{"id":186546,"date":"2025-04-11T18:37:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T08:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=186546"},"modified":"2025-04-11T18:37:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T08:37:41","slug":"preview-afl-academy-vs-richmond-vfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/04\/11\/preview-afl-academy-vs-richmond-vfl\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | AFL Academy vs. Richmond VFL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WHILE Gather Round rages on over in Adelaide, the AFL Academy will converge in Melbourne for the first of two exhibition matches. Richmond VFL is the Under 18 outfit’s first opponent, with the matchup slated for Sunday afternoon at RSEA Park. Coburg is up next at Whitten Oval on Sunday April 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL for the full squad & predicted lineup<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only two injuries have forced changes to the squad, with top five prospect Zeke Uwland<\/a> continuing his recovery from stress fractures in his back, while Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves<\/a> sustained an untimely shoulder injury on the weekend. That means the remaining 26 prospects will take the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned, Rookie Me Central will have Scouting Notes on ALL 26 National Academy players.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NEED TO KNOW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WHO:<\/strong> AFL Under 18 Academy vs. Richmond VFL
WHEN:<\/strong> Sunday April 13, 1:30pm (AEST)
WHERE:<\/strong> RSEA Park, Moorabbin
HOW TO WATCH:<\/strong> Live stream via AFL website<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> PROFILED: <\/strong>2025 AFL Academy squad<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OPPOSITION REPORT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2025 Record:<\/strong> 3rd | 3-0 | 119.3%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tigers have made a perfect start to the season, winning their first three games by an average margin of 13.7 points. Two of those victories were against AFL-affiliated sides, with one coming from a kick after the siren at RSEA Park. Continuing recent trends, Richmond has developed a few strong Mid-Season Draft candidates, with small forward\/midfielder Massimo Raso<\/a> and rebound defender Tom McCarthy <\/strong>in the frame. AFL-listed players will also feature for the Tigers, including a raft of recent draftees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PREDICTED LINEUP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

B: <\/strong>1. Thomas Burton – 39. Kalani White – 8. Ben Rongdit
HB: <\/strong>6. Josh Lindsay – 31. Cody Curtin – 3. Lachlan Carmichael
C: <\/strong>2. Beau Addinsall – 4. Willem Duursma – 29. Fred Rodriguez
HF: <\/strong>25. Koby Evans – 36. Liam Hetherton – 23. Sam Cumming
F: <\/strong>10. Wesley Walley – 38. Archie Ludowyke – 22. Noah Chamberlain
FOL: <\/strong>34. Cooper Duff-Tytler – 30. Dyson Sharp – 20. Daniel Annable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INT: <\/strong>7. Dylan Patterson, 21. Harley Barker, 24. Louis Emmett, 26. Oliver Greeves, 27. Taj Murray, 28. Riley Onley, 35. Jasper Hay, 37. Matthew LeRay<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INJURED: <\/strong>5. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (shoulder), 9. Zeke Uwland (back)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STRENGTHS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Academy is littered with diverse midfield options and has an apt selection of specialist players at both ends of the ground. There is no shortage of ruck\/forwards or size in the on-ball mix, with a bunch of hard-working ball winners complimented by versatile and dynamic movers. The group, barring two injuries, has been in relatively good health and form to start the year so should be ready to fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DEFENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The defence just about picks itself with relatively limited options compared to the other lines. There are fantastic ball users in the squad like Josh Lindsay<\/a> and Lachlan Carmichael<\/a>, who will provide plenty of rebound power alongside Thomas Burton<\/a>. All three can rack up the ball and spark fluent transitional play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the small-medium types, Ben Rongdit<\/a> is arguably the best defensively and competes hard both aerially and at ground level. In an exhibition match, that kind of trait is invaluable. With Zeke Uwland<\/a> on the sidelines, Dylan Patterson<\/a> and Harley Barker<\/a> are also options to provide run from defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the tall department, Kalani White<\/a> is an athletic aerialist who has mostly cut his teeth down back. Despite playing forward throughout preseason and in Round 1, Cody Curtin<\/a> will likely also have to settle at the other end of the ground. Tassie tall Jasper Hay<\/a> has been pegged for more defensive minutes, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kalani White stretches for a mark | Image Credit: AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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MIDFIELD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As usual, there is no shortage of midfield depth in the Academy squad. Pick one contender Cooper Duff-Tytler<\/a> is odds on to be the starting ruck, though Coates Talent League rival Louis Emmett<\/a> and Territorian Taj Murray<\/a> will inevitably rotate through there, potentially along with the versatile Hay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The