THE 2026 Vic Country summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 25 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and four club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 campaign last year. We profile every member of the training squad.

>> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian summer squads revealed

Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)
Utility | 175cm | 06/03/2009

Thompson produced some of the most impressive Under 18 form of any 2009-born player last year, across five Talent League games with the Bendigo Pioneers. He led the Pool A goalkicking at 2025 Under 16 National Championships en route to the Vic Country MVP award and All-Australian honours. A deadeye in front of goal, Thompson’s main weapon is his elite ball use which he uses as a creative force on the attack. He’s the type of player you want kicking inside 50 or playmaking on the outside. Such skills and footy IQ have also seen him utilised off half-back and the wing.

Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 184cm | 26/01/2008

Carlton F/S

A genuine pick one contender at this early stage, Walker was tied to Richmond’s Next Generation Academy but has already nominated Carlton as his preferred destination via father-son eligibility. The son of Andrew is highly professional and hard-working, but also has the natural burst of speed and athleticism of his father. The back-end of his 2025 campaign proved just how good he can be as a high-accumulating midfielder who rotates forward. He has spent much of preseason training with the Blues.

Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder/Defender | 185cm | 21/02/2008

Kennedy is best described as a hard-at-it, powerful ball winner with distinct competitiveness. He debuted for Dandenong back in 2024 and went on to play 16 Talent League games last year, establishing himself at the level. At 185cm, he’s a reliable inside bull who prises clearances and lays tackles at will, but can also be freed up to roll off half-back and showcase his left-foot kicking skills. Kennedy was selected for last year’s National Futures showcase, turning out for Team Docherty.

Marcus Prasad (Dandenong Stingrays)
Small Forward | 167cm | 23/03/2008

Prasad packs a punch at 167cm. He was an Under 16 All-Australian in 2024 and went on to make his Talent League debut in the same year. His 15 outings at a goal per game as a bottom-ager in 2025 cemented his status as one of the competition’s most exciting small forwards. Also capable or playing through midfield or on a wing, Prasad applies terrific defensive pressure, is slick at ground level, and has a sharp turn of speed. The skilful small played one game for Vic Country at last year’s Under 18 champs.

Louis Salopek (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 185cm | 16/02/2009

Port Adelaide F/S

Salopek came to prominence with a 16-disposal opening quarter against Vic Metro at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. He went on to have 32 touches that day and averaged 24 for the carnival, along with 4.7 clearances. The son of 121-game former Port Adelaide player Steven is eligible to join the club in 2027, and offers plenty of guts in the way he plays. He extracts the ball cleanly and can move it forward with his left-foot kicking, even doing so during stints off half-back.

Darcy Szerszyn (Dandenong Stingrays)
Tall Defender | 188cm | 20/05/2008

Perhaps a prospect flying under the radar in terms of plaudits, Szerszyn was afforded plenty of exposure as a bottom-ager. He established himself in the Vic Country Under 18 side and played 13 times for Dandenong Stingrays, holding down an important role in defence. Whether locking down an opponent or peeling off to intercept, Szerszyn rebounds with force and is capable of playing above his 188cm listing, posing a substantial aerial threat.

Ned Badrock (Geelong Falcons)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 28/02/2008

A relative unknown in the squad after missing out on the early stages of season 2025, Badrock has long been part of the Vic Country pathway. He donned the Big V at Under 16 and 17 levels, so naturally progresses to the Under 18 squad. The tall defender played five games for the Falcons last year and graduated from Geelong Grammar, so will primarily feature in Talent League throughout 2026. He has made his name as a sound interceptor who can lock down on dangerous forwards.

Charlie Hanegraaf (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 186cm | 10/03/2008

Hanegraaf was among the standouts in last year’s Under 17 Futures trial for Vic Country, showcasing his ball winning skills and power out of the middle. In the Falcons squad alongside elder brother Archer, he was injured for finals campaign and managed only five Talent League appearances amid his Geelong College commitments. He looks likely to spend more permanent minutes through midfield but can just as easily roll forward and impact the scoreboard.

Darcy Harrington (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 177cm | 17/11/2008

Another smaller midfielder in the Country crop, Harrington has largely cut his teeth on the wing. He debuted for the Falcons in 2024 and played five times in 2025 after returning strongly from a back injury. The diminutive prospect was selected in the Vic Country Futures squad and impressed at that level, roaming the outside but also showcasing plenty of power and grit when his number was called. He’s a penetrating kick of the footy and offers some polish with ball in hand.

Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
Tall Forward | 193cm | 06/03/2008

Boasting an envious goalkicking record, Pickett doesn’t need too many touches to make a massive impact. The high-marking forward is powerful on the lead and can beat opponents in the air before making good on his chances inside 50. Pickett kicked 31 goals in just eight Talent League games last year, including a high of seven. He’ll be the spearhead for Vic Country having already played two Under 18 games for the ‘Big V’ in 2025.

Fletcher Pulleine (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 189cm | 25/07/2008

Pulleine has his fans and was one of eight bottom-age train-on players for Vic Country last year. While yet to debut for the Big V, he did so at Under 16 level in 2024 and looks set to put a high-level basketball career behind him to focus on footy. An athletic type on the taller end of the scale, Pulleine played eight Talent League games last year for an average of 9.9 disposals and 4.7 intercepts, showcasing his upside as a competitive backman.

Tom Steinfort (Geelong Falcons)
Key Defender/Forward | 194cm | 29/08/2009

Steinfort is one of the top tall prospects for 2009 and was named in last year’s Under 16 All-Australian side. Despite finishing said carnival with an injury, he went on to play three Talent League games for the Falcons and has impressed with his aerial acumen at both ends of the ground. Born in Finland, the swingman was part of Geelong’s NGA but is no longer eligible after the recent rule changes. His father Carl also played for the Cats and Collingwood, though not enough to earn father-son ties.

Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 176cm | 22/01/2008

Williams boasts plenty of talent but put his name out to a wider audience with his best on ground showing in the National Futures game. He’s tenacious and quick, capable of swooping on ground balls and accelerating out of traffic untouched. Williams’ classy ball use and outside run are also among his best traits, along with the versatility to play forward, back, on a wing, or through the middle. He can do it all and contributes going both ways.

Keenan Boi (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 183cm | 10/05/2008

Hawthorn NGA

A crafty small forward tied to Hawthorn, Boi showed some exciting glimpses in 2025. He kicked 19 goals in 14 games as a bottom-ager, including a high of four against Murray in Round 13. Difficult to keep off the scoreboard, Boi positions well around the contest and is a keen crumber who likes to get creative with ball in hand. He has a sharp eye for goal but offers plenty more in the front half, often applying himself with strong tackle pressure and working high up the ground as a link player.

Cohen Dent (Gippsland Power)
Ruck | 208cm | 08/04/2009

Already standing at an imposing 208cm, Dent is the sole bottom-age among Gippsland’s high of eight squad inclusions. He was Vic Country’s primary ruck at Under 16 level last year and went on to debut at Talent League level, playing an impressive six games in the back-end of the year. Dent utilises his physical advantages to get first hand to the ball, but also stays engages at stoppages to win clearances and is decently mobile for a player his size.

Hamish Gill (Gippsland Power)
Ruck | 196cm | 05/09/2008

One of eight Gippsland Power prospects in the squad, Gill adds depth to the tall stocks having been the region’s primary ruck in the first half of last season. Being slightly undersized for the role at 196cm, he’s a noted competitor whose contested marking prowess may seem him utilised at either end of the ground. He made seven appearances as a bottom-ager, averaging 10 disposals and 17 hitouts while being named among Gippy’s bests on two occasions.

Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
Key Position Utility | 200cm | 16/10/2008

A player who well and truly suits the ‘unicorn’ moniker, Ladbrook offers enormous upside. He has played in just about every position this year, arguably looking most comfortable as a key defender but also swinging forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck, and even featuring on a wing. Ladbrook is a dynamic athlete who moves and kicks well for his size, and joins in on the play like a mid-sized prospect. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, but so valuable.

Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Tall Forward | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Another prospect out of the booming Gippsland region is Malady. The 190cm marking phenom is as dangerous as they come inside forward 50, able to soar for speccies or take the ball at the top of his reach on the lead. He kicks goals in bunches too, as proven by his haul of five in the National Futures game on AFL Grand Final day. Keen draft watchers will remember the athletic utility as the hero of Vic Country’s Under 16 title win via golden point in 2024. He has scope to develop up on the wing.

Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 168cm | 26/02/2008

Quite comfortably the smallest player on this list, Neocleous isn’t short on talent. A crafty forward in the mould of Hawthorn’s Nick Watson, he plays with similar swagger and pizzazz to produce highlight-reel moments. The Gippsland Power prospect also holds his own in midfield where his quick and clean hands come to the fore, along with penetrative foot skills. He can cut up the opposition both high up the field and deep inside 50, proving a high-impact type.

Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power)
Key Defender/Forward | 195cm | 21/06/2008

Snell boasts a unique family sporting link, with his aunty Belinda Snell being a former Opals basketballer. Able to play at either end of the ground, the 195cm utility was selected in last year’s National Futures match having impressed across 15 games for Gippsland. His aerial strength and versatility bode well for being a valuable squad member at representative level. Among Snell’s best games last year came in Round 16 as he booted four goals against Northern, peaking in confidence with every passing game.

Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 01/01/2008

The fourth Gippsland Power prospect on this list, Templeton possesses genuine star factor. He held down a spot in the Power’s midfield but also made an impact up forward – a relatively new role to him. With speed, energy, and a strong set hands overhead, Templeton led his side’s goalkicking with 21 majors from a maximum 17 games. There’s still a touch of rawness to his profile, but he cracks in hard and is capable of ripping games open.

Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder/Defender | 185cm | 10/07/2008

Having been an integral part of Vic Country’s Under 16 setup in 2024, Drever earned a Talent League berth with GWV that same year before further establishing himself with 14 appearances in 2025. Whether as a high-volume distributor from defence or slick ball-winning midfielder, Drever has little trouble getting his hands on the footy and using it effectively. He hardly fumbles and navigates traffic nicely, but also thrives on the outside as he did during last year’s National Futures match.

Toby Hellessey (GWV Rebels)
Tall Defender | 192cm | 01/02/2009

While all other bottom-agers in the squad featured at last year’s Under 16 National Championships, Hellessey missed out through injury. Despite that, he went on to play five Talent League games for the Rebels after debuting in Round 18, locking down a spot down back. The impressive aerialist extends at the ball nicely overhead and is a sound interceptor under pressure. Hellessey will be in a few different programs over the journey, as he also plays for Melbourne Grammar in the APS competition.

Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder/Defender | 176cm | 27/02/2008

Richmond NGA

A tenacious small in Richmond’s Next Generation Academy ranks, Armstrong embodied plenty of ‘Tiger traits’. He made his Talent League debut in 2024 on the back of Under 16 All-Australian honours, going on to play six times this year amid his Scotch College commitments. Armstrong also earned a Vic Country Under 18 call-up, showcasing his patented ability to hunt the ball at ground level and drive his legs forward. His versatility is notable, finding a base in midfield but proving just as prolific as a playmaking rebound defender.

Angus Williams (Murray Bushrangers)
Tall Forward | 193cm | 13/05/2008

Williams has plenty of potential to boom in 2026 having shown glimpses of his upside last year. The Shepparton junior played five Talent League games as a bottom-ager, peaking with a strong showing in Round 17 against Northern and earning selection in the Vic Country Futures squad. He’s a strong-marking tall forward who presents well on the lead and has a good work rate to get up the ground. His competitiveness is impressive even in low-production games.