Under Age 2025 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Lore]

The 2023 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys will begin with a clash between Victoria Country and Victoria Metro on Saturday, June 10 during the King’s Birthday weekend in Victoria.

The first round of fixtures will be played across four states, before all ten teams converge on the Gold Coast where the final two rounds will be played from July 3 to July 7.

The 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will again feature six teams. Queensland, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia will all field teams, along with the Allies, which will comprise players from New South Wales, ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania.

2023 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys​

Teams: Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, Sydney Swans Academy, Tasmania and Western Australia

DATE	HOME TEAM	AWAY TEAM	VENUE
Sat, June 10	Victoria Country	Victoria Metro	IKON Park, VIC
Sat, June 17	GWS GIANTS Academy	Sydney Swans Academy	Blacktown Int. Sportspark, NSW
Sat, June 24	Northern Territory	Tasmania	Highgate Rec. Reserve, VIC
Sun, June 25	Western Australia	South Australia	TBC, WA
Sun, June 25	Brisbane Lions	GC SUNS Academy	Brighton Homes Arena, QLD
Mon, July 3	GC SUNS Academy	Tasmania	Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD
Mon, July 3	GWS GIANTS Academy	Northern Territory	Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD
Mon, July 3	Brisbane Lions	Sydney Swans	Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD
Tue, July 4	Victoria Metro	Western Australia	Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD
Tue, July 4	Victoria Country	South Australia	Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD
Thu, July 6	Tasmania	GWS GIANTS Academy	Fankhauser Reserve, QLD
Thu, July 6	GC SUNS Academy	Sydney Swans Academy	Fankhauser Reserve, QLD
Thu, July 6	Northern Territory	Brisbane Lions Academy	Fankhauser Reserve, QLD
Fri, July 7	South Australia	Victoria Metro	Fankhauser Reserve, QLD
Fri, July 7	Western Australia	Victoria Country	Fankhauser Reserve, QLD

2023 AFL National Championships: U18, U16 fixtures released

The AFL has released the schedule for this year's U18 and U16 National Championships

www.afl.com.au

 

[BronCrow]

Squads named for Victoria Metro v Victoria Country U16 and U18 Boys trials

Victoria Metro and Victoria Country announce squads for U16 and U18 Boys trials

www.afl.com.au

I am just wondering if the Mitch Stevens named in the Vic Country side is the same Mitch Stevens as the son of former Crows premiership player Mark Stevens

Mark Stevens

Age

48

Ht

194cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

3.5

4star

T

1.3

3star

G

1.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

5.8

2star

K

3.6

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

2.0

3star

T

0.4

3star

G

2.0

5star

.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Miller1971]

That's really deceiving to brand them all as 'Div II players' and just make a blanket statement that you shouldn't have many Div II players in the AA team. Like you pointed out, Queensland were runner ups in the U15 nationals the year before so clearly there are several players in Queensland that are better than their southern counterparts in that particular draft class. We'll get a much better understanding of their true ability over the next two years as they compete against higher standard competition on a more regular basis.

I think you'll see the Lions Academy side struggle to compete in 2024, but it will be more than 50% bottom agers I reckon.

The Suns will be stronger, but will also have a disproportionate amount of bottom agers running around as well.

 

[GC2015]

I think you'll see the Lions Academy side struggle to compete in 2024, but it will be more than 50% bottom agers I reckon.

The Suns will be stronger, but will also have a disproportionate amount of bottom agers running around as well.

Tend to agree. I think both will struggle in the U18 comps but the Suns are probably stronger at this stage. It'll be interesting to see how many Queenslanders make the Allies squad this year and if any of them will be bottom agers.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Something here on Raphael Geesu.

Brisbane Lions Academy’s Raphael Geesu named as Troy Clarke Scholar for 2023

Brisbane Lions Academy and Redland Victoria Point Sharks player Raphael Geesu, has been awarded the 2023 Troy Clarke Scholarship.

www.lions.com.au

 

[RedmanWasHere]

It's the new year.

