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Draft Watch: 200cm Collingwood NGA key forward stars for Vic Metro
Connor Scanlon • July 7th, 2025 3:53 pm
An incredible weekend of Under-18 action showcased the next wave of AFL stars going toe-to-toe.
Two massive National Championships clashes were played, as well as five thrilling Coates Talent League matches.
Both Victorian sides notched their first wins of the carnival, with Vic Country narrowly defeating the Allies, and Vic Metro beating WA.
Vic Metro saw a standout Collingwood NGA prospect prove why he deserves first-round selection status, and get this – he’s 200cm!
With the 2025 draft race heating up, here’s a breakdown of the standout performers from the National Championships over the weekend:
Allies (70) vs (82) Vic Country
Allies
Lachlan Carmichael
The silky Swans Academy defender was the Allies best, collecting a game-high 33 disposals and an equal game-high 7 marks across half-back. His drive and overlapping run into attack were crucial in transition. Sydney may have another elite rebounding defender here.
Dan Annable
The Lions Academy prospect, and potential No. 1 pick continues to dominate. The classy midfielder gathered 23 touches, 5 marks, and 5 clearances in another statement performance.
Koby Coulson and Dylan Patterson
The Suns Academy midfield duo continued their impressive form. Coulson racked up 23 disposals, 7 tackles, and 7 clearances, while Patterson was solid again. Both will slot straight into Gold Coast’s senior side if selected by the Suns in the draft.
Tyan Prindable
The hard-headed Lions Academy midfielder/forward continued his purple patch with 18 disposals, 7 tackles and a goal. He’s been pushing a very strong case to be picked by Brisbane.
Jack Miller
Electric medium forward Jack Miller bagged 3 goals from 4 scoring shots and laid 3 tackles. The Tasmania Devils prospect has a natural goal sense and is the type of forward every AFL club craves.
Vic Country
Cody Walker
The Carlton father-son underage talent was one of the game’s best, racking up 24 touches across midfield and forward. The son of Andrew Walker is also a Richmond NGA product, meaning next year he’ll need to choose his preferred destination.
Jesse Mellor
Geelong NGA forward Jesse Mellor was dangerous up forward with 6 scoring shots. He slotted 3 goals but could’ve had more with better accuracy. The Cats may have a future star in their sights.
Riley Onley
The 194cm midfielder was Vic Country’s highest disposal-winner with 28 touches and an equal game-high 7 clearances. Any club looking for a big-bodied midfielder should be taking note.
Willem Duursma
Potential No. 1 pick Willem Duursma continued his excellent form with 20 disposals and showcased his elite aerial skills with 5 marks. Duursma just keeps performing, and will probably be the best Duursma on an AFL list when he gets drafted.
Tairon Ah-Mu
Similar to Mellor, Ah-Mu finished with 3 goals from 5 shots. The Pacific Island key forward also pulled 4 marks and impressed with his athleticism and aerial prowess.
Harry Dean
Another Carlton father-son prospect, Harry Dean, boosted his first-round prospects with a dominant performance down back, collecting 15 disposals and cleaning up everything in defence.
Callum Smith
The grandson of Kevin Bartlett was at his consistent best again, finishing with 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, and a goal. While not linked to Richmond, the Tigers should certainly have an eye on of their club legend’s grandson.
WA (42) vs (77) Vic Metro
Western Australia
Fred Rodriguez
Rodriguez continues to show why he’s WA’s top midfield prospect for 2025, standing out once again with 23 disposals, 6 tackles and a game-high 8 clearances. His relentless work rate will certainly be earning him attention from recruiters.
Blake Kelly
Kelly had a breakout performance, recording an equal game-high 29 disposals and 6 tackles. The Swan Districts product has now firmly put his name in the draft radar.
Cody Curtin
The 200cm brother of Adelaide’s Dan Curtin rotated between key forward and ruck. He kicked 3 goals from 4 scoring shots when sent forward, and when thrown into the ruck, he added 10 hitouts, 2 clearances and 2 tackles to his game. His talent is undeniable, and he may be set to surpass his brother.
Sam Swadling
Swadling stood tall in a game where many WA players struggled. He collected 20 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances and a goal. Alongside Rodriguez and Curtin, he’s one of WA’s leading names in this year’s draft class.
Benji Van Rooyen
The brother of Melbourne’s Jacob Van Rooyen went head-to-head with potential No. 1 pick Cooper Duff-Tytler in the ruck, and held his own. Benji finished with 6 clearances, 3 tackles and 11 hitouts in a huge effort against an elite ruck.
Mathew Becker
Rebounding defender Becker was another standout with 18 disposals and plenty of run from the back half. The 190cm defender has that dash and ball use which AFL clubs consistently look for.
Vic Metro
Zac McCarthy
The 200cm Collingwood NGA key forward starred with 3 goals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 11 disposals and 7 hitouts. The Pies will have priority access to what could be a first-round draft gem. Watch this space Pies fans.
Tom McGuane
Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane, the son of Pies great Mick, had 19 touches, 4 marks and a goal. Another highly rated prospect the Magpies will have first dibs on.
