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Sport Nation
Draft watch: Hot streak of Suns and Lions Academies set to continue
Andrew Slevison • May 9th, 2025 4:23 pm
The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns Academies are on a hot streak when it comes to producing future stars of the game.
In recent years the Lions have used their academy to draft 2024 premiership player Jaspa Fletcher (in 2022), as well as prospects Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop both in 2024.
The Suns have been prolific by bringing in Leo Lombard last year, after Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham were snapped up in 2023.
With Aussie Rules participation numbers booming up north, particularly in south east Queensland, these two academies in particular aren’t about to slow down anytime soon.
Queensland schoolboys coach and director of coaching at the Burleigh Bombers, Mark Pitura, is an expert when it comes to the pathways system in the Sunshine State.
He has provided a rundown on all the gun youngsters to watch in 2025 and has also taken a look at some underage players we should be keeping an eye on for the future.
First up is the Gold Coast Academy jets who could quite possibly end up in Suns colours later this year.
Zeke Uwland
“Zeke Uwland will be thereabouts in the top five. He’s an Errol Gulden type of player,” Pitura said on SEN’s Future Stars.
“He’s polished, he’s impressive. Currently injured with a hip/pelvis stress fracture and back issues, but will return later in the season.
“I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and he’s actually studying law, so he’s a busy bee.”
Zeke is the younger brother of Suns defender Bodhi.
Dylan Patterson
“Noted as ‘the dancing feet’ with a couple of recent clips I’ve seen online.
“He’s a Palm Beach product who is athletic, a line-breaker, plays behind the footy but can be versatile.
“He has a really strong reputation.”
Beau Addinsall
“He’s the accumulator.
“Another Burleigh Bombers product who is clean and composed. Wins his own footy, is consistent, clever, can play inside and out.
“He is one of the best players I’ve seen with ground balls and the ball below his knees.
“Those three will definitely be on the Gold Coast radar.”
Another up north is Suns Academy talent and Melbourne father-son prospect Kalani White.
Pitura provided great information on the son of Jeff, as well as a handful of other draft hopefuls from Queensland.
Kalani White
“Kalani can play as a key forward or key defender. He is definitely a work in progress, he’s a bit of a diamond in the rough.
“He could be absolutely anything. He’s 6’6, has a massive leap and has plenty of potential.”
Jai Murray
“When he was under-15s he made the All-Australian team and then the last couple of years he’s sort of gone off the boil a little bit.
“In the Academy games in recent weeks, Addinsall, Patterson and Uwland have been playing with the AFL Academy so it’s given a few boys more opportunity in the middle.
“Jai Murray is one of them. He’s flying at the moment, has a high work-rate, has energy, is a clean user. He comes from a surf lifesaving background so is really fit.”
Koby Coulson
“Koby was an early standout but missed time at 15–16 due to injury.
“He is back fully fit and performing strongly in his draft year. A fast, powerful midfielder who is great overhead for his size.
“He breaks out of stoppages with speed, is a tough type like Matt Rowell.”
Cooper Collins
“Has shown promise at VFL level. Highly versatile—can play small/tall, forward/back.
“Left-footed, with strong running and acceleration.”
Max Hudson
“Former key defender now playing forward.
“Good overhead, athletic, relentless 2nd and 3rd efforts. Highly competitive.
“He is a Charlie Ballard type who prides himself on his aerial game and defensive craft.”
The Lions also have a very good on the horizon in the form of Daniel Annable who we recently featured on SEN.
Despite Brisbane’s already strong midfield, Pitura expects the Lions to draft Annable at season’s end.
Daniel Annable
“He’s an end-to-end player who works from 50 to 50,” Pitura said.
“He has a high work-rate, has clean hands, is a two-way runner.
“Annable has star potential.
“The thing about the Lions is they have a lot of guns in the midfield with the Ashcrofts going through, but they will definitely target Annable.”
Listen to Pitura on all things Queensland junior footy below:
