Draft Watch: Port father/son gun returns with a bang; potential No.1 imposes himself

Following on from the two National Championships games last Wednesday, there were four Talent League fixtures over the weekend.

Some Vic Metro players were back in action with their Talent League clubs, including the highly rated Louis Salopek who stepped out for the Dandenong Stingrays for the first time in 2026.

Potential No.1 pick Harry Van Hattum imposed himself as the Northern Knights beat the Oakleigh Chargers.

Zac Sharpe, who called the game for KommunityTV, was taken by Van Hattum's presence and skill level.

A tight, low-scoring affair saw the Ranges edge the Cannons by three points in a winter scrap in Craigieburn. Baxter Sruk had a dominant outing for Eastern with a game-high 29 disposals (20 kicks), eight tackles, six inside 50s and kicked two goals. Sruk, who turns 17 this coming Saturday, is on the radar of the Tasmania Devils. The tidy and tough left-footer was good for Vic Metro against SA recently. Jaden Lawrence was huge in the ruck with 33 hitouts and 21 disposals, providing presence in the air and around stoppages. Ryan McConnell was strong around the ball with 21 touches, seven tackles and a snag, Harrison Chapman had an equal game-high nine tackles to go with 20 possessions and a goal. Jett Flower, grandson of Demons legend Robbie, had it 21 times with five tackles, four rebound 50s and three inside 50s. For Calder, Essendon NGA prospect Moustafa Darwish continued his strong 2026 form, racking up a team-high 26 disposals and eight tackles. Darwish has put together an excellent few months. Fellow Dons NGA talent and Port Adelaide father/son Tevita Rodan had 25 disposals, an equal game-high six inside 50s, five tackles and a goal, while Charlie Robbins had 23 disposals and seven tackles, and Jackson Watkins had 20 possessions and a goal. North Melbourne father/son prospect Sam Harris (2026 draft) was industrious with 18 touches and an equal game-high nine tackles, while Essendon father/son Koby Bewick (2027 draft) had 19 disposals.

The Knights had a strong team in to record a 20-point win over the Chargers at Preston City Oval. Several high-end draft prospects, some returning from Vic Metro duties, produced standout numbers in a polished victory for the Talent League’s best team. Harvie Cooke was best afield with 28 disposals, eight marks and two goals. He impacted through the midfield and inside forward 50 in another accomplished showing. Potential No.1 draft pick Harry Van Hattum delivered in his ruck/forward role with 17 disposals, 23 hitouts, five marks and two goals. His elite tap work, athleticism and marking prowess were on full display. Logan Shepherd had 23 possessions and a goal, Campbell Rooks picked up 21 touches and kicked a goal, and Toby Krasna wowed with 25 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal. Harrison Leeder led the way with three goals (was burnt a few times) and took eight marks in a strong outing as an athletic key forward. Harper McCullough led the Chargers with a game-high 29 disposals and a goal, while Charlie Anastasopoulos put on an excellent midfield display with 25 disposals, five tackles and four inside 50s. His clean ball use and defensive pressure were highlights. Josh Destefanis had 18 disposals and kicked two goals as a dangerous half-forward who was damaging in attack. Took a nice hanger too.

The Stingrays smashed the Bushrangers by 54 points in Shepparton. Port Adelaide father/son Louis Salopek was outstanding with 26 disposals, eight marks, scene inside 50s, six tackles and 2.1. It was a complete performance from the young gun who is 2027 draft eligible. Clancy Stuart’s impressive season continued with 27 disposals, a game-high 11 inside 50s and eight tackles in a relentless midfield display. Mitch Toner produced a goal-kicking masterclass with five goals straight from 18 disposals and five marks in a damaging forward display. His partner in crime inside forward 50 was Jaie Bedson who booted 4.3 from 16 touches. Ocean Shepheard went with the flow for his 23 possessions and five tackles and Corey Ah-Mu contributed 22 disposals with his physical presence around the contest standing out. For the Bushies, Jackson Hewitt had it on a string with a game-high 32 disposals plus nine marks, seven tackles, six rebound 50s and five inside 50s. It was almost a complete midfield performance in a losing side. Jack Mellington had it 24 times with three tackles and a goal, Josh Porter had 21 touches and five tackles, Cooper Webster accumulated 21 possessions and Archer Hueston kicked 3.2 in a lone hand up forward.

In a low-scoring, gritty contest, the Jets secured a narrow victory over the Dragons at Dingley. A number of Jets players stood up with high possession games in challenging conditions. The prolific Lachlan Hicks led the way with 30 disposals, six marks and four rebound 50s. The midfield accumulator from the Altona Vikings has had 30 or more disposals in four of his past five games for the Jets. Noah McMenamin chimed in with 25 disposals and took 11 marks, Jacob Marron had 22 and 10 marks, Angus Tippett had 23 touches, seven tackles and a goal, Toby Round also had it 23 times, and Western Bulldogs NGA talent Khaled El Souki was busy with 18 possessions, four tackles and 2.1. For the Dragons, Judd Lemon stood out with 20 disposals, six inside 50s and five tackles, while Oliver Bartal had 20 touches and seven rebound 50s, while Riley Stratford was industrious with 18 disposals and seven tackles. One Sandy defender who stood out was the well-built 195cm Jasper Williams who had 16 touches, seven marks and three rebound 50s, including a crafty double ‘candy sell’ coming out of defensive 50.