This means it's the year of being the under age players in the U18's champions and simultaneously jostling for position in the futures game on AFLM GF day.

Sharp.
Greeves.
Ludowyke.
Duursma.

More improvement to come for this quartet and more.

 

[Futbolista]

It's the new year.

This means it's the year of being the under age players in the U18's champions and simultaneously jostling for position in the futures game on AFLM GF day.

Sharp.
Greeves.
Ludowyke.
Duursma.

More improvement to come for this quartet and more.

Exactly, and seeing as you have influence here can you change my 2024 WA thread from under age to draft age state focus...lol

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Exactly, and seeing as you have influence here can you change my 2024 WA thread from under age to draft age state focus...lol

I don't have mod powers.

Ping PMBangers, Lore, Chris25 and/or Mofra.

 

[Futbolista]

I don't have mod powers.

Ping PMBangers, Lore, Chris25 and/or Mofra.

Yes you do

 

[Futbolista]

Yes you do

oh oops I thought you said mind pwers

 

[RedmanWasHere]

oh oops I thought you said mind pwers

Don't have that one either.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

GC2015.

We need a player or 2 to disrupt Gold Coast's main group (Murray, Addinsall, Uwland, Patterson, Hudson and White) I reckon.

Make things that bit more interesting.

 

[GC2015]

GC2015.

We need a player or 2 to disrupt Gold Coast's main group (Murray, Addinsall, Uwland, Patterson, Hudson and White) I reckon.

Make things that bit more interesting.

I suspect we'll see a few of these prospects dropping off this year as the transition from U16 to U18 footy often balances things out. Especially if you're from a non-traditional footy state like Queensland. We saw it happen last year with Caleb Nancarrow who went from the best tall prospect in the '24 draft class (U16 AA CHF the year before) to a player who isn't even a guarantee to be drafted at the end of this year. The kids you've listed are all going to be playing bottom age U18 footy this year and I highly doubt all are going to maintain an AA level of play in 2024.

Even if all of them miracuously do maintain an AA level of play, I think it's very likely that the Suns will be playing finals in 2025 which means we'll only be able to draft one or two of them.

 

[Miller1971]

Cooper Collins is the smokey in that age group for the suns, alongside Dylan Patterson - he has limitless potential.

 

[GC2015]

Cooper Collins is the smokey in that age group for the suns, alongside Dylan Patterson - he has limitless potential.

Fairly sure Collins is a part of the 2026 draft class and played in the U16s national championships as a bottom ager last year. Should do so again this year.

Patterson seems to have the highest potential of GC's 2025 prospects. We've just got to make sure he doesn't convert to rugby league. He was very impressive playing for PBC's U16 league team last year and I'm sure the Titans have their eye on him too.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Off-topic but, Futbolista, I've just remembered you have the ability to change tags in your WA threads.

For future reference:


Go to your OP.
Find where it says "Edit."
Once this is done, to the left of the thread title is a drop down menu of thread prefix options.
Select the one you want and go from there.
Once this is done and you're satisfied with what you've done, click on "Save" and the prefix will be changed.

 

[Miller1971]

Fairly sure Collins is a part of the 2026 draft class and played in the U16s national championships as a bottom ager last year. Should do so again this year.

Patterson seems to have the highest potential of GC's 2025 prospects. We've just got to make sure he doesn't convert to rugby league. He was very impressive playing for PBC's U16 league team last year and I'm sure the Titans have their eye on him too.

Collins is 2025 draft, he is just born in December which is generally a disadvantage in footy development, as it makes Year 12 your draft year.

 

[manintheknow]

Cooper Collins is the smokey in that age group for the suns, alongside Dylan Patterson - he has limitless potential.

Patterson? Nah . Watched a lot . No doubt he can play but his average disposal count was low compared to others . Plus there are big questions on his attitude

 

[Miller1971]

His attitude would be the #1 thing holding him back (alongside his father and his attitude).

Was dominating QAFL senior footy in 2023 as a 15 year old, can't remember anyone doing that for a long time.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[GC2015]

His attitude would be the #1 thing holding him back (alongside his father and his attitude).

