PICK one contender Cooper Duff-Tytler was among the big name debutants across the state leagues this past weekend, boosting his stocks with three goals for Essendon. Elsewhere, a star bottom-ager kicked the winning goal in the SANFL, while a West Australian draft bolter broke through at senior level.

SANFL

SANFL League & Reserves Round 18

North Adelaide midfielder Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier made his SANFL League debut in a 13-point loss to Norwood. The smooth mover managed 10 disposals and five tackles having earned promotion via the Reserves. Fellow state representative Balyn O’Brien also had 10 possessions for the Redlegs.

Dyson Sharp was back to his best in Round 18, topping Central District’s disposal charts with 20 in a one-point win over Adelaide. He also posted seven tackles, six clearances and a major, while bottom-age star Dougie Cochrane kicked what ended up being the winning goal from his 13 touches and six marks.

Woodville-West Torrens joined Centrals in fielding a pair of junior prospects. Jack Cook (23 disposals, five marks) returned his best performance since debuting in Round 12, while Under 18 skipper Jevan Phillipou had 15 disposals and four marks in the Eagles’ 46-point loss away to South Adelaide.

Great to see @EAGLESWWTFC Jack Cook added to the list of @SANFL U18s invited to the State @AFL Combine on October 11.
Has settled nicely, playing the past 5 @Hostplus SANFL League games, averaging 16.6 disposals. https://t.co/fGQXOjdgq3 pic.twitter.com/WyiWl7iP6E

— Zac Milbank (@zacmilbank) August 13, 2025

The Panthers also had their Under 18 captain play up the grades, with hard-running midfielder Jesse Nye notching 16 disposals and eight marks. Eagles utility Lachlan Sands, who was part of the state’s summer training squad, also turned out with 11 touches as South Adelaide saluted to the tune of 34 points.

Elsewhere, a handful of Norwood prospects were blooded in the Reserves grade. All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth showed out with 3.2 from 10 disposals, while Noah Daw (15 disposals, eight marks) was strong aerially and Will Prescott (16 disposals, six inside 50s, one goal) joined Ainsworth on the scoreboard.

State representative Jim Kelly (13 disposals) and Micah Kretschmer (15 disposals, six tackles) were amongst the action for Norwood, too. North Adelaide top-ager Charlie Dickeson was another off-Broadway talent to impress, bagging three goals from 17 touches in the 39-point victory.

VFL

Round 20 (final home-and-away round)

Pick one hopeful Cooper Duff-Tytler was the talk of the town after finally making his VFL debut with Essendon. The mobile ruckman impressed with 3.2 from 13 disposals and six hitouts, earning a big tick for his forward craft as he vies to be viewed as the crop’s top talent.

In the same game, which saw the Bombers beat Sandringham by 61 points, St Kilda Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Kye Fincher made himself at home in Zebras colours. The rebound defender racked up 26 possessions (20 uncontested) and ran at 77 per cent efficiency in the loss.

Another NGA prospect to break through to state league level was Dandenong Stingrays wingman Toby Sinnema. The slick, speedy left-footer is tied to Melbourne and turned out in Casey Demons’ 23-point upset win over Box Hill. His sharp foot skills were a feature among 15 disposals and a clutch goal.

And on VFL debut, Melbourne NGA prospect Toby Sinnema was very very good with 15 disposals and backing his piercing left foot.

Kicked an important third quarter goal.

Has averaged 20 disposals in the Coates League in 2025.#AFLDraft #Draft #AFL #VFL https://t.co/v9GIunqTHx

— Jonty Ralphsmith (@JontyRalphsmith) August 17, 2025

A late change saw Footscray call upon Western Bulldogs NGA candidate Kobe Williams for a debut. He managed nine disposals and four marks in the 115-point win over Carlton. Williams is also tied to Hawthorn under father-son eligibility, with his father Mark playing 111 games in the brown and gold.

Speaking of father-sons, Thomas McGuane continued his exposure with Collingwood’s reserves, picking up 12 touches in the Pies’ loss to Port Melbourne. Cooper Hodge, the son of Hawthorn champion Luke, was another to show his wares at the level, snaring 1.2 from three disposals and laying four tackles.

Hodge has been lining up for Brisbane, being a Lions Academy member. Fellow Lions prospect Daniel Annable also took the field in the draw with Frankston, continuing his outstandingly consistent form with 25 disposals, seven tackles, and eight clearances. He’s undoubtedly a top 3-5 prospect.

Gold Coast had an embarrassment of riches when it came to current Academy players in its 30-point win over Greater Western Sydney. Among them group of seven, Beau Addinsall impressed with 26 disposals and eight clearances, while Dylan Patterson showed power with 24 touches and nine intercepts.

There were more positive signs from pick one contender Zeke Uwland (19 disposals, eight inside 50s) and crash-and-bash midfielder Koby Coulson (26 disposals, eight inside 50s), while Harry Heathcote took seven marks among his 11 touches and over-ager Nelson Beikoff-Smart had it 22 times.

The Giants also continue to blood young talent. Bottom-ager Ethan Matthews returned to the fold with 16 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency, fresh off representing NSW/ACT in the Under 17 Futures trials. Fellow Allies squad member Riley Hamilton also took the field, gathering seven touches in the defeat.

Elsewhere, Sydney Swans Academy star Noah Chamberlain made his second state league appearance in a 45-point loss to Geelong. The versatile utility finished with six disposals and three inside 50s having recently been one of four Swans to earn a National Draft Combine invite.

WAFL

WAFL League & Reserves Round 19

Koby Evans‘ wretched run with injuries continued in his second WAFL League appearance, after being helped off the ground with an ankle complaint. He had three disposals and as many tackles to that point as Perth went on to lose by 13 points to Claremont. The West Coast Next Generation Academy member escaped serious injury but may not return in time for the National Draft Combine in October.

Fellow Eagles-tied talent Wesley Walley made his senior debut for Subiaco, though couldn’t do anything to stop the Lions going down by 57 points to Peel Thunder. The lively forward laid five tackles to go with an equal amount of touches. Diminutive Peel prospect Will York also had five possessions.

Another top flight debutant was unveiled in Swan Districts colours, with state combine invitee Leon Kickett making the step up to senior footy. The high-flying forward booted his maiden goal from 10 disposals as the Swans got up by five points over West Coast, where he was an Academy member.

East Fremantle’s Luke Carrello was another to boot his first senior goal, doing so in his second appearance. He again acquitted himself nicely, having little trouble finding the footy to finish with 22 disposals and four marks. His efforts helped the Sharks defeat East Perth by 15 points.

Elsewhere, West Perth midfielder-forward Sam Swadling continued at the level with 13 disposals and five tackles in a 62-point loss to South Fremantle. In the Reserves grade, defender Matthew Becker also managed 13 touches as Peel Thunder beat Subiaco by 22 points on the road.