starting on-ball group will be stacked. Willem Duursma<\/a> is a good chance to run through there, but could also provide aerial support down back or roll of the wing. Dyson Sharp<\/a> and Daniel Annable<\/a> are ferocious inside ball winners who should have no trouble competing with senior opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of, Fred Rodriguez<\/a> recently made his WAFL League debut and would be at home at the centre bounces. He’s out on the wing in our hypothetical lineup along with Beau Addinsall<\/a>, while Sam Cumming<\/a> is another hard-working accumulator who will be afforded midfield minutes on rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s also some serious size on offer. Oliver Greeves<\/a>, Riley Onley<\/a>, and Matthew LeRay<\/a> are all around the 190cm mark and have played near-exclusively on the ball this season. They’ll have to showcase some of their versatility, though Duursma’s nous in different roles may see his magnet moved instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keen runners like Patterson and Barker can also play on either side of the centre square if required, and there are a couple of forwards who may get a run up the field should midfielders rest in attack. Namely, West Australian pair Wesley Walley<\/a> and Koby Evans<\/a> offer explosive speed and flair up the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cooper Duff-Tytler is a pick one contender | Image Credit: AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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FORWARD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HF: <\/strong>25. Koby Evans – 36. Liam Hetherton – 23. Sam Cumming
F: <\/strong>10. Wesley Walley – 38. Archie Ludowyke – 22. Noah Chamberlain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like the defence, the Academy forwardline is relatively straightforward to pick. Evans and Walley look like the designated small-medium types, though a heap of midfielders are likely to rotate through the attack. With Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves<\/a> sidelined, that also removes another nailed-on option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noah Chamberlain<\/a>, who can also operate up on the wing, offers further aerial support to a relatively tall attack. Liam Hetherton<\/a> and Archie Ludowyke<\/a> are our starting talls after their five-goal hauls in the Coates Talent League, though Curtin and Duff-Tytler could utilise their versatility in the front half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, Emmett and Murray are genuine ruck-forwards who should get a good run as marking targets. Their mobility is exciting and their presence gives the Academy strong forward 50 ruck options to make use of stoppages. Likewise, Hay could play a similar role if utilised in attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Noah Chamberlain fires off a handball | Image Credit: AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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FULL AFL ACADEMY SQUAD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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#<\/strong><\/td>NAME<\/strong><\/td>STATE LEAGUE CLUB<\/strong><\/td>COMMUNITY CLUB<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>Thomas Burton<\/td>Western Jets<\/td>Point Cook<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>Beau Addinsall<\/td>Gold Coast Suns Academy<\/td>Burleigh<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Lachlan Carmichael<\/td>Sydney Swans Academy<\/td>Mosman<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>Willem Duursma<\/td>Gippsland Power<\/td>Foster<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves<\/td>Dandenong Stingrays<\/td>Mornington<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Josh Lindsay<\/td>Geelong Falcons<\/td>Newtown & Chilwell<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>Dylan Patterson<\/td>Gold Coast Suns Academy<\/td>Palm Beach Currumbin<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>Ben Rongdit<\/td>Geelong Falcons<\/td>Colac<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/td>Zeke Uwland<\/td>Gold Coast Suns Academy<\/td>Burleigh<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/td>Wesley Walley<\/td>Subiaco<\/td>Warwick Greenwood<\/td><\/tr>
20<\/td>Daniel Annable<\/td>Brisbane Lions Academy<\/td>Redland-Victoria Point<\/td><\/tr>
21<\/td>Harley Barker<\/td>Sturt<\/td>Mt Barker<\/td><\/tr>
22<\/td>Noah Chamberlain<\/td>Sydney Swans Academy<\/td>East Sydney<\/td><\/tr>
23<\/td>Samuel Cumming<\/td>North Adelaide<\/td>Wentworth District<\/td><\/tr>
24<\/td>Louis Emmett<\/td>Oakleigh Chargers<\/td>Glen Iris<\/td><\/tr>
25<\/td>Koby Evans<\/td>Perth<\/td>Federals<\/td><\/tr>
26<\/td>Oliver Greeves<\/td>Eastern Ranges<\/td>Vermont<\/td><\/tr>
27<\/td>Taj Murray<\/td>Northern Territory Academy
North Adelaide<\/td>		Nightcliff<\/td><\/tr>
28<\/td>Riley Onley<\/td>Murray Bushrangers<\/td>Shepparton United<\/td><\/tr>
29<\/td>Fred Rodriguez<\/td>South Fremantle<\/td>Fremantle City Dockers<\/td><\/tr>
30<\/td>Dyson Sharp<\/td>Central District<\/td>Barossa District<\/td><\/tr>
31<\/td>Cody Curtin<\/td>Claremont<\/td>West Coast<\/td><\/tr>
34<\/td>Cooper Duff-Tytler<\/td>Calder Cannons<\/td>Woodend-Hesket<\/td><\/tr>
35<\/td>Jasper Hay<\/td>Tasmania Devils<\/td>Clarence<\/td><\/tr>
36<\/td>Liam Hetherton<\/td>Murray Bushrangers<\/td>North Albury<\/td><\/tr>
37<\/td>Matthew LeRay<\/td>Central District<\/td>Golden Grove<\/td><\/tr>
38<\/td>Archie Ludowyke<\/td>Sandringham Dragons<\/td>East Sandringham<\/td><\/tr>
39<\/td>Kalani White<\/td>Gold Coast Suns Academy<\/td>Broadbeach<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>