Was dominating QAFL senior footy in 2023 as a 15 year old, can't remember anyone doing that for a long time.

Interesting comment. Perhaps we've got another Zorko situation on our hands with Patterson? Clearly talented but apparently has an attitude issue and we know that cost Zorko at several AFL drafts. Patterson be playing U18s footy for the Suns academy as a bottom ager this year so he's going to get found out pretty quickly if something isn't up to standard. You can probably get away with a bit at the U16s level but the U18s level is serious stuff. Hopefully some success at the AFL level for the Suns over the next two years will inspire Patterson to get it together because it sounds like he has genuine first round/top 10 ability.

Gee whiz! Collingwood must be loving life with the amount of F/S players they've had/will have access to. They must be doing a lot right with the F/S academy.

 

[Jen2310]

Gee whiz! Collingwood must be loving life with the amount of F/S players they've had/will have access to. They must be doing a lot right with the F/S academy.

They rejuvinated the academy last year, which includes the NGA kids, and even kids of Father's that arent eligible; but wanted to get them involved, before then with covid there wasnt much going on due to covid.
This is Oscar and Jett Buckley in 2017 (Jett has more interesting in Racing/Karting these days)

 

[Miller1971]

Interesting comment. Perhaps we've got another Zorko situation on our hands with Patterson? Clearly talented but apparently has an attitude issue and we know that cost Zorko at several AFL drafts. Patterson be playing U18s footy for the Suns academy as a bottom ager this year so he's going to get found out pretty quickly if something isn't up to standard. You can probably get away with a bit at the U16s level but the U18s level is serious stuff. Hopefully some success at the AFL level for the Suns over the next two years will inspire Patterson to get it together because it sounds like he has genuine first round/top 10 ability.

I think he will be fine mate.

He was a top end player in the Palm Beach Senior side last year, and most QAFL Senior sides would murder the Suns academy u18 team.

 

[Obeanie1]

Hawks will have priority over lions, for access. Just like the Suns and Lions over Ashcroft. Hopefully Cooper will be keen to spread his wings and experience Melbourne. An he remembers dads Hawks premierships.

Yeah he goes to the same School as the lions Harry Sharp.

I reckon the Lions will welcome Cooper A.S.A.P

Hawks only get priority access if the kid agrees.

If he wants to stay in Brisbane with his family and all his mates at the Lion's he will sign up as an NGA and Lion's will steal him from under the noses of the Hawks.

I actually hope this happens as it would likely result in a massive uproar from the Vic media crying foul and as they do the AFL will bend to the will of the Vic clubs. Ending the ridiculous advantage the Lion's and the Swans are now rorting has to happen. Even if it means all clubs get similar access to their academies. Why strong, successful clubs playing in grand finals need AFL hand outs needs to be explained by AFL House. 10 years ago sure it made sense.....not today.

 

[Obeanie1]

Interesting comment. Perhaps we've got another Zorko situation on our hands with Patterson? Clearly talented but apparently has an attitude issue and we know that cost Zorko at several AFL drafts. Patterson be playing U18s footy for the Suns academy as a bottom ager this year so he's going to get found out pretty quickly if something isn't up to standard. You can probably get away with a bit at the U16s level but the U18s level is serious stuff. Hopefully some success at the AFL level for the Suns over the next two years will inspire Patterson to get it together because it sounds like he has genuine first round/top 10 ability.


Gee whiz! Collingwood must be loving life with the amount of F/S players they've had/will have access to. They must be doing a lot right with the F/S academy.

Being around for so long helps mate. Its all math.

Pretty hard to fill up a father son academy with no father sons.

 

[GC2015]

Being around for so long helps mate. Its all math.

Pretty hard to fill up a father son academy with no father sons.

Not for your club. You guys got father-son access to future dual premiership player Ashley McIntosh in your third year and father-son access to future Brownlow medallist + premiership player Ben Cousins in your ninth year. We're entering our 14th season in the league this year and we're still probably another decade away from drafting our first F/S selection.