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Important SN update for SouthlandDraft watch: The “insane” glut of father-sons at the Cannons
Andrew Slevison • July 4th, 2025 6:00 pm
The Calder Cannons have an exciting few years ahead.
In recent seasons, the Cannons have seen the likes of Isaac Kako (Essendon), Hugo Garcia (St Kilda), Harry O’Farrell (Carlton) and yet-to-debut father-son prospect Jordan Croft (Western Bulldogs) drafted to the AFL.
In 2025 there are several potential draftees running around in orange, red and black who are expected to figure in the top end of this year’s draft.
Sebastian Spagnuolo, the Regional Talent Operations Lead for the Cannons, has outlined the names that are likely to be on AFL club’s draft boards ahead of this November.
“From a draft year this year definitely Cooper Duff-Tytler, Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid,” Spagnuolo told SEN’s Future Stars.
“We’ve also got Jackson Barber and Felix Kneipp in Metro squads, so they’re worth watching.
“One that took a hanger on the weekend is Taj Robinson so hopefully he can kick on and go really well towards the back end of the year.”
Beyond this year there are a few surnames that AFL fans would be very familiar with.
There is a glut of father-son prospects at the Cannons - Sam Harris, Levi West and Jack Rutten - who would be giving North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide fans the warm fuzzies.
“From a next year perspective we’ve got some father-sons,” Spagnuolo added.
“We’ve got Sam Harris, the son of (former North midfielder) Daniel. We’ve got Levi West - the son of Scott - for the Doggies fans, and we’ve got Jack Rutten, the son of Ben.
“So the father-sons are coming through, and we’ve got Jack Dodorico is one next year to remember as well.”
Then it gets even more “insane”, says Spagnuolo.
In 2027 more father-son prospects will be in the offing for Essendon and Port Adelaide in the form of Koby Bewick, son of Dons premiership great Darren, and Tevita Rodan, son of David - who also played for Richmond and Melbourne and is a loved goal umpire.
“Don’t even get me started in the following year because it’s pretty insane again,” he said further.
“We’ve got a young kid by the name of Koby Bewick and Tevita Rodan, both father-son prospects again.
“We’re really fortunate to be in this sweet spot at the moment in the Calder region. Apart from those names which are well known, we’ve got a lot of talent coming through which is really exciting.”
There is plenty to like about what’s happening at Calder, even if they do have a 4-5 record and are sitting 11th on the Coates Talent League ladder.
This Saturday they meet the 16th-placed Murray Bushrangers in Wangaratta from 12pm AEST.
