{"id":192020,"date":"2025-06-11T21:27:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=192020"},"modified":"2025-06-11T21:27:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:27:44","slug":"up-the-grades-academy-stars-earn-vfl-stripes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/06\/11\/up-the-grades-academy-stars-earn-vfl-stripes\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Academy stars earn VFL stripes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GOLD Coast Suns blooded a remarkable seven academy prospects in the latest round of VFL action, including five Allies squad members. Beau Addinsall<\/a>, Koby Coulson<\/a>, and Dylan Patterson<\/a> were all included in the squad to take on Geelong on the road, fresh off National Championships appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midfielders Addinsall and Coulson impressed with typically industrious hauls of 18 and 16 disposals respectively. Coulson also laid seven tackles in his second VFL outing for the season. Meanwhile, explosive utility Patterson was kept to just six touches in the three-point defeat at GMHBA Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Suns stormed home with the final six goals of the game, including one from ruckman Jonah Harris<\/a> with his only kick. Over-ager Nelson Beikoff-Smart<\/a> was busy as usual with 17 disposals, while forward Cooper Collins<\/a> staked his claim for Allies selection with 15 touches and four marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tall utility Max Hudson<\/a>, who was left out of the Allies squad, managed seven possessions. In the same game, Geelong handed a debut to Greater Western Victoria Rebels over-ager Wil Rantall<\/a>, who got to run out in the hoops alongside brother Jay<\/strong>. The defender had seven disposals and three tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another Coates Talent League product to feature in the match was Kobe George<\/a>, a defender out of the Geelong Falcons. Slotting into the over-age category along with Beikoff-Smart and Rantall, the Young Guns representative managed 10 touches. It was his sixth game at the level this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Daniel Annable made his VFL debut | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More budding Queensland talent hit the state league in Brisbane Lions colours, including VFL debutant Daniel Annable<\/a>. Considered one of the top five prospects nationwide, the midfielder impressed with 18 disposals and five clearances as the Lions went down to Williamstown by 56 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruckman Isaac Waller<\/a> also made his maiden appearance as 23rd man, winning nine hitouts in the loss. Both were part of the Allies’ game one squad which lost to South Australia. Meanwhile, Williamstown over-ager Damon Hollow<\/a> (16 disposals, one goal) had arguably his best game at the level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over in Blacktown, Greater Western Sydney trounced the Northern Bullants by 103 points, with bottom-age prospect Ethan Matthews<\/a> playing his second game. The Giants poured in 23 goals, none of which got a better response than Matthews’. The maiden six-pointer was among his 14 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews will be gunning for Allies selection next year, while 2024 representative Nathaniel Sulzberger<\/a> continues to stake his claim with North Melbourne. The powerhouse Tasmanian midfielder posted 13 disposals, four tackles and three clearances in the Roos’ 41-point road win over Werribee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of Academy and Allied talent, Eastern Ranges utility Seth Macdonald<\/a> became Richmond’s latest debutant. He had six touches in the Tigers’ five-point win over Sydney. Joe Harrison<\/a> matched that effort on the opposite side, while Massimo Raso<\/a> laid six tackles in yellow and black. All three are over-agers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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