Draft Watch: Port & Hawks father/sons, Dons & Dogs NGA guns dominate

Tevita Rodan, son of former Tiger, Power and Demon David, racked up 30 disposals for the first time this season as the Calder Cannons comfortably accounted for the Bendigo Pioneers.

Cannons talent lead Seb Spagnuolo provided some inside information on Rodan on SEN’s Future Stars podcast recently.

The Western Bulldogs have a gun NGA prospect in their midst in Kobe Williams.

The Cannons bounced back to the winners’ list with a 33-point result over the Pioneers in Bendigo. Essendon NGA-tied Moustafa Darwish was again very good for Calder, finishing with 21 disposals, an equal team-high six tackles, five inside 50s and two goals. He was aided by fellow Bombers Academy talent and Port Adelaide father/son Tevita Rodan who amassed a game-high 30 touches while Charlie Robbins, son of former Roo and Lion Ben, was strong again with 27 possessions. North Melbourne father/son prospect Sam Harris was busy with 24 touches, five tackles and five inside 50s, and Jackson Watkins was decisive with his 24 and two goals. For Bendigo, Max Thompson was excellent with another 27 possessions, seven tackles and six inside 50s. Sonny Beasy, son of ex-Blue Callan, was instrumental with 23 touches and two goals, while Oliver Stewart had it 23 times and kicked a goal.

The Jets were dominant in beating the Falcons by 74 points at Williamstown. Western Bulldogs NGA prospect Kobe Williams is having some season for the Jets. On the weekend he racked up 25 touches, took nine marks and kicked 3.3 in another brilliant display. The son of Mark Williams, the 2008 premiership Hawk, has had 25 touches or more and kicked three goals in each of his past three outings. He was joined by the prolific Lachlan Hicks who had another 29 disposals (equal game-high) plus seven tackles and five inside 50s. Angus Tippett also had it 29 times along with eight inside 50s and a goal, while Billy Wigmore had 21 touches and 10 marks, and 16-year-old Oliver Castro booted four goals. For Geelong, Tom Teague was among their best with 27 touches (25 kicks), 13 marks and nine rebound 50s. Darcy Harrington contributed 23 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, while Riley McLure had 25 possessions.

The Chargers made it four wins from their past five when defeating the Bushrangers by 12 points in Wangaratta. Archie Dollman raked in an equal game-high 32 disposals plus five inside 50s and two goals as one of Oakleigh’s very best. Sam Papas was good again with 27 touches and seven rebound 50s, while Noah Bibile had it 21 times with six tackles, five inside 50s and a goal, and Elijah Smith contributed 21 possessions and nine marks. Jackson Hewitt was at it again for the Bushies, racking up 32 touches, nine marks, five rebound 50s and four inside 50s in another busy outing. Lincoln Brand continued his good form with 31 disposals (20 kicks) and a goal, Jack Mellington had 23 touches and kicked a goal, and Jethro Snelling kicked 2.2 from 14 disposals.

It was the Stingrays by nine points over the Ranges in Frankston. For the winning side, Clancy Stuart stood out with 26 disposals as well as game-highs in tackles (14) and inside 50s (10). It was another big game from the imposing inside mid. Jackson Phillips has been in superb form of late and that continued with 24 touches, seven marks and a goal while Ben Carroll was very good with 22 and two goals, while Orlando Clark and Wil Antrobus each had 21. Eastern’s best was Baxter Sruk with 28 disposals, 12 tackles and two goals. The powerful 16-year-old is on Tassie’s radar for the 2027 draft. The classy and smooth-moving Harrison Chapman had it 28 times with six tackles while Max Bartlett had 25 possessions and a goal.

Gippy were far too good for Tassie, winning by 57 points in Dandenong. Bottom-ager Oscar Henwood put on a show with 23 disposals, a game-high nine tackles and an equal game-high eight inside 50s in a best-on-ground display. Cody Templeton was dangerous in attack with 3.2 from 16 touches while Hawthorn NGA-tied Keenan Boi could have had a day out but finished with 1.3 from 15 touches. He was getting to all the right areas though. Ash Mounsey booted four goals from 11 touches, and 2027 draft eligible Cohen Dent, a talented 209cm youngster, would have had the Devils recruiters watching with interest. He had 10 touches, took five marks and kicked 2.1 to go with 31 hit outs. For the Devils, Tom Geappen was the most prolific player with 31 touches, 16-year-old Sam Husband had 27 disposals, Jack Morrison and Mason Whitney each had 24 and Oliver Freeland kicked three majors.