Latest news with #CalderCannons
Herald Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Coates Talent League live stream: Calder Cannons v Sandringham Dragons
He's 'an AFL player' in waiting, according to coach Rob Harding. Sandringham Dragon Sacha Levine is catching the eye of recruiters this season, with the 188cm prospect drawing comparisons to existing top-level names. Taking his game to another level this year as a tall, inside midfielder, he's featured in his side's best in seven of his nine Coates Talent League matches. Levine will be in action when the Dragons take on the Calder Cannons in a double header on Saturday live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV. The clubs will clash at Highgate Recreation Reserve in the girls at 10am followed by the boys at 12.10pm. 'He's getting a bit of AFL interest now which is fantastic,' Harding said of Levine, who trialled for Vic Metro earlier this year. 'He had 25 touches and four shots at goal on the weekend (against Tasmania), so his game's progressing really well … I think he's a draftable talent.' Harding says the Ormond product's 'contest craft' had grown to bear all the tools needed at the top level. 'His ability to spread, transition and cover the ground is really good, and that was the bit of his game that he needed to build on,' he said. 'His endurance has improved a lot in the last 12 months – he's become a powerful, drive-legs-out-of-front stoppage player, and I think as a big midfielder at AFL level, that's what you need to be. 'He's an exciting prospect.' Levine was 'developing along the same trajectory' as a pair of recent Dragons graduates according to Harding. 'I compare him, in talking to clubs, a lot to (Carlton's) Cooper Lord and (Western Bulldogs') Luke Kennedy – they played very similar roles for us and got drafted,' he said. 'He's an AFL player, I believe, I think he's got the attributes to play at the level and he's building a really good, consistent body of work and showing clubs what he can do. 'He'll win that real tough inside ball, and be able to release to players a step outside so they can get out into space.' Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Bennett Martin was also garnering AFL interest amid a campaign yielding six nods in the best from eight appearances. 'He's playing a mix of half-back and midfield – he played midfield on the weekend and also had mid-20s touches,' Harding said. 'He's one of our leaders and heart-and-soul players – he's very vocal, energetic, gets around the boys, he's a competitor and he's a consistent player and that's why he's got a fair bit of interest as well.' With no school footy this weekend, the Dragons are set to roll out a full complement of talent in Saturday's bout with the Calder Cannons – including seven Vic Metro-listed players. Among them is Jack Dalton, who starred as Metro's under-16 MVP in 2023. Recovering from two broken forearms earlier this year, the Dragons' vice-captain is touted as a 'high-level player'. 'He played with us on the King's Birthday Friday night, that weekend was his first game of the year,' Harding said. 'He played really well as an inside midfielder, and he's building towards playing nationals in a couple of weeks. He'll play a mix of wing and mid with us this week.' Harding says there'll also be some 'pretty special talents for next year's draft' on show. 'Max Matthews, our under-16 metro captain last year, played his first game on the weekend - he's a rebounding defender and beautiful ball-user,' he said. 'Arki Butler, who's probably a top-10 talent for next year already, he'll play a bit more midfield for the first time. 'We'll put out a pretty strong team, which I'm excited to see.' Also look out for: Dragons girls forward Maya Duane, with the East Malvern talent this season representing Vic Metro under-16s as well as kicking 14 goals from six matches (five named in the best) at under-18 level; Taj Robinson (U18 Boys Calder Cannons) with the Keilor product booting 15 goals from eight games including four nods in the best; and medium forward Shauna McElligott (U18 Girls Calder Cannons), who's averaging 17.5 disposals this season among seven mentions in the best – including 13 disposals, three marks, nine tackles, three clearances and two goals against Northern Territory last round.
