Draft Watch: Hawks NGA goes nuclear; Blues & Dogs-tied talents dominate VFL

Hawthorn NGA prospect Keenan Boi was enormous in a big win for the Gippsland Power while GWV Rebels gun Ethan Drever was excellent yet again.

Away from the Talent League, Carlton father/son talent Cody Walker dominated in the VFL for the Blues with 29 disposals, five inside 50s, five tackles and a goal in a narrow loss to St Kilda.

Western Bulldogs NGA talent Khaled El Souki impressed for Footscray on debut in the VFL, kicking three goals from 14 disposals with three tackles and three inside 50s.

Hawthorn father/son and Brisbane Academy young gun Cooper Hodge also played VFL, contributing 12 disposals, three tackles and three inside 50s in a huge 98-point VFL win over Southport.

Gold Coast Academy star Cooper Collins racked up 24 touches as the Suns lost to the Giants in a high-scoring VFL fixture. Giants Academy prospect Cooper French kicked two goals from 15 touches.

Calder Cannons bottom-ager Nate Jenkins bagged six goals (five in the first half) and claimed the best on ground medal as St Bernard's won the Herald Sun Shield final over Emmanuel College.

In the SANFL, Power father/son prospect Dougie Cochrane had 30 touches (25 kicks), 10 rebound 50s and six tackles as Port were beaten by 105 points by West Adelaide.

Among Sandy’s best was George Dimer who had a strong game with 19 disposals, four inside 50s and an equal game-high nine tackles, while Marcus Torcasio was alongside him with 16 disposals and nine tackles. They led they with their defensive pressure and contested work. Kayne Watt was busy with 16 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s, three tackles and a goal, Oliver Bartal contributed 16 touches, four marks and four tackles, as Angus Aujard kicked 2.3.

For the Knights, Lewis Houndsome took on the bulk of the ruck duties in the absence of the rested Harry Van Hattum. He finished with 37 hitouts, 18 disposals, a game-high seven inside 50s and six marks in a massive individual display. Harvie Cooke was again good with 25 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals, continuing his high-impact form. Jamison Leeson had it 20 times and produced eight tackles and Sam Gayfer, nephew of ex-Collingwood defender Mick, impacted up forward with 3.2 from 15 touches and five marks.

The Stingrays crushed the Pioneers by 86 points at Shepley Oval. There were plenty of big outings from Dandy players led by Ben Carroll who produced an outstanding midfield display with 33 disposals, an equal game-high eight inside 50s, plus seven marks and a goal. He was supported by Clancy Stuart who was damaging and impactful with 22 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s, five tackles and four goals. Jack Vaughan had 18 disposals and lay six tackles in a strong pressure outing, Dylan Linden kicked four goals from 14 touches and seven marks, and Gus Kennedy had 23 disposals, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s. Port Adelaide father/son prospect Louis Salopek contributed 17 possessions and seven marks, while Andrio Sousa took the game on with 21 touches and eight inside 50s.

For Bendigo, bottom-ager Tyce Griffin stood out with 25 disposals, five inside 50s, four tackles and a goal, and Max Thompson, who is a Tassie target for next year, was excellent yet again with 26 possessions, six inside 50s, four rebound 50s and four tackles. Luca Iudica starred with 27 disposals and two goals, Angus Hoyne kicked two goals from 17 touches and Cruz O’Sullivan had it 22 times.

The Jets edged the Ranges by 11 points after a slow start in Werribee. Lachlan Hicks has been monstrous for the Jets of late and continued that form with 25 disposals, six marks, five tackles and 2.2. He is forcing himself into top-20 draft conversations. Billy Wigmore was great again with 24 touches, a team-high 10 marks and three tackles, Hawthorn father/son prospect Kobe Williams had it 23 times and kicked a goal, and 16-year-old talent Griffin Barker kicked three goals from 17 possessions with a game-best eight inside 50s.

For Eastern, Thomas Krawczyk was a standout with 25 disposals (22 kicks), a team-high 13 marks and four rebound 50s, while Mitch Gillan contributed 25 touches and a goal with a strong all-round contribution. Jordan Knapp also amassed 25 possessions with seven marks and a goal, as big man Marcus Krasnadamskis picked up 24 disposals, 14 hitouts and six marks. Harrison Chapman continued his good form with 24 touches and 10 marks while Baxter Sruk, another on the radar of the Devils for 2027, had it 25 times and kicked a goal.

The Power obliterated the Bushrangers by 122 points at La Trobe Uni in Bundoora. It was a fill-up for Gippy who had a heap of players put up big numbers. Keenan Boi was excellent after gaining more midfield minutes. The Hawthorn NGA-tied talent was massive with 29 disposals, a game-high 10 inside 50s, three tackles and three goals. Despite his Hawks links, the Warragul product with Indigenous and Mauritian heritage has a few clubs watching him. Bottom-ager Oscar Henwood was enormous again, racking up 37 touches, eight inside 50s and a goal, and Jimmy Little contributed 24 possessions, two goals, and 16-year-old Alex Ingham had it 28 times. Gippy piled on 24 goals thanks to four each from Cody Templeton (4.3) and Augustus Finsterer (4.1), and three from Ash Mounsey.

In the absence of gun midfielder Tanner Armstrong, it was Jackson Hewitt who again led the way. Hewitt was best for the Bushies once again with 22 disposals and a game-high nine tackles and five rebound 50s. Lincoln Brand had it 23 times with seven marks, Mackenzie Calleja had 17 disposals and kicked a goal, while Giants stars Lachie Ash’s younger brother Ryan Ash had 22 touches.

It was a low-scoring draw between the Falcons and Rebels in Leopold. William Nicholls was one of Geelong’s very best with 23 disposals and a team-high 11 tackles, providing outstanding pressure. He was assisted by Darcy Harrington with 27 touches, six tackles and four inside 50s as Jordan Penrice contributed 26 possessions and seven inside 50s. Van Rahilly, son of Cats assistant James, was busy 20 possessions but kicked 1.4 in a game where goals were at a premium.

The Rebels standouts were, yet again, Ethan Drever who amassed 39 disposals (16 kicks, 23 handballs), nine tackles, six inside 50s and did his top-5 draft hopes no harm at all. Ruckman Jackson O’Brien was solid with 28 hitouts, 18 possessions and four tackles, Klay Nicholls had it 29 times with 12 rebound 50s, Patrick McKenna racked up 26 touches with seven rebounds 50s, Jake Connolly got his hands dirty with 11 tackles and 20 disposals, as did Harrison Welsh who had a game-high 13 tackles plus 18 possessions and five inside 50s.