{"id":195327,"date":"2025-07-15T19:31:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=195327"},"modified":"2025-07-15T19:31:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:31:34","slug":"around-the-grounds-state-stars-soar-to-senior-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/07\/15\/around-the-grounds-state-stars-soar-to-senior-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Around the Grounds: State stars soar to senior grades"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SENIOR debuts were handed out across the country, as recent state representatives continue to earn higher honours. The brother of a current Saint earned his maiden cap in the SANFL, while a pair of West Perth prospects did so in the WAFL, and two Victorian over-agers turned out in the VFL. Catch up on all the weekend’s action and notable performances from around the grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SANFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A quartet of state representatives were sighted at SANFL League level over the weekend, headlined by the return of captain and MVP Dyson Sharp<\/a>. Slotting back into Central District’s lineup, the ball-winning machine posted 15 disposals, six tackles and five clearances as the Bulldogs beat Norwood by 19 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodville-West Torrens fielded two emerging youngsters in Jack Cook<\/a> and debutant Jevan Phillipou<\/a>. The former managed 17 disposals and five rebound 50s in his second game at the level, while the latter booted a goal from 14 touches and three marks in the Eagles’ 13-point win over West Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cook played all four games for SA throughout the National Championships, but Phillipou missed out on the state’s title run through injury. He returned via the SANFL Under 18s on the weekend of the Croweaters’ fourth and final match, spelling an unlucky bit of timing for the explosive midfielder-forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the best performance of the lot came from North Adelaide’s Sam Cumming<\/a>. Backing up a strong maiden outing, the National Academy member filled his boots with 21 disposals, five marks, five tackles, five clearances, and three goals despite his side again falling in defeat. He’ll be in first round contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam Cumming has made a splash at senior level | Image Credit: Robyn Ebert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Down at Under 18 level, even more state squad members filtered back onto the scene. Among them was star bottom-ager Dougie Cochrane<\/a>, who managed 11 touches in his return from a hamstring injury. While he missed the Under 18 championships, the tall utility is considered a pick one contender for next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that match, which saw Central District lose to Norwood by three points, talls Aidan Schubert<\/a> (15 hitouts, eight clearances, one goal) and Sam Ainsworth<\/a> (19, eight, and two) locked horns at times. The pair previously worked together in South Australia’s ruck division, with Schubert starting up forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bulldogs captain Matthew LeRay<\/a> spent more time on the inside after a full state campaign on the wing, booting three goals from 20 disposals and seven clearances. Meanwhile, Redleg Jim Kelly<\/a> led all comers with 28 touches and seven tackles to continue his prolific form at the level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A further eight state representatives took the field in Glenelg’s 11-point win over Sturt. Bays skipper Tim Alver<\/a> (21 disposals, two goals) had the last laugh as he went toe-to-toe with Double Blues pair Noah Roberts-Thomson<\/a> (22 disposals, two goals) and Louis Kellaway<\/a> (19 disposals, two goals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zane Peucker ran riot over the weekend | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eagles livewire Zane Peucker<\/a> enjoyed added responsibility outside forward 50 to rack up 34 disposals and two goals in a loss to West Adelaide. Mitchell Marsh<\/a> notched 10 marks and a goal for the Bloods, while Swans Academy product Tahi Brain<\/strong> racked up 30 touches, 13 clearances and two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Adelaide captain Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier<\/a> was another to put up big numbers in Round 14, amassing 35 disposals and eight clearances against South Adelaide. His efforts were not enough to defeat the Panthers, who were led by Jesse Nye<\/a>‘s 30 disposals and two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bunch of bottom-agers also performed strongly in the game at Magain Stadium. Roosters ruck Ethan Herbert<\/a> posted 22 disposals, 43 hitouts and seven clearances, while South Adelaide midfielders Archie Van dyk<\/a> (23 disposals, one goal) and Kodah Edwards<\/a> (22 disposals, two goals) showed their class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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VFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There wasn’t much in the way of top-age, nor Academy talent in the VFL this week due to the Allies-Vic Metro Under 18 clash. A pair of over-agers were selected to debut, with Northern Knights swingman Gabriel Stumpf<\/a> turning out in the Northern Bullants’ epic comeback win over Williamstown, while Greater Western Victoria tall Floyd Burmeister<\/a> booted a goal with his first kick in Essendon’s loss to Box Hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold Coast fielded a pair of Academy products in Max Hudson<\/a> (one goal) and Nelson Beikoff-Smart<\/a>, while Collingwood gave an opportunity to Next Generation Academy member Doug Kerr<\/a> in the Magpies’ two-point win. Brisbane was another side to have a closer look at club-tied talent, with bottom-ager Matthew Owen<\/a> making his debut. The midfielder was an All-Australian at Under 16 level last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Scouting Notes: <\/strong>2025 AFL U18s – Allies vs. Vic Metro<\/a>
>> Snapshot: <\/strong>2025 Coates Talent League: Round 15<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WAFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A pair of West Perth prospects made their WAFL League debuts in Round 14 as the Falcons rolled West Coast by 29 points in Joondalup. Likely Under 18 All-Australian Jacob Farrow<\/a> was joined by Sam Swadling<\/a> in the seniors, with both players having their moments and the latter booting his maiden goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrow gathered 14 disposals while taking four marks and laying four tackles, while Swadling managed 12 touches, two marks and two tackles. Both prospects have proven ready for state league level, with Farrow emerging as WA’s top talent, while Swadling has dominated the Colts with video game numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only two fixtures took place at Colts level over the weekend, with South Fremantle snapping a two-game losing streak to get back on the winner’s list. The Bulldogs beat a surging Swan Districts outfit by 26 points at Steel Blue Oval, thanks largely to their six-goal to one head start in the opening half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fred Rodriguez (right) was back at Colts level | Image Credit: South Fremantle FC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) duo Lucas Robinson<\/a> (34 disposals, one goal) and Toby Whan<\/a> (27 and one) dominated proceedings, while state captain and MVP Fred Rodriguez<\/a> posted 21 touches. The trio was among eight state representatives called upon by South in an important victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Swan Districts was led by the efforts of Blake Kelly<\/a>, who gathered 27 disposals and a goal to go with nine tackles. Livewire forward Tylah Williams<\/a> was also amongst the action with 18 possessions and eight tackles, keeping West Coast fans and recruiters interested as a member of the Eagles’ NGA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday’s other game saw East Perth upset Perth to the tune of 15 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. The Royals overcame a quarter time deficit to storm into the lead at the main break, going on to keep the visitors goalless in term three to set up the 10.11 (71) to 8.8 (56) victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liam McAlister<\/strong> racked up a game-high 34 disposals for East Perth, who fielded state representative Luke Hallett<\/a> (19 disposals). Perth defender Dale Sutherland<\/a> was his side’s leading ball winner with 29 touches, continuing his strong form despite the defeat, which sees four teams tied on 20 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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