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
AFL Draft Board: Gold Coast Suns' embarrassment of draft riches increasing by the week
Welcome back to monthly AFL draft series, The Draft Board. In the lead-up to November's draft, we will hand-pick players from around the country who are impressing each month. May's edition centres around the Gold Coast Suns Academy. A quick look at the Coates Talent League ladder tells you all you need to know about the rude health of the Queensland academies. Gold Coast and Brisbane sit first and second on the ladder, both undefeated, with massive percentages. AFL Academy trio Beau Addinsall and Dylan Patterson (both Suns) and Daniel Annable (Lions) are the obvious standouts, but there are a host of others following their lead. The Suns boast five first-round academy draft picks in the past two years, including four in 2023, when they wheeled and dealed their way through the trade period to accumulate enough points to secure all four. They may have a similar problem this year — albeit a good one to have — as their star-studded academy goes from strength to strength. With the Suns in the mix to potentially play finals for the first time in their history, there is a chance their first-round pick will fall later than in previous years. Luckily for them, they have two extra first-rounders they got as part of the Lukosious-Noble-Houston mega trade last October, which could allow them to match any bid that comes for their academy prospects. Scroll down to read the May edition of The Draft Board. This list is not exhaustive, and is ranked in no particular order. On last month's Draft Board: Oliver Greeves (Eastern Ranges), Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons), Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons), Daniel Annable (Brisbane Lions Academy), Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast Suns Academy), Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast Suns Academy), Dyson Sharp (Central District), Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons), Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power), Archie Ludowyke (Sandringham Dragons). Koby Coulson Gold Coast Suns Academy Midfielder 180cm DOB: 31/07/2007 In a stacked Suns Academy, Coulson has established himself as one of their best. Needless to say Addinsall and Patterson are leading the charge for the elite Suns crop, but don't sleep on Coulson. After getting a taste of VFL footy against Southport, Coulson has come back to the Coates Talent League and averaged 28 touches from three games. Gets involved at both ends of the ground as a midfielder and has a booming kick on him. Jai Murray Gold Coast Suns Academy Midfielder 187cm DOB: 09/03/2007 Another one less heralded than Addinsall and Patterson, and even Coulson, but Jai Murray is yet another exciting prospect coming out of the Suns Academy. Hit the Talent League with a bang in his the Suns' first game of the season against Dandenong, which was Round 4, with 29 disposals and 1.1. Less prolific against Eastern the following week, but looked just as good as he oozed class coming out of centre bounce stoppages. Max Hudson Gold Coast Suns Academy Key forward 192cm DOB: 11/01/2007 Hudson has lit up the Talent League since the Suns began their campaign, kicking 12.4 from three games, including 5.2, 17 disposals and nine marks against Dandenong in Round 4. The clever key forward is such a tough prospect for defenders to handle because he reads the ball so well so well in the air and is fiercely competitive. Hudson took marks from easy goal-kicking spots in Round 5 against Eastern and could have had a couple more majors if not for some missed chances. Sam Grlj Oakleigh Chargers/Camberwell Grammar Midfielder 182cm DOB: 26/07/2007 Along with Tom McGuane and Max King, Grlj can consider himself one of the unluckiest to have missed AFL Academy selection. But the classy midfielder hasn't let that worry him in the first third of the season, with prolific games for the Chargers, Camberwell Grammar, and Vic Metro's trial squad rocketing him into top-10 calculations. Grlj stood out for Metro during the trial match against Vic Country last month, averaged 21 disposals and kicked three goals in his three Coates Talent League games, and has had his own footy for Camberwell in the AGSV. Clearly best on ground against Ivanhoe Grammar last weekend despite his side getting smashed by over 10 goals as a host of recruiters watched on. Grlj has a good mix of inside ball-winning ability and outside burst away from stoppages. Xavier Bambert Sandringham Dragons Midfielder/forward 185cm 29/01/2007 The Sandy skipper is