Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Draft Watch: Bartlett’s grandson and Carlton father-son star in Coates Talent League
Connor Scanlon • May 19th, 2025 4:49 pm
Round 7 of the Coates Talent League was jam-packed with the future stars of the AFL going tooth and nail against each other.
Cody Walker, who is the son of former Carlton icon Andrew Walker, dominated the round with a whopping 31 disposals, 3 goals, 10 marks and 8 tackles.
Walker is an under-aged prospect, spending the past 2 years training closely with the Carlton Academy, and has developed a deep relationship with Carlton stars Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, who have taken the role of mentoring young Cody.
Despite being a Carlton father–son prospect, Richmond will also have a chance to nab Walker in the 2026 draft, thanks to being a part of Richmond’s NGA. He'll be able to choose between the Blues and Tigers as a result.
Richmond fans should also keep an eye on Callum Smith, who is the grandson of 403-game club legend Kevin Bartlett.
Smith has continued his impressive start to the season, racking up 27 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s and a goal against the Calder Cannons, although, he's not Father-Son eligible.
Potential top 10 pick and Geelong NGA prospect Jesse Mellor booted 5 goals and accumulated 20 disposals in a losing side against the Tasmania Devils.
Oakleigh Chargers prospect Noah Yze, who is the son of Richmond coach Adam Yze, was a pressure beast this round, laying 9 tackles, gathering 19 disposals and kicking the Chargers first goal of their game.
Below are the 10 best performers for Round 7 in the CTL, based off fantasy points:
1 - Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 1592 - Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 1423 - Joe Harrison (Sydney Swans Academy) – 1244 - Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 1165 - Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons) – 1156 - Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges) – 1137 - Taylor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 1138 - Bennett Martin (Sandringham Dragon) – 1129 - Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels) – 11110 - Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power) – 110
Gippsland Power (83) – (67) Sandringham Dragons
After Sandringham led the entire game, Gippsland Power made a massive last-quarter comeback to defeat the Dragons by 16 points. This gutsy victory boosted Power to 2nd on the ladder.
1 - Bennett Martin (SD) – 1122 - Luke Cheffers (GP) – 1103 - Jobe Scapin (GP) – 1074 - Willem Duursma (GP) – 1045 - Cody Templeton (GP) – 89
Eastern Ranges (57) – (54) Sydney Swans Academy
The Ranges just held on to clinch victory, surviving a late surge from the Swans Academy.
1 - Joe Harrison (SS) – 1242 - Xavier Taylor (ER) – 1133 - Oskar Taylor (ER) – 1084 - Oscar Clifton (SS) – 1015 - Blake Chambers (ER) – 93
Oakleigh Chargers (64) – (54) Brisbane Lions Academy
The Chargers won just their second game of the year, defeating the previously unbeaten Lions Academy.
1 - Harrison Bridge (BL) – 1102 - Daniel Annable (BL) – 1033 - Tyan Prindable (BL) – 914 - Aaron Sharkie (OC) – 905 - Noah Yze (OC) – 88
Bendigo Pioneers (71) – (68) GWV Rebels
In an absolute nail-biter, the Bendigo Pioneers narrowly defeated the Rebels, moving the Pioneers to 7th on the ladder.
1 - Cody Walker (BP) – 1592 - Taylor Byrne (GWV) – 1133 - Flynn Penry (GWV) – 1114 - Jett Grayland (GWV) – 875 - Hunter Wright (BP) – 83
Tasmania Devils (91) – (78) Geelong Falcons
The Tassie Devils cruised to victory here against the Falcons, now winning 3 of their last 4 games.
1 - Jesse Mellor (GF) – 1152 - Max Roney (TD) – 1023 - Fred Lucas (GF) – 1024 - Oliver Depaoli-Kubank (TD) – 975 - Archer Chamberlain (GF) – 95
Northern Knights (34) – (57) Gold Coast SUNS Academy
The SUNS Academy extend their unbeaten streak, with a dominating fourth quarter, kicking away from the Northern Knights.
1 - Sebastian Murphy (NK) – 1422 - Koby Coulson (GC) – 1013 - Cooper Collins (GC) – 964 - Taj Murray (GC) – 915 - Beau Addinsall (GC) – 90
Dandenong Stingrays (75) – (37) Calder Cannons
The Stingrays sit in the top 8 now after this impressive win against the 4th-placed Cannons, dominating after halfway through the second quarter.
1 - Callum Smith (DS) – 1162 - Sam Lewis (DS) – 993 - Tyson Anic (DS) – 994 - Marcus Prasad (DS) – 955 - Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (DS) – 95
