THE AFL Mid-Season Draft has become a breeding ground for mature-age talent in recent years, and the next batch of overlooked prospects are gunning for the elite level in 2024. With the Coates Talent League now two rounds down, we highlight 10 over-agers who have made promising starts.

Jordan Doherty (Dandenong Stingrays)
Ruck | 199cm | 21/02/2005

A late bloomer of sorts, Doherty has undergone a significant growth spurt to transform from tall wingman to genuine key position prospect. As such, he has fluent mechanics to match his range at 199cm, able to move around the ground and impact aerially. He only played seven games in the last two years for Dandenong but already has two under his belt in 2024; averaging 14 touches, five marks and six hitouts.

Tom Hanily (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 179cm | 31/05/2005

Those at Gippsland are high on Hanily, with the small midfielder coming off a top-age campaign hampered by ankle injuries. The Xavier College graduate is capable of racking up plenty of possessions and uses the ball well on his favoured left foot. He looked sharp in the Power’s opening game of 2024, filling his boots with 32 disposals, nine marks, seven tackles and a goal in a win over Dandenong.

Ben Hopkins (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender | 190cm | 28/07/2005

A big improver last year, Hopkins is on track to continue that upward trajectory in 2024. He spent a full preseason with North Melbourne’s VFL side and hit the ground running in Dandenong colours, averaging 27 disposals, six marks and nine rebound 50s across his first two outings. He’s a dashing type who turns defence into attack with repeat high speed running and incisive decision making with ball in hand.

Liam Kershaw (Geelong Falcons)
Wing | 189cm | 17/10/2005

Like many on this list, Kershaw garnered attention last year and despite being overlooked for a draft combine invite, was certainly in the mix. He mostly cut his teeth as a defender but has shifted up to a wing in 2024, averaging 20 disposals, eight marks, and five inside 50s in Geelong’s first two games. At 189cm, he thrives aerially and reads the game well when positioned a kick behind the play.

Lachlan McArthur (Western Jets)
Defender | 188cm | 09/12/2005

McArthur is part of the classic December-birth category that recruiters look for upside in. He played at both ends of the ground as a top-ager but really caught the eye down back, showcasing promising aerial ability and a hard edge to go with his flair. There are elements of polish he can add to his game, but McArthur’s raw potential has been clear to see in his various breakout performances.

Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 185cm | 13/04/2005

McLachlan has sprung onto the scene in more ways than one this year. His breakout five-goal haul against Greater Western Victoria put his name on the map, as have his high-marking exploits across two games. The forward already has some handy highlights on his tape and will look to push on after posting 19 goals in 13 games as a top-ager last year. He has seven in two already this year.

Geordie Payne (Tasmania Devils)
Utility | 184cm | 06/11/2005

There was plenty of interest around Payne towards the end of last year and he’s back in a new role this time out. The tough and athletic utility thrived as a rebound defender but is now plying his trade as a forward, also rotating through midfield. He started out with 3.3 from 16 touches and seven marks in Tasmania’s Round 1 loss and while erratic at times, has some exciting traits.

Joe Pike (Geelong Falcons)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/05/2005

A man mountain at over 200cm, Pike ticked all the boxes last year in the way of performing for Geelong and earning representative honours. He is no stranger to dominating the hitout battles and has carried on in 2024, averaging 24 to go with 16 disposals, five marks and five tackles across his first two games. As is the case with many bigmen, he still has things to work on but will be prominent at junior level.

Cooper Trembath (Eastern Ranges)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 17/10/2005

An interesting prospect at 193cm, there are few more effective and physical tall defenders than Trembath in the Talent League. He is arguably undersized for a key back but thrives on intercept marks and is hardly beaten in the air. With that being the case, he can certainly look to add new elements to his game. He started well in 2024 though, clunking seven marks among his 22 possessions in Round 1.

Dayten Uerata (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 28/10/2005

Bendigo’s captain for 2024, Uerata’s power has been felt around the ball with a couple of solid games out the gate. He booted two goals from 17 touches and six inside 50s in Round 2, backing up some nice glimpses in an 18-disposal performance the previous week. His talent is beginning to come to the fore and a breakout campaign may be in the offing in his third Talent League season.