hard not to notice when you watch him play; his explosiveness is just so eye-catching. Bambert's 20 touches are most impactful than most players' 30. He can burst from stoppages as a midfielder or burn defenders on the lead as a forward, and did both of those things in a great game against the Giants Academy in Round 5. Josh Lindsay Geelong Falcons Defender 183cm DOB: 07/04/2007 If he wasn't already, Lindsay confirmed himself as a top-10 prospect with best-on-ground honours for the AFL Academy against Coburg last month. This bloke just doesn't make mistakes. If you could pick one player to give the ball to coming out of half back, it's Lindsay every time. He makes things happen with his creative vision and laser-like left-foot kicking, provides run and drive out of the defensive 50, and just never gets flustered with the ball. A pleasure to watch. Ryda Luke South Fremantle/Fremantle Next Generation Academy Forward 185cm DOB: 19/09/2007 Not a prolific ball-winner but Ryda Luke will hurt you on the scoreboard. He's kicked 13 goals from three WAFL Colts games this year, including eight from eight disposals against Swan Districts in Round 3, when everything he touched turned to gold. The medium-sized forward is lightning quick, flies for marks, and devastating when the ball hits the ground. Tairon Ah-Mu Dandenong Stingrays/Haileybury College Key forward 198cm DOB: 06/06/2007 Tairon Ah-Mu is putting the fear of god into 16 and 17-year-olds around Victoria at the moment. A brute at full forward for Haileybury and the Stingrays, Ah-Mu takes pack marks, has an AFL-ready body, and plays with a noticeable presence. Dominated for the Vic Country trial squad against Metro last month and will be a handful for defenders at the national championships. Kicked 2.5 in what could've been a massive day for the Stingrays in Round 3, which was his last Talent League game before Country and school footy duties took over. Cody Walker The bottom-ager and son of Carlton great Andrew Walker is one of the most exciting prospects ahead of next year's draft and the Blues will no doubt make sure they're stocked up with enough points to match a bid that could come within the top couple of picks. Walker has starred for the Pioneers this year, averaging 19 touches and just under a goal a game, and was probably the best player on the ground for the first of two trial games between Vic Metro and Vic Country last month. He's a damaging midfielder who hits the scoreboard when he goes forward. Dad's shoes are big ones to fill, but Cody has got all the tools he needs to do it. Koby Bewick Calder Cannons Midfielder 178cm DOB: 10/01/2009 Essendon fans have a lot to be excited about in Bewick, who is the son of two-time premiership player Darren Bewick, making him eligible as a father-son. The 2027 draft prospect doesn't even turn 17 until next year, but has already shown he is comfortable at Talent League under-18s level. Under-16s aren't typically allowed to play under-18s for their Talent League clubs until after the national championships but, due to injury and unavailability, Calder asked for special permission to play Bewick against Northern Territory in Round 4 — and he put on a show. The youngster had 28 classy disposals and kicked a nice goal on the run from about 50 metres out. Tallis McMillan GWS Giants Academy Key forward 191cm DOB: 11/04/2007 One of the more unheralded key forwards of this year's class, but that won't continue for much longer if McMillan maintains the form he's hit since the Giants' season kicked off. He's kicked 9.3 from three Coates games, including 4.1 against Murray and 4.2 against Sandringham. The Dragons were without most of their stars, but take nothing away from McMillan's performance that day. He took contested marks, led up strongly at the ball, and kicked well. Plays much taller than his 191cm stature suggests. GWS monitoring him closely. Harry Van Hattum Northern Knights/Ivanhoe Grammar Ruck 202cm DOB: 01/07/2008 He hasn't played yet this year for the Knights this year but big Harry has turned heads for Ivanhoe in school footy. Van Hattum is still only bottom age, not eligible to be drafted until 2026, but clubs have already got him in first-round calculations for next year. A traditional tap ruckman who tends to push back behind the ball in the same way that — dare it be said — Max Gawn does, where he is capable of taking contested intercept marks. Would be leading Ivanhoe's best and fairest comfortably to this point of the season, as a year 11, after three massive games against Marcellin, Yarra Valley and Camberwell. One of three bottom-agers included in Vic Metro's train-on squad. Sam