Aaron Sharkie
Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Aaron Sharkie had an equal game-high 29 disposals, leading the way for Vic Metro in windy conditions. He continues to build a compelling draft case, after stringing together some impressive performances.
Cooper Duff-Tytler
The potential No. 1 pick in this year’s draft had a game-high 18 hitouts and collected 15 disposals. We all know how hard 200cm elite ruck prospects are to come by, so expect every club to be chasing Duff-Tytler.
Oliver Greeves
The 191cm midfielder and potential top 5 selection impressed yet again with 27 disposals and a classy goal. Another one which clubs looking for a big-bodied midfielder should be gunning for.
Hussien El Achkar
Essendon NGA prospect El Achkar had his best outing of the carnival, kicking 2 goals from 5 scoring shots and finishing with 15 disposals. His pressure and forward craft were key to Metro’s dominance.
Lachy Dovaston
El Achkar’s partner in crime up forward was also outstanding, booting 2.3 from 18 disposals. Dovaston now has 11 goals across his past three games in the National Championships and Coates Talent League. Dovaston could potentially be the drafts best small forward.
Adam Sweid
Another Essendon NGA product, Sweid laid a game-high 8 tackles, along with 20 disposals and 3 clearances. At 175cm, his elite forward pressure and midfield versatility make him a valuable draft prospect. The Bombers may have a gem on their hands.
Round 14 of the Coates Talent League also saw some of the potential Victorian draft stars prove their worth for the 2025 draft.
Western Jets prospect Lachlan Hicks delivered an outrageous performance, recording a round-high 34 disposals. He also booted 4 goals, took 10 marks, laid 4 tackles, and added 6 inside 50s and 3 rebound 50s to his game. This performance may very well be the best individual performance of the entire 2025 Coates Talent League season.
Tyson Gresham, the brother of Essendon’s Jade Gresham, enjoyed a day out inside forward 50 for the Northern Knights. He had 7 scoring shots from just 13 disposals, kicking 3.4. With over half his touches resulting in shots on goal, Gresham is proving to be a dangerous small forward with natural goal sense, much like his brother.
Hicks' teammate Oskar Ainsworth also starred for the Western Jets, kicking a round-high 5 goals. The key forward collected 18 disposals and clunked 7 marks in a dominant display. He’s now kicked 13.10 across his last four games, making him a seriously appealing draft option for clubs in need of a promising tall target.
Below are the 10 best performers for Round 14 in the CTL, based off fantasy points:
1 - Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets) – 1592 - Charlie Whitehead (Oakleigh Chargers) – 1223 - Archer Chamberlain (Geelong Falcons) – 1224 - Riley Dillon (Bendigo Pioneers) – 1225 - Mitchell Gillan (Eastern Ranges) – 1196 - Finnegan Davis (Western Jets) – 1157 - Oliver Watt (Calder Cannons) – 1138 - Mason Williams (Geelong Falcons) – 1049 - Patrick Blake (Bendigo Pioneers) – 10410 - Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons) – 103
Sandringham Dragons (59) - (84) GWV Rebels
The Rebels cruised to victory against the Dragons, boosting them into the top 8, while Sandringham slid down to 12th.
1 - Arki Butler (SD) – 1032 - Miles Tyrer (SD) – 903 - Sam Niklaus (GWV) – 894 - Flynn Penry (GWV) – 835 - Sacha Levine (SD) – 82
Murray Bushrangers (52) - (95) Calder Cannons
The Cannons snapped their 4-game losing streak defeating the weak Murray Bushrangers.
1 - Oliver Watt (CC) – 1132 - Coen Ainsworth (MB) – 933 - Cody Gardiner (MB) – 874 - Sam Harris (CC) – 865 - Thomas Lincoln (CC) – 81
Northern Knights (84) - (66) Geelong Falcons
The Geelong Falcons remain in the bottom 4 after failing to defeat the Northern Knights. However, the Knights don’t sit much better than the Falcons, being 13th on the ladder.
1 - Archer Chamberlain (GF) – 1222 - Mason Williams (GF) – 1043 - Harry Van Hattum (NK) – 884 - Roman Moxon (NK) – 835 - Tyson Gresham (NK) – 83
Eastern Ranges (80) - (77) Oakleigh Chargers
An absolute nail-biter saw the Eastern Ranges narrowly hold on against a late surge by the Chargers. This loss snapped the Chargers 3-game winning streak, sending them back down to 11th on the ladder.
1 - Charlie Whitehead (OC) – 1222 - Mitchell Gillan (ER) – 1193 - Archie Spencer (ER) – 994 - Sullivan Robey (ER) – 915 - Josiah Landy (ER) – 88
Bendigo Pioneers (50) - (124) Western Jets
The Jets got their 3rd victory of the season, demolishing the mid-table Pioneers.
1 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) – 1592 - Riley Dillon (BP) – 1223 - Finnegan Davis (WJ) – 1154 - Patrick Blake (BP) – 1045 - Oskar Ainsworth (WJ) – 101
See the fixture for the remaining games of the U18 National Championships below:
- Sun, July 13: Allies v Vic Metro, 10.30am AEST, Brighton Hones Arena
- Sun, July 20: Vic Country v Vic Metro, 11am AEST, RSEA Park
