-end of this year’s crop, Butler has plenty of upside. Naturally a forward, he’s a menace to deal with one-on-one with his speed, smarts, and goal sense. The Sandringham Dragons prospect has already made his Vic Metro Under 18 debut and kicked three goals in his maiden Talent League outing during 2024. He’s mercurial around the big sticks, but may also develop into a crafty midfielder and shapes as a top 10 prospect.

Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons)
Key Defender | 199cm | 16/09/2008

Bradley is solid as a rock in defence, capable of taking on the opposition’s toughest forwards and blanketing them. He’ll likely be Vic Metro’s primary key back and shapes as a plug-and-play option who simply gets the job done with minimal fuss. Bradley racked up 11 games in Sandringham’s run to the Talent League Grand Final last year, averaging 9.6 disposals and 4.1 marks. He’s physically strong and difficult to beat one-on-one as he plays the percentages beautifully.

Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 29/03/2008

One of the Talent League’s most exciting bottom-age performers in the back-end of the season, Teixeira has really begun to come into his own. He immediately catches the eye with his burst speed out of the contest, driving his legs through the middle and putting opposition defences on the back foot. Teixeira is also capable of impacting up forward and can hit the scoreboard semi-regularly. His hands are clean on the inside. though he can continue to work on adding that same polish to his kicking on the run.

Henry Thomas (Sandringham Dragons)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 04/11/2008

Otherwise known as ‘Hank’, Thomas is a physically strong tall defender who was part of Sandringham’s Grand Final team last year. He played 10 games for an average of 10 disposals while splitting his time with Brighton Grammar in the APS competition. Thomas thrives in the aerial contest, utilising his frame and competitiveness to access the ball. The 17-year-old continues in the Vic Metro program having been part of the Under 16 squad in 2024.

Khaled El Souki (Western Jets)
Small Forward | 173cm | 04/07/2008

Western Bulldogs NGA

Another club-tied prospect in Vic Metro’s mix, El Souki made Bulldogs fans and recruiters take notice of his bottom-age form. The Next Generation Academy member kicked 22 goals in 15 Talent League games last year, also averaging 3.9 tackles to earn a tick for his defensive pressure. He’s a mercurial type of small who can make things happen from nothing, proving difficult to tackle and confident in his finishing ability. He’s deceptively strong and assertive for a player his size.

Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 182cm | 19/01/2008

Hicks produced one of the best individual performances of 2025, amassing 34 disposals, 10 marks and four goals in Western’s Round 14 win over Bendigo. He was Vic Metro’s Under 16 MVP in 2024 and while overlooked for a train-on spot last year, should be high on confidence. Hicks rose to prominence for Wesley College in last year’s APS season and has since graduated. He can play inside, outside or up forward with conviction, possessing a clean set of hands and good running power.

Jake Miller (Western Jets)
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.

Angus Tippett (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 192cm | 02/12/2008

Among the decreasingly rare breed of 190cm-plus midfielders, Tippett is a strong and polished ball winner. He uses his size to advantage at stoppages, extracting the ball cleanly and dishing out to teammates with great efficiency. For such a big unit, he also covers the ground quite well and while the base of his game revolves around his contest work, he is also capable of hitting the scoreboard. Tippett played six games for Western last year, averaging 23 touches, 4.8 tackles and 6.2 clearances.

Billy Wigmore (Western Jets)
Defender | 187cm | 29/03/2008

Rounding out Western’s five squad members is Wigmore, a high-marking defender. At 187cm, he plays well above his height with exceptional reading of the ball in flight and a vice-like set of hands overhead. Wigmore is as gutsy as they come and while prone to errors by foot at times, acted as one of Western’s most reliable distributors last year. He averaged 17 disposals and eight marks per his 11 Talent League games as a bottom-ager.