STATE representatives from around the country stepped up the grades to make their debut senior appearances, most notably down at Norwood. A pair of Northern Academy-tied prospects broke into the VFL grade, while one West Australian youngster impressed in search of a League recall.

>> VFL Player Focus: Tyan Prindable (Brisbane Lions)

SANFL

A quartet of state Under 18 representatives made their SANFL Reserves debuts for Norwood, helping claim a 27-point win over Woodville-West Torrens. Scattered throughout the field, they all made contributions having made the jump on the back of a title-winning national carnival.

Hard-running utility Jim Kelly notched up 18 disposals and four inside 50s, while tall defender Noah Daw managed 17 disposals and four marks, and rotating ruck Sam Ainsworth kicked his maiden goal from 13 touches. Meanwhile, the competitive Balyn O’Brien cluncked five marks among his 13 touches.

Norwood also fielded another pair of Under 18 prospects, with Micah Kretschmer making his second appearance at the level since debuting Round 5 – also against the Eagles. State summer squad member Will Prescott also impressed with a personal-best four goals in what was his 10th reserves outing.

Up at League level, the Eagles had a tough loss but were able to give senior minutes to Jack Cook (17 disposals, five tackles, seven rebound 50s) and Jevan Phillipou (six disposals). The latter has staked his claim as a top 20 prospect having missed the National Championships with a broken arm.

State skipper and MVP Dyson Sharp continued his League stint with Central District, though found the going tough with 10 touches and five tackles in the Bulldogs’ 51-point loss to Sturt. North Adelaide’s Sam Cumming was also steady in defeat, posting 13 disposals, four tackles, and three clearances.

VFL

A pair of Allies squad members made their state league debuts in Round 17 of the VFL, both tied to Northern Academies. Namely, Tyan Prindable (Brisbane Lions) and Kaiden McNamara (Sydney Swans) were handed opportunities having impressed in representative colours.

Prindable was afforded plenty of midfield minutes en route to 20 disposals, five tackles and six clearances, showcasing his work rate and clean fundamental skills. He took the field alongside bottom-age Lions Academy member Matthew Owen, who managed 17 touches at 82 per cent efficiency.

While the Lions suffered defeat at the hands of Footscray, McNamara’s Swans saluted by 11 points over North Melbourne. The utility bagged his first senior goal from six disposals, while enigmatic teammate Max King bagged a couple of marks among his three touches. He’s a first round prospect.

Remaining on the topic of Northern Academy talent, GWS bottom-ager Ethan Matthews had his best game yet with 21 disposals (81 per cent efficiency) and seven intercept possessions. The 2026 prospect now has three VFL games under his belt, and helped the Giants prevail over Essendon by 21 points.

The Bombers gave another opportunity to tall forward Floyd Burmeister, who booted a single goal after notching one with his first kick in the famous sash last week. Northern Knights mid-forward Nicholas Driscoll also earned a chance with the Bullants, managing eight touches in a heavy defeat to Frankston.

Rounding out the junior prospects running around at VFL level, Gold Coast fielded three current academy talents in its 13-point win over Port Melbourne. Over-ager Nelson Beikoff-Smart was the pick of them with 15 disposals, alongside tall swingman Max Hudson and debuting defender Grady Turner.

WAFL

Things were a little steadier in the senior WAFL grades with only three fixtures played out in Round 15. Fremantle father-son prospect Oliver McManus turned out for his second League appearance with East Fremantle, laying four tackles to go with his five disposals in a 10-point win over Peel Thunder.

In the same fixture at Reserves level, Peel’s Will York snared three goals from 16 disposals in a 32-point win. The diminutive midfielder-forward played alongside recent Colts graduates like Joel Brown, Darcy Petersen, and Deian Roberts as he looks to break back into a Dockers-influenced League side.