ROUND 1 of the new Coates Talent League (CTL) season yielded plenty of opportunity for club-tied talent to impress. From father-son hopefuls to Next Generation Academy (NGA) members, fans of several AFL clubs had reason to tune into the country’s most prolific supplier of draftees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> Scouting Notes:<\/strong> 2025 Coates Talent League – Round 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Geelong supporters and recruiters alike with have their eyes fixed on the Falcons this year. National Academy member Ben Rongdit<\/a> made his long-awaited second CTL appearance in Round 1, showcasing his defensive application with 10 disposals, four marks and four tackles against Dandenong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fellow NGA prospect Jesse Mellor<\/a> hit the scoreboard with a goal from nine touches and four tackles, while Cats father-sons Boston Riccardi<\/a> (son of Peter<\/em><\/strong>) and Jagger Mooney<\/a> (Cameron<\/em><\/strong>) also got their top-age campaigns underway, along with Essendon father-son Noah Caracella<\/a> – an over-ager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The victorious Stingrays also had their share of club-tied talent afield. The pick of the bunch was Melbourne NGA prospect Toby Sinnema<\/a>, who spent time training with the Dees in preseason. He utilised his damaging left-foot on both sides of midfield en rout to 22 disposals, six marks and five inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Collingwood father-son candidate Oscar Lonie<\/a> (son of Ryan<\/em><\/strong>) showed improvement from his three appearances in 2024, posting 16 touches and five tackles. Over-ager Adrian Cole<\/a>, who switched from Sandringham after being overlooked by St Kilda last year, also turned out for his Dandenong debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> CTL Round 1:<\/strong> Over-agers search for second wind<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Magpies and Saints had more players to watch in the Sandringham-Western clash. Thomas McGuane<\/a> – the son of Pies champion Mick<\/em><\/strong> – had little trouble racking up possessions. He filled his boots with 28 disposals, five marks, and five clearances in a typically classy display from midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St Kilda NGA product Kye Fincher<\/a>, whose grandfather played at Footscray and North Melbourne, was also prominent for the Dragons. He notched up 24 disposals and five rebound 50s roaming across half-back. His ability to break the lines with aggressive run and ball use was a highlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western had also flagged Kobe Williams<\/a> as one to watch coming into the season. The son of Mark<\/em><\/strong> is father-son eligible to Hawthorn while also being tied to the Western Bulldogs’ NGA program. The on-baller had some promising early moments to finish with 21 touches, five marks and four clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the second game of Sunday’s double-header at RSEA Park, a pair of Essendon NGA prospects starred as Calder beat Oakleigh. Adam Sweid<\/a> proved to be a find for the Cannons, impressing with 25 disposals, five clearances and two goals after having his bottom-age campaign scuppered by an ACL tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> CTL Round 1: <\/strong>10 top-age prospects who shot onto the radar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hussien El Achkar<\/a> went about his usual business to boot four goals from 15 touches. The Cannons also fielded Bombers NGA Tristan Leeds<\/a> and father-son Alex Alessio<\/a>, along with bottom-age father-sons Levi West<\/a> (Western Bulldogs) and Sam Harris<\/a> (North Melbourne), both of whom made their debuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was even more intrigue in the match for Essendon fans as Alijah Davey<\/a> – the youngest son of Alwyn<\/em><\/strong> – made his debut having made his way down from Darwin. Mingara Clark<\/a> was also on the losing side and booted a goal, though fellow Carlton NGA member Jack Ison<\/strong> missed through injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blues fans looking for a positive would have been buoyed by the performance of Tyson Gresham<\/a>. The Northern Knights co-captain is usually the smallest player out there but has plenty of heart and skill, both of which were on show with his 19 disposals and five tackles in a three-point loss to Eastern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rising father-son prospect Harry Dean<\/a> was also terrific in Murray’s loss to Gippsland. The brave tall defender clunked seven marks among his 16 disposals and six rebound 50s. On the opposite side, Crows-tied talent Mitch Stevens<\/a> (20 disposals, six tackles) featured alongside Goy Jiath<\/a>, the brother of Hawthorn’s Changkuoth<\/strong> and Collingwood’s Tew<\/strong>. He’s part of the Hawks’ NGA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the best Carlton-aligned prospect is saved for next year, with bottom-ager Cody Walker<\/a> (son of Andrew<\/em><\/strong>) beginning his bottom-age campaign with a bang. The midfielder, also tied to Richmond’s NGA, notched up 24 disposals, four clearances and a goal in Bendigo’s win over Tasmania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Devils also had a couple of Academy members take the field. 2026 prospect Archie Devine<\/a> showcased his class in the tough conditions with 20 disposals and six marks from the backline. Jess Bula<\/a> also applied himself with seven touches and four tackles in the loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n