Swadling West Perth Midfielder 187cm DOB: 16/01/2007 Through pure weight of numbers, Swadling simply must be acknowledged as a force of the WAFL Colts competition. He is racking up video game-like numbers at will for West Perth, with tallies of 36, 30, 40, 42 and 39 touches in his past five matches. It's ridiculous consistency from the medium-sized midfielder, who has made it difficult for WA state coaches not to pick him for the national champs. Swadling can find the footy, that much is clear. But to get to the next level and be considered among the best of this year's draft class, he needs to use the ball better, have more impact with his possessions, and get the ball in more damaging positions. He had the ball on a string against Claremont in Round 5 but often turned it over or had little impact with it. Ryan Commandeur Northern Knights Medium defender 181cm 25/02/2007 Commandeur plays so much taller than his 181cm suggests. He reads the ball well in the air and gets involved when it hits the ground. Made a statement to recruiters with his 26 disposals and 10 marks in a best-on-ground performance against Calder in Round 3. Has missed out on Vic Metro selection but recruiters will continue to monitor. Other notable mentions Harry Heathcote is yet another promising prospect out of the Suns Academy, a key position player who can take a contested mark and is happy to put pressure on when the opposition get it. Bendigo Pioneers defender Finlay Lockhart played really well for Vic Country in the trial match against Metro, as did Murray's Zac Harding, who is a mid-season draft hopeful. Also putting his hand up for the mid-season draft is Calder Cannons key defender Gus Papal, who had 27 disposals and a whopping 13 marks last weekend. His Cannons teammate Sam Harris, two years his junior, has started his bottom-age year on fire. Harris is the son of North Melbourne champion, Daniel Harris, and is eligible as a father-son.
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Calder Cannons star Cooper Duff-Tytler headlines Kevin Sheehan's top AFL Draft prospects for 2025
An athletic tall who has been labelled a 'unicorn' is turning the heads of AFL recruiters as he stamps himself as a genuine contender to be the No. 1 draft pick this year. Calder Cannons product Cooper Duff-Tytler has started his top-age season in impressive form after giving up basketball to pursue an AFL career, and he headlines AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan's top prospects for 2025. Measuring 200.3cm and still growing, the athletic 17-year-old models his game on Fremantle's Luke Jackson and Carlton's Tom De Koning and has drawn comparisons to both players with the way he goes about his work. 'My strengths are definitely my mobility and my ball handling for a tall,' Duff-Tytler told Code Sports recently. 'Once the ball hits the deck I can help out around the ground and act as another midfielder.' Duff-Tytler was a talented junior basketball star who was part of Australia's under-16 team which claimed gold at the 2023 FIBA Asia Cup. However, he made the decision last year to narrow his focus on football. 'I was definitely looking at college and NBL routes, but ultimately I was enjoying my footy more at the time and I just wanted to give myself the best chance to succeed in the future,' Duff-Tytler said. 'I felt like putting my effort into footy would help me with that.' Duff-Tytler logged 26 disposals, 14 hit-outs, eight clearances and two goals in the Cannons' first match of the Coates Talent League season, backing up that performance with 24 disposals, 23 hit-outs and four clearances a week later. Utility Willem Duurmsa, who is looking to become the fourth member of his family to reach football's highest level, is another young gun in the No. 1 pick conversation, but it could be historic first round of the draft this year. A raft of highly-rated Northern Academy, Next Generation Academy and father-son prospects should ensure a bidding frenzy in a compromised draft pool come November. Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Zeke Uwland – who has been sidelined with a back stress fracture this year – still shapes as a top pick. The same goes for Brisbane Lions Academy member Daniel Annable, who captained the AFL Academy side in some recent exhibition matches. Sydney Swans Academy member Max King is another high-end prospect with plenty of fans, as are Suns Academy members Beau Addinsall and Dylan Patterson. Collingwood father-son prospect Thomas McGuane (son of Mick) has made a strong start to the season, while Richmond father-son Louis Kellaway (son of Duncan) is flying in South Australia.
