Draft Watch: Dons and Roos father/son guns fire for Cannons

The Rebels edged the Jets by seven points at Mars Stadium in Ballarat. Ethan Drever was enormous for the Rebels with a game-high 34 disposals (the next best was 27) and a game-high 10 tackles. The 188cm Drever has been excellent in his two 2026 outings to date. Archie Elliott kicked 2.3 from 16 touches to go with eight tackles and six marks, while Dan Ewing had it 22 times. Last week’s highest scoring star, Lachlan Hicks, was again busy for the Jets with 27 touches and five inside 50s. Khaled El Souki and Jake Miller each contributed 17 touches and two goals, while Kobe Williams was again sharp with two majors and 18 possessions.

The Cannons were comfortable 34-point victors over the Pioneers at Craigieburn. It was a pair of father/son prospects that did the damage for the Cannons. Koby Bewick, son of Essendon icon Darren, racked up 31 disposals (20 kicks) and 10 marks in a superb showing where his elite footy IQ was on full display. Calder Colleague Sam Harris, son of former North Melbourne hard nut Daniel, picked up 23 possessions and could have capped a great game only to finish with 0.3. Harris spent time with the Elite Roos program last year. Isa Merhi and Moustafa Darwish were both outstanding contributors for the Cannons with 27 and 22 disposals respectively. 16-year-old 196cm forward Nathaniel Jenkins was dominant up forward with a massive bag of seven goals. Carlton father/son prospect Cody Walker was Bendigo’s best again, amassing a game-best 33 touches, seven tackles, six inside 50s and four rebound 50s. He was wayward in front of goal with four behinds, but it was another strong showing. Sonny Beasy, the son of another former Blue in Callan, kicked two goals for 19 disposals.

The Power comfortably accounted for the Ranges by 31 points at Morwell. Small forward Marlon Neocleous, who stands at 168cm, was best on ground for Gippy with four goals, 20 disposals and eight marks. AFL draft guru Cal Twomey has already nicknamed him ‘The Nuke’. Clever. Teammate Oliver Wilson had 22 touches, seven tackles and a goal while Judd Burgiel continued his strong start to the year with 23 possessions. William Waller was brave for the Rangers with 22 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s. Ryan McConnell, after a bright game last week, contributed two goals and 21 touches. Max Bartlett led the way for Eastern with 23 disposals and Jett Flower, the grandson of Demons legend Robbie, picked up 22 touches and laid six tackles after a good outing last weekend.

The Falcons got the choccies by nine points in Ballarat in the second Mars Stadium fixture. Tom Teague was enormous with 30 disposals, including 25 kicks, as well as 14 marks and eight rebound 50s. Teague is the nephew of ex-Geelong and Richmond player and former coach Mark Neeld. Riley McLure was a key contributor with 26 touches and six rebound 50s, while Charlie Hanegraaf was solid with 20 disposals. Riley McLeod booted 3.3 for the Falcons. Jack Condello was Oakleigh’s most prolific player with 21 touches, while Seb Marsic, who bagged seven last week, kicked two goals.

It was a drubbing from the Knights who belted the Bushrangers by 83 points at Preston City Oval. Harvie Cooke continued on his merry way with a huge game consisting of 30 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven tackles. He also kicked 1.4. Cooke has had 29, 21 and 30 to start his 2026. Sonny Caruso played well again with 26 touches, a massive 12 inside 50s while kicking 2.3. Sam Gayfer, nephew of former Magpies defender Mick, booted three goals for the second time this year. Jackson Hewitt was comfortably Murray’s best with 27 disposals.

The second draw of the Talent League season took place at RSEA Park between the Dragons and Stingrays. James Mikhael was one of Sandy’s best with 24 disposals while Albert Macgowan went big again with 25 touches, adding to the 31 and 33 he had in the first two games. Judd Lemon kicked three goals from 17 touches and George Dimer had 22 disposals and kicked 2.2. Dandy’s Marcus Prasad was solid again with 23 touches, five inside 50s and two goals, while Wil Antrobus - no relation to Tony - contributed 22 disposals and 12 rebound 50s. Gus Kennedy had 27 possessions and six rebound 50s.