Hunter Holmes Draft Profile

Oakleigh ChargersWing-Midfielder

#36

Hunter Holmes

height: 186cm

weight:

D.O.B: 19-02-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An outside runner with terrific speed who defies his light frame with tough contested acts.” – Michael Alvaro

Running is in Hunter Holmes’ blood. His mother, Lee Naylor, won gold in the 4 x 400m relay at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, while brother Max has become renowned for his speed-endurance blend at AFL level with Geelong. Hunter boasts similar athletic attributes and akin to his star sibling, captured attention from recruiters for his school football form with Melbourne Grammar.

Holmes was added to Oakleigh Chargers’ list heading into 2025 after missing the cut in 2024, and would be in for a full season having graduated from Year 12 last year. He impressed straight away, posting 19 disposals, six tackles and a goal on debut in Round 1. That performance set the platform for 14 total appearances as Oakleigh made a run into the Coates Talent League finals.

His early-season exploits were also enough to be added to the Vic Metro squad, where Holmes played three games at the Under 18 National Championships, averaging 14.3 disposals. Across a successful top-age campaign, Holmes adapted to each level of football and got to showcase his traits both on the inside and outside of midfield, projecting as a player who suits modern day football.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Outside game
+ Rate of improvement
+ Running capacity
+ Speed
+ Toughness

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure
- Kicking
- Strength

The crux of Holmes' game resides in his running power. He arguably possesses more speed than endurance, but blends both traits to impact on the inside and outside of midfield. The wing is where Holmes will likely slot in at AFL level and he looked most comfortable there this year, able to track up and down the line as a link in the transitional chain. His ability to peel off and find space saw him take metres with frequency.

A positive part of Holmes' season was how he held his own as an onballer. He showcased a clean set of hands to swoop on loose balls and become a capable clearance-winner, even when competing against bigger bodies. With deceptive toughness, he proved willing to put his body on the line and rode the bumps well as a lighter body at the contest. There was no doubting his competitiveness when made to absorb contact.

Although, Holmes' time in midfield also uncovered his areas for improvement. He utilised his speed - running third at the draft combine with a 20m sprint of 2.895 seconds - but was tackleable with his light frame and struggled to always be effective on the burst. That meant a lack of composure when disposing of the ball, often dumping it long or compromising his kicking technique to avoid being caught in possession.

When released on the outside, Holmes' efficiency rose and he didn't have to rush to get the ball out. His ability to work into space made him a reliable outlet when looking to maintain possession in slow play, or to spark quick movement from end-to-end. Still, there is a bit to work with in the way Holmes can cut through traffic with his raw pace, and he can easily add the size required to better exploit his midfield potential.

The final point to note about Holmes is his rate of improvement. Having not been in the Oakleigh Chargers program last year, he completed a full Coates Talent League season and not only competed, but thrived. The step-up in competition would have been even steeper as he showed his wares at the National Championships, so clubs will recognise there is upside to his profile having not had the same exposure to those levels as most peers.

DRAFT RANGE: 35-50

SUMMARY:

There is no escaping that recruiters will be assessing Holmes’ upside with the thought of what his elder brother Max has become at AFL level. They possess similar traits with their light frame and speed-endurance running, capable of bringing the game forward in transition. While Hunter is arguably less developed at the same age, he is a prospect who can facilitate current ball movement trends and will only improve with exposure to an elite environment. He’ll most likely feature somewhere amongst the second round of the draft, but don’t be surprise to see him bolt up the order.