THE BUDDING class of 2027 is shaping up nicely for Tasmania, if the recent preseason testing combine is anything to go by. Several 2009-born prospects produced top-five results across the event held in Hobart, headlined by dual-podium finisher Benjamin Russell.

>> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test

Lauderdale’s Russell exhibited his elite speed with a second-place finish in the agility test (7.846 seconds), and third-place 20m sprint time of 2.919 seconds. He also popped up with the fifth best standing vertical jump (66cm) to outline his all-round athleticism.

Clarence top-ager Thomas Crossin joined Russell in featuring across three different leaderboards. He ran second in the 20m sprint (2.902 seconds), while showing strong endurance to place equal-fifth in the yo-yo test (20.8). He also notched the third best running vertical jump (83cm).

Last year’s Under 16 Pool B MVP Max Gulliver showed out in the power-based tests. He took out the 20m sprint with a scintillating time of 2.825 seconds, and was equal-third in the standing jumps (67cm). The Glenorchy product is arguably Tasmania’s leading prospect for next year.

Lucas Heazlewood joined him with a first place finish in the agility test (7.79 seconds), while also placing third in the yo-yo test (21.2) in a feat of top-end speed and endurance. The Ulverstone native was Tasmania’s Under 16 MVP last year after a productive carnival up forward.

Also among the most impressive performances was that of South Launceston’s Prince Williams. The 14-year-old, born in 2011, took out both the standing (70cm) and running (92cm) vertical jumps. Measuring up at just 167cm, he’ll certainly be one to watch for the future.

TOP 5s: 2026 TASMANIAN PRESEASON TESTING

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP:

1. Prince Williams (South Launceston) – 70cm
2. Jess Bula (Launceston) – 68cm
Eq. 3. Max Gulliver (Glenorchy) – 67cm
Eq. 3. Jaxon Hay (Devonport) – 67cm
5. Benjamin Russell (Lauderdale) – 66cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP:

1. Prince Williams (South Launceston) – 92cm
2. Oliver Freeland (South Launceston) – 87cm
Eq. 3. Campbell Barwick (Clarence) – 83cm
Eq. 3. Ewan Dillon (Glenorchy) – 83cm
Eq. 3. Thomas Crossin (Clarence) – 83cm
Eq. 3. Noah Hedger (Launceston) – 83cm
Eq. 3. Tom Munting (South Launceston) – 83cm

20m SPRINT:

1. Max Gulliver (Glenorchy) – 2.825 seconds
2. Thomas Crossin (Clarence) – 2.902 seconds
3. Benjamin Russell (Lauderdale) – 2.919 seconds
4. Benjamin Barwick (Glenorchy) – 2.946 seconds
5. Jack Ritter (Latrobe) – 2.973 seconds

AFL AGILITY TEST:

1. Lucas Heazlewood (Ulverstone) – 7.79 seconds
2. Benjamin Russell (Lauderdale) – 7.846 seconds
3. Max Fuglsang (North Hobart) – 7.98 seconds
4. Tommy Geappen (Clarence) – 8.008 seconds
5. Benjamin Barwick (Glenorchy) – 8.107 seconds

YO-YO TEST:

1. Jacob Stretton (Burnie) – 21.4
2. Ryder Jones (Clarence) – 21.3
3. Lucas Heazlewood (Ulverstone) – 21.2
4. Coby Praciak (Launceston) – 21.1
Eq. 5. Thomas Crossin (Clarence) – 20.8
Eq. 5. Tommy Geappen (Clarence) – 20.8