THE AFL talent production line flows in waves. After waiting until the final live pick of the rookie draft to have a player selected this year – Nicholas Driscoll to Geelong – Northern Knights have produced the most AFL Academy members of any club or Talent League region for 2026.

>> ONES TO WATCH: 26 draft prospects for 2026

Such a feat is no matter to scoff at, with only 25 prospects from around the country making the cut. While several other clubs boasted two academy selections, a high of three hailed from Melbourne’s northern region to set the Knights apart. What’s more, they could all be top 10 talents.

Drafting philosophies often shift throughout eras, although the ideal of developing a strong spine has seen many clubs build out from the starting point of key position posts. Next year, Northern will be blessed in that department with two elite ruck-forwards and a gun tall back.

While the complete trio didn’t get to take the field together at all last year, onlookers at least caught a glimpse of how two of them will wreak havoc together as top-agers. So, who are the players in question – the ones who were all train-ons with the Vic Metro squad this year?

We put Northern’s star tall trio under the spotlight.

Tate Hodgson
Tall Defender | 193cm | 24/07/2008

Hodgson may be a relative unknown to most having missed his entire bottom-age season with back stress fractures. He was an Under 16 All-Australian last year and went on to make his Talent League debut shortly after, playing a near-unprecedented 10 games – mostly at just 15 years of age. Hodgson earned a train-on spot in Vic Metro’s Under 18 squad this year despite the injury, highlighting how highly rated he is. His AFL Academy selection only solidifies that notion. A sound interceptor with composure and clean foot skills, Hodgson is renowned for his high-end footy IQ. He got the all-clear to get back into full training before season’s end, so should be fit an firing heading into his top-age campaign.

Lewis Houndsome
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

A man mountain who plays with serious presence, Houndsome has already proven to be a big-game player. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and contested marking prowess around the ground. That breakout came after also winning best on ground honours in the ACC Grand Final. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck. He played 13 Talent League games this season for a return of 12 goals. Houndsome will be incredibly strong fold for the third and final of Northern’s talented talls.

Harry Van Hattum
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008

Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. He covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or deep forward. There is plenty of talk already to suggest Van Hattum could be the leading key position player in 2026, drawing comparisons to this year’s fourth pick, Cooper Duff-Tytler. He’ll have some stiff competition in the ruck department but has all the tools to be a very early prospect. He won the Knights’ Rising Star award this year and earned a Vic Metro debut, suggesting he’s the best of a very good lot. After just five Talent League appearances this season, there is plenty more in store.