BOASTING three National Academy members this year, the Gold Coast Suns’ academy talent has been highly touted from a long way out. Though, the question of just how good the Suns’ crop would be is only now being answered, and good is far from an apt descriptor.

Leading prospects Jed Walter, Ethan Read, and Jake Rogers are all being talked up as top 20 contenders and while that’s a mouth-watering notion for the Queensland-based club, the conundrum of keeping all three homegrown players via the draft shapes as a major headache.

Walter is firming as a one of the best handful of players in the country. The big, bustling key forward is a physical beast who loves to throw his weight around and not only impacts aerially, but pressures with intent that few key position players care to show.

>> Talent League POTW: Jed Walter

Read is a 202cm ruck whose aerobic capacity and clean skills also make him a rare type for his size. At the other end of the scale is Rogers, who’s an agile 171cm midfielder with elite decision making. Both are in the first round conversation and are duly being circled by other clubs.

>> Player Focus: Jake Rogers

It’s all well and good committing to each academy product, but having to match potentially three bids within the first 20 selections is arguably more severe than any circumstance ever seen at the AFL Draft to date.

Brisbane faced a similar dilemma last year, with father-son guns Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher both pegged as first rounders. Ashcroft, arguably the 2022 pool’s top talent ended up going with pick two, and a bid on Fletcher was matched with pick 12.

The Lions clamoured to get trade in enough points and avoid a deficit, something which clubs have sometimes resigned to. Gold Coast has already mobilised, too, building a haul of future picks last year with potential to also part with this year’s first rounder.

Depending on where the Suns finish, Walter could be taken off the board before their first selection. That would make it a viable trade target to further bolster Gold Coast’s hand, which currently holds one first-rounder, two second-rounders, three third-rounders, and three fourth-rounders.

The other 17 clubs will be monitoring closely, especially on the chance that Gold Coast is forced to only commit to taking two of the trio. Walter seems the likely lock, but Read and Rogers may be worth keeping an eye on should a scramble ensue.

Rogers is Victorian-born and supports Collingwood, though clubs would also be in line just as quickly for a tall with Read’s upside. Either way, there is clear quality there that recruiters around the nation would be more than happy to have access to in an open draft.

>> Preseason Q&A: Ethan Read

Part of the equation is how Gold Coast’s next batch of academy talent is developing. As it stands, albeit a long way out, there isn’t a player who currently has the same notoriety as Walter, Read or Rogers in the class of 2024. That’ll somewhat ease the Suns’ stress, particularly if a points deficit ensues this year. Watch this space.

PROFILED: SUNS ACADEMY GUNS

Jed Walter
08/06/2005 | 194cm | Key Forward

Regarded as the top Suns Academy product this year, Walter offers serious presence as a key forward who attacks each contest with vigour. He has a surprising amount of toe for a player with such strength and size, and puts 100 per cent effort into everything he does – both in attacking and defensive phases. He’s a machine.

Draft range: Top 10

Ethan Read
07/08/2005 | 202cm | 87kg | Ruck

Read fits the mould of a modern day key position player. Though he still has a way to go in terms of physicality and contested work, the 202cm talent covers the ground beautifully and has terrific skills for a player his size. With such athleticism and upside, he is one of the many talls pressing into first round contention.

Draft range: 10-20

Jake Rogers
02/03/2005 | 171cm | 68kg | Midfielder

A diminutive ball winner with excellent speed and agility, Rogers has all the traits any good small should. He’s clean and clever with ball in hand and navigates traffic with a combination of his athleticism and spatial awareness. Rogers represented the Allies as a bottom-ager last year and looms as a key part of their midfield in 2023.

Draft range: Top 20

>> Scouting Notes: AFL Academy – Game 1 | Game 2