Draft Watch: Son of ex-Cat, Roo stars; Dons and Dogs NGA kids go big

That Calder v Northern Territory fixture featured Charlie Tudor who was excellent in his side's big win.

“He got to debut in Round 1, started on the wing, the ball came out to him, he took three bounces, and kicked a goal to get our season off and running,” Spagnuolo told SEN's Future Stars.

On a fixture that was technically part of Round 5, Thursday night saw the Cannons easily take care of the NT Academy by 65 points in Craigieburn. Charlie Tudor was the star of the show for the victors, amassing a team-high 28 disposals and kicking 1.2 predominantly off half-back. The son of former Cat and Roo Leigh, Tudor also took eight marks, had five inside 50s and three rebound 50s. He is 2027 draft eligible and expected to land on Tassie’s radar. Essendon NGA prospect Moustafa Darwish was excellent again with 26 touches, six inside 50s and two goals while Charlie Robbins picked up 27 touches and also had six inside 50s. Nate Jenkins, who bagged seven goals earlier in the season, contributed four goals and Tevita Rodan, son of David, kicked 2.3 from 18 touches. Ben Barnard was the NT side’s best with a game-high 30 touches (27 kicks) and 13 rebound 50s.

The Lions Academy spanked the Falcons by 72 points in Werribee. Ashlon Prindable was again busy for the Lions with a team-high 20 touches and six inside 50s, while Tarkyn Benton produced 15 disposals to go with eight tackles and three goals. 16-year-old Jackson Bridge bagged five goals and Reece Thompson kicked four. Geelong’s Tom Teague, the nephew of Mark Neeld, led all with 24 possessions and seven rebound 50s.

The Swans were far too good for Tassie, recording a 71-point triumph at Blacktown. Lachlan Price continued his outstanding start to the season with 26 disposals, nine marks, eight inside 50s and two goals. His main partner in crime was Henry Meaney who racked up a game-high 28 touches and kicked a goal. Patrick Smith had 24 possessions, six inside 50s, five tackles and a goals as Isaac Luke kicked 3.2 from 15 touches and eight tackles. For the Devils, Jake Beams was again their most prolific with 26 disposals (23 kicks) and nine rebound 50s. Hugh McCallum was again in the thick of the action, contributing 24 disposals, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s. Archie Devine and Benji Russell both had 20 touches.

The Giants were dominant against the Bachar Houli Academy, lobbing by 84 points at Blacktown. Cooper French put up ridiculous numbers, leading the way with a mammoth 43 disposals plus 13 inside 50s, 10 marks and 3.2 in a best-on-ground display. He was assisted by James Rice who had it 28 times while laying seven tackles and kicking a goal. Brynley Ryan was again superb with 28 touches, eight inside 50s and three goals, while Archibald Blacker booted 5.3 from 19 touches and took 12 marks. Western Bulldogs NGA prospect Khaled El Souki, whose regular Talent League club is the Western Jets, was Bachar’s best with 28 touches, eight inside 50s and eight tackles. 15-year-old Wasim Kadour kicked four goals.

The Power punished a wayward Rebels outfit to win by 57 points at Shepley in Dandenong. Gippy’s Oscar Henwood was one of the best players on the ground with 24 touches, eight inside 50s, six tackles and a goals. Connor Macmillan and twin brother Thomas had 24 and 23 disposals respectively, while Keenan Boi booted 4.2 from 13 touches. Clancy Snell took 11 marks among his 19 possessions. Rebels gun Ethan Drever is putting together a remarkable campaign, this time amassing 31 touches, seven inside 50s, five tackles and a goal. Michael Hughes also had strong numbers with 29 touches and a goal. Archie Elliott continued his good form inside forward 50 with another 3.4, taking his season tally to 12 majors.

The Suns Academy belted the Bushies by 65 points at Carrara. The usual suspects for the Suns were Cooper Collins who led the team with 26 touches, eight marks and seven rebounds 50s and a goal. Isaac Mayne and Leroy Kaesler were both damaging with 24 possessions each plus three and two goals respectively. Mayne also had six inside 50s as Kaesler had nine inside 50s and five tackles. Caleb Williams booted three goals from 18 touches. Jackson Hewitt was massive again for Murray with a game-high 28 disposals, 12 grabs and seven rebound 50s. Spencer Sharp contributed 23 disposals and Kade Hadley kicked three goals for the Bushrangers.

The second of the NT’s games across the weekend ended in a narrow eight-point defeat to the Pioneers at Dingley. Max Thompson was enormous for the winning team with 30 disposals, 11 marks, six inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal. The 16-year-old has been building nicely and now has two 30+ outings in 2026. Two other Pioneers hit the 30-touch threshold including Eamon Austin (32 and 1.2) and Noah Willits (31), while Cruz O’Sullivan had it 24 times. Ben Barnard was again the Territory’s most prolific with 25 disposals and nine rebound 50s while 16-year-old Sydney-Jack Baker had 21 touches, seven tackles and a goal. The match ended up 6.15 to 5.13 at the windy home of the Hawks.

The Chargers held off the Stingrays by a goal in Frankston. Archie Dollman led the way for Oakleigh with a game-best 31 disposals and eight tackles. He looms as a mid-season draft possibility. Charlie Anastasopoulos was also busy with 30 touches and five inside 50s and Noah Bibile was industrious with 21 possessions and 11 tackles. Dandenong’s best few were Gus Kennedy with 26, Mitch Toner with 24 and two goals, Wil Antrobus with 23 and six tackles, and Bruce Gibson who had 18 and a game-high 12 tackles. Clancy Stuart was again impressive with 21 touches and three goals as Jackson Phillips contributed 22 disposals, nine tackles and two goals.

Disposals1 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 1382 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 118Eq.3 - Ethan Drever (GWV) - 117Eq.3 - Jake Beams (TD) - 1175 - Jackson Phillips (DS) - 116

Goals1 - Khaled El Souki (WJ) - 13Eq.2 - Oscar Cail (BP) - 12Eq.2 - Archie Elliott (GWV) - 12Eq.4 - Seb Marsic (OC) - 11Eq.4 - Nate Jenkins (CC) - 11

Marks1 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 442 - Hugh McCallum (TD) - 41Eq.3 - Xavier Ladbrook (GP) - 30Eq.3 - Tom Teague (GF) - 305 - Jake Beams (TD) - 29

Tackles1 - Chase Poyser (BP) - 342 - Ethan Drever (GWS) - 293 - Oscar Henwood (GP) - 28Eq.4 - Lucas Wootton (TD) - 27Eq.4 - Judd Burgiel (GP) - 27Eq.4 - Noah Williams (GF) - 27Eq.4 - Jackson Phillips (DS) - 27Eq.4 - ZAch Lambert (MB) - 27Eq.4 - Leo Ellerton (GWV) - 27