FOLLOWING suit from its Country counterpart, Vic Metro announced the 2023 boys and girls talent hubs on Wednesday. Top and bottom-aged footballers budding for next year’s draft have been included in the combined list of 41 names, with split 22 to 19 between the respective groups. We highlight some of the players to watch from the Metro boys crop.

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AFL ACADEMY MEMBERS

Nate Caddy (Northern Knights)
14/07/2005 | 191cm | Forward

One of the standout overall prospects in next year’s crop, Caddy comes from good pedigree out of Melbourne’s north. He has arguably grown far past his 190cm listing, presenting as a tall forward who attacks aerial contests with vigour and eye-catching athleticism. Should he grow, he has key position potential, but may even be developed with more midfield minutes.

Will Green (Northern Knights)
08/09/2005 | 202cm | Ruck

Green has already established himself as a genuine NAB League starter with 14 bottom-age games, and is another highly developable type out of the Northern Knights. While relatively low production-wise at this stage, Green has terrific upside as a mobile 202cm prospect whose aerial range is as promising as his frame would suggest. He could be a big improver.

Will Lorenz (Oakleigh Chargers)
19/05/2005 | 186cm | Midfielder

Part of the prolific Oakleigh Chargers talent region, Lorenz is another who tore it up in representative games and looks every bit the top 20 talent. While not overly quick in a straight line, his deft agility, lethal left foot, and ability to hit the scoreboard are all factors which make him a damaging type through midfield or forward or centre.

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Nathan Philactides (Oakleigh Chargers)
10/01/2005 | 180cm | Defender

A run-and-gun type of defender who quickly cemented his spot in Oakleigh Chargers’ stacked lineup, Philactides was also part of Vic Metro’s championship-winning squad. He takes the game on with speed and power, not afraid to bite off as much as he can on the rebound. A move further afield into the middle or onto the wing may be in his midst.

Archie Roberts (Sandringham Dragons)
18/11/2005 | 182cm | Defender

Roberts is another rebounding defender who racks up plenty of possessions, and will potentially end up on the opposite flank to Philactides for Vic Metro in 2023. He has some filling out to do, but positions well behind the ball and is gutsy enough to intercept, before using his foot skills to swiftly set up attacks. He’s a force behind the ball.

Nick Watson (Eastern Ranges)
24/02/2005 | 170cm | Small Forward

Another early challenger for top spot in his draft class, at least on pound-for-pound talent, Watson has all the swagger and skill that fans love. Though small in stature, the pocket rocket is wickedly clean and clever at ground level, but can take overhead marks and finish his work with eye-catching goals. He can play midfield too, despite his size.

TOP-AGE CROP

A total of 11 more top-agers in 2023 make up the initial Vic Metro hub, and there’s some handy tall talent among them. Eastern Ranges pair Riley Weatherill and Illiro Smit made the cut alongside high-marking forward Brayden LaPlanche, while hard-running wingmen Cam Nyko and Caleb Windsor also feature to round out the Ranges’ crop.

Premiership players Vigo Visentini and Will Brown boost the Sandringham Dragons representatives to five overall, with rangy forward Jordan Croft (Calder Cannons) and reliable goalkicker Logan Morris (Western Jets) two more of the 10 selected players over 190cm.

Melbourne fans will be keen to see more of father-son prospect Kynan Brown, the son of Nathan, who is a speedy midfield hard nut out of the Oakleigh Chargers. Likewise, Essendon supporters will have an eye on Next Generation Academy product Mahmoud Taha, who projects as a dangerous forward.

BOTTOM-AGE PROSPECTS

Vic Metro had five players make the cut in this year’s Under 18 All-Australian squad, all of whom earned automatic entry to next year’s Under 18 intake. The most familiar name among them is Levi Ashcroft, who was captained by elder brother Will in Sandringham’s NAB League premiership side. He accumulates less of the ball than his sibling, but tackles hard and can roll forward to hit the scoreboard.

Metro’s Under 16 MVP, Josh Smillie is another with notable NAB League experience. The big bodied utility will have eyes on midfield minutes, but can just as easily intercept from behind the ball or throw his weight around up forward. His size, clean hands and weaponous kicking are some of the traits which have him touted so highly.

Oakleigh midfielder Jagga Smith is also well on the draft radar at this early stage. His smooth moves and composure on either side of midfield are eye catching, and he can rack up plenty of possessions. Likewise in defence, tall interceptors Tadhg McCarthy and Luke Trainor are effective users with great mobility.

2022 VIC METRO BOYS HUB